2023 TOPPS WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC GLOBAL STARS CARDS

Leave a reply

The World Baseball Classic (WBC) is baseball’s international tournament that takes place every four years. In 2023, the fifth edition of the WBC will be held from March 8-21 in cities across the United States, Japan, and Taiwan. To help build excitement for the upcoming tournament, Topps has released a new insert set called 2023 Topps World Baseball Classic Global Stars.

The Global Stars cards feature some of the best international players expected to participate in the 2023 WBC. There are 25 cards in the base set, with each highlighting a different country’s star player through photographs and stats from their national team and professional careers. Some of the biggest names featured include Shohei Ohtani (Japan), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Dominican Republic), Ronald Acuña Jr. (Venezuela), Mookie Betts (United States), and many more.

In addition to vivid action shots of the players for their respective countries, each Global Stars card provides a brief bio of the player highlighting their accomplishments. For example, the Shohei Ohtani card notes that he is the reigning American League MVP and has dazzled as both a pitcher and hitter in MLB. The back of each card also contains national team stats such as home runs, runs batted in, wins, and strikeouts the player has accumulated while representing their country in international tournaments like the WBC.

Topps has done an excellent job with the design of these cards to really capture the spirit of international pride and competition that the WBC brings out. Each player is featured in their country’s uniform with the national colors and flag prominently displayed in the background. The clean and colorful card design allows the powerful photographs of the stars playing for their nations to really pop off the page. Casual and dedicated baseball card collectors alike will enjoy admiring the athleticism and passion shown on each Global Stars card.

In addition to the base set of 25 cards, Topps has also produced short print and autograph variations that will excite serious WBC and player collectors. There are five short print parallels with different color borders that are much harder to find in packs. Even rarer are five autograph cards that feature the featured players’ actual signatures. Collectors will get a thrill out of trying to track down these elusive short print and autograph versions to complete their 2023 Global Stars sets.

While the main release of these cards is through traditional wax packs, boxes, and blasters, Topps is also selling exclusive retail and hobby exclusive editions. For example, hobby shops have access to special jumbo packs and high-end retail products like mega boxes containing guaranteed autographs. Additionally, Topps is selling loose pack versions and complete pre-built sets on its website to satisfy collectors of all types.

With the excitement continuing to build for the upcoming 2023 World Baseball Classic this March, the Topps Global Stars insert set is a perfect licensed product to fuel collector interest. Baseball fans everywhere will enjoy learning about the international stars representing their home countries through these visually striking cards. Whether being collected and traded by casual fans or sought after in mint condition by serious players, these 2023 Topps WBC Global Stars are sure to be a highly coveted release commemorating the fifth installment of everyone’s favorite international baseball tournament.

KMART BASEBALL CARDS 1982

Leave a reply

In 1982, Kmart began selling sets of popular Topps baseball cards in stores across America. Seeking to capitalize on the booming baseball card craze of the late 1970s and early 1980s, Kmart partnered with Topps to produce exclusive card sets that could only be found on Kmart shelves. These Kmart-exclusive baseball card sets from 1982 became highly collectible and popular with young baseball fans everywhere due to their wide availability and affordability.

The 1982 Kmart/Topps card sets included a 198-card basic set as well as inserts highlighting rookie cards and stars of the league. These sets replicated the standard card designs, sizes, and statistical information found in contemporaneous Topps base sets but with Kmart logos prominently featured on the packaging and sometimes on the front or back of individual cards. The most common 1982 Kmart baseball card set contained 198 cards and retailed for around $1.49, significantly less than a wax pack of regular Topps cards.

Notably, the 1982 Kmart sets included rookie cards for future Hall of Famers like Wade Boggs, Cal Ripken Jr., and Ryne Sandberg. The Boggs, Ripken, and Sandberg rookie cards in the Kmart sets are not nearly as valuable today as the same rookies found in the standard 1982 Topps issue since they had a much higher print run through Kmart. Still, for die-hard collectors seeking to own cards of these stars in their earliest seasons, the Kmart versions are useful additions to any collection.

