BASEBALL CARDS IN THE 90S WORTH MONEY

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The 1990s was a transformative decade for baseball cards. While the junk wax era of the late 80s saw an overproduction of cards that drastically decreased values, the 90s saw hobby regain its footing and produce several rookie cards and inserts that hold significant value today. For collectors looking to potentially cash in, here are some of the top baseball cards from the 1990s that could be worth money:

Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card (1989 Upper Deck): Widely considered one of the most iconic and valuable baseball cards ever made, Griffey’s rookie is the undisputed king from the 90s. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples have sold for well over $100,000. Even lower graded copies in PSA 8 or BGS 9 still command thousands. Griffey was the face of baseball in the decade and this remains the card to own from the era.

Chipper Jones Rookie Card (1991 Fleer): As one of the greatest third basemen ever, Jones had a Hall of Fame career with the Braves. His rookie is the most coveted from the 1991 Fleer set. High-grade PSA 10 copies have sold for over $20,000, with PSA 9s bringing several thousand as well. This is a true blue chip 90s rookie to hold long term.

Derek Jeter Rookie Card (1992 Bowman): As perhaps the greatest Yankee of all time and a surefire Hall of Famer, Jeter’s rookie is extremely popular. PSA 10 Gems have topped $30,000 at auction. Even lower graded PSA 8 or BGS 9 copies still sell for thousands due to his iconic status. This is a no-brainer hold for any collection.

Mariano Rivera Rookie Card (1993 Fleer Flair Showcase): The greatest closer of all time, Rivera’s scarce rookie holds tremendous value. PSA 10 examples have sold for over $15,000. Even lower graded copies still command four figures. This is a true key card for any Yankees or Rivera PC.

Piazza Leaf Limited Rookie Patch Auto (1991-92): One of the rarest Piazza cards, this pre-rookie patch auto from Leaf Limited parallels his iconic rookie year. Only 10 were produced and it remains the Holy Grail for Piazza collectors. One recently sold for over $80,000 in a PSA 9.

Randy Johnson Bowman’s Best Refractor (1993): A true one-of-one, this Johnson refractor is the crown jewel of 90s inserts. As one of the most dominant pitchers ever, this card is the ultimate key for any Johnson PC. It last sold for over $100,000 in a PSA 9.5 Gem Mint.

Sammy Sosa Bowman Chrome Rookie Refractor (1990): One of the scarcest 90s rookies, Sosa’s Bowman Chrome rookie refractor is an incredibly rare pull. PSA 10 Gems have topped $30,000 at auction. Even lower graded copies still sell for five figures. This is a true high-end chase card.

Tom Glavine Leaf Limited Rookie Auto (1988-89): As a surefire Hall of Famer, Glavine’s ultra-rare Leaf rookie auto patch holds immense value. Only 10 were produced and it remains the rarest Glavine card in existence. One recently sold for over $60,000 in a PSA 9.

Tony Gwynn 1989 Upper Deck Hologram: One of the coolest inserts ever made, Gwynn’s hologram parallel is immensely popular. PSA 10 Gems have sold for over $20,000. Even lower graded copies still command thousands due to Gwynn’s legendary hitting prowess. This is a true 90s insert gem.

Greg Maddux 1992 Studio Gold Refractor #/100: Considered the finest Maddux card from the era, his scarce Studio gold refractor parallel remains a true high-end chase. PSA 10 Gems have topped $15,000 at auction. Even PSA 9 copies sell for thousands due to Maddux’s Hall of Fame status.

Jeff Bagwell Bowman Rookie (1990): As a true star of the 90s and Hall of Famer, Bagwell’s rookie remains extremely popular. PSA 10 Gems have sold for over $10,000. Even lower graded copies still command four figures. This is a true anchor card for any Bagwell collection.

Nomar Garciaparra Bowman Chrome Rookie Refractor (1996): One of the most coveted 90s rookies, Nomar’s scarce Bowman Chrome refractor parallel remains an elite chase card. PSA 10 Gems have topped $15,000 at auction. Even lower graded copies sell for thousands due to his early career success.

Ivan Rodriguez Bowman Chrome Rookie Refractor (1991): As perhaps the greatest catcher ever, Pudge’s rookie refractor is a true crown jewel card. PSA 10 Gems have sold for over $10,000. Even lower graded copies still command four figures. This is a must-have for any Pudge PC.

Barry Larkin Bowman Rookie (1986): A true star of the decade, Larkin’s rookie remains quite popular. PSA 10 Gems have sold for over $5,000. Even lower graded copies still sell for thousands due to his Hall of Fame career and status as a Cincinnati icon.

Larry Walker Bowman Rookie (1989): One of the most underrated players ever, Walker’s rookie has gained immense popularity in recent years. PSA 10 Gems have topped $5,000. Even lower graded copies still sell for thousands due to his elite five-tool skillset.

