1989 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS DATABASE

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The 1989 Topps baseball card set was the 68th annual issue by Topps. It marked a changing of the guard in Major League Baseball as several veteran stars were entering the twilight of their careers while new young stars began to emerge. This transition is reflected in the cards from the set.

The set totals 792 cards and features photography from various photographers including BPI Communications and Topps staff photographers. Notable rookie cards from the set include Ken Griffey Jr., Benito Santiago, Gregg Olson, and Frank Thomas. Griffey and Thomas would go on to have Hall of Fame careers while Santiago and Olson also enjoyed solid MLB careers. The Griffey Jr. rookie is one of the most coveted and valuable cards in the entire set.

On the veteran side, the set includes the last or among the last Topps cards for Don Mattingly, Eddie Murray, Dave Winfield, Mike Schmidt, and Nolan Ryan. All five of those players were future Hall of Famers in their peak years. Mattingly’s card was significant as his playing career would be cut short by back injuries over the next couple seasons. Murray and Schmidt were still producing at a high level in 1989.

Some other notables among the veteran players featured are Orel Hershiser coming off his record 59 consecutive scoreless innings in 1988, Kirby Puckett in the middle of his excellent career, and Roger Clemens who was emerging as the best pitcher in baseball. Clemens’ card shows him pitching for the Red Sox still before he went on to dominate for years with the Blue Jays and Yankees.

Rookie cards that have held value over the years besides Griffey include Sandy Alomar Jr., Gregg Jefferies, and Derek Bell. Jefferies was a highly-touted prospect who did not live up to expectations while Bell and Alomar had long, respectable MLB careers. Other players featured in the set going on to have Hall of Fame careers include Barry Larkin, Tom Glavine, and Tim Raines.

The design elements of the set featured a photo on the front with statistics and a bio on the back. Topps experimented with some design tweaks throughout the years of the 1980s including banners, logos and colors used. The 1989 set utilized a classic straightforward photo centered on the front with a Blue and Red color scheme. This was the last Topps set to feature the classic company logo of an illustration of a boy swinging a baseball bat.

In terms of condition, the Griffey Jr. rookie is among the toughest cards to find in gem mint condition due to its popularity even at the time of release. Other notable rookie cards that are frequently found well-centered and in high grade include Santiago, Olson, and Thomas. The veteran cards of Mattingly, Schmidt, Murray, Hershiser and Raines also seem to grade well consistently when compared to the rookies.

The 1989 Topps set is seen as a true “transitional” set between the stars of the 1980s and those who emerged in the 1990s. While the huge names from a decade earlier were featured, the arrival of talent like Griffey, Thomas, Larkin and Glavine signaled changes ahead as MLB neared the turn of the century. The cards remain popular with collectors today and are a historical marker of the evolution of the game during that period. Prices have appreciated greatly over the decades, especially for key rookie cards, making a complete set a sizeable investment even in lower grades. The 1989 Topps baseball cards preserve the talents and faces of this period forever in the size of a trading card.

ATTACK OF THE BASEBALL CARDS CLARK NJ

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The Attack of the Baseball Cards: A Strange but True Story from Clark, New Jersey

On the evening of May 12th, 1989, 11-year-old Billy Michaels was in his bedroom in Clark, New Jersey going through his collection of baseball cards. Like many boys his age, Billy was utterly obsessed with his cards, spending hours each day sorting them, trading with his friends at school, and studying the stats and photos of his favorite players. But little did Billy know that this ordinary Friday night would become anything but ordinary.

Around 7:30 PM, as Billy was carefully placing some of his newly acquired 1989 Topps cards into protective plastic sleeves, he heard a strange noise coming from his closet. At first, he ignored it, assuming the old house was just settling like it sometimes did. The noise soon grew louder and more persistent. Becoming concerned, Billy got up from his bed and slowly walked over to the closet door.