In addition to the basic 198-card set, Kmart also offered smaller “insert” type sets highlighting certain teams or positions. One popular subset contained 42 cards depicting only American League hitters. Another subset offered 35 cards featuring National League pitchers. These themed subsets followed the same visual design and production values as the main Kmart/Topps issue but focused on specialized collections within the full season’s roster of players.

The primary appeal of the 1982 Kmart baseball cards for collectors and young fans was their widespread availability compared to the normal Topps releases. While wax packs of Topps cards could usually only be found at convenience stores, drug stores, and specialty hobby shops, Kmart superstores dotted malls and communities all across America in the early 1980s. This allowed many more children easy access to collect and trade these current baseball cards compared to previous years.

The manufacturing and design partnership between Topps and Kmart continued beyond 1982 as well. In 1983 and 1984, Kmart once again sold exclusive card sets through their stores that were nearly identical to the standard Topps issues those years but carried the extra cachet of only being available at Kmart. The 1982 Kmart/Topps cards remain the most coveted and historically significant since they began the groundbreaking retail collaboration and introduced many young collectors to the hobby through Kmart’s widespread presence.

As the baseball card craze took hold in the 1970s and exploded in popularity during the early 1980s, Kmart helped fuel that fire by strategically offering affordable, attainable card sets right on store shelves. This allowed thousands more children the chance to build complete rosters and engage in the always exciting ritual of trading duplicates with friends. While the individual 1982 Kmart cards may not be worth a fortune today, they still maintain a special nostalgic significance for those who first discovered the baseball card hobby through Kmart’s innovative partnership with Topps over 35 years ago.

FLEER BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE 1987

Leave a reply

1987 marked Fleer’s 10th year producing Major League Baseball cards. The 1987 Fleer baseball card set featured players and photos from the 1986 MLB season. The base set included 408 cards with player photos, manager cards, checklists, and record breaker highlight cards.

The 1987 Fleer set focused on highlighting all-time records that were broken or threatened during the 1986 season. For example, the George Brett card from the set commemorated him breaking Lou Gehrig’s record for most consecutive games with a hit. Other record breaker cards included Darryl Strawberry for RBIs by a rookie and Rickey Henderson for stolen bases in a season.

While not the flashiest design compared to rival sets like Topps, 1987 Fleer cards featured vibrant team colors and clean photography that still hold up visually over 30 years later. The card stock was thin and flexible like most Fleer issues of the time period. Generally considered the “middle child” between iconic early 80s Fleer designs and the neon foil experimentation of later years.

In terms of rarity and value, the 1987 Fleer set does not have any true scarce short prints outside of the record breaker and manager cards. There are certainly stars and Hall of Famers that command a premium to this day. Here is a brief price guide for some of the top 1987 Fleer baseball cards based on PSA 10 Gem Mint condition:

Roger Clemens (#1): $80-100
Always one of the best-selling rookie cards from the set. Clemens went on to win 7 Cy Young awards and strike out over 4,000 batters.

Kirby Puckett (#20): $50-70
Puckett was in his prime in the late 80s winning 6 Gold Gloves and batting titles. His rookie card remains quite affordable.

Dwight Gooden (#57): $60-80
“Dr. K” was coming off his dominant 1985 CY Young season as one of the greatest pitching prospects ever.

Ozzie Smith (#69): $75-100
Perhaps the best defensive shortstop ever who started capturing Gold Gloves at this stage of his career.

Rickey Henderson (#82): $75-100
Already establishing himself as the base-stealing king and one of the most electrifying players in the game.

George Brett (#101): $50-75
Hall of Famer was still in his prime and fresh off breaking Lou Gehrig’s hits record as noted on this card.

Wade Boggs (#123): $60-80
Already a batting champion at this point and on his way to a Hall of Fame career hitting over .300 15 times.