Mike Piazza Leaf Rookie (1990): As perhaps the greatest hitting catcher ever, Piazza’s rookie remains extremely popular. PSA 10 Gems have sold for over $4,000. Even lower graded copies still command thousands due to his iconic New York Mets tenure and Hall of Fame career.

Jim Abbott Upper Deck Rookie (1989): One of the greatest comeback stories in sports, Abbott’s rookie remains popular due to his inspirational career despite being born without a right hand. PSA 10 Gems have sold for over $3,000. Even lower graded copies still sell for hundreds.

While it takes time and patience to build true blue-chip holdings, investing in the top rookies, stars and inserts from the 1990s provides an opportunity to hold cards from one of the hobby’s most iconic eras. With values steadily increasing industrywide, cards from superstars like Griffey, Jeter, Maddux, and more have tremendous long term upside for savvy collectors.

SCORE 1989 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1989 Major League Baseball season was one of transition as the sport moved towards the dominance of teams valued the power of long ball over pitching and defense that would define the 1990s. The 1989 baseball card season captured these changes as new stars like Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Bonds began to emerge on the backs of flashy rookie cards while legends like Mike Schmidt neared retirement. For collectors of 1989 Topps, Donruss, Fleer and Score baseball cards, it was an exciting time to be building a collection with memorable rookie cards and talented veterans still in their primes.

Score was a smaller baseball card company than the big three of Topps, Donruss and Fleer but released innovative sets that appealed to collectors. Their 1989 offering featured dramatic action photography and creative design elements that stood out among the competition. At the forefront was the “Diamond Kings” insert set highlighting 16 of the game’s superstars in uniform but in dramatic posed scenes away from the field. Ken Griffey Jr., Jose Canseco and Nolan Ryan were some of the young and old talent featured in these showcase cards. Another unique aspect of 1989 Score was the “Bat Kings” parallel set using the same photographs as the Diamond Kings but with the players holding their signature bats.

Beyond the innovative inserts, the 1989 Score base set roster provided a who’s who of the era. Cardinal greats like Ozzie Smith and Vince Coleman led the National League while power hitters like Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco topped the American League ranks. Righthander Nolan Ryan’s impressive career was immortalized in his Houston Astros uniform after leaving the Angels. Young stars like Kirby Puckett and Sandy Alomar Jr. had breakout 1988 seasons setting themselves up for superb careers captured early in the 1989 Score collection.

On the rookie front, future Hall of Famer Barry Bonds debuted with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His imposing 6’1, 190 lb. frame and Lefty swing seemed destined for stardom in his rookie card. Ken Griffey Jr also had his first card issued after making his Major League debut in right field for the Seattle Mariners in 1989. The spikey haired 19-year old showed why he was one of baseball’s top prospects and signs of a long, successful career ahead. Other notable rookies included pitchers Roger Clemens(Red Sox), Mark Gardner(Red Sox) and catcher Sandy Martinez(Pirates).

Veteran superstars still dotted the Score checklist in 1989 like Wade Boggs with the Red Sox, Fernando Valenzuela with the Dodgers and the ageless Nolan Ryan preparing to break yet another record. But the changing of the guard was evident with power hitters rewriting home run records. Canseco blasted 42 home runs leading the A’s offensive charge while sluggers like Will Clark, Kevin Mitchell and Mark McGwire also eclipsed the 30 home run plateau.

For collectors of the 1989 Score baseball card set, finding and completing the 660 card base roster provided a detailed who’s who of the era. Chasing after parallel inserts like “Diamond Kings”, “Bat Kings” and “Record Breakers” showed the creative ways Score designed sets beyond the standard base cards. With strong rookie classes headlined by Bonds and Griffey Jr. coupled with veterans like Ryan and Boggs, the 1989 Score collection is a time capsule to one of transition in Major League Baseball history toward the elite power era soon to come. Finding graded examples of these stars’ rookie and prime years cards remains a hobby highlight for collectors today.

From a investment standpoint, some of the top grades 1989 Score rookie cards have held strong values. A PSA 10 Griffey Jr. regularly brings over $1000. A PSA 9 Bonds tops $400. Even non-rookie cards like a PSA 10 Boggs or Ryan crack $100. Lower grade examples are also attainable investments for collectors on a budget, especially for famous veterans. Condition is especially important to consider for the 26 year old Score set when purchasing today.

The 1989 Score baseball card set offers collectors a unique glimpse at the end of one era and start of another in Major League Baseball during the late 1980s. With innovative inserts and spikey action photography beyond the typical offerings that year, Score captured stars of the recent past, present and future. Chasing key rookies like Bonds and Griffey Jr. along with veterans primes make this an enduring classic set for the hobby. Those willing to pay premiums for top grades can find sound long term investments as well from the talented roster featured.

BASEBALL CARDS FOR 2023

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Baseball cards are always highly anticipated each year by collectors looking to see who the top rookies will be and get cards of star players on their new teams. The 2023 baseball card season looks to be another exciting year after some major player movement in the offseason. Here’s a closer look at some of the top stories collectors can expect to follow with the newest baseball cards to hit the hobby.

