BASEBALL CARDS OPENING PACKS

Leave a reply

Opening a pack of baseball cards is an exciting experience that transports collectors back to their childhood. Whether it’s a modern pack or a vintage wax pack from the 1950s, the anticipation of not knowing what cards may be inside keeps the hobby alive.

Some of the most popular baseball card sets to open include Topps, Fleer, Donruss and Upper Deck. Topps has been the dominant brand since the 1950s and is still considered the standard in the industry. Their designs are classic and iconic, featuring straightforward photography on a white or cream colored background. Fleer was Topps’ main competition in the 1980s and 1990s and were known for experimenting more with action shots and creative designs. Donruss and Upper Deck also had runs of popularity over the years for innovative card styles.

No matter the brand, the packaging of baseball cards has evolved over the decades but still provides that thrill of the unknown. In the early 1950s, cards came sealed inside thin wax wrappers that collectors would carefully peel open, being careful not to damage the wrapper or cards inside. By the 1960s, cards transitioned to thicker wax packs that could be twisted or ripped open. Modern packs today use thin plastic wrapping that is easy to tear.

When first opening a pack, collectors will carefully break the wrapping seal without damaging any cards inside. They may take a quick peek inside to see how many cards are present before fully opening it. Standard packs today contain around 10-12 cards but vintage packs could have as few as 5. The first layer of cards may feature commons and less valuable players before more coveted chase cards appear deeper in the pack.

As the wrappers and cards are removed, the anticipation builds of possibly finding a star rookie, parallel, autograph or other hit. The back of each card is checked as it’s revealed to see which player it features. When a recognizable name appears, the collector will carefully rotate the card around to view the front and check for any special markings. Key things looked for include centering, edges and surface quality that can impact the card’s grade and value.

Many collectors enjoy taking their time opening packs to prolong the experience while others prefer to quickly rip through looking for their chase cards. Either way, it’s those few moments of not knowing what’s inside that make the hobby so enticing, especially for kids just getting started. Even experienced collectors still get that rush of adrenaline from each new pack. Whether the packs contain future hall of famers or common players, it’s the collective experience that keeps the tradition of opening baseball cards alive.

For many, their earliest baseball memories involve sitting with family tearing into those thin wax wrappers not knowing what players they may uncover. It helped spark a lifelong passion for the game. Today’s cardboard craze wouldn’t be possible without those simple yet exciting packs of the past that first introduced kids to their favorite ballplayers. Opening a pack, whether of a set from decades ago or the latest release, is a doorway into baseball nostalgia that will continue passing the tradition down to new generations of fans.

1992 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS BOX

Leave a reply

The 1992 Topps Baseball card set was a classic design with players posed against a team logo background. Unlike previous years, Topps used an innovative stamping process that gave the cards an embossed, 3-dimensional effect. The set contained 792 cards including 68 traded set cards not found in wax packs. Although not a large set by today’s standards, 1992 featured a number of notable rookies and Hall of Fame players at the peak of their careers.

The design featured color team logo panels on each side of the card. At the top was the familiar white “Topps” banner along with the team name. Below was a large photographic image of the player in action or posed individually. Stats and write-ups appeared on the back along with career highlights. Unlike modern sharp, high-quality images, photography and printing techniques of the early 90s gave the photos a softer, nostalgic look and feel.

In terms of rookie cards, the headliners were Bobby Witt Jr. and Moises Alou. Witt was one of the most highly anticipated prospects in baseball after being drafted #1 overall by the Rangers in 1989. He had a strong rookie campaign in 1992 and went on to have an accomplished career. Alou, the son of Minors legend Felipe Alou, broke into the big leagues with the Cubs in 1992 and was an offensive force at a premium position in right field for over 15 seasons.

Other notable rookies included Paul Konerko, Mark Grudzielanek, Gary Sheffield, and Jason Giambi. While not all became superstars, these players all enjoyed long, productive MLB careers. The class of ’92 rookies also included Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell whose impressive rookie season with the Astros marked the start of an outstanding career.

Veteran stars featured throughout the set included fan favorites like Nolan Ryan, Cal Ripken Jr., Wade Boggs, Tony Gwynn, and Ryne Sandberg. They and many others were captured in their baseball primes with Ryan still pitching effectively at age 45 for the Rangers and Ripken Jr. on his way to breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played record. Boggs, Gwynn, and Sandberg were annual batting champions. The set also included returning veterans like Tim Raines, Ozzie Smith, and Steve Carlton still performing at a high level despite nearing the end of their careers.