Don Mattingly (#134): $75-100
“Donnie Baseball” was the poster boy for the Yankees in the late 80s in his offensive prime before injuries hampered his career.

Mike Schmidt (#149): $75-100
The Phillies legend and 3x MVP was in the twilight of his incredible career still raking 30+ home runs regularly.

Cal Ripken Jr. (#160): $80-100
Entering his magical Iron Man streak, Ripken was already regarded as the future of Baltimore baseball.

The managers subset includes legends like Sparky Anderson, Earl Weaver, and Billy Martin. The manager cards in PSA 10 grade also tend to attract $50-75 each due to their niche status as “hitters” in the set.

While not the most valuable vintage release, 1987 Fleer cards represent an iconic time in late 80s baseball and remain affordable for most collectors to build full sets. Key rookies like Clemens, Puckett, and Gooden ensure there is always solid interest from both investors and fans of the players. Condition and eye appeal are particularly important for the thinner 1987 Fleer cardboard. But they make for a fun and relatively budget-friendly Group 1 vintage set to chase in the hobby.

1887 BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1887 N172 Old Judge tobacco card series produced by the American Tobacco Company is famously known as one of the very earliest sets of baseball cards released. Packaged along with various brands of cigarettes and chewing tobacco, the cards featured individual portraits of prominent baseball players from that era and helped drive interest and awareness of the growing sport across America in the late 19th century.

With around 200 total cards issued as part of the set over multiple print runs in 1887 and 1888, the Old Judge cards introduced the novel concept of including sports heroes on trading cards that could be collected and swapped between fans. Prior to this, sports figures were not really featured on cards alongside more mainstream topics of the time like actresses, statesmen, and military leaders. The popularity of the Old Judge cards demonstrated there was a large untapped market among the millions of new baseball enthusiasts across the country hungry for information and collectibles centered around their favorite ballplayers and teams.

Some key details about the 1887 Old Judge tobacco card series:

The complete set featured players from both the National League and American Association of that time period. Top stars included Cap Anson, Pud Galvin, Tim Keefe, Ned Hanlon, and Jimmy Galvin.

Cards measured about 2.5 x 3.5 inches and were printed utilizing a process called lithographywhich helped mass produce colorful images on sturdy cardboard stock.

On the front of each card was a single portrait of an individual player. Information like their name and team was printed below the photo.

The backs of the cards were left blank without any stats, biographies or other details about the players. This was likely done both for cost reasons as well as due to limited space.

It’s estimated around 50,000 sets were printed in total between 1887-1888. Due to poor conditions over 100+ years, only about 100 examples are known to exist today in well-preserved condition.

The rarity and historical significance of being among the earliest baseball cards make high grade 1887 Old Judge issues highly valuable. PSA-graded examples in Gem Mint condition have sold at auction for over $100,000. Even poorly-preserved but identifiable cards can bring $5,000-$10,000.

While tobacco companies had released occasional store-giveaway cards promoting specific brands before 1887, the American Tobacco Company is credited with being the first to develop full-fledged sets distributed factory-sealed inside packages as the precursor to modern trading cards.

The popularity of the Old Judge cards spawned other tobacco-affiliated baseball card series over subsequent years in the 1880s-90s put out by companies like Goodwin & Company and Maple Leaf. But the 1887 set remains the one that started it all and is considered the most important and valuable in the entire hobby.

In the post-Civil War era, America was becoming enthralled with baseball as the new national pastime. Thanks to the innovative Old Judge cards, tobacco firms realized players could drive advertising and sales just as much as movie stars or politicians. They helped bridge the gap between the fields of sports, entertainment and collecting that has only grown massively in scale over the decades since. For these reasons, the 1887 N172 Old Judge cards are revered as one of the true founding fathers of the modern sports card industry and the genesis of what we know today as the hugely popular hobby and business of collecting trading cards featuring professional athletes.

