1986 LEAF BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

Leave a reply

The 1986 Leaf baseball card set holds significant nostalgia and value for many collectors from that era. The design features players in action shots on a white background with team colors accenting the borders. While not quite as iconic or highly acclaimed as sets from Topps or Donruss in the mid-80s, Leaf offered an alternative and helped grow the hobby. Let’s take a deeper look at the value and desirable cards from the 1986 Leaf baseball release.

The base card set consisted of 524 total cards spanning all 26 teams from that season. With the sheer number of print runs from the many manufacturers in the mid 80s, most common players only hold a nominal value today. For example, run of the mill starters in mint condition could fetch around 50 cents to $1. There are certainly notable exceptions that command respectable sums. Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and John Smoltz lead the way for most valuable 1986 Leaf cards. Their base rookie offerings are highly sought after and in near mint to mint condition can bring $40-60 each.

Beyond pitching legends, other standouts from the 1986 rookie class include Will Clark, Mark McGwire, and Barry Larkin. Their Leaf rookie cards also remain popular pickups for collectors, grading out around $15-30 on average. For superstar veterans who were already established names at that point, Kent Hrbek, Kirby Puckett, and Roger Clemens get slightly more attention than run of the mill vets. Gem mint examples might gain $5-10 over the usual pricing range mentioned earlier. The real outliers commanding four figure sums are the true scarce short prints and especially the elusive error variations.

Topping the list is the now legendary Cal Ripken Jr. error card where his name is printed as “Cal Ripken” without the customary Jr. suffix. This mistake made during production results in an incredible rarity, with only a small handful believed to exist. In pristine condition, a Ripken Leaf error card could sell for upwards of $10,000 or more given how infrequently it comes onto the market. Another exciting error is the Roger Clemens card where his name is entirely omitted from the front. With his image and stats on the back identifying him clearly, this omission makes for a fascinating mistake. Estimates place fewer than 10 in circulation, fetching $3,000+ in mint shape.

Aside from errors, some of the notoriously scarce short prints also demand lofty values. The Mike Schmidt short print variation has a cropped image extending only to his waist instead of showing his full body like the standard issue. Numbered around 1 in 20 packs, crisp examples trade hands for $1,000-2,000. The Andre Dawson and Bret Saberhagen cards have ‘SP’ printed on the front too but with minuscule print runs believed under 100 each, their values soar into the $2,000-5,000 range depending on condition. Even more uncommon are the unconfirmed test prints or proofs that are completely blank on the back without any stats or text. Possessing one of these unnamed anomalies could earn six figures from a serious enthusiast.

When it comes to high grade rookie cards of future Hall of Famers, the ceiling is sky high as well. A pristine PSA Gem Mint 10 graded copy of the Tom Glavine rookie might command $500-1,000 given his achievements. A perfect 10 grade of either the Mark McGwire or Barry Larkin rookie could hit $2,000-3,000 with the right bidder. And a flawless PSA 10 Greg Maddux rookie would be a true crown jewel, estimated north of $5,000 for the right auction. Of course, 9 grades still retain fantastic premiums over raw near mint copies and these elite prospects continue gaining more appreciation over time.

While 1986 Leaf lacks the premier status of flagship Topps or Donruss issues from the same year, it still holds its own collecting niche. The exciting errors, scarce short prints, and Hall of Fame rookie cards make it a thrill for enthusiasts hunting unique pieces of cardboard. With the set containing over 500 total cards, common players remain quite affordable to build. But the true chasers are constantly on the lookout for that one needle in a haystack Cal Ripken error or pristine Greg Maddux rookie to become a centerpiece of any collection. Three decades later, the 1986 Leaf release Endures as one captivating snapshot from baseball’s past.

2022 TOPPS OPENING DAY BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 2022 Topps Opening Day baseball card set is one of the first major releases of the new season from card manufacturer Topps. As with past years, the Opening Day set provides fans with an exciting first look at the upcoming year in baseball through player and team photography from spring training. The 2022 release has some notable differences and new additions that make it an interesting set for collectors.

Containing 330 total cards, the 2022 Topps Opening Day set is slightly larger than recent years. The base cards feature a clean and classic design with team logos across the top and player photos taking up most of the front of the card. As with all Topps sets, the photography and production quality is top-notch. Fans will find sharp, high-resolution images of their favorite players ready for the new season. Ranging in number from 1 to 330, the base cards provide a thorough representation of players from all 30 MLB teams.

New for 2022 is the inclusion of 15 prospect cards mixed in with the base series. Highlighting some of the most exciting up-and-coming young talent in the minors, these prospect cards give collectors a sneak peek at future MLB stars. Names like Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals and Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners are featured. The prospect cards have a design similar to the base cards but with a photo of the player in their minor league uniform and a call-out highlighting what team they are a prospect of.