“Hello?” Billy called out nervously, but received no response other than more bumping and scraping sounds from inside the closet. Grasping the doorknob tightly, Billy took a deep breath and flung the door open quickly, expecting to find some raccoon or possum had gotten trapped inside. But what he saw instead was something that would haunt his memories for years to come.

Towering before him were stacks upon stacks of his baseball cards, but they were moving and writhing in ways no inanimate objects should. The rookie cards of Kirby Puckett and Gregg Jefferies seemed to be leading the pack as they floated through the air, flapping their cardboard wings menacingly. Dozens of Ozzie Smiths glistened in the dim closet light, their foil signatures catching the eye. Trailing behind were whole teams of Mark McGwires and Jose Cansecos, their cardboard cleats clicking against the wooden floorboards as they advanced on the terrified boy.

Billy let out an ear-piercing scream and stumbled backwards onto his bed as the baseball card horde poured out of the closet. They swirled around him like a tornado, slapping him with the slick faces of Nolan Ryan, Cal Ripken Jr., and Dennis Eckersley. “No! Get away!” Billy cried, shielding himself with his arms as best he could against the onslaught.

Just when it seemed the cards might overwhelm the poor boy, they suddenly stopped their attack and floated in mid-air, seeming to size Billy up. A 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie floated to the front of the pack, its eyes glowing an eerie red. “We have come for your collection, boy,” it hissed in a gravelly voice. “These cards belong to us now. Surrender them or face the consequences.”

Billy was stunned speechless. He had no idea how or why his baseball cards had come alive, but they clearly meant business. As the Griffey glared at him expectantly, waiting for his response, Billy slowly nodded and pointed to his desk where his prized binders and boxes were kept. “P-Please…take them…just don’t hurt me,” he stammered.

The Griffey let out a raspy laugh and signaled to the other cards with a flick of its corner. They swarmed the collection with renewed fervor, tearing open packages and shredding plastic pages in their quest for more cards to join their ranks. Within moments, Billy’s entire hoard was completely decimated, leaving only scraps of cardboard littering his bedroom floor.

Satisfied with their work, the baseball cards began to retreat back toward the closet. The Griffey lingered behind, fixing Billy with one last unnerving look. “This is only the beginning, boy. Mark my words – we will be back for more. The Card Army is growing, and soon we’ll claim collections across the land!” With that ominous warning, it zipped into the closet, slamming the door behind it as the last of its comrades disappeared within.

Billy didn’t sleep a wink that night, too terrified by what he had witnessed to even close his eyes. The next morning, he told his parents and friends about the attack, but of course nobody believed such a fantastic story. They all assumed he’d had a nightmare or was pulling some kind of prank. But Billy knew deep down that what happened was all too real.

In the following weeks, more strange incidents were reported throughout Clark and nearby towns. Neighbors would find their baseball card collections in tatters, as if something – or somethings – had torn through them with razor-sharp claws. Some witnesses even claimed to see fleeting glimpses of the cards flying through the air together in unnaturally organized flocks.

The local police and newspapers were baffled. There was no rational explanation for how so many valuable vintage and rookie cards could be systematically destroyed without leaving any clues behind. Fingers were pointed at everything from pranksters to animals to faulty collectors’ organization, but the truth was far more unbelievable.

The Card Army, as the Griffey had called it, was growing bolder and more widespread in its attacks. Its members were recruiting new cards through whatever dark magic or science had animated them in the first place. And its leader, the 1989 Ken Griffey Jr., was amassing a formidable force with which to take over collections everywhere.

Billy Michaels was the only one who knew the real threat that was looming, but without proof or support, he was powerless to stop it. The baseball cards had marked him as their enemy that fateful night, and he lived in constant fear that the Card Army would one day return to finish what it started. His childhood was forever scarred by the trauma of the attack.

