SWEET LOU’s BASEBALL CARDS MILLINGTON PHOTOS

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Sweet Lou’s Baseball Cards: A Millington Institution

Tucked away in a small suburban strip mall just off Navy Road in Millington, Tennessee lies an unassuming storefront that has become a beloved local institution – Sweet Lou’s Baseball Cards. For over 30 years, Sweet Lou Dortch has been buying, selling, and trading baseball cards out of the same small store, building strong relationships with customers both young and old along the way. What started as a humble hobby shop has evolved into much more than that – it’s a place where the community gathers and baseball memories are made.

Sweet Lou grew up in nearby Arkansas in the 1960s, coming of age during baseball’s golden era. He collected cards voraciously as a kid, enjoying the thrill of the hunt for elusive stars. After graduating high school in 1972, Lou moved to Memphis to attend the University of Memphis and pursue a degree in education. He student taught in the Millington area and fell in love with the tight-knit small town feel. Upon graduation in 1976, Lou accepted a teaching job at Millington Central High School where he would teach history and coach several sports for over three decades.

Outside of school, Lou’s true passion remained baseball cards. He would trade and flip cards frequently to feed his growing collection. In 1987, with the hobby booming due to the arrival of superstars like Donruss, Topps, and Fleer, Lou decided to take the plunge and open a part-time card shop on the weekends. He signed a short-term lease on a small storefront just down the road from the high school, hoping to bring the excitement of the card-collecting world to his local community. The shop was an instant success, drawing kids from Millington and surrounding towns eager to buy packs, complete sets, and conduct trades.

Sweet Lou’s Baseball Cards had found its niche. As the years passed, Lou’s small hobby business grew steadily. He upgraded to a larger permanent storefront in 1990 to keep up with demand. Families would stop by not just to shop but also to browse the trove of cards meticulously organized across long shelving racks. Lou personally knew most of his customers and could recall their favorite players, collections, and the cards they needed to complete sets going back years. His warmth and encyclopedic baseball knowledge made Sweet Lou’s as much a community hangout as it was a card shop.

While the 1990s brought new sets, players, and collecting trends to embrace, Lou’s operation remained decidedly old-school. Cards were still priced by hand using penny sleeves and quarter boxes held everything in place. The store had few frills but all the charm of another era. This no-nonsense approach helped Sweet Lou’s stay affordable for kids while retaining the hobby’s nostalgic feel. Generations of Millington youth cut their teeth on card collecting within its walls, trading commons for stars, browsing long boxes, and chatting baseball with Lou.

Into the new millennium, as online commerce reshaped many retail landscapes, Sweet Lou obstinately kept his shop an analog affair. Yet against all odds, this very tradition is what sustained the business. In the internet age, more than ever, people longed for human connection and places rooted in community. Sweet Lou’s stayed a constant where locals could drop in, shoot the breeze, perhaps catch a Tigers or Rangers game on the little TV in the corner. Lou himself now in his late 60s, was as much a fixture as the Pez dispensers and pennant banners that lined the shelves.

Disaster nearly struck in 2009, when an electrical fire broke out next door at the nail salon. Thick smoke billowed into Sweet Lou’s, warping inventory and melting plastic cases. But with help from the Millington community, Lou was back open within a month, business barely interrupted. “This place is like the Alamo to me,” he told the local newspaper. “I’ll never leave.” Past and present customers rallied, donating replacement boxes and spare cards to restore lost collections. It was a showing of just how valued a part of the fabric of Millington Sweet Lou’s had become.

Nearly two decades after that close call, Lou is now in his 70s but still behind the counter most afternoons. The shop has expanded and now features multiple rooms of collectibles, but retains its cozy vintage feel. Signed jerseys and photos line the walls, recalling greats who passed through like Nolan Ryan, Rickey Henderson, and Red Sox heroes from back when Millington had a minor league affiliate. At any given time, a game may be on featuring a new generation of stars.

While the internet has impacted hobby stores, none have thrived quite like Sweet Lou’s. Families continue to stop in for weekly puzzles or the thrill of tearing packs. Teens trade team bags in the back. Retirees linger over coffee and memories of teams past. Countless Little Leaguers and pop warner football players have spent lifetimes in that store, and some now bring their own kids. Sweet Lou beams behind the register, happy to see the tradition carried on.

At 75, Lou has no plans to fully retire. His passion remains nurturing future generations of baseball fans within the close-knit community that has supported his dream for decades. Sweet Lou’s Baseball Cards is more than a shop – it’s a hometown touchstone and living monument to the timeless joy and memories that baseball can bring.

2023 TOPPS UPDATE SERIES BASEBALL CARDS

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The 2023 Topps Update Series baseball cards will be released in late August or early September of 2023 and will feature players performances and roster moves from the second half of the 2022 MLB season. As with every year, the Update Series provides baseball card collectors the opportunity to get cards of players who were called up, traded, or had breakout seasons after the regular Topps Series 1 and Series 2 releases earlier in the year. Given how active the 2022 MLB trade deadline was and some of the young stars who emerged late in the season, the 2023 Topps Update Series promises to be one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year.