Veteran collectors will also notice some changes to the parallels and inserts found in hobby boxes of 2022 Topps Opening Day. In place of the usual “Green Shimmer” and “Gold” parallel variations from years past are two new parallels – “Green” and “Orange.” Both maintain the base card design but feature the player photo color-tinted to match the parallel color. The Green parallels have an print run of 1 per pack while the more scarce Orange parallels come in at around 1 per 10 packs.

Insert cards in 2022 also see an update with two new sets focused on awards and milestones. The 10-card “Awards Alley” insert set highlights some of baseball’s biggest individual honors like MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year. Meant to preview awards races for the upcoming season, each card features a trophy graphic overlay on the player photo. Similarly, the “Milestone Moments” insert set teases potential history-making achievements in 2022 like a player’s march toward 3,000 career hits or 500 career home runs. Both inserts continue Topps’ trend of adding more storylines and stats-based content beyond just base rosters.

Autograph and memorabilia cards are also present as chase cards for the high-end collector. “Topps Authentic” autographed cards can feature on-card or sticker autographs from both stars and prospects. “Topps Museum Collection” relic cards include uniform swatches, bat slivers, and other game-used memorabilia paired with sharp photographs. As with the base cards, the photography and production quality of these high-end inserts is top-notch. Numbered to much lower print runs, autographs and relics add excitement and significantly higher values to hobby boxes.

Outside of the base set and inserts, collectors can also find additional short print and parallel variations in hobby packs. With lower print runs come higher scarcity and greater excitement upon finding these rare pulls. Examples include “Gold Foil” parallels numbered to only 10 copies each or 1/1 “Platinum” parallels that are completely unique. The “Green Shimmer” parallel also returns with an even lower print run of 1 in every 300 packs to satisfy veteran collectors. Chasing these scarce parallel and short print cards provides a fun layer of chase and suspense to each Opening Day break.

The 2022 Topps Opening Day baseball card set builds nicely on the foundation and tradition of the annual spring release while making some smart updates. The inclusion of prospects and new inserts focused on awards and milestones add modern relevance and excitement. As with all Topps flagship sets, the photography and production are top-notch. Between the base roster cards, inserts, autographs, and various parallel variations, the 2022 release provides something for all levels of collectors. Whether enjoying the classic design, chasing specific players, or seeking out the rarest cards, Topps Opening Day is a highly anticipated way for fans to get their baseball card fix as Opening Day approaches.

MEMORABILIA BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Memorabilia baseball cards are unique collectible trading cards that feature game-used memorabilia embedded or attached directly to the card itself. This distinguishes them from traditional cardboard baseball cards that feature only images, stats and biographies of players. Memorabilia cards contain authentic pieces of equipment, uniforms or other tangible items directly related to star baseball athletes, creating special one-of-a-kind collectibles for enthusiasts.

Some of the most common types of memorabilia found on cards include swatches of jersey fabric, pieces of bat wood, game-used base paths or mound dirt, spikes/cleats, batting gloves and even torn ticket stubs or lineup cards. More rare and expensive cards may feature larger memorabilia relics like full stadium seats, base plates or even home run balls. Whatever the piece, having an authentic part of a famous player embedded makes these cards hugely popular and valuable amongst collectors.

The origin of memorabilia baseball cards can be traced back to the late 1980s and early 90s. Iconic brands like Fleer, Donruss and Upper Deck were searching for new innovative ways to spice up the traditional boring cardboard offerings that had dominated the market for decades. Responding to collector demand for something more tangible and interactive than static photos and stats, manufacturers began experimenting with attaching genuine on-field materials to the fronts and backs of cards.

This new concept was an instant hit with both hobbyists and mainstream consumers. Suddenly, cardboard collectibles became three-dimensional showpieces capable of sparking memories and conversation in a way regular issues never could. Sought-after relics from heroes like Mickey Mantle, Nolan Ryan and Cal Ripken Jr. commanded intense chase and substantially higher prices than plain parallels. Memorabilia mania had officially begun, forever changing the baseball card landscape.

In the ensuing decades, all major producers would integrate game-use relics as standard inclusions across many of their sets and boxes. Variations in size, material, serial numbering and other factors offered an endless array of strategies to entice buyers and strengthen secondary market values. Authentic swatches from rookie seasons of superstars like Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones, Derek Jeter and more achieved an almost religious status amongst collectors. The hobby had finally evolved past rows of cardboard into full-fledged sporting memorabilia.

Naturally, as demand ballooned supply became an issue. Stories emerged alleging some manufacturers used unauthorized mass-produced cloth scraps or unverifiable leftovers not actually related to the players shown. While still representing the uniforms, such practices diluted the collectible concept for purists seeking true on-field provenance. In response, governing bodies like the SCGCA were formed to verify and certificate memorabilia through a respected third party authentication process, restoring collector confidence.