Juan Soto’s Move to the Padres Generates Buzz
One of the biggest storylines heading into the 2023 season was Juan Soto being traded from the Washington Nationals to the San Diego Padres. At just 24 years old, Soto is already considered one of the best pure hitters in baseball and in the midst of a long and highly successful career. His arrival in San Diego makes the Padres an instant World Series contender and generates plenty of excitement for collectors. Soto’s rookie cards increased in value after the trade and his first cards in a Padres uniform will be some of the most sought after new releases. Having a core of young stars like Soto, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. make the Padres one of the premier franchises in baseball collecting right now.

Rookie Class Headlined by Julio Rodriguez
While Soto creates buzz on the established star front, the 2023 rookie class is led by Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez. In just his first full season in 2022, Rodriguez finished fourth in AL ROY voting while displaying five-tool talents. His power, speed and defensive abilities have cemented him as a future superstar. Rodriguez’s rookie cards skyrocketed in value in 2023 and any certified autographs or memorabilia from the rookie crop will be at the top of want lists. Other hot rookies to watch include Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Xavier Edward and Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II, who both had strong debuts in 2022 and their cards could emerge as the hottest of the class.

Aaron Judge’s Free Agency Shakes Things Up
One of the biggest free agents was American League single season home run record holder Aaron Judge coming off his historic 62 home run campaign with the New York Yankees in 2022. Judge ultimately re-signed with the Yankees, but before that outcome, the possibility of him signing elsewhere shook up the baseball card market. Had Judge signed with another team, that franchise would have seen an immediate surge in interest and the value of any Judge cards in their uniform would have spiked. His continued tenure with the Yankees keeps one of the hobby’s premier stars anchored to one of its flagship franchises long-term.

Vlad Jr. and Ohtani Cements their Star Power
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays and Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels cemented themselves as two of the best and most dominant players in baseball with their 2022 seasons. Guerrero Jr. put himself in MVP conversations with another outstanding offensive year, while Ohtani did what he’s proven to consistently do by excelling both at the plate and on the mound. Their established star power makes any current or new cards highly desirable and they continue increasing the value of their growing autographed memorabilia portfolios in the hobby. Both international superstars play for franchises with huge fanbases, ensuring their cards remain hot commodities in the baseball collecting world for years to come.

Other Notable Stories to Follow

Trea Turner signs with Phillies, giving them a new star shortstop alongside Bryce Harper.
Carlos Correa goes to Twins, providing Minnesota a centerpiece of their rebuilding effort.
Xander Bogaerts bolted Boston for San Diego, reuniting with previous Red Sox teammate Eovaldi.
New stars like Bobby Witt Jr. in Kansas City and Riley Greene in Detroit get set for their first full MLB seasons.
Rookies like Oneil Cruz, Spencer Torkelson and Adley Rutschman look to build on strong debuts and Rising star potential.

Those are just a handful of the many major storylines that hobbyists will track through players’ new 2023 baseball cards. With an exciting new season on the horizon featuring elite rookies and shifted all-star veteran rosters, there figures to be no shortage of interest and speculation around what each year’s crop of cardboard can bring to the collecting community. It should make for another fantastic year in the world of baseball memorabilia.

2000 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE

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The 2000 Topps baseball card set is one of the more iconic issues from the late 90s/early 2000s era. Issued at the tail end of the steroid era, the set features some true superstars of the game at the height of their powers. Let’s take a deeper look at the key cards from 2000 Topps and find out what they might be worth today according to the latest price guide.

The base card design is clean and simple, featuring an action photo of the player with their team logo and uniform colors taking up the majority of the front of the card. On the back is standard career and stats information. The base cards were extremely widely produced and as a result, most are only worth between $.10 to $1 depending on the player featured. There are a few inserts and parallels in the set that have increased drastically in value over the past 20+ years.

Leading the way price-wise is card #1, the Ken Griffey Jr. This was Griffey’s last season with the Mariners before being traded to the Reds and he was still considered one of the true elite talents in the game. High-grade Griffey rookie cards from 1989 Upper Deck are some of the most sought-after cards ever, so anytime you see a Griffey in the 1950s era and later there is demand. In a PSA 10 gem mint state, the 2000 Topps Griffey #1 regularly fetches $100-150. Even in EX-MT condition it sells for $15-25. With Griffey’s legendary status, this card’s price is only likely to continue increasing.

Another superstar who was entering his statistical prime in 2000 was Barry Bonds. His #158 card in the set shows him in his classic Pirates powder blue uniform, long before his big Giants/steroid controversy years. Nonetheless, collectors are always searching high and low for Bonds cards from his 70s/80s/90s Pirates days. In top PSA 10 condition the 2000 Topps Bonds can sell in the $50-75 range. Most graded Bonds from this era and before have proven to be sound long term investments.