Although considered a modern classic, 1992 Topps is not one of the most valuable sets from the junk wax era of the late 80s/early 90s. There are several keys that hold significance. The rookie cards of stars like Bagwell, Sheffield, Giambi, and Konerko remain sought after by collectors. Short prints like Frank Thomas’ traded card are also valuable since they were so difficult to pull from packs. Top rookie cards in mint condition can fetch $100-200 while stars and Hall of Famers grade 8-10 can sell from $25-100 depending on the player.

Overall, 1992 Topps captured many of baseball’s greatest players at an important transition point. Rookies from that set like Bagwell would redefine the game for the next generation. Meanwhile, legends of previous eras like Ryan and Carlton were still dazzling fans in their twilight. The classic design with embossed texture lives on as one of the most recognizable and beloved sets from the early 1990s era. While not the most valuable, 1992 Topps remains a true classic for collectors, historians, and fans of the time period.

1985 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS EBAY

Leave a reply

The 1985 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic and sought after issues in the entire hobby. With 705 total cards, the 1985 set featured a classic design and included some of the game’s biggest stars and rookie talents from that season. 1985 was the height of the junk wax era but these cards remain popular with collectors decades later. Here is an in-depth look at the 1985 Topps set and what collectors can expect to find when browsing for these vintage cardboard relics on eBay.

The most notable rookie cards in the 1985 Topps set come from Hall of Famers like Barry Larkin, Barry Bonds, and Roberto Alomar. These rookie cards hold significant value, especially for those players in gem mint condition. On eBay, a Barry Larkin rookie PSA 10 can fetch well over $1,000. A PSA 9 Barry Bonds rookie often sells in the $300-$500 range. The Roberto Alomar rookie is slightly more common but still a key card for any collector, with PSA 10 examples around $200-300 online.

Other top rookies like Dwight Gooden, Wally Joyner, and Ripken Jr. also command higher prices than average. But the sheer size of the ’85 issue means there are plenty of other valuable stars to pursue as well, such as Don Mattingly, Ozzie Smith, Kirby Puckett, and Fernando Valenzuela sport their classic designs. Star and Hall of Famer returns on vintage are typically 70% or higher in top grades.

Condition is king when evaluating these cards from 1985. The size and paper quality made the cards prone to flaws so pristine copies are hard to come by. On eBay, be ready to pay a premium for cards graded Gem Mint 10 by authorities like PSA and SGC. Even a 9 can demand a 50% or more increase over a card in lower condition. For raw copies, ask for detailed photos of the edges and surfaces. Any soft corners or creasing will hurt the value.

Beyond the big stars, team and player set collectors also flock to the 1985 issue. Complete team sets of the Cardinals, Mets, Tigers, and others can cost a few hundred dollars depending on the grades. Individual team cards are reasonably priced as long as the condition is fair. Errors and variations are also highly sought. The Mark McGwire and Darryl Strawberry errors can reach into the thousands graded flawlessly.

New sealed wax packs and boxes from 1985 do turn up on eBay but are rare considering the huge print runs. An unopened case sold recently for over $5,000. Single wax packs go for $50-100 depending on perceived seal integrity. Boxes might reach $400-500. For most collectors, singles are the most realistic and affordable route into the amazing 1985 Topps set that kickstarted so many childhood card collections and memories.

Whether chasing Hall of Famers, entire teams, rare variations or simply wanting to add vintage classics to your PC, the 1985 Topps baseball card set offers something for every budget level collector or investor. Finding treasures from this storied issue is simply a matter of searching diligently through the marketplace on eBay, where samples can be readily found across all price points depending on condition, star power or other attributes. Over 35 years later, these cardboard snapshots from a golden baseball era remain as popular as ever.

VINTAGE BASEBALL CARDS FOR SALE EBAY

Leave a reply

Vintage Baseball Cards for Sale on eBay

Since the early 2000s, vintage baseball cards from the late 19th and early 20th centuries have gained immense popularity among collectors. Whether it’s discovering old forgotten gems in their grandparent’s attic or searching auctions online, many people have developed a fascination with finding rare and valuable pieces of baseball history encased in a slab of paper. Today, eBay remains one of the top online marketplaces to find a wide selection of vintage baseball cards for sale from trusted sellers.