Today, top-graded exemplars from the early years of the memorabilia craze routinely shatter auction records. Iconic Mantle jersey relics persistently achieve five and even six-figure prices. Rarity, condition, specific players and materials all influence the constantly rising values in this stratosphere segment. Downmarket, more common parallels can still retain meaningful financial worth based on their status as pioneers that helped revolutionize the entire collecting arena. Either way, memorabilia cards remain one of the most creatively thrilling and lucrative specialties for passionate collectors.

The future seems very bright for memorabilia baseball offerings as well. New technologies like 3D relic printing, embedded video/audio, biometric data tracking and blockchain certification open intriguing frontiers. Meanwhile, traditional cloth/leather artifacts steadily become more scarce as equipment is recycled less. Nostalgic demand amongst aging Gen-Xers with deep pockets ensures top memorabilia pieces hold blue-chip investment quality for a long time to come. From humble beginnings over 30 years ago, memorabilia cards have undoubtedly emerged as the most collectible and valuable baseball cards in the entire colorful history of the hobby. Their tangible link to on-field moments is what makes them truly special.

1990 BOWMAN BASEBALL BUBBLE GUM CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1990 Bowman baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and important releases in the modern baseball card era. Published by Topps, Bowman was their flagship product and helped shape the baseball card collecting landscape of the 1990s. The set contains cards of future Hall of Famers like Greg Maddux, Fred McGriff, Edgar Martinez, and Sandy Koufax along with rookie cards of stars like Larry Walker and Kenny Lofton. What truly set the 1990 Bowman issue apart was its revolutionary design and inclusion of coveted prospect cards at the front of the set.

Prior Bowman releases had featured colorful graphics and cartoon-style artwork on the cards but the 1990 version took a more mature approach. The cards had a clean white border surrounding a solid-colored photographic image of the player. At the top was embossed team name and at the bottom was the player’s name and position all in crisp black text. This streamlined look gave the cards a sophisticated feel that contrasted with competitors at the time still using more fanciful visuals. It was an aesthetic that set the tone for the relatively minimalist designs that have become the standard in the modern era.

Perhaps the most innovative part of the 1990 Bowman set though were the prospect cards included right at the front numbered from B1 to B21. These featured top amateur draft picks and international signings that had yet to make their major league debuts. Cards of future superstars like Bartolo Colon, Sammy Sosa, and Manny Ramirez were available to collectors even before their first big league at-bats. This was groundbreaking idea that gave Bowman exclusive access to the hottest young talent and generated tremendous excitement around players still developing in the minors. The prospect cards quickly became highly coveted by collectors and caused a spike in interest around the entire brand.

To promote the release, Topps enlisted a brilliant marketing campaign that further elevated the profile of the product. They distributed special Bowman baseball cards along with the iconic pink stick of bubble gum inside 12-packs of Topps Baseball cards sold nationally. This dual release strategy created synergy between the established Topps brand and the upstart Bowman label. Another creative promotion gave away limited edition unopened 1990 Bowman wax packs to contest winners that only added to the cachet surrounding the new issue.

When the cards hit hobby shop shelves and card show dealers in the spring of 1990, demand exceeded even Topps’ most optimistic expectations. The clean photography and prospect cards resonated with both new and experienced collectors hungry for the next big things in baseball. Speculators also took notice and began snapping up unopened packs and boxes believing interest in rookies like Sammy Sosa and Manny Ramirez would only grow in future years. Within months the cards transformed from a relatively mundane new baseball set into a full-fledged collectible craze.

As the 90s progressed, the 1990 Bowman cards maintained a cult following and only increased in scarcity and value. Unlike some contemporaneous issues where production numbers were enormous, Bowman’s limited print run both accelerated this rarity and added to its mystique. The prospect cards at the front also proved visionary as several of those touted amateurs developed into true superstars at the major league level. This created a valuable legacy for the 1990 release that is still felt today. Cards of Sosa, Ramirez, and others from that initial Bowman run are highly coveted by vintage collectors and carry significant price tags in gem mint condition as a result.

Perhaps most amazingly, even in today’s over-exposed collectibles market with reprint upon reprint, the original 1990 Bowman baseball cards have retained their aura of uniqueness and allure for devoted fans and investors. Their innovative design aesthetic and first cards of future legends like Colon, Sosa, and Ramirez cemented Bowman’s place in the hobby’s history books. While subsequent issues have seen peaks and valleys, that groundbreaking 1990 offering remains one of the true “rookie” sets in the modern baseball card era that kickstarted both a company and an entire collecting renaissance. Packs may no longer be found on store shelves, but 1990 Bowman’s legacy as a pivotal issue in the hobby lives on some 30 years later.