While pitchers rarely drive the price of sets quite like position players, there is one hurler in the 2000 Topps set that stands out significantly – Pedro Martinez. The Red Sox flamed-throwing righty was arguably the best pitcher in baseball throughout the late 90s. His dominance is captured perfectly on card #616. At the time, nobody could hit Pedro and the 2000 season saw him post one of the all-time greatest single season ERAs of 1.74. High-grade Pedro Martinez rookies from 1992 are 8-figure cards. But even his 2000 Topps card in top condition trades hands in the $50-75 range.

Moving away from the true stars of the era, there are a few notable rookie cards and prospects that have also increased substantially in the ensuing years. Often times in any vintage set it’s the rookies that end up driving future collector demand, as fans become nostalgic for finding stars in their earliest cardboard appearances. In the 2000 Topps set those include:

Carlos Beltran (#327) – The five-tool Royals center fielder was one of the most exciting young players in baseball in 2000. Even high-grade examples can be found in the $30-50 range today.

Lance Berkman (#579) – The versatile slugging 1B/OF was a sensation right away for Houston in 2000. His rookie has found a $15-25 market.

Ryan Howard (#785) – Big pieces of Phillies history, Howard’s rookie card has doubled from a $5 card to a $10-15 valued piece in today’s market.

Chase Utley (#816) – Another integral piece of the dominant 2000s Phillies teams, his rookie is a $10-15 hold.

Francisco Cordero (#907) – Yes, the reliever ended up having a fine career but not a true star. His cards are highly collected by Cincinnati fans. Graded rookies can be had for $7-12.

That covers some of the true big hitters and prospective rookie gems from the 2000 Topps baseball card set. Factoring in supply/demand dynamics as well as the continued nostalgia trend, most cards featured from this largely overlooked but talent-packed era have proven to be solid long term collectors items. The allure of capturing players from the steroid saturated late 90s/early 2000s at the height of their skills remains high. And icons like Griffey, Bonds and Pedro continue appreciating as their legendary playing careers become more embedded in sports history with each passing year. Overall, 2000 Topps presents an affordable way to add some iconic 20+ year old cardboard to your collection.

CRAZY GUY SELLING BASEBALL CARDS

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The old man sat on a rickety folding chair behind a weathered card table set up on the sidewalk. Piles and boxes of baseball cards surrounded him, stacked haphazardly in no discernible order. A hand-scrawled sign taped to the front of the table read “Baseball Cards – Make Offer”.

People passing by on the busy downtown street paid him little mind. Most were too focused on getting to where they needed to go to stop and sift through the dusty collections of cardboard. A few may have glanced at the disheveled man and his disorganized wares with a look of pity before hurrying on their way.

But for Jerry, this was more than just a way to pass the time or make a few extra bucks. Selling his vast baseball card collection was his life’s work and passion. He had amassed the mountains of memorabilia over decades of collecting, starting from when he was just a young boy. Each tattered card held a special memory and story for him.

Jerry was now in his late 60s, alone in the world with only his cardboard companions to keep him company. His wife had passed away years ago and he was long estranged from his children and extended family. The cards were all he had left. But affording his small apartment on a fixed income was becoming more difficult as the cost of living rose. He knew he needed to downsize.

So day after day, rain or shine, he set up shop on the sidewalk hoping someone might take an interest in his treasured collection. Most folks just walked on by without so much as a glance. Jerry didn’t mind – he was content to sit and reminisce about the players and teams represented in the piles in front of him.

Occasionally a curious kid might stop to flip through the boxes, eyes lighting up at a shiny pull from a pack or a familiar star from their favorite team. Jerry would eagerly share stories and stats about each card with the enthusiastic young fans. Their parents usually hurried them along after just a few minutes, uncomfortable leaving their child with the disheveled stranger.

But one day everything changed when a man in his late 20s stopped to peruse Jerry’s selection. His name was Adam and he had recently rediscovered his childhood passion for the hobby. He spent nearly an hour going through boxes with Jerry, engrossed in the old-timer’s wealth of baseball knowledge and memories attached to each card.

Adam was fascinated by Jerry’s encyclopedic memory of players, stats, seasons and trivia from across the decades. He could have listened to the stories all day. When Adam spotted a rare rookie card from his favorite childhood player, he knew he had to have it.

“What will you take for this gem?” Adam asked Jerry.

A grin spread across Jerry’s weathered face. “That there is a special one. Let me see…how’s twenty bucks sound?”

Adam eagerly handed over a twenty dollar bill, thrilled with his find. They spent the next half hour haggling over fair prices for some of Jerry’s other vintage stars until Adam had amassed a nice starter collection.

Before leaving, Adam insisted on treating Jerry to lunch at a nearby sandwich shop to thank him. Over hoagies and iced tea, a friendship began to blossom between the two card collectors separated by nearly 50 years.

Adam started stopping by Jerry’s sidewalk sale every few days, not only to look for cards to add to his growing collection, but also for the pleasure of Jerry’s company and stories. Word of the “crazy old guy selling cards” and his encyclopedic knowledge spread through the local card collecting community. Soon Jerry had a regular stream of both casual browsers and serious collectors coming by daily to dig through his piles and learn from his lifelong passion.