Some of the big names likely to appear prominently in the 2023 Topps Update Series after standout second half performances or trades in 2022 include Cardinals rookie sensation Jordan Walker, Mariners rookie sensation Julio Rodriguez, Astros ace pitcher Justin Verlander after being traded from the Tigers at the deadline, and Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber after being acquired from the Red Sox. Roster and performance changes are also likely to lead to the first Topps cards as members of their new teams for players like Luis Castillo after being traded from the Reds to the Mariners, Clayton Kershaw after signing with the Dodgers in the offseason, and Andrew Benintendi after being traded from the Royals to the Yankees at the deadline.

Rookies who made their MLB debuts late in 2022 like Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn, Marlins outfielder JJ Bleday, and Rangers outfielder Evan Carter will also receive their premier Topps rookie cards in the 2023 Update Series. Top prospects like Padres lefty MacKenzie Gore and Dodgers catcher Diego Cartaya who were called up late in the season and could play bigger roles in 2023 will get their first Topps rookie cards as well. And breakout young stars from 2022 like Mariners centerfielder Julio Rodriguez and Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan who had huge second halves are locks to be featured prominently after likely only receiving base cards in the regular Series 1 and 2 releases.

In addition to base cards, the 2023 Topps Update Series is also sure to include a variety of popular insert sets. Annual inserts like Gold Label parallels, Rainbow Foil parallels, and Refractors can be expected. Topps may also create new insert sets highlighting some of the big storylines from the 2022 season like a “Midseason Acquisitions” set featuring players like Verlander, Castillo, and Benintendi or a “September Callups” set focusing on rookies who debuted late like Winn, Bleday, and Gore. Topps often also does an “All-Rookie Team” insert set in the Update, so Rodriguez, Kwan, and others are likely candidates to be featured there. Autograph and memorabilia card inserts of the top rookies and veterans are also a staple in Update Series releases each year.

When it comes to the base card design for the 2023 Topps Update Series, collectors can expect Topps to continue with an artistic, photography-focused design similar to what they have used for the regular flagship releases the past few years. The cards will feature individual headshots of the players on the left side with action photography covering the right side and back. Base parallel variants like Gold, Silver, and Refractor can be expected to use similar photography but with foil treatments added. Topps Update Series base cards in recent years have also included team logo patches on the uniform photos to denote any roster changes. Numbering on the base cards is also likely to follow the standard Update pattern of serial numbering from #U-1 and up for each team set.

In addition to packs, boxes, and hobby cases of the 2023 Topps Update Series being available through the usual hobby shop and online retail channels, Topps also releases a high-end exclusive product each year focused on the Update release. In 2022, this was the Topps Chrome Update product which featured the base card designs on Chrome card stock with serially numbered parallels and autograph/memorabilia inserts. A similar high-end 2023 Topps Update product is expected, whether under the Chrome name or another title. These exclusive products offer collectors a more premium product focused on the key rookies, veterans, and big moments from the second half of the 2022 season.

With so much roster movement and young star emergence after the 2022 MLB trade deadline and down the stretch, the 2023 Topps Update Series has all the makings of one collectors will be itching to rip packs from come late summer 2023. Featuring the first cards in new uniforms of trade deadline acquisitions, premiere rookie cards of September callups, and showcase cards for breakout performers will make the 2023 Update one of the most highly anticipated issues in the annual Topps baseball card calendar. Between the standard release and anticipated high-end exclusive product, collectors have lots to look forward to continuing to chronicle the 2022 MLB season through cards from the busy second half.

TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS NZ

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Baseball cards have been collected by enthusiasts around the world for decades. In New Zealand, the popularity of collecting Topps baseball cards truly took off in the 1980s and 90s. While baseball is far from the most popular sport in NZ, Kiwis developed a passion for collecting and trading these iconic stickers of their favorite players.

Topps Chewing Gum Company first began producing and distributing baseball cards in the United States in 1938. In the early years after World War 2, American culture like baseball, Hollywood movies, and pop music started being exposed to wider audiences internationally. New Zealand cricketers and sports fans became aware of Major League Baseball through radio broadcasts as early as the 1950s.

The first Topps baseball cards began entering New Zealand in small quantities during the late 1950s and 1960s, mainly brought back by American servicemen stationed in the country during the Vietnam War era. Expat Americans living in NZ and collectors with US family/friend connections were primarily responsible for the initial filtered distribution. Cards from this early period are quite scarce in today’s NZ collecting market.

In the 1970s, an emerging baseball card collecting subculture started to take shape in New Zealand among children and teenagers. Card shops carrying limited Topps product opened in the major centers of Auckland and Wellington catering to this growing interest. Complete annual sets from the late 1960s/early 70s can still be found in collection boxes today, showing how they permeated Kiwi hobbyists even with limited specialized distribution.

The golden age of Topps baseball card popularity in New Zealand was unquestionably the 1980s and early 90s. Kiwis developed a passionate connection with the stars and tales from Major League Baseball during these decades. Factors like the expansion of cable TV bringing weekly MLB broadcasts, iconic players like Rickey Henderson capturing international attention, and the overall growing appeal of American pop culture worldwide all contributed.

By the early 1980s, dedicated baseball card shops opened in many large NZ cities and were thriving destinations for collecting communities. Topps annual sets, oddball issues, and popular high-numbered subsets were reliably imported and sold. The trading card show circuit also took off, where enthusiastic collectors would swap, buy, and sell with fellow fans at organized card-focused events around the country.