The Origins of Baseball Cards

The earliest precursors to modern baseball cards began appearing in the late 1880s as promotional incentives included in packs of cigarettes and other products. The American Tobacco Company issued the first true baseball cards in 1886 as part of its cigarette brand called Old Judge. These tobacco era cards from the late 1880s through the early 1910s featured individual player portraits with no stats or uniform images. The most famous early issues included Allen & Ginter in 1888 and 1890, Mayo Cut Plug in 1889, and Play Ball in 1890.

After the American Tobacco Company lost its lawsuit over inclusion of baseball cards in cigarettes for targeting children, the era of tobacco cards ended. Bowman Gum and Topps Chewing Gum then emerged as the pioneers of modern baseball cards included in gum and candy from the 1920s onward. These post-tobacco issues went beyond basic portraits to also include each player’s team, position, batting average, and other relevant stats. Some highly coveted Bowman and Gum, Inc. issues from the 1920s-1930s include 1927 and 1929 Goudey, 1930 and 1933 Goudey, 1933 Sport Kings, and 1939 Play Ball.

The Golden Age of Baseball Cards

The 1950s are often seen as the golden age of baseball cards when interest in collecting reached new heights. Iconic sets were released annually by the three main manufacturers Topps, Bowman, and Fleer. Topps dominated the baseball card market from the late 1940s until Fleer and Bowman began significant production in the mid-1950s. Topps maintained exclusive licensing deals with Major League Baseball from 1956-1980, producing classic sets like 1952 Topps, 1954 Topps, and their highly acclaimed rookie card issues of the late 1950s.

Bowman resumed production in 1948 and had breakthrough years in 1954 and 1955. The debut Fleer set in 1956 featured the first modern gumless cards in plastic wrappers. Some of the most coveted and expensive vintage baseball cards hail from the 1950s golden age, including Mickey Mantle’s iconic 1952 Topps rookie card. Players who starred in this era like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Sandy Koufax have rookie and early career cards that attract immense interest from collectors today. The design styles also evolved greatly, transitioning from drab team photos on early ’50s issues to colorful action shots and custom uniforms by the late 1950s.

Sports card values escalated dramatically through the late 1970s-1980s as the hobby began to emerge nationwide. An early influential force was the 1979 book “The Baseball Card Price Guide” by Dave Prosky which helped establish standard reference valuations. This created a more organized market and collecting scene that started to treat vintage cards as serious collectibles and investments. The influx of disposable income in the booming post-World War II economy also allowed more people to pursue hobbies like card collecting.

Finding Vintage Cards on eBay

On eBay, the most desirable vintage baseball cards that are highly contested in auctions include the following:

T206 tobacco cards from 1909-1911 featuring early star players like Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, and Walter Johnson. In top graded gem mint condition, a Honus Wagner T206 can sell for over $1 million.

Early 19th century cabinet cards and lithographed cards showing various minor league teams and players from the formative amateur baseball period before major leagues began. These antique pre-1890 issues are remarkably scarce.

High-grade specimens from pioneering gum and candy issues such as 1909-1911 E90 and E92 sets produced by American Caramel Company.

Top rookie cards from the great players of the 1950s, like the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle (graded PSA/DNA 10), which have broken auction records above $2 million. Other top ’50s rookies include Stan Musial, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron.

Complete vintage sets, especially in pristine mint-graded condition, from the tobacco and early 20th century period before 1925 when designs were still basic team photos with no player stats or uniform designs. Sets uniformly graded by PSA or BGS bring big prices.

Early Bowman and Gum, Inc. cards between 1921-1938 featuring the stars of 1920s-1930s like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Jimmie Foxx. Anything predating the modern post-World War II design era has solid collecting interest.

When searching on eBay, use specific card titles, set names, player names, and publication years to narrow relevant results. Check seller feedback scores and only purchase from established power sellers to avoid any risks of reproductions or other issues. Paying a small grading premium for authenticated and upper-mint cards is usually worth it considering the values are much higher than raw ungraded specimens long-term. With some patience and research, collectors can add gems to their collections through vintage baseball cards for sale on the leading online marketplace.

EBay remains a top destination for enthusiasts and serious investors to find a broad selection of coveted vintage baseball cards spanning the earliest tobacco and gum period issues up through the iconic releases of the golden 1950s era. With prudent shopping and grading authentication, collectors can acquire historic pieces of the national pastime that will retain and potentially increase greatly in value for years to come. The hobby of seeking these vintage relics that simultaneously showcase America’s favorite pastime and document baseball history is truly a unique collecting pursuit.