Business was booming for Jerry. Cards were flying off the table at fair prices. But more importantly, he had found companionship and a sense of purpose again. The lonely days sitting alone with just his memories for company were over. Jerry’s joy was evident as he regaled customers young and old alike with his never-ending supply of baseball tales from across the decades.

Thanks to Adam’s chance discovery and their budding friendship, Jerry’s beloved collection finally found appreciative new homes while also giving the old man happiness and friendship in his later years. His sidewalk sale went from being a sad reflection of loneliness to a celebration of America’s pastime shared with others who loved the game as much as he did. In the end, Jerry’s “crazy” passion wound up being the very thing that saved him from slipping further into isolation, proving you should never underestimate the power of sports to bring people together.

93 TRIPLE PLAY BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1993 Topps Triple Play baseball card set was unique for its time in that it featured three players per card instead of the standard single player format that was common in the early 1990s. Containing 264 total cards, the set showcased all 28 Major League teams from that season with 9 cards dedicated to each club. Each card contained a primary image of one player along with smaller headshot photos of two teammates situated below. While not the first set to experiment with a multi-player concept, 93 Triple Play helped popularize this style that has since become a mainstay in modern group break and team sets produced today.

Released in early 1993 as the flagship baseball card offering from Topps, the 93 Triple Play set captured a snapshot of America’s pastime during a transitional period. The previous year had seen the conclusion of a lengthy work stoppage that cancelled part of the 1992 season, so collectors and fans were eager to welcome back Major League Baseball. Steroid speculation was just starting to emerge as well with the infamous Canseco book published later in 1993. On the field, rising stars like Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., and Frank Thomas were taking the mantle from aging legends like Dave Winfield and Nolan Ryan.

Each 93 Triple Play card contained vital stats and career highlights for the three featured players underneath their photos. Solid stock and sharp printing gave the cards a premium feel that stood out amongst competitors at the time. With no parallels, inserts, or serial numbering, the base set had a clean and straightforward design focused entirely on showcasing current rosters. While not particularly valuable today outside of key rookie cards, the 93 Triple Play set captured a specific moment in the early 90s that remains nostalgic for many collectors of that era.

In addition to standard base cards, the 93 Triple Play set included several popular short print and rookie variations that added to the excitement of the chase. Each team’s 9th card was printed in significantly lower numbers, making these “9th card SPs” the most coveted inserts. Rookies like Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi, and Nomar Garciaparra highlighted rookie talent from that season as well. Excluding these short prints and rookies, the base cards were fairly evenly distributed with no true rare standouts outside of the coveted 9th cards for each club.

When it came to team breakdowns, the 93 Triple Play set accurately reflected the Major League rosters and strengths from that 1993 season. Powerhouse clubs like the defending World Series champion Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, and Philadelphia Phillies received star-studded trios across several cards. Emerging young teams like the Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins had their inaugural seasons documented as expansion franchises. Even non-playoff teams got recognition, showcasing upcoming talents that would lead their franchises in later years. This widespread team representation added to the allure of putting together a complete 264-card set.

In the years since its release, the 1993 Topps Triple Play set has grown in nostalgic popularity amongst collectors who enjoyed the baseball card hobby during the early 1990s. While production numbers were high and individual cards hold little monetary value today, the set’s unique multi-player design and time capsule of 1993 rosters gives it enduring nostalgic appeal. On the secondary market, a complete set in well-centered, near mint condition can be acquired for $100-200 depending on the availability of key short prints and rookies included. For collectors who enjoy completing full sets from their childhood, 93 Triple Play remains a fun and relatively affordable trip down memory lane to the early 90s baseball card boom period.

While not the most valuable set in the long history of Topps baseball cards, the 1993 Triple Play release holds a special place amongst collectors who enjoyed the hobby during that era. Its innovative multi-player card format set the stage for future grouping-style sets. Combined with its accurate season snapshot through team breakdowns and inclusion of that year’s top rookies, 93 Triple Play succeeded in its goal of highlighting the 1993 MLB season through cardboard. Even with high initial production numbers, the nostalgia surrounding this unique set from three decades ago continues to drive collector interest today.

BASEBALL CARDS REDDING CA

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Baseball cards have been a popular collectible item in America since the late 19th century. Whether it’s chasing rare vintage cards from the early 1900s or collecting the latest modern issues, people across the country enjoy building baseball card collections. The city of Redding, located in northern California, has developed a passionate baseball card community over the years with several local shops catering to collectors.

One of the largest and most well-known baseball card stores in Redding is Bob’s Sportscards, which has been in business for over 30 years. Located downtown, Bob’s Sportscards occupies a large retail space filled from floor to ceiling with boxes upon boxes of cards available for collectors to look through. In addition to carrying the latest releases from Topps, Panini, Leaf and other major manufacturers, Bob’s also has an immense inventory of vintage cards dating back to the earliest tobacco issues from the late 1800s on up through the 1980s.