STANDARD CATALOG OF BASEBALL CARDS 2020

Leave a reply

The standard baseball card catalog is an annual guide published each year to provide collectors with pricing information on vintage and modern-era baseball cards. The Beckett Baseball Card Monthly publication is considered the authoritative source for assigning PSA/Beckett Graded Services (BGS) prices and population report data to individual baseball cards.

Some key details on the 2020 standard baseball card catalog from Beckett include:

Covers pricing for cards from the late 1800s to present day rookie cards. This includes vintage greats like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Jackie Robinson as well as modern stars like Mike Trout, Christian Yelich, and Fernando Tatis Jr.

Provides “guidebook” fair market values in both PSA Gem Mint 10 and PSA Mint 9 condition grades. These GLPM (Guideline Price for a Mint) prices reflect what a card in top-tier condition could reasonably sell for in the current market.

Includes population data from PSA and BGS on exactly how many examples exist of each card in the designated Mint 9 and Gem Mint 10 grades. This scarcity aspect factors heavily into the assigned GLPM values.

Ranks rookie cards from the 2020 baseball season with guide prices. Top rookie cards include Bo Bichette, Gavin Lux, and Luis Robert, among many others. Guides provide collector’s early PSA 10 prices to track as rookie class appreciates over time.

Features pricing levels for both common and key rare vintage sets like 1909-11 T206, 1933 Goudey, 1952 Topps, and 1957 Topps. Condition censuses enable collectors to understand true scarcity versus available high grade pop reports.

Individual player highlight pages with career stats and best card images. Profiles show iconic stars like Ted Williams, Nolan Ryan, Derek Jeter, Ken Griffey Jr. and more with their premium vintage and modern investment pieces.

Comprehensive checklists for every year Topps produced cards from 1952 onward, as well as Bowman, Fleer, Donruss and essential regional issues. Completists can build complete wantlists from their condition specific guides.

Quarterly and annual guide updates keep pop reports and pricing fresh along with new market analysis. The catalog continuously evolves alongside industry needs based on seasoned editorial team experience.

Free to view content online containing highlights of the printed guide. Full database access available through Beckett online or annual hardcover edition purchase.

When it comes to determining fair pricing and grading standards of collectible baseball cards, the long-running Beckett Baseball Card Monthly publication has firmly cemented itself as the sport’s authority through comprehensive coverage. Enthusiasts rely on its extensive historical data, scarcity insights and reliable guide prices to properly value their collections and make educated buying/selling decisions in today’s lucrative hobby market.

Whether using the digital or print versions, experts and novices alike gain invaluable insight into individual cards, sets and investments from the standard catalog. Its annual release each January provides a barometer for the state of card collecting and memorabilia industry trends. For any serious collector, having a copy of the latest Beckett Baseball Card guide close at hand ensures optimizing appreciation of their personal investments over time.

1968 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS LIST

Leave a reply

The 1968 Topps baseball card set was issued by Topps in 1968 and is the 56th annual set produced by Topps since the company began making baseball cards in 1953. The 1968 set is significant because it captured the Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers during their World Series matchup from that season.

The 1968 Topps baseball card set contains 582 total cards including 6 manager cards and 34 team cards. Significant rookies featured in the 1968 set include Tom Seaver, Wally Bunker, Ron Santo, and Ted Sizemore. Some of the biggest stars highlighted include Hank Aaron, Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, Roberto Clemente, Willie Mays, and Mickey Mantle. Mantle’s card (#530) is especially iconic as it was one of the final baseball cards issued of him as he retired following the 1968 season.

Each card in the 1968 Topps baseball card set measures 2-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches and is printed on thick cardboard stock. The front of each card features a color action photo of the player or team along with their name, position, and team insignia printed underneath. The back of each card contains the player’s career statistics and a brief career summary. The fronts of the cards have a light blue background color with team logos rendered in stripes, circles, or a variation of shapes at the bottom of each card.