FIND VALUE OF OLD BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

If you have a collection of old baseball cards tucked away in your attic or basement, they could potentially be worth a lot of money. Baseball cards have been around since the late 1800s, so any cards from the early 20th century onward could hold significant value, especially if they feature legendary players. Determining the exact worth of vintage baseball cards can be tricky. Many factors influence a card’s price, including its condition, the player featured, and rarity. With some research and the right resources, you can get a good idea of what your old baseball card collection may be worth today.

One of the most important factors that affects value is the condition or grade of the card. The condition is rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being perfect “gem mint” condition. Cards in pristine condition will always fetch higher prices than ones that are worn, creased, or damaged in any way. Look over your cards closely to assess things like centering (how perfectly centered the image is within the borders), corners (are they sharp or rounded?), edges (any bends, dings or nicks?), and surface (is it clean and crisp or dirty, scratched or faded?). Even minor flaws can significantly decrease a card’s value.

After condition, the next biggest factor is the player featured on the card. Household name superstars from baseball’s golden era, like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Mickey Mantle, will always demand top dollar regardless of the year or set they are from. Other legendary players that can fetch high prices include Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson, and Nolan Ryan. Rarer and more sought-after rookie cards for star players are especially valuable. But even cards of less heralded players can hold value for collectors interested in specific teams, seasons, or sets.

The year, brand, and specific series or set a card comes from also influences its worth. Vintage cards from the early 20th century, 1910s-1950s, tend to be the most valuable, as fewer survived in good condition due to age. The brand that produced the card also matters – classic brands like T206, Sweet Caporal, and 1909-1911 T206 are among the most coveted. Within a brand, certain series and sets are rarer than others too. The 1952 Topps set, for example, is much more valuable than typical post-war Topps issues.

Beyond the basics of condition, player, and vintage details, there are other specialized factors that can increase a card’s value tremendously. Examples include unique errors, variations, serial numbers, autographs, or even outstanding performance stats. For example, the famous 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card is exponentially rarer and more valuable if it features the short-printed variation without “Topps” on the image. Autographed or game-used cards for big stars can sell for thousands or even hundreds of thousands depending on pedigree.

To accurately determine the value of your old baseball cards, it’s important to do some research. Check recently sold prices for comparable or closely matching cards on online auction sites like eBay. Be sure to filter search results to completed listings only, as those will show the actual selling prices rather than just asking prices. Sports card price guide books and websites are also valuable resources, as are online communities and forums where experienced collectors discuss values. Card shows provide another opportunity to compare your cards to others and get expert opinions on worth from professional graders and dealers. With diligent research factored by condition assessment, you can get a solid handle on what your vintage baseball card collection may be worth in today’s market.

While value is determined by supply and demand, condition and other factors, there are no guarantees when it comes to selling vintage cards unless you go through the certification and grading process. The market is also constantly changing based on collector interest and new finds. So estimates of worth should only be considered as guidelines rather than definitive answers. Your best options for realizing top dollar are usually private sales to serious collectors, auction houses, or reputable card shops and dealers. With some effort, you just may find you’re sitting on a valuable piece of baseball memorabilia history in your old card collection waiting to be rediscovered.

THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Baseball cards are a classic childhood pastime and nostalgic collectible for fans of America’s favorite pastime. While many people accumulate boxes of cards as kids without giving them much thought, there are actually many fun and interesting things you can do with your baseball card collection beyond just putting them in shoeboxes. Whether you’re looking for a hobby, trying to make some money, or want to better appreciate the rich history of the game, baseball cards can provide entertainment and engagement in several ways.

Collect and Organize Cards: The most basic thing you can do is collect cards and organize them in some manner. This could be sorting them by team, player, year, or some other categorization that interests you. You could make full or partial sets of players from certain years. Organizing your collection helps you better understand the players, teams, and eras represented in your cards. It’s also satisfying to arrange them neatly in albums, boxes, or binders on display.

Start a Player Collection: Zoom in on your favorite player or players and try to amass as many unique cards of them as possible across different years, teams, levels, and product brands. This allows you to chronicle their career progression and see the various poses and uniforms they had throughout the years. Player collections are a fun focused subset of collecting. Legends like Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and others always attract avid collectors of their cards.

Build Sets: Collecting cards to compile full sets from specific seasons, brands, or levels (rookie, stars, etc.) presents an enjoyable challenge. Comparing with checklists helps you target the few remaining cards you need to complete the set. Finishing a set is very satisfying for collectors. The more vintage the set, the more valuable a complete set may become over time if kept in good condition.