Bob and his staff have spent decades acquiring large collections from collectors and dealers across the U.S. This has allowed them to amass one of the most extensive vintage selections in Northern California. Bob takes pride in having reasonably priced commons and short prints from old sets mixed in with his higher end rarities, giving collectors of all budgets a chance to build their vintage collections. Along with singles, Bob’s also carries factory sealed wax boxes and cases of vintage sets.

For those chasing the biggest stars and rarest gems from the early days of the hobby, Bob’s vault in the back of the store houses his true crown jewels – complete vintage sets still in their original wrappers, unopened cases of the iconic 1952 Topps set, and single mint condition cards like 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner, 1914 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson and 1914 E134 Shoeless Joe Jackson. While priced far above what most collectors could afford, being able to view these masterpieces in person is a thrill for any card fan.

In addition to its impressive retail store, Bob’s Sportscards also runs a large online business with an website featuring thousands of individual vintage cards and complete sets available. They ship worldwide and work hard to accurately grade condition on even their lower-end vintage cards. Bob and his staff are also more than happy to help collectors put together want lists to fill in holes in their collections.

Another Redding baseball card shop with a strong focus on vintage is Dave’s Sportscards, located just a few blocks away from Bob’s. While smaller in size, Dave prides himself on having a very meticulously organized vintage inventory sorted alphabetically by player into long boxes. This makes it easy for collectors to quickly look up specific players they need for their sets.

Like Bob’s, Dave has spent decades acquiring collections to stock his shelves. He’s constantly going through his inventory to break apart incomplete sets someone may have sold him in order to make individual cards available. This benefits collectors trying to piece sets like 1959 Topps, 1970 Topps, or 1981 Donruss back together. Dave also carries a nice selection of vintage team and league sets.

In addition to his extensive singles selection, Dave’s also has unopened wax packs, boxes and factory sets from vintage years like 1952, 1956, 1960 and more. He enjoys helping collectors try to pull the stars and short prints they need from these untouched products. Dave’s friendly, low key approach to the hobby has made his shop a favorite gathering place for the Redding card collecting community for many years.

While Bob’s and Dave’s lead the way for vintage cards in Redding, the city is also home to several other shops with strong baseball card offerings. Sportscards Galore specializes more in modern issues, with a huge stock of newly released cards still in packs, boxes, and cases for collectors to break. Owner Tom enjoys helping organize group breaks that are always a fun social experience.

North State Sportscards in Anderson, just 20 minutes south of Redding, also carries a deep selection of both vintage and modern cards. Owner Jeff is a talented graders and is happy to analyze condition on potential collection purchases. He also runs a well-attended Redding-area card show each spring that draws dealers from all over Northern California.

With its concentration of high-quality, well-stocked card shops, Redding has developed a real hotbed of baseball card collecting activity and community over the decades. Whether browsing vast vintage selections, chasing down modern parallels and autographs, or simply chatting with other fans, the hobby is alive and well in this Northern California city. Collectors near and far appreciate having such great local resources to fuel their baseball card passions.

OBC OLD BASEBALL CARDS

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OBC, or old baseball cards, refer to baseball trading cards that were printed in the early era of baseball cards from the late 1800s through the 1950s. These vintage cards hold significant historical value as they capture the early years and stars of professional baseball. Collecting and learning about OBC is a fascinating hobby that transports collectors back in time to experience the origins of America’s pastime.

Some of the earliest printed baseball cards date back to the late 1880s but did not take off in popularity until the 1890s during baseball’s rise as the national sport. Tobacco companies like Allen & Ginter, Goodwin & Company, and American Tobacco Company began inserting baseball cards as premiums inside cigarette and tobacco products. These early OBC were printed utilizing crude lithographic techniques on low quality cardboard stock and featured basic stats and grayscale image of a single player on each card.

Rookie cards of legendary players from this era like Honus Wagner, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Cy Young are among the most valuable OBC in existence today. Complete sets and common players from the 1890s-1890s tobacco era can still be obtained at affordable prices if collectors are patient and well-versed in identifying authentic vintage issues. Condition and centering play a huge role in the value of these pioneer cardboard collectibles.

Entering the early 1900s, tobacco companies continued dominating the baseball card market with printed inserts included in their tobacco products. Brands like T206, T205, and Star became well known for their multiplayer “panel” cards that featured several superimposed player images on a single card. Exquisite artwork and lithography advanced during this time, though most OBC were still mass produced on low quality stock. Rarer OBC subsets and variations added novelty and complexity to the existing sets that collectors enjoy pursuing to this day.

The Goudey Gum Company became a major player starting in 1933 with their beautifully designed and sharply printed baseball cards included in gum packs. Future Hall of Famers like Lou Gehrig, Dizzy Dean, and Joe DiMaggio had their iconic rookie cards debuted during the short Goudey run that spanned a few years. Ultra-premium OBC variants like the infamous 1933 Goudey Jimmie Foxx card with an error in the photographer credit text fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars in top condition today.