Complete sets from brands like Topps, Donruss, and Fleer started regularly filtering into the country in much higher numbers. Popular and valuable rookie cards for the era like Cal Ripken Jr., Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, and Kirby Puckett first entered Kiwi collections during this boom period. Annual Topps flagship releases available on store shelves allowed for easy collecting of entire seasons.

Kids developing baseball card collections in the 1980s and trading prized chase cards at school quickly became a Kiwi childhood rite of passage. The colorful and visual appeal of Topps cards made collecting accessible even for children without strong baseball knowledge. Popular subsets like Topps Traded helped fuel the market by keeping the hunt exciting with new variations each year. Regional sports stores sold factory sets of high numbers to feed the collecting frenzy.

New Zealand sports cards clubs formed around the country promoted the hobby. Major card shows hosted in basketball stadiums drew thousands. Speculation in sealed wax boxes and unopened packs took off as collecting shifted from pure enjoyment to investment potential. By the late 80s, the baseball card bubble was in full swing globally with skyrocketing prices for rare vintage cardboard.

As MLB and its stars maintained a captivated international audience into the 90s, Topps baseball cards remained a popular collecting pastime in Kiwi homes. Iconic rookie cards emerged like Griffey Jr., Pudge Rodriguez, and Barry Bonds. Regional factory sets and oddballs like Upper Deck entered the mainstream market alongside flagship Topps. Card shops proliferated as a specialized collecting niche business.

The bubble would burst by the early 1990s. Oversaturation, recession, and speculation crashing prices took their toll on the industry. Many NZ card shops closed up as interest waned. Remaining collectors turned to completing master sets, focusing on favorite teams or building full Reggie Jackson collections. Still, Topps products found their way into Kiwi collections through the remainder of the 90s until distribution steadily declines.

While no longer possessing the rabid popularity of the 1980s boom, Topps baseball cards maintaining a dedicated, smaller collecting community in New Zealand today. Older collectors reminisce about childhood collections and the boom era. Vintage Kiwi cards hold nostalgic value. Shops catering to all trading cards have emerged to serve a more niche market. Online groups facilitate discussion and trades. Regional shows attract hobbyists. Modern Topps releases still appeal to those following MLB. Overall, Topps laid the foundation for baseball card fandom amongst Kiwis, highlighted by a true golden age during the peak collecting decades of the 1980s and early 90s. The iconic brand solidified its place in New Zealand popular culture and memories of enthusiastic young fans.

2022 ST LOUIS CARDINALS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 2022 St. Louis Cardinals baseball team looks to improve upon their 90-72 record from 2021 and return to the postseason. As Cardinals fans eagerly await the start of the new season, they can scratch that baseball itch by collecting 2022 Cardinals baseball cards featuring their favorite players. This year’s Cardinals roster remains competitive with many established stars still in the fold alongside some promising young talent. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key Cardinals players who will have baseball cards released in 2022 box sets and packs.

Perhaps the greatest Cardinal of this generation is veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Now entering his 4th season in St. Louis after a blockbuster trade from Arizona, Goldschmidt remains incredibly consistent and productive at the plate. Despite being 34 years old, Goldschmidt batted .299 with 24 home runs and 81 RBI in 2021, finishing 6th in MVP voting. His legendary work ethic and dedication to staying in peak physical condition have allowed Goldschmidt to remain one of MLB’s elite first basemen well into his 30s. Cardinals fans will be eager to add the latest Goldschmidt baseball cards to their collections in search of his distinctive left-handed swing captured on the front.

Nolan Arenado has only been in St. Louis for one season after arriving in a trade with Colorado, but he has quickly endeared himself to Cardinals fans with his dazzling defense at third base and his improved offensive production from his final years with the Rockies. Arenado put together an All-Star caliber campaign in 2021 with 34 home runs and 105 RBI, finishing third in NL MVP voting. At just 31 years old, Arenado remains in his prime and should continue posting amazing all-around stats for years to come. Arenado’s 2022 baseball cards will be hot commodities given his new contract and status as a franchise cornerstone.

Another key producer who will certainly garner card collector interest is veteran outfielder Tyler O’Neill. After a breakout 2021 season that saw him slug 33 home runs and drive in 80 runs, O’Neill has established himself as a true power threat from the left side of the plate. When O’Neill gets hot at the plate, he is capable of carrying the Cardinals offense for extended stretches. His emerging star power coupled with his boundless energy and emotion on the field have made O’Neill a fan favorite. Young collectors will want to obtain O’Neill’s rookie cards, while all fans will look for another big season captured on his latest base cards.

On the mound, ace right-hander Adam Wainwright continues turning back the clock at the advanced age of 40 years old. Wainwright put together one of the best seasons by any pitcher in 2021, going 17-7 with a 3.05 ERA and leading the NL in wins. Now entering his 17th season with St. Louis, Wainwright has cemented his status as not just one of the greatest Cardinals ever, but as one of the best control pitchers of his generation. The respect and admiration Cardinals fans have for Wainwright cannot be overstated, making his 2022 cards a must-have for fans both young and old.

Perhaps the most exciting player collectors can look for on 2022 Cardinals cards is young outfielder Dylan Carlson. After a strong rookie campaign in 2020, Carlson broke out in his sophomore season by batting .266 with 20 HRs and 65 RBI at just 22 years old. Carlson made major improvements to his plate approach and power numbers, demonstrating why he is considered the club’s future star in both center field and as a lineup anchor. With his talent and pedigree, Carlson has the upside to one day compete for MVP awards. Savvy collectors may want to snap up his affordable base cards now before his star and collecting price ascends even higher in the future.