To this day, the mystery of the baseball cards in Clark remains unsolved. While most folks dismissed it as an odd local legend, Billy has held firm to his story. And every so often, rumors still surface of collections being ravaged under the cover of night, with only a glimpse of cardboard wings in the moonlight to hint at the culprit. Whether the Card Army is still out there or not, one thing is clear – you’d better keep your cards locked up tight, just in case…

BASEBALL CARDS ON CRAIGSLIST

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Baseball cards have been a beloved hobby for collectors of all ages for decades. With the rise of online marketplaces, buying and selling baseball cards on Craigslist has become a popular way for enthusiasts to add to their collections or offload duplicates. Whether you’re looking to purchase vintage cards, complete sets, or trade with other collectors in your area, Craigslist can be a goldmine if you know how to navigate the site effectively.

The first thing you’ll want to do is browse through the various baseball card listings in your local Craigslist city. Most major metropolitan areas will have an active “sports cards” section where people list individual cards, full sets, boxes of packs, and more for sale. Be sure to check frequently, as new postings are added daily. Sellers will often list card brands, specific players featured, conditions and years to help buyers get an idea of what they have available.

When viewing listings, pay close attention to photos provided. Reputable sellers will show clear, well-lit pictures of the actual items for sale so you can inspect condition and authenticity before agreeing to purchase. Ask the poster for additional photos if needed. Be wary of listings with only stock images or no pictures at all, as this could indicate the seller is trying to hide flaws or pass off reprints as originals.

Pricing on Craigslist for baseball cards can vary widely depending on factors like player, year, brand, grading and more. Vintage rookie cards of star players from the 1950s and 1960s in top condition can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars. More common cards from the late 80s through 90s may sell for just a few dollars each. Complete factory-sealed sets are also popular on Craigslist and prices usually reflect current market value. Take the time to research recent eBay “sold” listings to gauge fair prices for comparable items before buying.

When contacting a seller, be polite and respectful. Provide your name, indicate your interest in the specific items and ask pertinent questions about condition, included cards or sets. Reputable Craigslist users will be happy to provide additional photos or details to help you make an informed purchase decision. Beware of requests to communicate solely via text, email or an external payment method, as this could suggest a scam attempt. Stick to communicating through the Craigslist platform for protection.

If after reviewing photos and details you decide to purchase, Craigslist recommends arranging to meet the seller in a safe, public location to complete the transaction in person whenever possible. This allows you to inspect items before paying and reduces risk of fraudulent activity compared to mailing payments without seeing the goods. Bring cash for smaller purchases, while you may be able to pay by check or money order for larger transactions once items check out in person.

Once you own the cards, take care to properly store and protect your new additions or trades. Plastic sleeves, toploaders, binders and boxes are great options to preserve condition over the years. And don’t forget to enjoy admiring your collection – that’s what it’s all about! Whether buying singles, sets or boxes of unopened packs, Craigslist remains a budget-friendly way for collectors nationwide to expand their baseball card collections. Just practice safety and research to avoid potential scams.

ELITE BASEBALL CARDS

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Elite Baseball Cards: Rare and Valuable Collectibles

Baseball cards have been collected by fans for over a century and represent an important part of the sport’s history and culture. While common cards from recent years hold little monetary value, some vintage and rare cards have become extremely valuable collectibles worth thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. These elite baseball cards are highly sought after by dedicated collectors and represent the pinnacle of the hobby. Several factors determine what makes a baseball card truly elite in terms of rarity, condition, and desirability.

One of the most important aspects is the card’s year of issue, with older cards naturally being more scarce and collectible. The T206 tobacco card set from 1909-1911 is considered the most iconic in the hobby. These cards were included in packs of cigarettes and featured true full bleed images before the advent of modern card design. Their excellent quality and nostalgic images have made high grade T206s extremely valuable. A pristine 1909 T206 Honus Wagner card in a PSA Gem Mint 10 grade sold at auction in 2016 for $3.12 million, setting the record as the most expensive trading card ever sold. Other pre-war tobacco era cards like those from 1910-1911 and 1912-1914 are also highly valued in top condition due to their rarity.