Memorize Stats & Facts: Shuffling through and really examining the details on your cards is a great way to absorb facts about players, teams, and MLB history. The more you handle your cards, the more statistical nuggets and biographical information you’ll retain about the likes of career batting averages, World Series appearances, rookie seasons, and more. This enhances your knowledge and appreciation of the game.

Investment Potential: If taken care of properly, valuable baseball cards can appreciate considerably in value over several decades. Rookies of all-time greats along with rare error, parallel, or autographed cards tend to hold and gain the most value for serious collectors and investors. High-grade vintage cards from the pre-1980s eras especially have shown strong returns when purchased smartly and kept in top condition long-term. Condition is absolutely critical to maintain or increase future value.

Display and Decor: Creative collectors enjoy finding innovative ways to attractively exhibit their baseball card collections. From shadowboxes and protective cases to themed wall displays and decorative jars, you can turn your cards into attractive accents that start conversations. This lets you enjoy your collection beyond basic storage and showcases the cards in an aesthetic manner. Unique displays suited to certain environments allow you to creatively incorporate cards into your home or office décor.

Memorable Gifts: With the holidays or birthdays approaching, baseball cards make thoughtful gifts for avid fans big and small. Put together personalized packages of cards themed to a receiver’s favorite player, team, or collection interests. Consider including cards they need to complete sets along with a nice protective case. Nostalgic cards are affordable gifts that bring back wonderful memories for those who enjoy America’s pastime.

Keep Kids Engaged: Baseball cards remain a fun way for parents and grandparents to bond with young children over America’s favorite pastime. Kids enjoy collecting, trading, and learning about their favorite current players through cards. Organizing competitions or challenges involving card collections encourages dexterity, focus and knowledge retention in a low-pressure environment. It’s a hobby the whole family can share together across generations over the decades.

Cards increase kids’ reading comprehension through stats on the back while cultivating an appreciation for baseball’s long history. Learning about players from earlier eras also helps them value perseverance and work ethic. Cards provide countless teachable moments in a fun, visually engaging format kids naturally enjoy. For many, collecting baseball cards sparked initial interests that led to lifelong passions for the game.

Relive Memories: For those of us who grew up collecting baseball cards, flipping through our childhood collections is a very nostalgic experience that can transport us back to simpler times. Seeing cards of players we looked up to in years past vividly triggers memories from our early Little League days, hanging out at card shops, and bonding with relatives over the game. Cards provide physical touch-points that ignite fond recollections not only of our favorite ballplayers but the surrounding eras and people involved. This makes them very emotionally engaging collectibles.

Cards serve as memory-holders that let us reminisce about our personal baseball experiences from years gone by. They pack a punch in reviving the sights, sounds, feelings and people connected to baseball in different chapters of our lives. For this reason, preserving our collections allows us to continually relive these warm rememberances for lifetimes to come, even sharing them with future generations. So in many ways, our cards continue nurturing our love for the game on an engaging personal level long after initial collections are established.

So whether you’re looking to better appreciate MLB history, learn new stats, display your fandom, bond with family over memories, or possibly make a sound investment, baseball cards present countless interactive opportunities beyond casual collecting. With some creativity, effort and care taken, cards remain a tremendously rich hobby that many lifelong fans continue enjoying well into adulthood.

2000 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS PSA

Leave a reply

The 2000 Topps baseball card set is one of the most popular issues from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Released at the height of the baseball card boom, thousands of cases of 2000 Topps cards were opened in hopes of finding valuable rookie cards and star players encapsulated by PSA. While there were no true rookie phenoms in the set, it does feature several future Hall of Famers and all-time greats who were still in their prime nearly 20 years ago. With thousands upon thousands being graded by PSA each year, 2000 Topps remains a actively collected modern set.

One of the challenges of putting together a high-grade PSA 2000 Topps set is finding specimens that earned a Mint 9 or Gem Mint 10 grade. As with any fruitful trading card year during the boom, packs were ripped open in droves which often led to poorer storage and handlings of the cards post-open. While swarms of PSA 10 candidates likely exist still in attics and long boxes, the survivors that emerged presentation-ready from the hobby chaos of Y2K scored highest with PSA.