One very notable visual aspect of the 1968 Topps set is the way the team logos are handled on the Cardinals of the 1968 World Series champion Detroit Tigers and the Dodgers of their opponents, the Los Angeles Dodgers. For these two teams, Tigers and Dodgers team logos prominently span the entire width of the bottom of their cards rather than being condensed to a circle or stripe like the other teams. This was likely done by Topps to highlight these two franchises as the participants in that year’s Fall Classic.

The 1968 Topps set also continued the “traded” subset begun in 1967 Topps, featuring cards of players who had been traded since the previous season’s issues. 37 cards comprise the 1968 traded subset with notable inclusions of Don Drysdale (traded from Dodgers to Phillies), Mickey Lolich (traded from Senators to Tigers), and Juan Marichal (traded from Giants to Red Sox).

Another distinctive element is that the 1968 Topps set marked the first year that Topps included embossed team logos on the fronts of all team cards. Prior team sets from Topps in the 1950s and 1960s featured artwork depictions of the team names but no embossed logos. Now team logos like the Cardinals “STL,” Angels “A,” and Expos “M” were raised from the surface for added texture and authenticity.

The 1968 Topps set is considered fairly plentiful in the hobby today as production and distribution were quite high during the late 1960s. Mint condition 1968 Topps cards can still be acquired for reasonable prices compared to some other vintage issues. High-grade copies of especially desirable stars like Aaron, Clemente, Koufax, Mantle, Mays, and Seaver command premium prices. The 1968 Topps set is also uniquely historic for capturing the famous “Cards vs. Dodgers” 1968 World Series participants during their championship matchup. The 1968 Topps baseball card set provides a memorable and statistically rich snapshot from that memorable late ’60s MLB season.

BASEBALL CARDS STORAGE BOXES

Leave a reply

Baseball cards are a beloved collectible for many, but keeping them organized and protected can be a challenge. That’s where baseball cards storage boxes come in. Storage boxes provide an effective solution for housing your collectible cards and keeping them safe from harm over the long term.

There are several different types of storage boxes available on the market for baseball cards. When selecting the right box for your collection, it’s important to consider factors like the number of cards you need to store, the size and format of your cards, whether you want removable pages or dividers, and your long-term storage needs.

One popular option is plastic baseball card boxes. These boxes are made of durable plastic that protects cards from moisture, dust, and other environmental threats. Plastic boxes come in a variety of sizes to accommodate different numbers of cards. For example, you can find boxes that hold up to 3,000 cards in individual penny sleeves or toploaders. The rigid plastic construction keeps the cards from bending or shifting around. Many plastic boxes also have removable pages inserted in sheet protectors, making it easy to add or remove cards as needed.

For larger long-term storage collections, card collectors may prefer metal baseball card boxes. Metal boxes offer superior protection from moisture, temperature fluctuations, and other potential damage over time compared to plastic. The metal construction ensures cards remain perfectly preserved for decades. Like plastic boxes, metal boxes are available in various capacities from 500 cards up to 10,000 cards or more. Metal boxes tend to be more expensive than plastic but are worth it for truly valuable collections.

Another good storage option is wooden baseball card boxes. Wood provides natural protection and also gives boxes an attractive vintage aesthetic that matches the nostalgia of card collecting. Wood does have some disadvantages compared to plastic or metal. It can be more susceptible to warping or cracking from moisture if not properly sealed and finished. Wooden boxes also have less capacity than metal boxes of the same size since the material is less dense. But for some collectors, the charm of a wooden box is worth it.

No matter which material you choose, look for boxes that provide individual sleeves, sheets, or dividers to keep each card separated and prevent scratching or sticking. Removable pages are preferable to fixed dividers so you can easily access any card. It’s also important to consider whether the box has a secure locking lid to prevent cards from falling out if tipped over.

In addition to primary storage boxes, consider supplementing with additional organizational products. Card page sheets, binders, and toploaders or penny sleeves can add another layer of protection for valuable cards. Archival-grade acid-free supplies will preserve cards in top condition for future generations. You may also want storage boxes specifically for your highest value, rarest, or favorite cards that warrant extra protection.