In addition to the above cornerstone names, fans can look forward to cards for other important contributors like catcher Yadier Molina, shortstop Paul DeJong, utilityman Tommy Edman, and veteran starters Miles Mikolas and Jack Flaherty when healthy. Young hurlers like Matthew Liberatore and pack opening hitters like Juan Yepez give the Cardinals an exciting mix of grizzled veterans and emerging stars to chase across all 2022 card products. As Opening Day approaches, Cardinals fans can get their baseball fix scoping out the plethora of players from their club available in the new season’s card releases. Collectors both local to St. Louis and worldwide will enjoy tracking these key Redbirds and adding them to their collections.

With a talented veteran core and influx of youthful additions, the 2022 Cardinals have a successful season within their reach. As the club tries to return to October baseball, fans will have a renewed passion for collecting that could drive demand and increases in value for certain Cardinals stars. Following another captivating season on the diamond, 2023 could bring about even greater fervor from collectors for stars like Goldschmidt, Arenado, Carlson and more in hopes of commemorating their latest accomplishments on cardboard. No matter the on-field results, 2022 promises to deliver an exciting new crop of baseball cards for collectors to chase featuring this iconic MLB franchise and it’s top performers both old and new.

MOST WANTED 1980S BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1980s were a memorable time for baseball cards as many Hall of Fame players made their rookie card debuts during this decade. While the baseball card market experienced ups and downs in the 80s, certain rookie cards from this era have stood the test of time and remain some of the most coveted by collectors today. Let’s take a look at several of the most sought-after 1980s baseball cards.

Perhaps the most iconic and valuable baseball card of the entire 1980s is the rookie card of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela. Issued in 1981 by Topps, Valenzuela’s rookie is highly desired due to his incredible rookie season that helped revive baseball on the West Coast. Nicknamed “Fernandomania”, Valenzuela took the MLB by storm in 1981 by winning Rookie of the Year and the NL Cy Young Award. He helped lead the Dodgers to a World Series title that year. Due to his popularity and success straight out of the gate, Valenzuela’s 1981 Topps rookie card is considered the most important baseball card of the decade. High grade copies in mint condition have sold for over $10,000, making it easily one of the hottest 1980s cards on the market.

Another hugely important rookie card from the 1980s is that of Toronto Blue Jays star Joe Carter. Carter’s rookie season was 1983 and his card was released that year by Topps as well. Carter went on to have a highly productive career playing for several MLB teams over 19 seasons. He’s best known for hitting a walk-off home run for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993 to clinch their second straight World Series title. Carter’s rookie card from ’83 Topps is in high demand because of his status as a fan-favorite slugger and his pivotal championship moment late in his career. Near-mint Carter rookies have sold in the $1,000 range.

The baseball card industry exploded in the late 1980s during the height of the junk wax era. Although sets from this time period are abundant and relatively low in value today, there were still some significant rookie cards released. In 1988, Topps captured the rookie seasons of future Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr., Tom Glavine, and Greg Maddux. These three superstars went on to have incredible careers and all remain active in baseball to this day. Despite hailing from the downturn of the junk wax era, high-grade versions of their 1988 Topps rookies retain value in the $100-200 range each due to the sustained success of Griffey, Glavine, and Maddux in the big leagues.

Some of the rarest and costliest 1980s rookie cards feature players whose careers were tragically cut short. In 1990, Topps issued the rookie cards of outfielders Will Clark and Dwight Gooden. Considered can’t-miss prospects, they debuted during baseball’s steroid era in the late 80s and early 90s. Clark enjoyed a solid career but Gooden’s was derailed by substance abuse issues. Clark’s 1990 Topps ROOKIE CUP parallel remains a major key card worth $500-1000. Meantime, Gooden’s iconic rookie from 1985 Fleer, showing his 95 mph fastball, has reached the $4,000 level in top condition due to his Hall of Fame-caliber talent that was never fully realized.

Other position players whose 1980s rookie cards are highly regarded include Ozzie Smith, Cal Ripken Jr., Roger Clemens, and Barry Bonds. Smith debuted in 1981 for Topps after winning Rookie of the Year in 1982. He went on to have a Hall of Fame career primarily with the Cardinals at shortstop. Ripken similarly had a ’81 Topps rookie before establishing himself as one of the game’s greats with the Orioles, breaking Gehrig’s consecutive games played streak. Clemens and Bonds are regarded as two of the best pure hitters ever. Their rookie seasons in the mid-1980s saw cards issued by Fleer, Donruss and Topps that today sell for hundreds due to their all-time statistical records that have been called into question during baseball’s “Steroid Era”.

While it didn’t contain the highest profile players of the decade, the 1986 Topps set is one of the most beloved from the entire junk wax period. That’s largely due to the impressive rookie class it showcased including Tom Glavine, Curt Schilling, Randy Johnson, Mark McGwire, and Barry Larkin. Each went on to the Hall of Fame or had a legendary career. Their ’86 Topps rookies today sell for $50-150 based on the player, with a highly-graded McGwire approaching $500. The entire vintage ’86 Topps set is iconic for collectors due to some huge stars mixing with classic design and photography aesthetics.