PRICE OF TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The Topps Company is one of the most iconic brands in the trading card industry, producing baseball cards that have been collected for generations. Topps got its start in 1938 and has evolved into the premier provider of MLB licensed cards. Their standard lineup each year includes the iconic Series 1 and Series 2 releases along with special sets.

The price of Topps cards can vary widely depending on numerous factors like the specific player featured, year of issue, condition of the card, and more. Certain milestone cards or rookie cards tend to demand extreme premiums. The demand, rarity, and historical significance surrounding Topps baseball cards greatly impact the amount collectors are willing to pay.

For common modern issues from the past 10-15 years, base rookies and star players in near mint to mint condition typically sell for $1-5. As the years go back further in time, the value increases significantly due to decreased production numbers and growing collector interest in vintage items. Cards from the 1960s in similar shape can net $5-50, while 1950s pieces are $20-200 depending on the player featured and overall condition.

Of course, there are always exceptions to these general price brackets. Extremely coveted rookie cards tend to demolish norms and can sell for thousands, even tens of thousands for the true elite. Some examples that demand massive dollar amounts include the iconic 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie (over $2 million PSA 8), 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner ($6.6 million PSA 5), and the 1957 Topps Mel Ott proof ($130,000 PSA 8).

Even into the 1970s-80s era, certain standouts maintain impressive value many decades later. The 1975 Topps Bruce Sutter rookie ($3,000 PSA 8), 1979 Topps Cal Ripken Jr. rookie (over $6,000 PSA 9), and 1984 Donruss Dean Palmer rookie (around $1,500 PSA 9) show how star players from that vintage range bring considerable prices. While not stratospheric like the early greats, collectors still eagerly pay premium costs for stars of eras not too distant in the past.

Iconic full sets from vintage time periods similarly hold tremendous worth. A complete 1959 Topps set in high grade recently sold for over $100,000. Full 1951 and 1952 Topps runs have each swapped hands for roughly $200,000 in pristine condition as well. Breaking into individual vintage sets allows collectors to build foundational holdings while still avoiding single card prices reaching many thousands.

Jumping ahead to the modern baseball card era, the scale of financial impact expands exponentially for rookie cards of true superstars. Cards like the 2003 Topps Freddie Freeman RC (above $2,000 PSA 10), 2007 Topps Strat-O-Matic Bryce Harper RC ($5,000 PSA 10), and 2009 Topps Update Mike Trout RC (over $10,000 PSA 10) demonstrate how dollars pour in for future Hall of Famers on the precipice of greatness.

Perhaps the single biggest spike in value in baseball card history came from the 2009 Topps Update Mike Trout rookie, which exploded from a $100 card in 2013 to $800,000 for a PSA 10 example just five years later, largely fueled by his incredible career achievements. While not every young star pans out at that level, Trout proved the potency in investing early on obvious future superstars before their greatness is fully realized on the diamond.

Beyond individual cards, entire complete rainbows of parallel and variation printing techniques for certain flagship releases see huge overall price tags. For example, a full 2009 Topps Trout rainbow setup with one of each parallel/variation currently brings over $50,000 combined. Collecting parallel sets allows fans to pursue slightly rarer versions of a single card theme across different printing processes. And in the case of the ’09 Trout, they function as a solid long term investment vehicle as well.

By drilling deeper into subsets and independent insert sets within Topps’ regular sets, all new opportunities for sizable expenditures open up too. Rare parallel refractor versions of the iconic 1992 Topps Trading Cards Derek Jeter RC can reach $10,000 each graded gem mint. Other special subsets like Topps Paper franchise logos cards enable massive multi-thousand dollar hits. There is seemingly no limit for how specialized and expensive collecting Topps baseball products can become.

So while common modern base Topps cards remain inexpensive, the true investment power comes from vintage issues, rookie cards of future stars, and pursuing parallels or rare subsets where scarcity drives overwhelming demand. The price of Topps baseball cards reflects the storied history and iconic brand status they hold within the sports collecting industry globally after over 80 years of production. There will always be a thriving market where fans eagerly pony up thousands, and sometimes more, to add key pieces to their Topps collections.

USA BASEBALL STARS AND STRIPES 2023 BEST CARDS

Leave a reply

With the 2023 baseball season in full swing, collectors and fans are on the hunt for the best cards from the latest Stars and Stripes release by USA Baseball. This yearly series by Topps always highlights some of the top American prospects and rising young stars in the sport. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the top cards to be on the lookout for from the 2023 Stars and Stripes set.

Perhaps the most coveted card in the entire release is the base rookie card of Los Angeles Angels phenomcatcher Logan O’Hoppe. After a breakout 2022 season that saw him hit .258 with 15 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A, O’Hoppe looks ready to take over as the Angels everyday catcher as soon as 2023. His prospect status and future All-Star potential make his Stars and Stripes rookie card one of the safest investments in the set. Graded mint condition versions of his card have already sold for over $200, showing how strongly collectors believe in his future success.