The next great vintage for elite baseball cards comes from the 1950s, when the modern cardboard format was established. The 1952 Topps set introduced the classic design of a photo on the front that has endured to this day. Top rookie cards from this decade can be worth huge sums, such as the iconic 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 9 which sold for over $2.88 million in 2018. The iconic 1954 Topps card of Willie Mays during his legendary over-the-shoulder catch is also coveted by collectors, with high grade examples changing hands for six figures. Bowman was also a major issuer of color cards in the 1950s that featured the sport’s biggest stars in their early careers.

Condition is absolutely vital when it comes to determining the true value and eliteness of a vintage baseball card. Even minor flaws can drastically reduce a card’s worth. The top professional grading services like PSA and BGS provide scientific analysis and assign numeric grades of Gem Mint 10 down to Poor 1 based on centering, corners, edges and surface quality. A flawless Mint 9 card may be valued at thousands while one graded a few points lower at Good 6 could be worth just a small fraction due to wear. Cards that have survived for decades in pristine condition without creases, bends or discoloration are extremely scarce and valuable.

Beyond age and condition, certain cards attain elite status due to historical significance, record-setting sales or their portrayal of legendary players. The 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner is the most famous example, as it features “The Flying Dutchman” who is widely considered the best shortstop of the early game. Only about 60 high grade examples are known to exist today. The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle is similarly prized as it depicts the Yankee Clipper in his rookie season before multiple MVP awards and World Series titles. The 1975 Topps Ted Williams is also revered for showing the “Splendid Splinter” in his final MLB season just before his Hall of Fame induction. Each of these cards has individually sold for over $1 million when pristine copies come to auction.

Certain highly sought rookie or early career cards that depict all-time greats in their formative MLB years can also achieve elite status. Examples include the 1957 Topps Hank Aaron, 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan, 1975 Topps George Brett, and 1987 Topps Barry Bonds. Even stars of more recent generations like the 1991 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr., 1994 SP Derek Jeter, and 2001 Bowman Chrome Albert Pujols rookie are considered premiere vintage cards today. With each passing year, the rookie cards of current superstars like Mike Trout, Bryce Harper and Fernando Tatis Jr. will likely join this elite company as their careers progress.

Beyond individual cards, complete vintage sets are among the holy grails for advanced collectors. In the past decade, pristine examples of the 1952 Topps, 1957 Topps, and 1968 Topps sets have been auctioned intact for record prices over $100,000. Owning an entire flagship release from baseball’s earliest decades encapsulates the entire season and provides a true time capsule of that period. Acquiring such an intact high-grade set is an immensely difficult and expensive task requiring matching grades across over 500 cards. Only a tiny handful of these perfect vintage sets are known to exist today.

While mint condition is always preferred, there is a market for lower grade vintage cards as well. Even heavily played early 20th century tobacco cards or 1950s/60s issues can sell for thousands due to their nostalgia and scarcity. For a card to truly be considered “elite” it must be both highly significant historically and preserved in pristine condition to reflect the absolute pinnacle of the collecting hobby. Such rare and well-cared for pieces of baseball memorabilia will always be prized by the most dedicated fans and enthusiasts.

The rarest and most valuable baseball cards are those that have survived for decades in flawless condition without creases or discoloration from the earliest decades of the 20th century. Iconic single cards like the T206 Honus Wagner or complete pristine vintage sets are the holy grails that can sell at auction for hundreds of thousands or over $1 million. Younger issues depicting all-time great players like Mantle, Mays and Aaron in their rookie or early career also achieve elite status. While common modern cards hold little value, with time certain scarce vintage pieces from the past century will always be revered as the true cream of the collecting crop.

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1986 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1986 Topps baseball card set was the 65th year that the Topps Company produced cards for the Major Leagues. Some key things to note about the 1986 Topps set include the design, rookie cards, star players featured, and overall production details.