The 1980s launched the careers of many future Baseball Hall of Famers whose rookie cards remain coveted collectibles today. Headlined by the Fernando Valenzuela rookie from 1981 Topps, other highly sought debut cards include Griffey Jr., Maddux, and Glavine from ’88 Topps as well as the tragic stars Gooden, Clark and Clemens. The era also introduced legends like Ripken, Bonds, Smith and McGwire. While the junk wax era depressed short-term values, the sustained success of these players has kept their rookie cards among the most desired baseball commodities for enthusiasts of the sport.

WAX BOX BASEBALL CARDS

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Wax box baseball cards are some of the most iconic collectibles from the 1950s and 1960s. During this golden age of sports cards, the primary format for packaging and distributing baseball cards was the wax box. Inside each wax box, collectors would find a pack of cards sealed in a thin wax paper wrapping. This novel presentation helped spark children’s interests in collecting cards of their favorite players while also becoming a highly valued relic for collectors today.

The genesis of the modern baseball card can be traced back to the late 19th century when cigarette and candy companies began including small promotional cards in their products. It wasn’t until the post-World War II era that sports cards truly caught on as a mainstream hobby. Increased disposable income, the rise of televised baseball games, and clever marketing all contributed to the boom. In 1950, the Bowman Gum Company is credited with releasing the first modern wax-sealed packs of cards to be sold separately from other products.

These original Bowman packs contained a thin wax paper wrapping sealed with a blob of wax. Inside were five gum cards displaying black-and-white artwork of baseball players from the National and American leagues. The novelty of opening fresh wax seals attracted many children, who eagerly snapped, peeled, and snapped again to retrieve their prize of new cardboard treasures inside. Bowman’s influential design was soon copied by rival manufacturers such as Topps, which had debuted its own line of gum-included baseball cards the previous year.

Through the 1950s, Topps and Bowman engaged in an intense competition, driving production of cards to new heights. Where Bowman led with innovation in the early years, Topps emerged as the dominant force by the mid-1950s due in large part to securing exclusive licenses with major league teams and players associations. Topps was also far more aggressive than Bowman with annual issuance of complete baseball card sets. This period represents the golden age of baseball cards packed in the now-established format of wax-sealed flat packs containing between five to eight cards each.

The typical baseball card wax packs from the 1950s and 1960s contained several key components that collectors today still recognize and appreciate. The outer wax paper wrapping was essential for preserving the sealed cards inside. Manufacturers experimented with different hues and depths of wax over the years for aesthetic purposes as well as effective sealing. Inside each pack, collectors would discover a collage of rectangular player cards nestled together amidst thin inner wax sheets. The cards themselves grew more vibrant and detailed over the decade, transitioning from early monochrome to colorful illustrated portraits by the 1960s.

Another notable development concerned the gum which was originally included in the packs as incentive for purchase. When the 1954 Bowman set debuted with photographs on its cards for the first time, Topps answered back by introducing “pink gum” in its packs to match. From that point onward, Topps devoted each annual release to a signature gum color – pink in 1955, green in 1956, orange in 1957 and so on. The specific color served as an easy identifier of the year for set collectors seeking to complete full rosters.

By the end of the 1950s, the baseball card industry had ballooned into a phenomenon, with Topps alone selling an estimated 1 billion cards each year. With such high output came experimentation, including the occasional oddball issue breaking from standard norms. One 1960 release buried packs of cards amidst more substantial piles of pink bubblegum nuggets, forcing overzealous kids to dig through messy gum to find their prizes. In 1961, cards featured 3-D images when viewed through the included cardboard viewer. Issues also diversified beyond the standard 5-8 card packs, such as the rare 1960 Topps “Big 12” monster pack that doubled the usual count.

The popularity of baseball cards in wax packs continued strongly into the 1960s before beginning to taper off. Color photography became prevalent and card design shifted towards bold pop art styles to appeal to younger collectors. Manufacturers also introduced new non-sport trading cards based on television shows and space exploration. At the same time, the arrival of larger cardboard boxes containing multiple wax packs gave way to the decline of individual flat packs on store shelves.

By the late 1960s, interest moved towards other interests as many kids felt baseball cards were now “uncool.” The wax packs of the 1950s and 1960s cemented the format and established a lasting legacy appreciated today as vintage relics of a bygone era. The iconic presence of finding those thin wax-sealed packs on store shelves has become romanticized as simpler times of childhood discovery. For collectors, high-grade examples with perfectly sealed wax and crisp cards command top prices as some of the most sought-after vintage sports memorabilia. Although the specific trading card boom faded, the wax pack revolutionized the industry and endures as a symbol of America’s national pastime in the post-war golden age.

BEST 2023 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 2023 Topps baseball card release is one of the most anticipated issues in recent memory. With rookies like Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., and Adley Rutschman establishing themselves in the big leagues this past season, collectors are eager to get their hands on cards featuring these young stars from their rookie campaigns. Veterans continuing to produce at an elite level like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani also make for highly sought after cardboard. With so many exciting players and storylines from the 2022 MLB season to highlight, 2023 Topps looks to continue the brand’s tradition of producing some of the collectible industry’s most iconic and valuable modern baseball cards.

Some early favorites that collectors are buzzing about and will be hunting for in 2023 Topps Series 1 (scheduled for release in late January/early February 2023) include:

Aaron Judge #132 – After smashing an AL record 62 home runs in 2022 and coming within a hair of hitting baseball’s first triple crown since 1967, Judge’s rookie card skyrocketed in value this past season. His flagship Topps card from Series 1 will undoubtedly be one of if not the most sought after rookie in the set.