World War II created shortages that slowed baseball card production for several years. But the post-war era saw a boom in the hobby powered by Allen & Ginter, Bowman Gum, and Topps Chewing Gum Company. These gum-included cards of the late 1940s-1950s had vivid color photos, bio stats, and were generally higher quality than earlier tobacco predecessors due to advancement in printing technology. Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron got their start in this “Golden Age” of baseball cards before the sport entered television ubiquity.

The largest set produced during this time was the massively popular 1953 Topps set which had over 600 cards and featured the debut of superstars like Duke Snider and Willie Wells. While common ’50s Topps have bottomed out in price in recent years, their historical significance and colorful visuals still excite collectors. OBC from earlier in the 20th century remain highly sought after by vintage card aficionados due to their scarcity, condition challenges, and prominence of the players featured.

While digital cards have become more prevalent in recent decades, there remains a special allure in obtaining and studying real physical OBC from baseball’s formative years. The cardboard artifacts provide a visual bridge to a bygone period in American sports history. Collectors enjoy the thrill of the hunt for rare finds at card shows, auctions, or online while learning about statistics and storylines from a century ago. In an era of digital replication, OBC remind us of authentic memorabilia from baseball’s humble grassroots origins.

For those willing to navigate condition and authenticity concerns while persevering in their quest, the joy of finding that elusive vintage star player or sought-after tobacco subset can be immensely rewarding. Amassing complete sets and learning the production histories of each brand provides a deeper sense of the evolution of baseball card collecting itself. Whether enjoyed casually or competitively graded, OBC will always be treasured connections to appreciating our national pastime and its earliest icons before television brought the games into living rooms nationwide.

1993 TED WILLIAMS CARD COMPANY BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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The 1993 Ted Williams Card Company baseball card set holds significant nostalgic and collectible value for many hobbyists and investors. Issued as the official return of the Ted Williams Card Company to the baseball card market after being dormant for several years, the 1993 set marked a pivotal moment that helped revive the company’s brand and legacy. While not the most visually stunning or largest set of the early 1990s, the 1993 Ted Williams cards remain an important part of card history due to featuring “The Splendid Splinter’s” name and endorsement for the first time since the 1970s.

Ted Williams was one of the greatest hitters in baseball history during his playing career from 1939 to 1960, winning the Triple Crown twice and holding the highest career batting average of any player at .344. After retiring, Williams lent his name and likeness to various card sets issued by other companies throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He had always dreamed of putting out his own branded baseball card set honoring the players and the sport he loved. In the early 1990s, Williams saw an opportunity to launch a new company and make that dream a reality.

In 1993, with the help of some investors, the Ted Williams Card Company was officially revived and produced its inaugural set since the mid-1970s. The design was handsome yet straightforward, featuring black-and-white player photos on a white background with team logos at the top. Rated rookie cards, managers/coaches, and playoff leaders were inserted into wax packs or boxes along with the base cards. The checklist totaled 234 players spanning both the American and National Leagues. Standout rookie cards included Derek Jeter, Jason Isringhausen, and Eric Karros among many other future stars.

Distribution of the 1993 Ted Williams Card Company set was limited primarily to hobby shops, small local drug/retail stores, and card shows/conventions. It never achieved the widespread retail presence of larger brands like Topps, Fleer, or Donruss during baseball’s junk wax era of the early 1990s. This more restricted distribution pattern has benefited the long-term collectibility of the set compared to other more mass-produced issues. Out of print for many years since its original release, strong demand still exists today for completing the checklist or finding elusive chase cards from the 1993 set.

When it comes to pop (production number), the 1993 Ted Williams Card Company cards are not considered especially scarce overall. Pop reports generally estimate pop counts around 10-15 million produced for the base cards and significant serially numbered/parallel insert subsets. The limited initial distribution channels and years spent out of the marketplace mean finding high grade and pristine conditioned examples growth more difficult. Carefully preserved Near Mint to Gem Mint quality 1993 Ted Williams base rookies for stars like Jeter, Isringhausen, and Karros commonly sell for $20-50 each currently. Slightly lower population parallel or serially numbered parallel inserts command premiums.

Some key factors that influence pricing for desirable 1993 Ted Williams Card Company rookie cards include:

Player Performance – Household name stars who enjoyed long, successful MLB careers like Derek Jeter naturally carry higher values than lesser role players or bust prospects from the checklist.

Condition – As with any older issue, the condition/grade makes a huge difference in price, with Near Mint and especially Gem Mint specimens selling for much more. Even moderate flaws can cut value significantly.

Parallel/Parallel Numbered Inserts – Limited parallel color variations and especially low-numbered serial parallel inserts are considerably rarer and more in demand than base cards.

Signed/Autographed Cards – Authentic, professionally certified signed editions by stars command multi-hundred dollar prices even in lower grades. Fake unsigned autograph scams are unfortunately somewhat prevalent as well for this set.

Key Rated Rookies – Beyond the household names, other impact rookies like Isringhausen, Karros, Ricky Bottalico, and Javy Lopez have dedicated collectors pursuing high grade examples.