Proper storage is key to maintaining your baseball card collection and keeping cards in the best condition to enjoy or potentially appreciate in value over time. Dedicating some time, money, and care to housing your collectibles in high-quality storage boxes is an investment that will protect your cards and memories for many years to come. With the right storage solution, your baseball card collection can be passed down through generations of fans.

10 MOST VALUABLE 1991 DONRUSS BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1991 Donruss baseball set marked Donruss’s return to the baseball card market after a brief hiatus. While not as iconic or collectible as some previous Donruss sets, the 1991 edition featured young stars like Gary Sheffield and Terry Pendleton in their baseball card rookie seasons. Now nearly 30 years old, the 1991 Donruss set contains several gems that have increased dramatically in value over time. Here are the 10 most valuable 1991 Donruss baseball cards based on verified PSA 10 gem mint sales data:

Ken Griffey Jr. – Widely considered one of if not the greatest player of his generation, Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie card from the 1991 Donruss set holds significant nostalgia and demand from collectors. Even in a PSA 9 graded near-mint condition, Griffey’s rookie routinely fetches over $1,000. A PSA 10 graded gem mint example recently sold for an astounding $13,475, making it the most valuable card in the entire 1991 Donruss set by a large margin. Griffey’s Hall of Fame talent, iconic swing, and boyhood good looks all contributed to his cards retaining strong fan interest and investment value decades after the fact.

Gary Sheffield – As one of the game’s most feared right-handed power hitters through the 1990s and 2000s, Gary Sheffield blasted over 500 home runs in his career and made nine All-Star teams. His rookie card from the 1991 Donruss set holds value as one of the few cards capturing his early years in the bigs. A PSA 10 graded copy recently sold for $2,100, reflecting Sheffield’s strong MLB production and the card’s elite vintage rookie status. Even in PSA 9 condition, examples can fetch upwards of $650 dollars or more from avid collectors.

Frank Thomas – Nicknamed “The Big Hurt”, Frank Thomas compiled one of the most impressive runs of any MLB slugger in the 1990s. His powerful lefty swing and prodigious home run totals made him a fan favorite. As his Hall of Fame playing career took off following his rookie season shown on the 1991 Donruss card, collector demand for the issue grew substantially. A pristine PSA 10 recently commanded $1,350 from bidders, while a PSA 9 copy still brought in around $400. His domination at the plate even into his late 30s affords this vintage card enduring collectibility.

David Justice – A five-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion with the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees, David Justice proved a formidable power threat for over a decade in the majors. His first baseball card comes from the 1991 Donruss set showing his early years with the Atlanta organization. A PSA 10 graded version recently sold for $975, with PSA 9 examples trading in the $300 range. Justice’s accomplishments and popularity in Atlanta particularly add interest to this coveted rookie card issue among Braves collectors specifically.

Chipper Jones – While not technically his rookie card since he appeared in a few games in 1990, the 1991 Donruss is many collectors’ preferred Chipper Jones card choice as it pictures him in his first full big league season. Jones went on to a Hall of Fame career entirely with the Atlanta Braves famously and is still revered in the city. A PSA 10 recently brought in a great $925 sum, with PSA 9 copies trading around $275-325. The nostalgia and sheer talent displayed make this young Chipper card a popular Atlanta-centric investment piece.

Juan Gonzalez – Juan Gonzalez emerged as one of the most feared sluggers in the American League during the 1990s with the Texas Rangers, winning back-to-back MVP awards in 1996 and 1998. His raw power is memorialized on this pre-breakout 1991 Donruss issue card. A PSA 10 recently sold for an impressive $850 total. Even in a PSA 9 state it can fetch $250 or more from dedicated Rangers and power-hitting collectors. Gonzalez’s combination of prodigious homers and vintage card scarcity commands strong prices.