Top rookie cards from 2000 like Kazuhiro Sasaki, Todd Helton, and Carlos Beltran can fetch $50-100 in PSA 9 and $200-500 in a coveted PSA 10. But these were not true superstar rookies that drove people to rip packs. Instead, the all-time great veterans like Ken Griffey Jr., Cal Ripken Jr., Greg Maddux, and Chipper Jones anchor PSA graded value in the set. A PSA 10 of any of these future Hall of Famers will command $100-300 depending on the specific player card featured. Other star veterans like Sammy Sosa, Derek Jeter, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz, and Mariano Rivera garner comparable PSA 10 values.

Of course, finding a true “1/1” PSA 10 graded 2000 Topps card is a true rarity. With production numbers in the multi-millions, pristine specimens surviving to earn that perfect numerical score from PSA are exceedingly uncommon. The highest valued individual PSA 10 cards are super-refractors, which feature an extra foil coating on the cardboard stock. Examples here could crack $1000 if a big name player is featured. More “normal” base PSA 10 rookies, stars and Hall of Famers typically range between $100-500 depending on specific demand.

Chasing a full PSA Set of the 2000 Topps issue is a true long-term project, even for the most dedicated collectors. With over 700 total cards, locating pristine specimens across all players—from superstars to virtual unknowns graded a perfect 10—is a statistical improbability. For those seeking the single highest card in the entire set, the PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. is usually hailed as king. In top-pop reports, fewer than 5 examples are known to exist. At major card shows and auction, a PSA 10 Griffey from 2000 Topps would easily bring $5000-10000 due to its extreme rarity and subjects legendarystatus.

While not defined by true rookie phenoms, the 2000 Topps baseball card set maintains a strong collector base nearly two decades later. An active population of PSA-graded cards reinforces its modern relevancy among both investors seeking valuable holdings and nostalgic fans pulling for vintage favorites from their childhood. With huge initial production but variable long-term care over the years, condition challenges persist. But top-graded survivors starring all-time greats still deliver strong returns meeting the standards of the notoriously tough PSA graders from years past. Building a complete pristine PSA 10 set remains a feat yet achieved, defining the true ambitious extent collectors may undertake with this popular late 90s/early 2000s issue.

1979 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS LIST

Leave a reply

The 1979 Topps baseball card set was the 58th series produced by the Topps Chewing Gum Company. It marked another iconic year in the history of Topps baseball cards as the brand transitioned into a new decade. The 1979 set featured 660 total cards and was issued in wax paper packs of five cards each.

Some key details about the 1979 Topps baseball card checklist and design include:

The design featured a classic white border surrounding each player photo with their name and team logo arched at the top. Statistics were listed on the bottom half of the card.

Superstar Nolan Ryan of the California Angels graced the very coveted card #1 position in the set.

Rookies featured included Ozzie Smith of the San Diego Padres (card #630), Chili Davis of the Los Angeles Dodgers (#359), and Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies (#279).

Prominent Hall of Famers included in the set were Hank Aaron of the Milwaukee Brewers (#84), Johnny Bench of the Cincinnati Reds (#25), Reggie Jackson of the New York Yankees (#155), and Pete Rose of the Phillies (#199).

The Minnesota Twins team cards occupying slots #660-662 depicted the Twins celebrating their 1978 World Series championship over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Detroit Tigers had two team cards at #655-656 showing their division championship team from the previous season.

The set was the last to feature Pirates star Dave Parker in a Pittsburgh uniform before he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds after the 1979 season.

Some of the standout rookies of the 1979 Topps set have gone on to have Hall of Fame careers. Ozzie Smith appeared on card #630 and would become known as the “Wizard” for his defensive wizardry at shortstop, garnering 13 Gold Gloves and election to Cooperstown in 2002.

Mike Schmidt’s rookie card was #279 and he went on to establish himself as arguably the greatest third baseman of all-time. Schmidt smashed 548 home runs and won 10 Gold Gloves and the 1980 NL MVP in his first season. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1995, his first year of eligibility.

Dodgers prospect Chili Davis had a breakout rookie campaign in 1979 after appearing on card #359. Davis went on to hit 274 home runs over his 18-year career playing for nine different teams. He was a two-time All-Star and helped the Minnesota Twins win the 1991 World Series.

The condition and grading of iconic rookie cards like Ozzie Smith, Mike Schmidt, and Chili Davis make their 1979 Topps cards among the most valuable in the entire set today. High-grade versions of their rookies can fetch thousands of dollars.