Another rookie drawing massive attention is Chicago Cubs shortstop Ed Howard. Considered a top 10 prospect for the Cubs, Howard hit .311 between Low-A and High-A ball in 2022 in his first full pro season. He shows five-tool talents and could be a .300 hitter with 20+ home runs annually in the majors. His defensive abilities could keep him at shortstop long term too. Expect Howard’s rookie to climb in value as he progresses up the minor league ladder in 2023. Pristine copies have already reached the $100 range.

Moving over to pitching, Atlanta Braves hurler Jared Shuster is getting major buzz. The hard-throwing lefty sits mid-90s with his fastball and mixes in a sharp slider. After posting a 1.77 ERA between High-A and Double-A last season, Shuster looks primed for a big 2023. He could debut in Atlanta before year’s end. With the Braves track record for developing arms, collectors see Shuster as a safe investment. Near-mint copies of his Stars and Stripes rookie have recently sold for $75-85.

For power hitting potential, keep an eye on Nationals prospect Darren Baker. The third baseman blasted 18 homers in High-A ball in 2022 in only his age 20 season. With his legendary father Dusty Baker’s coaching and genetics, plus a sweet swing, Baker has 40+ home run capability if he stays healthy. While still a couple years away, his tremendous raw tools make his rookie a speculator’s dream. Even well-worn copies have sold for $30-40 lately.

Another young slugger turning heads is Blue Jays outfield prospect Ryan Gridley. After belting 26 bombs between High-A and Double-A in 2022, the left-handed hitting Gridley showed plus raw power. At only 21 years old, he may develop even more strength in the coming years. With Toronto’s aggressive player development, Gridley could debut by 2025. Near-mint rookie cards have sold in the $40-50 range in recent weeks on speculation of his future breakout.

Shifting to established young talents, Seattle Mariners outfielder Jarred Kelenic is worth highlighting. After a disappointing 2021 rookie campaign, Kelenic bounced back with a .799 OPS between Triple-A and the majors in 2022. Collectors who added his Stars and Stripes rookie at low prices a year ago are now sitting on a gold mine. With Kelenic now entrenched in Seattle’s order, top-graded versions of his card changed hands for $80-100 last month.

No Stars and Stripes review would be complete without mentioning Cardinals pitcher Andre Pallante. The righty went 4-2 with a 2.04 ERA as a rookie in 2022, showing ace-like skills. Pallante looks ready to form a dominant 1-2 punch in St. Louis’ rotation for years along fellow youngster Jordan Montgomery. His long-term outlook and proven ability make his rookie one of the safest long-term holdings in the set. Near-mint 10 copies have sold recently for $150-175 and only stand to increase over the coming years.

With talented players like O’Hoppe, Howard, Shuster, Baker, Gridley, Kelenic, and Pallante, the 2023 USA Baseball Stars and Stripes release features many future MLB stars. Any of their rookies make for superb long-term investments. But the key, as with any trading cards, is to only acquire high-grade versions from reputable sellers to maximize returns down the road. The prospects highlighted here all have the skills to bump their cards significantly higher with continued on-field success.

THOMAS SZAPUCKI BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Thomas Szapucki Baseball Cards: A Promising Lefty’s Journey from Draft Pick to the Majors

Thomas Szapucki has long been considered one of the best pitching prospects in the New York Mets farm system. Selected with the 76th overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft out of Woodland Hills High School in California, Szapucki quickly rose through the ranks with elite stuff that produced eye-popping strikeout numbers but also brought along injury concerns that have slowed his progression. Now reaching the upper levels of the minors and nearing his MLB debut, let’s take a look at Szapucki’s journey so far through his baseball cards and evaluate his potential impact on the Mets pitching staff.

2015 Bowman Chrome Draft Thomas Szapucki Card (Base): Szapucki’s first card came out shortly after he was drafted, featuring a clean-cut photo of the teenager in a Mets uniform. Standing at a strapping 6’5, the card highlights his mid-90s fastball and sharp curveball that helped make him a top high school prospect. The bottom notes his selection in the third round and his commitment to UCLA prior to turning pro. As a base rookie card of a promising draft pick, it remains one of his more affordable cards for collectors.

2016 Bowman Chrome Thomas Szapucki Card (Refractor Parallel): Szapucki’s breakout season came in 2016 when he dominated Low-A ball at just 19 years old. Posting a minuscule 1.15 ERA with 91 strikeouts in 67 innings between the Kingsport Mets and Brooklyn Cyclones, his elite stuff was on full display. The allure was enough for card manufacturers to release prospect refractor parallels of Szapucki’s 2016 Bowman Chrome card, denoting his rising status. The refractors carry a premium to this day as one of his first true “hit” cards showing his budding potential.