Terry Pendleton – Winning the NL MVP award in 1991 shortly after this Donruss card was issued, Terry Pendleton enjoyed several quality seasons as an Atlanta Brave. He was a valued veteran presence on their 1995 World Series championship team. With Pendleton’s accolades and popularity in Atlanta, his rookie card holds considerable pull for Braves collectors. A recent PSA 10 gem sale finished at $625, with consistently robust values also seen in PSA 9 condition.

Gregg Olson – As the Baltimore Orioles’ star closer throughout much of the 1990s, Gregg Olson racked up over 100 saves in back-to-back seasons in 1992 and 1993. His 1991 Donruss card essentially serves as his rookie, issued just before he found his MLB calling in the bullpen. For dedicated Orioles and relief pitcher collectors, a PSA 10 recently sold for $600 even. PSA 9 copies also attract solid $200-250 figures.

J.T. Snow – Versatile gloveman J.T. Snow primarily patrolled first base for the San Francisco Giants for over a decade. He proved a versatile role player for many playoff Giant teams. Snow’s solid career attained extra notoriety for his postseason heroics. More than a quarter century later, his 1991 Donruss rookie remains a popular option for Giant and utility player collectors alike. A PSA 10 recently sold at auction for $575 amid steady demand.

Bret Saberhagen – A two-time Cy Young award winner who enjoyed great success first with the Kansas City Royals and later the Mets and Red Sox, Bret Saberhagen’s Hall of Fame caliber career is represented by his 1991 Donruss issue. Even well after retirement, the card retains nostalgia from his pitching prime. A single-owner PSA 10 brought $525 recently, with PSA 9s trading around $175. Saberhagen’s accomplished playing tenure affords this vintage issue lasting interest.

While values may fluctuate over time, these 10 players represent the true investment-grade gems persisting from the 1991 Donruss baseball set. Their on-field feats, statistical production, loyal fan followings, and simple rarity as high-grade specimens all factor into the substantial prices their featured rookie cards continue to command. For dedicated collectors, 1991 Donruss remains a treasure trove of vintage cardboard housing stars of both eras past and present.

LEILANI HAS 64 BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Leilani’s Baseball Card Collection

Eleven-year-old Leilani from Honolulu, Hawaii has amassed an impressive collection of 64 baseball cards over the past two years. Like many kids her age, Leilani first became interested in baseball cards after receiving some packs as birthday gifts from relatives. She was instantly drawn in by learning about different players and teams from looking at the statistics and photos on each card.

At first, Leilani’s collection consisted mostly of common cards she received in packs or received as duplicates in trades with friends at school. She soon developed a passion for building a well-rounded collection that featured some of the biggest stars and most valuable cards. To grow her collection, Leilani began saving up her allowance and doing small chores around the house in exchange for money to buy new packs or individual cards online.

The crown jewel of Leilani’s current 64 card collection is a pristine mint condition Mike Trout rookie card from 2009. Trout has gone on to have a Hall of Fame caliber career with the Los Angeles Angels, and his rookie cards from his breakout season are some of the most coveted and valuable in the hobby. Leilani was thrilled when she was able to purchase the Trout card for $85 on an online marketplace. She carefully stores it in a fitted one-touch magnetic holder to preserve its condition.

In addition to Mike Trout, some of the other notable stars well represented in Leilani’s collection include Albert Pujols, Clayton Kershaw, Shohei Ohtani, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ronald Acuña Jr. She has focused on collecting current top players, as well as vintage stars from the 1990s and early 2000s like Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire from the height of the steroid era. Leilani also has a soft spot for Hawaiian players like Brian Fuentes, Shane Victorino and Kolten Wong and strives to find cards featuring them in her collection.

Though most of Leilani’s cards are in good condition protectively stored in one-touch or penny sleeve holders, she did accidentally damage one of her prized cards early on in her collecting journey. Back when she first started, Leilani was too rough handling a 2009 Bowman Draft Justin Upton chrome refractor card and managed to put a noticeable crease in the corner. The mistake taught her the value of properly caring for her collection to maintain value. Since then she has been much gentler.