Some other notable rookies in the 1979 set included Cal Ripken Jr. (#519) of the Baltimore Orioles, Don Mattingly (#307) of the New York Yankees, and Tony Gwynn (#619) of the San Diego Padres. All three would have Hall of Fame careers.

The design of the 1979 Topps set remains a favorite of collectors today. Its classic look holds up remarkably well more than 40 years later. The photograph quality is also better than some 1970s issues. Combined with the star power and memorable rookie cards, it’s no wonder the 1979 Topps baseball card checklist endures as a premiere vintage release. Prices remain strong for high-quality common players and especially the rookies, making it a staple for collectors. The 1979 Topps baseball cards provided a great snapshot of the game at the dawn of a new decade.

1987 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS 170

Leave a reply

The 1987 Topps baseball card #170 features all-star outfielder Tim Raines of the Montreal Expos. By 1987, Raines had cemented himself as one of baseball’s premier leadoff hitters and base stealers. He had just come off his second straight season being named an all-star while batting .334 with 12 home runs, 76 RBI and 90 stolen bases, securing his second batting title.

The card captures Raines in mid-swing from the left side of the plate. He has a compact, balanced stance with his hands held high and back. His face shows intense focus and determination as he drives through the ball. In the background, the sportswriter is seen jotting down notes, no doubt impressed by another exciting at-bat from the dynamic Raines.

The text on the front mentions some of Raines’ eye-popping stats from 1986 including his .334 batting average and 90 steals. It touts him as “one of baseball’s premier leadoff hitters and base stealers.” On the back, career stats through 1986 are shown. He had hit .307 in 6 MLB seasons with 72 home runs, 387 RBI and 379 stolen bases. Further details described his MLB debut season of 1981 and selection to the MLB All-Star team in 1985 and 1986.

1987 would be another stellar campaign for Raines. He batted .294 with 20 home runs, 84 RBI and 90 stolen bases, topping 80 steals for the third straight year. While he fell just short of a third batting title, Raines was selected to the all-star team for the third consecutive season. He finished seventh in NL MVP voting, cementing his place among the game’s elite players.

Despite these accomplishments, some writers felt Raines was still underappreciated. His smooth, low-key style didn’t always get the attention of more flashy sluggers. Raines went about his business focusing solely on helping his team win with his bat, legs and glove. “Hitting is instinct, not power,” he said. “I don’t try to hit homers. I try to hit line drives, hit ’em where they ain’t.”

Throughout his career, Raines was an on-base machine with exceptional speed. He consistently posted high batting averages and OBPs while swiping bases at an amazing 85% success rate. Modern metrics illuminated just how valuable Raines was – he ranks among the all-time leaders in bWAR for left fielders. Yet he fell just short of the Hall of Fame in his early ballots, perhaps due to biased comparisons to Rickey Henderson.

In Montreal, Raines was the rock of the lineup during the team’s late-70s/80s heyday. As the franchise began to decline, he was traded to division rival Chicago White Sox before the 1991 season. The move helped push the White Sox to the AL West title that year as Raines posted a .325 average in 113 games for them. He later signed with the New York Yankees as a free agent and was a key veteran presence on their World Series teams of 1996 and 1998.

In 2002, his last season in the majors at age 41, Raines returned to Montreal for an encore with the Expos. His .338 average that year helped the struggling franchise, showing he could still swing it despite nearing his 43rd birthday. When he finally retired, Raines had amassed 2,605 hits, 1,571 runs scored and 808 stolen bases in 23 MLB seasons.

Tim Raines was finally elected to the Hall of Fame in 2017 by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, his 10th and final year of eligibility. The 1987 Topps card serves as a reminder of the electric player he was in his prime – a true artist on the basepaths who didn’t always get his due but made dazzling plays look effortless. His career .294 average, .385 on-base percentage and tremendous production as a leadoff hitter leave no doubt that “Rock” Raines belongs in Cooperstown amongst baseball’s all-time greats.

CLASSIC GAMES BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Baseball cards have been an integral part of America’s pastime for over a century. Collecting and trading baseball cards was a beloved hobby for many throughout the 20th century. Some of the earliest and most valuable baseball cards ever produced date back to the late 1800s during the early years of professional baseball. These classic cards from the earliest eras of the game are among the most prized possessions for any serious collector.