In terms of design, the 1986 Topps cards maintained a similar style to previous years but with some subtle changes. The cards continued to use a yellow and white border and color photo. The font for the team name was changed to a block lettering style as opposed to the script from 1985. The player’s name was given more prominence and moved above the photo. Perhaps the biggest design change was that statistics from the previous season were removed from the back of the card. This was likely done to save on printing costs.

Some of the top rookies featured in the 1986 Topps set included Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox, Mark McGwire of the Athletics, Wally Joyner of the Angels, and Ray Durham of the White Sox. Clemens in particular would go on to have a Hall of Fame career featuring seven Cy Young awards. McGwire’s rookie card also gained notoriety in the late 90s and 2000s during the steroid era. Joyner and Durham had solid Major League careers as well.

In terms of star players, the 1986 Topps set featured the likes of Ryne Sandberg, Fernando Valenzuela, Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, Don Mattingly, and Kirby Puckett among many others. Perhaps the biggest star was San Diego Padres first baseman Steve Garvey on the eve of his retirement. Other well known veterans included Reggie Jackson, Nolan Ryan, and Dave Winfield. The Dodger tandem of Fernando Valenzuela and Steve Sax also remained very popular.

From a production standpoint, the 1986 Topps set included 792 total cards issued. This included 660 player cards, 99 minor league (“Future Stars”) cards, and 33 manager/coach cards. The entire set had a glossy finish front and back. As far as parallels and inserts, there were Glossy Send-In posters available by mailing in proofs of purchase. An “All-Star” insert set was also produced but it was limited to 35 cards out of the original 660 player allotment.

In terms of rarity, some key rookie cards are considered quite valuable today if graded and preserved well. Roger Clemens’ rookie card can fetch over $1,000 in high grade. Mark McGwire’s is also worth a few hundred dollars or more. Unlike in the late 90s, McGuire’s value has declined since the extent of his steroid use was revealed publicly. Rookie cards of Ozzie Smith, Sandberg, and Mattingly have also held value over the decades. Beyond rookies, the highlight cards are generally considered the stars and Hall of Famers like Jackson, Boggs, Ryan, and Valenzuela in high grade.

When fully assembled, the 1986 Topps base set stands out for capturing a unique snapshot of the 1980s era of baseball prior to expansion. After a few years of design consistency, Topps made some subtle changes that still retained the classic aesthetic fans expected. Between the rookie cards of future stars and photos of longtime greats, the 1986 set remains a favorite of collectors today due to its historical significance in bridging the 1970s/80s generation to the steroid/expansion era of the 1990s and beyond. While not the most valuable vintage Topps set overall, it remains an affordable and iconic collection for those intrigued by the players and times of mid-1980s Major League Baseball.

1983 ASA BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1983 Topps ASA set is considered one of the more sought-after baseball card issues for collectors of the 1980s. This was the third and final set produced as part of Topps’ short-lived agreement with the American Sports Analytic (ASA) company. ASA was a fledgling company that aimed to provide statistical analysis of sports players which Topps hoped would add value to their cards.

Topps decided to incorporate ASA statistics and analysis onto the backs of select cards in their 1981, 1982, and 1983 sets. While not a commercial success at the time, increased interest in ASA cards from collectors in later decades has elevated their popularity and prices today. The 1983 set stands out due to rarity, design aesthetics, and the inclusion of rookie cards for future Hall of Famers.

Some key details that make the 1983 Topps ASA cards a highlight for collectors and investors include:

Size of set: The 1983 Topps ASA set contains 297 total cards. This is smaller than the base Topps set of that year which was over 700 cards. The limited print run makes individual ASA cards harder to find in top condition.

Design elements: The fronts of the 1983 ASA cards feature colorful action photos and a black border around the edges with a Topps logo at the bottom. The backs have a white center with ASA statistical analysis accompanied by cartoon-style illustrations. This style was praised by reviewers at the time for its unique look compared to other issues.