Shohei Ohtani #156 – The two-way Japanese phenom put together another MVP caliber season and remains one of the most unique and captivating players in the game today. Any Ohtani rookie or base card parallels could hold huge value long term.

Julio Rodriguez #171 – The Mariners rookie wunderkind announced his arrival in dominant fashion, making the All-Star team, winning a Gold Glove, and finishing second in the AL ROY vote. J-Rod’s Topps rookie card will be a must-have for any collector.

Bobby Witt Jr. #189 – Like Rodriguez, Witt burst onto the scene for the Royals and had an electrifying first year in the bigs. His combination of five-tool talent and marketability in Kansas City make him poised for stardom.

Adley Rutschman #211 – After years of hype, Rutschman lived up to expectations as the Orioles’ franchise catcher and is already being hailed as a future star. His rookie card will be hot.

Ronald Acuña Jr. #251 – The Braves’ electrifying outfielder returned late in 2022 from a torn ACL and looks primed for a huge bounce back campaign. Any Acuña parallels or short prints could gain value quickly.

Wander Franco #271 – The Rays’ young phenom continued to impress in his first full season and may have the highest upside of any player in the game today. Franco rookies remain a collector favorite.

In addition to base rookie cards, collectors will be on the hunt for popular Topps parallels and short prints that can exponentially increase a card’s value. Topps Chrome, Paper, Negative, and Refractor variants of the above rookies as well as other stars like Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, and Juan Soto will be in high demand. Numbered parallels like Gold /50, Silver /75, and Red /25 are always collector favorites due to their low print runs. Ultra-short prints like the coveted Topps 1/1s that feature unique designs or autographs could fetch thousands if pulled.

Topps Series 1 will also include the annual Topps Designs insert set. These artist-conceived cards have become a highly anticipated modern parallel set. Past popular Designs cards include Acuña swinging a lightsaber bat and Ohtani surfing. Collectors will be eager to see what creative concepts Topps comes up with to highlight the game’s current stars.

Other insert sets to watch for include Topps Fire, which features refractors and color-matched parallels of top players. Topps Chrome Update Series will be released later in 2023 and is famous for housing some of the season’s best rookie cards after players get their first MLB cups of coffee. International players like Wander Franco and Shohei Ohtani first appeared in Update as rookies.

Topps Allen & Ginter will also be released in Summer 2023, containing cards featuring non-sports related designs and talents. Past A&G cards have paid homage to music legends, actors, and historical figures. The set is renowned for its unique parallels like embossed, die-cut, and laser-etched variations that collectors feverishly pursue.

While the above young stars and parallels will be the initial 2023 Topps chase, the true value of any modern baseball card lies in the long-term progression and success of the player on it. Rookies of past legends like Mickey Mantle, Tom Seaver, and Ken Griffey Jr. were not hugely valuable upon release but gained thousands and even millions in worth as their careers blossomed. The same could very well be said for cards featuring today’s brightest talents like Acuña, Guerrero, Soto, and Ohtani down the road.

With so much excitement around both established veterans like Judge continuing to shine and a new wave of young stars making their mark, 2023 Topps looks to be a seminal release that collectors will be opening and chasing cards from for decades. Between the always anticipated base rookie cards, short prints, parallels, and innovative inserts, this issue has all the ingredients to produce some of the hobby’s future most prized possessions.

10 MOST VALUABLE 1990 DONRUSS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1990 Donruss baseball card set was one of the most popular releases of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While it didn’t feature any true 1-of-1 rookies like previous years, it did include several young stars who would go on to have Hall of Fame careers. As with any set from the junk wax era, there are very few highly valuable cards. A select few have stood the test of time and remain quite desirable for serious collectors. Here are the 10 most valuable 1990 Donruss baseball cards based on PSA 10 gem mint condition prices:

Ken Griffey Jr. – At just 20 years old in 1990, Griffey Jr. was already one of the game’s brightest young stars with back-to-back AL Rookie of the Year awards. His electric bat, baseball IQ, and outstanding defense in center field left many predicting a sure-fire Hall of Fame career. This base rookie card has steadily increased in value over the years, recently selling for around $150 in PSA 10 mint condition. Griffey would go on to cement his legacy as one of the greats.

Frank Thomas – “The Big Hurt” was coming off his first All-Star and Silver Slugger award season in 1989 when this Donruss card was released. Thomas exemplified the new style of dominant, slugging first basemen and looked poised for stardom. While injuries slowed him some, he would go on to have a Hall of Fame career. His rookie currently sells for around $175 in top grade.

Greg Maddux – Already an effective starter by 1990, Maddux was on the verge of becoming one of history’s greatest pitchers. Over the next decade plus, he would cement his status by winning 4 Cy Young awards and becoming the first pitcher since the 1920s to win at least 15 games for 17 straight seasons. Like many pitching stars of the era, his rookie sells more modestly than position players at $200 PSA 10.

Tom Glavine – Another star pitcher on the cusp of greatness in 1990 was Glavine. He had just begun to establish himself as a frontline starter and would evolve into an ace over the following years. Glavine went on to win 305 career games, 2 Cy Youngs, and help the Braves win the 1995 World Series. This key rookie commands around $225 in top condition.