Some of the very first baseball cards were produced in the late 1880s by cigarette and tobacco companies as promotional items to help sell their products. Brands like Goodwin & Company, American Tobacco Company, and Allen & Ginter began inserting illustrated baseball cards into their packs of cigarettes. One of the earliest and most famous sets is the 1887 N168 Old Judge tobacco card set. This set featured over 50 cards of baseball players and managers from that era. Only a handful of the Old Judge cards still exist in pristine condition today and can sell for millions of dollars.

In 1909, the American Tobacco Company issued the most famous set of baseball cards ever produced, the T206 series. These cards featured photos of over 500 baseball stars from the National and American leagues on the front with bios on the back. The T206 set included legends like Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, and Christy Mathewson. In near-mint condition, some of the rare cards from this set have sold at auction for over $3 million each in recent years, setting records as the most valuable trading cards ever. The iconic image of Wagner from the 1909-11 T206 set remains one of the most recognizable in the history of sports collectibles.

During the early 20th century, many regional tobacco brands also issued baseball cards as promotional inserts. Sets like the 1909-11 Sweet Caporal, 1911-12 Brick Bronson’s Home Run, and 1911 Imperial Tobacco Company featured photos and stats of ballplayers before the rise of dedicated baseball card companies. In 1913, the Baltimore News American newspaper also included a set of cards as part of its Sunday comics insert. These early 20th century tobacco and newspaper cards helped fuel the growing popularity of collecting baseball memorabilia.

In 1933, the Goudey Gum Company became the first dedicated sports card manufacturer, issuing their famous 1933 Goudey baseball card set. This set included photos of over 150 major leaguers on the front and stats on the back of each gum-sized card. The 1933 Goudey set is considered a landmark in the history of baseball cards and included future hall of famers like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Jimmie Foxx. The 1933 Goudey cards in top condition can sell for over $100,000 today due to their rarity and historical significance.

Throughout the 1930s and 40s, other card companies like Play Ball, Diamond Stars, and Leaf produced sets that became hugely popular with children and collectors alike. These cards came as inserts in gum and candy packs and featured vibrant color photos of baseball’s biggest stars. Sets from this era like the 1936-39 Play Ball and 1938-39 Goudey Gum are considered classics by collectors. During World War II, card production was limited due to wartime rationing, but companies still issued sets showcasing the national pastime.

The golden age of baseball cards arrived in the post-war 1940s and 1950s. Bowman, Topps, and Fleer emerged as the dominant manufacturers, signing exclusive licensing deals with Major League Baseball. From 1948-1958, Bowman issued some of the most iconic sets including 1948, 1949, 1951, and 1956. These Bowman cards featured the games legends like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Jackie Robinson in their prime. At the same time, Topps began their long reign as the sport’s premier card company with their iconic 1952, 1956, and 1957 sets.

In the late 1950s, Fleer broke Topps’ monopoly and issued innovative modern designs. Their groundbreaking 1956, 1957, and 1958 sets introduced the “pink back” and included rookie cards of future hall of famers like Hank Aaron and Roberto Clemente. The late ’50s also saw classic sets from Post, Red Man, and Mars. These post-war and 1950s issues are considered the pinnacle of baseball card design and collectibility, immortalizing the sports golden era on cardboard. Top graded examples from the 1950s can sell for well over $100,000.

The 1960s saw Topps continue to innovate with their annual issues, introducing multi-colored borders and photography. Their 1969 set stands out for including the final cards of legends like Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays. The 1960s also saw classic runs from Fleer, Post, and Kellogg’s. The 1970s marked a decline in quality and collectibility as production ramped up. Still, the 1970s produced iconic rookie cards of stars like Reggie Jackson and George Brett that remain highly sought after today.

In the 1980s, the sports card market exploded in popularity. Overproduction and lack of quality control hurt values long-term. The late 1980s and early 90s saw the infamous “Junk Wax Era” that flooded the market. Still, classic 1980s sets like Topps Traded and the 1987 Topps set hold nostalgia for many collectors. In the 1990s, Upper Deck emerged as the premier brand with innovative premium products. Their 1989 baseball cards started the era of highly designed “chase” cards and parallels.

While the sports card market has seen many ups and downs over the past 30 years, appreciation for the earliest baseball card issues from the 1880s-1950s has never been higher. The vintage cards from the pre-war tobacco era to the post-war golden age are considered true works of American popular culture and represent the earliest memorabilia from our national pastime. Today, the rarest examples from sets like T206, Goudey, and Bowman routinely sell at auction for hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Whether for their historic significance, artistic design, or attachment to baseball’s greatest legends – these classic baseball cards remain prized possessions for collectors worldwide.