2017 Bowman Chrome Thomas Szapucki Card: By 2017, Szapucki had leaped onto top Mets prospect lists and minor league top 100s after consecutive dominant seasons to start his career. The hype is palpable on his ’17 Bowman card, where a close-up shot accentuates his intimidating glare on the mound. The back waxes poetic about his mid-90s fastball and plus curveball/changeup combo that was missing bats all over the South Atlantic League as a 20-year-old that year. It proved one of his most widely distributed cards at the time.

2018 Stadium Club Thomas Szapucki Card: Arm issues began to creep up in 2018 when Szapucki made only 8 starts in the Florida State League due to bicep tendinitis. Despite the injuries, card makers still saw his upside, releasing him in the high-end Stadium Club set with a gorgeous sunset photo from Clover Park. The blue and orange parallel versions remain eye-catching cards in collectors’ hands today. While production of Szapucki slowed as availability concerns emerged, faith in his ability never completely wavered.

2019 GCL Mets Thomas Szapucki Card: After shoulder surgery cost Szapucki all of 2019, he finally returned in short-season ball that season. Though a step back statistically, seeing Szapucki healthy again in a GCL Mets uniform brought optimism he could rejoin the prospect conversation. The simple blue and red 2019 Topps card struck the right hopeful tone for a pitcher looking to rebuild value. Szapucki may have been an afterthought that year, but many held onto his cards awaiting a potential rebound.

2021 Chrome Prospects Refractor Thomas Szapucki Card (Parallel): A series of solid but injury-plagued seasons left Szapucki somewhat lost in the prospect shuffle entering 2021. But a lights-out campaign splitting time in Double and Triple-A brought him roaring back, as he struck out 83 in 67 innings between Binghamton and Syracuse. Chrome Prospects released a refractor of his base card to recognize his revival, and the parallel versions have since climbed considerably given his improved standing as a pitching prospect once more.

2022 Bowman Platinum Blue Refractor Thomas Szapucki Card (Parallel): Szapucki earned his first career MLB call-up in 2022 after yet another fantastic season in the minors. Joining the Mets as a September call-up showed how far he’d come since those early draft days. Bowman Platinum commemorated the ascent by releasing his prospect card in exclusive blue refractors, honoring the left-hander who had at long last reached The Show after years of rehab and reclamation. It became one of his most iconic “graded” cards.

2023 Topps Traded Thomas Szapucki Card: Though not an overpowering debut, Szapucki showed flashes of promise in 6 2022 MLB appearances out of the Mets bullpen. Entering 2023 with an inside track for a job in the big league rotation, Topps inserted him into their annual Traded set. The card highlights his journey and roadblocks overcome to arrive at this point. As Szapucki begins his first full MLB season, it symbolizes one of the final steps of cards tracking his rise from draft pick to established major leaguer.

In summary, Thomas Szapucki’s baseball card collection acts as a retrospective window into the highs and lows of his professional career to date. From touted draft pick to injured prospect to rebounding standout to September call-up, his cards tell the story of perseverance through adversity for a pitcher who always had the talent, but needed time to put it all together. As Szapucki embarks on likely his first full season in the Mets rotation in 2023, his early cards remain some of the more identifiable and affordable in following the upside of a potential future staff ace. Only continued success in New York can raise the values higher, cementing his place among the elite pitching prospects of his draft class.

FREE APP TO SCAN BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Scanning your baseball card collection is a great way to digitally catalog and track your cards. With a free app, you can snap pictures of each card and have the digital versions easily accessible on your phone or computer. This allows you to show friends your collection from anywhere and even potentially use your scanned cards for online trading. There are several high quality free apps available that make scanning baseball cards simple.

One of the most full-featured free scanning apps is Collector Eye. This app allows you to scan single cards or entire sheets of cards. It uses advanced computer vision technology to automatically detect the edges of each card so they are cropped perfectly. Once scanned, the app extracts key details like the player, team, year and more directly from the image. This crucial data is then saved with the digital copy of the card. Collector Eye makes it easy to search your entire scanned collection and filter by any attribute. Plus, scanned cards can be shared directly within the app’s social features or exported as high resolution JPEG or PNG images for other uses.

While Collector Eye focuses solely on scanning, the Deluxe edition does add in collection management features for a small subscription fee. But the free version is still extremely powerful for simply digitizing your physical baseball card collection. It supports images up to 30 megapixels in size from any smartphone or tablet’s camera. And your scanned cards are securely stored in the cloud and accessible from any device. For a fully-featured no cost option, Collector Eye is easily one of the best apps for scanning baseball cards on both iOS and Android.

Another top free app worth considering is Photomyne. Unlike Collector Eye which is made specifically for cards, Photomyne is a general scanning app that still works great for baseball cards. It uses machine learning to automatically detect and crop each card from a scanned sheet. Individual cards or entire pages can be scanned with just a few taps. Photomyne extracts details like the player name, team logo and more directly from the image through its optical character recognition (OCR). Scanned cards are then stored in the app’s online storage and you can search, filter, share or export your collection.