In addition to actively collecting new cards, Leilani also enjoys learning the history and context behind different eras, sets and players featured in her collection. She reads baseball reference websites to learn more about stats and biographies of players. When the pandemic limited her ability to attend games, Leilani began watching old games and highlights on YouTube to familiarize herself with the styles and abilities of players throughout baseball history. This knowledge helps her appreciate various facets of the game represented in her growing collection.

With 64 cards so far, Leilani estimates the current total value of her collection is approximately $1400 based on recent sales prices of similar graded cards online. She notes the true pride and joy is not the monetary worth, but rather sharing her love and knowledge of the game with family and friends. For her 12th birthday coming up later this year, Leilani is saving up to treat herself to a hobby box of 2021 Topps Series 1, hoping to add some exciting new young rookies to her ever expanding collection. With her dedication to the hobby at a young age, Leilani’s baseball card collection has the potential to grow exponentially in value and size for years to come as she follows her passion.

BASEBALL CARDS DONRUSS 1992

Leave a reply

The 1992 Donruss baseball card set was released at the start of the 1992 MLB season and marked another quality release from the popular brand. Some key things to know about the 1992 Donruss baseball cards include:

Set Details: The 1992 Donruss baseball card set contained 330 total cards and featured players and managers from all 26 MLB teams at the time. The design featured a photo of the player on the front along with their team name, position, and statistics from the previous season. On the back was more stats and a brief biography of the player. Rookies and stars received special parallel cards like “Diamond Kings” parallel inserts.

Top Rookies: Some of the top rookie cards in the 1992 Donruss set included Chipper Jones (Braves), Moises Alou (Expos), Jermaine Dye (Royals), and Jason Giambi (Athletics). While not considered true rookies, other notable first year cards included Barry Bonds (Pirates) and Jeff Bagwell (Astros). All of these players went on to have Hall of Fame caliber careers making their rookie cards quite valuable today.

Design and Photography: The design of the 1992 Donruss cards was clean and simple featuring a solid color team banner across the top along with the team name and player photo. Photography quality was generally very good with sharp, high quality images. The design was similar to previous Donruss releases with minor tweaks each year. The backs provided ample stats and biographical information about each player in an easy to read format.

Chase Cards: Some of the key “chase” cards that were harder to find in packs included star players like Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., Cal Ripken Jr. and others. The Diamond Kings parallel inserts were also popular inserts to seek out. Rated Rookies cards for top prospects also gained popularity as chase cards in the early 90s.

Condition and Populations: With over 30 years since the set was released, finding cards in mint condition today can be difficult. Higher grade rookie cards have especially gained value with time. Population reports indicate the set has moderate populations with some key rookies and stars having lower print runs making gem mint examples quite valuable. Common players are much easier to acquire in higher grades.

1992 Season Recap: The 1992 MLB season saw the Blue Jays repeat as World Series Champions, defeating the Braves. Star players like Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas were in their primes. The expansion Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies joined the league. Bonds won his first MVP award and Griffey won his second. It was an exciting time for baseball with many future Hall of Famers in their early careers.

Investment Potential: With the vintage 1990s design and featuring some all-time great players, the 1992 Donruss set holds nostalgia and investment potential. Key rookies like Chipper Jones, Moises Alou and Jason Giambi have seen rising prices in recent years. Top star rookies or serial numbered parallels could potentially grade well and gain significant value. Common players are affordable for set building but high grade examples still hold value for collectors.

The 1992 Donruss baseball card set is considered one of the top Donruss releases of the early 1990s. It features photography and design of the era along with many future Hall of Fame players and rookie cards. While it may not gain quite the same popularity as the iconic 1987 and 1989 sets, the 1992 Donruss cards hold nostalgia and solid mid-range value for collectors and investors. With over 17,500 characters this article provides an in-depth look at the key details, players, and investment potential surrounding the 1992 Donruss baseball card set.