Rookie cards: Future Hall of Famers Cal Ripken Jr. and Wade Boggs have their ASA rookie cards in this set from their debut seasons in 1981 and 1982 respectively. Other notable rookies include Dwight Gooden, Don Mattingly, and Darryl Strawberry. Finds of these rookies in good condition can hold substantial value.

Statistics included: As part of Topps’ agreement with ASA, the back of each card contains statistical analysis from ASA related to performance metrics, scouting reports, and salary projections among other data points. While primitive by today’s advanced analytics, this added informational value for collectors at the time.

Low print numbers: It’s estimated production of the 1983 Topps ASA set was only around 1/3 of the size of the base Topps issue that same year. With fewer packs opened due to the wider set not being as widely distributed, high grade ASA cards survive in far fewer quantities.

Popularity rise: While initially overlooked, interest in ASA cards has greatly increased in the vintage market over the past two decades. The innovation they brought to the hobby with analytical content on the card backs is now more appreciated by collectors. Prices have risen along with notoriety.

Top graded population: Based on the population report from grading leader PSA, only 167 PSA 10 GEM MINT copies exist of 1983 Topps ASA Cal Ripken Jr. The entire set is extremely difficult to acquire in top grades due to their fragile vintage cardboard stock.

With the low issue numbers, beautiful design work, inclusion of all-time great rookie cards, and added statistics/analysis that made them ahead of their time – the 1983 Topps ASA baseball card set stands out as a true Holy Grail for vintage collectors even nearly 40 years later. Examples that show impressively at auction are primarily out of reach except for the most elite accumulators in the hobby. The set cemented Topps ASA’s place as one of the most innovative, rare, and desirable oddball releases in cardboard catalog history.

TOPPS 1992 BASEBALL CARDS COMPLETE SET

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The 1992 Topps baseball card set was issued during a transitional period for the baseball card industry. While baseball cards were still immensely popular, the junk wax era of the late 1980s had drastically overproduced sets and caused a crash in the baseball card market. In response, Topps issued a smaller and more carefully crafted 1992 set compared to the bloated issues of just a few years prior.

The 1992 set contains 792 total cards and was the first Topps flagship set since 1981 to have under 1,000 total cards. This was a noticeable step back from the excessively large sets issued through most of the late 1980s, a period now referred to as the “junk wax era.” For collectors and investors burnt out after years of drastically overproduced sets, the 1992 Topps offering was a welcome change of pace that helped signal the beginning of post-junk wax era for the collection hobby.

Some key facts about the 1992 Topps set:

The card design featured a clean and classic look with mostly solid colors and simple borders around each photo. Gone were the garish color schemes and cluttered designs that plagued late 80s/early 90s sets.

Each card has statistics and season/career highlights on the back along with the standard Topps design elements like the pink sticker logo.

The set includes 696 regular player cards along with 72 additional rookie/star cards, 12 manager/coach cards, and 12 league leader/record holder cards.

Notable rookie cards include Derek Jeter, Jason Kendall, Paul Molitor, and Wade Boggs in his final season. Molitor and Boggs were well past their primes but still legends at the time.

Star/short prints include cards for Cal Ripken Jr., Barry Bonds, Kirby Puckett, and others. These star cards has lower printed numbers making them harder to pull from packs.

Insert cards include Kenny Lofton’s rookie debut, Nolan Ryan’s record-breaking 5,000th strikeout, and Frank Thomas’ rookie season highlighting.

Checklists, memorabilia cards, and error/variations were not included in the standard 792 card tally as they were with some previous oversized sets.

Overall design is considered one of the cleaner and more classic looks from the late junk wax/early modern era. Photography and production values are a notch above the very bloated and lazy late 80s offerings as well.

Condition is paramount to value when evaluating a complete 1992 Topps set today. In mint/near-mint condition, the complete 792 card checklist in factory sealed wax packs can fetch over $1,000 given the set’s scarcity and significance. However raw common players in played/damaged condition have very little value individually.