Where Photomyne stands out is its powerful editing tools. Scanned images can be enhanced with options like brightness, contrast and sharpening adjustments. The app can even repair bent or damaged corners on scanned cards through its healing brush tool. Photomyne’s editor makes it easy to touch up images and ensure the best possible digital copies of your baseball cards. While not as focused on cards as Collector Eye, Photomyne offers a bit more flexibility and control over the scanning process through its robust editing features. Both are great free options worth trying for digitizing baseball card collections.

Another app with effective free scanning is CardScan. This simple but capable app uses image recognition to identify and crop individual cards from sheets during scanning. The interface walks you through scanning front and back one page at a time. Basic card details like the player, year and more are extracted where possible for each scanned image. While CardScan’s free version doesn’t have collection management, it does allow you to easily access all your scanned cards through the app’s Gallery. Images are saved at a high 5-megapixel resolution. Where CardScan stands out is its support for scanning specialty items beyond just standard trading cards. Memorabilia, autographs or oddball items can all be digitized.

For Apple device users, the Scanner Pro app provides a clean free scanning experience. It works similarly to the above apps by automatically detecting and cropping individual cards during the scanning process. Scanner Pro extracts basic details and has a simple grid view to access all scanned images. Where it differs is images are not saved or backed up anywhere – they exist solely within the app. This means there is no online storage or way to access scans across devices. But for basic one-time scanning solely on an iPhone or iPad, Scanner Pro gets the job done without watermarks or added costs. Just be aware scanned images cannot be saved long-term or shared elsewhere since they are only viewable within the app.

The last notable free scanning option is Tiny Scanner. While a more basic scanning app overall, it still works well for digitizing baseball cards. Tiny Scanner uses computer vision to detect edges and crop images during scanning. Instead of extracting details, it focuses on capturing quality images. Scanned files can be saved as JPEGs directly to your device’s photo library in high resolution. From there images are accessible anywhere photos can be viewed. Tiny Scanner provides a simple scanning interface without frills but gets the core job done of digitizing physical cards for storage on a phone or computer. It supports scanning on both iOS and Android platforms.

Apps like Collector Eye, Photomyne and CardScan offer the most fully-featured free solutions for scanning baseball card collections on mobile. They allow digitizing entire pages of cards at once, extract important details, and save files online for easy access across devices. More basic scanners like Scanner Pro and Tiny Scanner also get the job done without any costs – just with tradeoffs like limited storage or onboard viewing only. With quality free options available, there’s no need to spend money unless advanced collection management is required down the road.

TOPPS BASEBALL BUBBLE GUM CARDS 1989

Leave a reply

The 1989 Topps baseball card set was released during a time of great change in the baseball card industry. While Topps had long been the undisputed king of baseball cards, other companies like Fleer and Donruss were beginning to gain market share by offering innovative new sets. The late 1980s saw the rise of higher end insert sets, limited editions, and the increased use of photography over illustrations.

Topps entered 1989 looking to remain competitive despite facing new challenges. They printed 660 cards in the base set as always, but opted to use a photo on every card for the first time. Previous Topps sets had rarely used all photos. The 1989 design featured a white border around each image with the team name arched across the top in blue. Below was the player’s name and position in yellow.

Some notable rookie cards included Sandy Alomar Jr., Gregg Jeffries, Gary Sheffield, and Iván Rodríguez. The rookie class of 1989 lacked the star power of recent years. The most valuable rookie from the set would be Jeffery Leonard, who was well past his prime by this point in his career.

Veteran superstars featured included Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Rickey Henderson, and Ozzie Smith. Perhaps the most iconic card from the 1989 Topps set was the #1 Barry Bonds card, highlighting his transition from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the San Francisco Giants during the offseason.

Along with the base set, Topps also issued several insert sets in 1989. The most popular was the Topps Traded set, which featured traded and new players not in the base issue. This 86-card set had a red border and team logo at the bottom. Rosters were current through the July trade deadline. Notable cards included Kirby Puckett’s debut with the Chicago White Sox after being dealt from Minnesota.

Another insert was the Record Breaker subset, honoring players who set new career records that year. This 12-card set within the base issue highlighted milestones like Nolan Ryan’s 5,000th strikeout. Topps also issued a 30-card Team Leader subset, a 21-card Mini Leaders subset highlighting statistical leaders, and a 26-card All-Star subset taken from that year’s Midsummer Classic.

While Topps was sticking to tried and true formats, Fleer and Donruss were beginning to change the game. Fleer released the first licensed MLB logo set that year, prominently displaying team emblems. They also issued an innovative Fleer Update set halfway through the season to account for trades and call-ups. Donruss opted for a horizontal card design with action photos and neon colored borders on many cards.