The 1993 Ted Williams Card Company set, while not as prolifically produced as some other early 1990s issues, retains an intriguing mystique among both vintage collectors and investors two decades later. Featuring many rookie cards of future Hall of Famers and starring players before they made their mark in the majors, the 1993 TWC set occupies an important historical place in the timeline of the brand’s legacy and the player collecting hobby overall. Strong long-term demand combined with some inherent scarcity factors means choice examples still offer substantial upside potential for appreciation over time.

The 1993 Ted Williams Card Company baseball card set serves as an iconic launch point for the renewed company bearing the namesake of one of baseball’s all-time great hitters. While abundant overall in circulation, desirable high grade rookie cards and insert parallel subsets with substantial rarity premiums can range from $20-500+ depending on condition, parallels, and attached names. The set’s nostalgic and historical significance ensure it will remain a focal point for both vintage collectors and long-term investors for many years ahead. Featuring some of the earliest pro cards of future Cooperstown enshrinees like Derek Jeter only adds to the set’s lasting allure and collectible nature within the baseball card industry.

ZAC ROSSCUP BASEBALL CARDS

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Zac Rosscup is a former left-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who last played in 2019. While his major league career was relatively short-lived, Rosscup has achieved some distinctions that make his baseball cards fascinating collecting pieces. Let’s take a deeper look at Rosscup’s career and the baseball cards that were produced chronicling his time in the big leagues.

Rosscup was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 35th round of the 2010 MLB Draft out of the University of Texas at Arlington. He made his MLB debut with the Cubs in 2014 at the age of 26. Prior to reaching the majors, Rosscup had put together a solid minor league career with a 3.14 ERA over 175 games spanning 2010-2013 while climbing the ladder through Low-A, High-A, and AAA.

One of the more unique early Rosscup baseball cards comes from 2014 TOPPS MLB Sticker Collection. Despite playing in just 2 games that season, Rosscup managed to pull a sticker card out of series 1 of the sticker book release. Finding this low-printed sticker of a debuting rookie is a real treasure for Cubs or Rosscup collectors.

After bouncing between the Cubs and their AAA affiliate for parts of the 2014-2015 seasons, Rosscup began to carve out more of a regular role in the Chicago bullpen in 2016. He appeared in a career-high 54 games that year, posting a 3.06 ERA over 49 innings pitched. This breakout season led to Rosscup receiving several mainstream rookie and base card releases from the top trading card companies in 2016.

Some of the standout Rosscup rookie cards from 2016 include versions from Topps Baseball (#624), Topps Baseball Highlights (#RH27), Topps Pro Debut (#PD15), and Panini Donruss Optic (#125). Of these, the Topps Pro Debut and Panini Optic cards tend to be the most scarce due to their lower print runs within hobby boxes of those respective products. Locating a PSA/BGS graded gem mint copy of one of these inaugural Rosscup rookie issues would prove quite the find.

After spending parts of 4 seasons with the Cubs, Rosscup was waived and claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners in August 2017. He finished that season splits between Chicago and Seattle while continuing to contribute out of the bullpen. Rosscup’s Mariners debut resulted in some minor addition to his card portfolio, such as a base card in 2017 Topps Heritage (#649).

Rosscup struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness over 2018, bouncing back and forth from the Mariners to their AAA affiliate on multiple occasions. One bright spot that year was an outstanding campaign for Team USA in the 2018 friendly series versus international competition. Rosscup notched a 0.00 ERA over 4.2 stellar innings pitched while earning several nice patriotic card issues.

Highlights of Rosscup’s 2018 Team USA card run include releases from Topps Archives #USM-ZR, Topps Now #US-ZR2, and a rare Memorial Day parallel from 2018 Topps Opening Day #MD-ZR. Collectors who focus on sets highlighting players representing their countries will want to track down examples of Zac in a red, white, and blue uniform to commemorate this chapter of his career.

After being outrighted off the Mariners 40-man roster in October 2018, Rosscup signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds in 2019. He broke camp with the Reds to start the season but was ultimately designated for assignment after 11 appearances covering 9 innings. This resulted in Rosscup’s final major league card to date appearing in 2019 Topps Series 1 (#503).

While his MLB tenure lasted only five seasons split between three franchises, Rosscup has left an interesting footprint in the hobbies of baseball card collecting and Cubs, Mariners, and Reds fandom. Chasing the many unique parallel, inserts, rookie versions and low-print issues highlighting this left-handed reliever’s short but productive time in the show offers fun challenges for those building sets themed around specific players.

Whether you focus on his time as a Cub, representing Team USA, or rocking the tricolor Reds uniform, Rosscup’s baseball cards serve as a nice retrospective of a career that saw him battle through the minors for years before contributing at the game’s highest level. Finding high-grade copies of his scarcer rookie issues or patriotic issue cards in particular would make for very worthwhile additions to the collections of players who fondly remembers Zac Rosscup’s major league journey.