Craig Biggio – Few players had as long and productive a career as Biggio. By 1990, he was the Astros’ starting second baseman and a budding star at just age 24. Over the next two decades, Biggio amassed over 3,000 hits, 668 doubles, and won four Gold Gloves en route to the Hall of Fame. His rookie stays in the $250 PSA 10 range.

Ken Caminiti – In 1990, Caminiti broke out with his first All-Star season as the Padres’ third baseman. He later supplanted other stars on better teams to earn the 1996 NL MVP award as a member of the dominant Houston Astros. This key rookie for a future inner circle Hall of Famer goes for around $300 PSA 10.

Jeff Bagwell – As a rookie in 1990, Bagwell displayed his incredible bat speed, plate discipline, and natural pop as the Astros’ starting first baseman. He would go on to become the face of the franchise in Houston while cementing his Hall of Fame case with over 400 home runs and 1,500 RBI. Given his Hall status and the Astros fanbase, his 1990 rookie trades for around $350 PSA 10.

Chipper Jones – Even as a rookie, Jones made an impact batting .265 for the Braves and exhibiting his smooth lefty swing. Over the next two decades, he evolved into the finest switch hitter of his generation and one of the best third basemen ever. This key first card for a surefire Hall of Famer regularly sells in the $400 PSA 10 range.

Frank Thomas – In addition to his base card, Thomas also has an extremely rare ‘Traded’ variation that features him in a White Sox uniform despite being dealt from the Sox to the A’s after the 1990 season. Only approximately 50 of these are believed to exist in PSA 10 condition, making it one of the true Holy Grails from the set. Reports indicate several have sold for upwards of $2,000 in recent years.

Barry Bonds – As arguably the greatest hitter of all-time, it’s no surprise Bonds’ early Donruss cards are some of the most valuable from the late 80s and early 90s. In 1990, he belted 25 homers and drove in 100 runs for the Pirates in his age-25 season. His steady improvement foreshadowed an impending era of dominance. Bonds’ 1990 base rookie often fetches $700-800 in top grade, though a recent PSA 10 sale reached an astounding $1,250.

While most 1990 Donruss cards hold little value, there remain a handful of true keys that have stood the test of time due to the legendary careers of players like Bonds, Thomas, Jones, Bagwell, and others. For dedicated collectors, finding high-grade examples of these stars’ formative years remains a worthwhile pursuit. The 1990 Donruss set captured a special vintage that featured both established 80s stars and young talent who were just beginning to blossom.

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1998 PINNACLE PERFORMERS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1998 Pinnacle brand baseball card set was notable for featuring many superstar players who were having incredible seasons and career years. Pinnacle cards from this year provide a snapshot of some true performances at the pinnacle of the players’ abilities.

Mark McGwire’s monster 1998 home run season with the St. Louis Cardinals saw him shatter the single season home run record of 61, blasting an astounding 70 long balls. His Pinnacle card from that year immortalizes “Big Mac” amid his chase for baseball immortality. While steroid allegations would later cloud his record-setting feat, collectors at the time were eager to obtain McGwire’s iconic 1998 Pinnacle card to commemorate one of baseball’s most hallowed achievements.

Sammy Sosa also had a mammoth 1998 with the Chicago Cubs, belting 66 homers of his own to finish second to McGwire in the home run race. Sosa’s Pinnacle card from that season is a valuable piece of memorabilia from one of the most exciting individual player performances in baseball history. While McGwire got more attention due to playing for a more prominent Cardinals franchise, Sosa’s titanic power display was equally sensational and helped usher in a home run hitting renaissance.

Roger Clemens put together one of the finest pitching seasons ever seen in 1998. At age 35, the Boston Red Sox ace went 20-6 with a 2.65 ERA and led the American League with 271 strikeouts en route to his record 7th career Cy Young Award. His 1998 Pinnacle card is a true symbol of what is often called the pinnacle or peak performance level attainable in a player’s career. Many consider Clemens’ 1998 campaign to be the greatest single season ever by a pitcher.

Pedro Martinez dominated for the Red Sox in 1998 as well, going 17-8 with a career best 1.90 ERA and 313 strikeouts. Martinez’s 1998 Pinnacle card highlights the dominance of the young fireballer who would go on to have a Hall of Fame career. Martinez joined Clemens to form perhaps the most potent 1-2 pitching punch baseball has ever seen, finishing 1-2 in AL Cy Young voting that year respectively.

Ken Griffey Jr. was in his absolute prime with the Seattle Mariners in 1998. That season, Griffey blasted 56 home runs, scored 147 runs and batted .295 en route to his 6th straight Gold Glove and 7th career All-Star nod. His 1998 Pinnacle card is emblematic of the beautiful five-tool skillset that made “The Kid” one of the most electrifying players of his or any generation. Injuries would slow Griffey later on, but 1998 represented the absolute pinnacle of his Hall of Fame career.

Cal Ripken Jr. played in his 2,632nd consecutive game on September 6th, 1995, breaking Lou Gehrig’s storied “Iron Man” record that had stood for over 50 years. Ripken’s pursuit and achievement of baseball’s “unbreakable” record made him a global sporting icon. His 1998 Pinnacle card commemorates Ripken in the midst of cementing his place among the games’ true legends as he continued etching his name into the record books each and every night he took the field. At 37, Ripken was still a productive force for the Baltimore Orioles in 1998.