Upper Deck also entered the baseball card market in 1989 after gaining renown for their highly sought after football cards. Their inaugural 176-card MLB release used state-of-the-art color photography and autographs. The set created a sensation and signaled a new era had begun, with photography and premium products disrupting the traditional model.

As the 1980s drew to a close, Topps felt pressure to keep up with increasingly flashy competitors. They began issuing limited autograph and parallel sets in the coming years. But the 1989 Topps release remained a very traditional product relying on familiar formats. In the collector marketplace, the set carries modest value today. The Barry Bonds rookie and traded cards tend to be the most valuable, while stars like Rickey Henderson have solid demand. Rookies have little value outside of the upper echelon.

Despite new challenges, Topps managed to maintain its position as the leading baseball card company in 1989. The brand remained synonymous with America’s pastime. The rising popularity of Upper Deck showed collectors demanded more innovative, high-end products. Topps would need to continue evolving if it wanted to retain its throne in this new era of flashy photography, autographs, and inserts with premium collector appeal. The traditional formula could only last so long against forceful new competitors shaking up the baseball card industry.

The 1989 Topps baseball card set marked both a period of consistency for the storied brand but also the dawn of major changes sweeping through the collectibles space. While staying true to classic designs, Topps started feeling pressure to modernize as card consumers demanded more premium options. Their position would be tested but Topps survived through continued innovation in the years ahead. As one of the final traditional 1980s releases, the 1989 set commemorates a transitional time before baseball cards evolved into the sophisticated multi-company industry that exists today.

GO TO SELL MY BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Deciding whether or not to sell your baseball card collection can be a difficult choice. On one hand, your cards may hold sentimental value from your childhood. If your collection has grown over the years and you are running out of space to store them or just want to cash in on their current worth, selling your baseball cards may be a good option. Before putting your cards up for sale, there are a few key steps you should take to ensure you get the best possible price and find the right buyers.

The first step is to properly organize and catalog your collection. Take the time to carefully sort your cards by player, team, year, and condition. This will make it much easier for potential buyers to view what you have available and properly value each card. You’ll also want to assign condition grades to each card using the widely recognized grading scale from 1 to 10 that most card collectors understand, with 10 being mint condition. Taking the time now to fully inventory your collection will pay off later when trying to sell.

Once your collection is sorted and graded, you need to research the current market values for each card. The gold standard for pricing is to check the recent sold listings on eBay to see what identical or near identical condition cards have actually been selling for. Other sources like Beckett, PSA, or COMC can also provide guidance, but eBay sold listings are the most accurate real-time indicator of current market prices. With this research, you’ll know the range you can reasonably ask for each card rather than just guessing.

Now it’s time to decide the best outlet(s) to sell your baseball cards. The top three options are consignment shops, online marketplaces like eBay, or direct sales at card shows and conventions. Consignment shops take a sizable cut (often around 30%) but handle everything else for you. Online marketplaces like eBay allow you to set your own prices and keep more of the sale proceeds but require more effort listing and mailing each card individually. Card shows put you directly in front of eager collectors but require travel and booth/table rental fees. Most experts recommend using a combination approach.

If opting for consignment, be selective and only work with reputable shops that are specialists in vintage cards, not just sports memorabilia. Get details on their commission rates and policies up front in writing. For online sales, take high quality photos in good lighting and fully disclose any flaws. Use trackable shipping and insurance for important cards. Consider auction listings for mid-range cards versus buy-it-now for gems. At card shows, bring protection like sleeves and toploaders along with a price list so customers can browse without disturbing your displays.

Promoting your collection increases potential buyers and negotiated prices. Create a user profile on trading/selling forums like Sports Card Forum to introduce your collection. Join local card collecting groups on social media too. You can even arrange a group sale with a fellow collector to save on shipping multiple packages. Making Condition Census registries or online checklists with your collection highlights draws more interest.

Being patient and negotiating is key, especially on premier cards where there is no urgency to sell immediately. Feel free to accept reasonable offers especially on common cards just to free up inventory space. But hold out for top dollar on your true star items. The longer you market a prized card, the more attractive it will seem to potential buyers. Unless you need fast cash, don’t accept the first offer since its value could increase over time.

Make sure to follow all local, state, and federal laws regarding sales tax collection when selling cards online or at shows. Keep impeccable records of all transactions including names, addresses, purchase prices and sales receipts for your own tax reporting purposes too. Consulting with an accountant ensures you comply with legal requirements.

With careful planning and persistence, you can realize full market value or potentially even greater returns if the right collector finds your collection. Take the time to properly organize and research your holdings. Then leverage multiple sales channels for highest visibility and best negotiating position. Ultimately, selling baseball cards is about connecting your pieces of history with new fans and providing a fair transaction for all parties.