Jeff Bagwell put up monstrous offensive numbers for the Houston Astros in 1998, batting .304 with 49 doubles, 43 homers and 141 RBI en route to winning the National League MVP award. His 1998 Pinnacle card encapsulates the brunt of Bagwell’s otherworldly all-around talents that captivated baseball during its offensive renaissance of the late 1990s. An underrated defensive first baseman as well, Bagwell’s 1998 campaign epitomized the word “MVP.”

Many other superstar players had incredible 1998 seasons too, like Juan Gonzalez winning his 2nd consecutive AL MVP award with the Texas Rangers by slugging 45 homers, Terry Pendleton batting .336 en route to retiring after helping the Atlanta Braves to yet another division title, Craig Biggio putting up 5.2 WAR as one of baseball’s most versatile talents for Houston, and Chipper Jones hitting .310 with 19 homers and 86 RBI in the first of his many All-Star campaigns for the Braves.

Collectors eagerly snapped up 1998 Pinnacle cards of these future Hall of Famers and other star players, knowing they were bearing witness to some truly remarkable individual seasons and careers reaching their finest moments of excellence. While scandal and controversies have since arisen around baseball in the late 1990s, Pinnacle cards from the era provide a snapshot of performances that were larger than life at the time. From McGwire and Sosa’s home run duel, to Griffey, Ripken, Bagwell, Clemens and Martinez establishing new standards of excellence, Pinnacle’s 1998 release captured baseball at arguably its most exciting offensive peak. The cards remain prized collectibles for any fan who appreciates the game’s history and those who performed at the true pinnacle of their immense talents.

SELLING BASEBALL CARDS CHICAGO

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Selling Baseball Cards in Chicago – The Major Hub for Collectors in the Midwest

Chicago has long been one of the major hubs for baseball card collecting and trading in the United States. With the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox calling the city home, baseball fandom runs deep and collectors have flourished there for decades. Whether you’re looking to start selling cards yourself or exploring the marketplace, here’s an in-depth look at what to expect when it comes to selling baseball cards in Chicago.

Major Card Shops and Shows

Some of the largest and most well-known card shops in the country are located in the Chicago area. Places like Windy City Sports Cards in Elk Grove Village and Chicago Sports Collectibles in Wood Dale have been mainstay destinations for collectors for years. These massive LCS’s (local card shops) have all the latest cards as well as huge inventories of vintage items. They are great places to check prices and get a pulse on what cards are hot.

In addition to year-round shops, Chicago also plays host to some of the Midwest’s biggest card shows. The National Sports Collectors Convention and Chicago Sports Collectors Expo draw thousands of attendees each summer. Vendor tables are booked solid months in advance by dealers hoping to move inventory. These shows are important industry events and allow you to connect face-to-face with national sellers and fellow collectors.

Online Communities and Auctions

Just like in any major city, Chicago collectors also congregate and conduct business online. Popular forums like Sports Card Forum and Blowout Cards host bustling subforums dedicated solely to the Chicago marketplace. Here you can find listings for individual card sales, whole collections on consignment, and information about local trades days. Websites like eBay and Sportlots also have active Chicago-based member communities.

When it comes to selling valuable cards or complete collections, using respected online auction houses like Heritage, PWCC, or Goldin Auctions is highly recommended. These national firms have solid buyer pools and bring more visibility than local sales. While you pay fees, auction houses handle authentication, description and promotion so cards reach the widest possible audience.

Vintage Cubs and White Sox Remain Highly Valuable

Given Chicago’s intense lifelong fan base and baseball history stretching back over century, vintage Cubs and White Sox material retains tremendous value in the local market. Signed items and game-used memorabilia from stars of days past command strong prices. Greats like Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Minnie Minoso, Luis Aparicio and others continue to hold cachet with collectors to this day. After years of futility, sustained success of the Cubs in recent seasons has created higher demand than ever for vintage “Lovable Losers” gear as well.

High-End Retail Shops

For exclusive memorabilia, game-used equipment or substantial investments, a few elite Chicago-based retailers handle some of the hobby’s most desirable one-of-a-kind items. Admittedly with significantly higher price tags, places like Chicago Sports Depot, Chicago Autograph Connection and Chicago Sports Museum Specialize in rare signed photos, authentic jerseys, and other historically significant artifacts from Windy City teams and players. These kinds of specialized shops attract high-income collectors within drive of the city as well as visitors looking for unique Chicago sports mementos.

Independent Sellers and Options for Emerging Collectors

Of course, not every collector has thousands to spend. Local sellers use Facebook groups, Instagram, and Craigslist to advertise more moderately-priced single cards, lower-value complete sets or team lots for cubby-building Cubbies fans. These emerging collectors find bargains at places like record stores, flea markets or weekly indie card shows too. Meanwhile, reliable used stores like Vintage Stock provide a safe gateway. It’s a vibrant ecosystem catering to all budgets and experience levels under the banner of Chicagoland’s beloved teams.

Whether you are a big box retailer, full-time dealer or casual collector looking to sell a card here and there in the Windy City, there’s truly a home and customer base for everyone in Chicago’s rich baseball card culture. From mega collectible emporiums to intimate Instagram exchanges, this city exemplifies the trade’s local grassroots spirit and is a perennial Midwest leader in the hobby. With baseball in its blood and cards deep in its soul, selling in Chicago offers fun opportunities for profit and connecting over America’s pastime.