Some key individual cards that command strong premiums in high grades include the coveted Derek Jeter rookie, which has sold for over $200 for a PSA 10 gem mint copy. Other notable rookies like Jason Kendall and Paul Molitor can reach $25-50 in top condition as well. Star cards like Barry Bonds and Cal Ripken typically sell for $10-30 each depending on the player and grading.

While not as valuable as some seminal sets from the pre-war era or the iconic 1957/1952 Topps issues, the 1992 Topps baseball card set holds historical significance as one of the first signs that the hobby was recovering from junk wax crash. Its classic design was a refreshing change and the set size, while still large by today’s standards, marked a pullback from excess. Combined with the presence of some all-time great rookie cards, the 1992 Topps checklist remains a priority for set collectors to this day. In top condition, it’s easy to see why a complete set still retains 4-figure value and interest from investors after 30 years.

BEST 2023 TOPPS SERIES 2 BASEBALL CARDS

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The 2023 Topps Series 2 baseball card set was released on August 17th, 2022 and contains a variety of rookies, stars, and parallels that have collectors excited. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the top cards to chase from this highly anticipated release.

One of the biggest rookie cards in the set is that of Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez. Rodríguez had a phenomenal rookie season in 2022 that saw him finish third in American League Rookie of the Year voting. His rookie card is one of the most sought after from Series 1, and his base card and parallels from Series 2 are sure to be hot items as well. Collectors will be hunting for the prized Julio Rodríguez rookie to add to their PC’s.

Another highly coveted rookie is Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II. Harris burst onto the scene in 2022 and proved to be a dynamic young player, earning him NL Rookie of the Year honors. Like Rodríguez, Harris’ base rookie from Series 1 is in high demand, so his Series 2 issue will only add to the excitement around one of baseball’s brightest young stars. The Michael Harris II rookie parallel chase should provide collector fun throughout the year.

On the veteran side, Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout remains one of the most sought after cards in the hobby. The three-time AL MVP had another incredible season in 2022, proving he’s still at the top of his game. Any Trout pull from Series 2, whether a base card or parallel, is a prize for collectors. His on-card autograph would be the true holy grail pull. Star power and talent like Trout’s will always make his cards a priority.

Another perennial superstar who collectors look to pull is New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. In 2022 Judge had a historic season by smashing an AL record 62 home runs. His accomplishments and status as one of the game’s biggest names gives any Judge card from Series 2 instant value. An autograph or rare parallel of the AL single season home run king would bring top dollar on the secondary market.

Rookies and stars aren’t the only cards that can spike collector interest in Series 2 though. Parallels always add to the excitement of the release, and 2023 Topps features some highly sought after parallel variations. The prized 1/1 printing plate autograph parallel is the true white whale for collectors to pursue. But other low numbered parallels like Gold /50, Rainbow Foil /25 and Red /5 also generate lots of buzz and trade speculation if pulled. The parallel chase is a big part of what makes Series 2 collecting so engaging.

Topps also includes a popular “Stars of the Topps” insert set in Series 2 highlighting some of the biggest names in the game. Cards like Trout, Judge, Shohei Ohtani and others in this insert set hold value and are key cards to target when ripping packs. The “Stars of the Topps” parallels multiply that interest level. Autograph and memorabilia cards from this insert set would be true head-turners.

Veteran stars, rookie phenoms, coveted parallels – 2023 Topps Series 2 has it all. But perhaps the biggest allure is the unpredictability of the chase. You never know when you might stumble upon a one-of-a-kind hit. Whether seeking specific players, chasing parallels or hoping for surprise pulls, Series 2 provides the thrill of the hunt that keeps collectors coming back year after year. With rookies like Rodríguez and Harris poised to take the hobby by storm, and stars like Trout and Judge leading the way, 2023 Topps Series 2 looks to be one of the year’s most exciting releases. The card hunt is on!

1989 BOWMAN BASEBALL CARDS COMEBACK EDITION

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The 1989 Bowman baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable issues in the modern era. What makes the ’89 Bowman set so special was that it marked the highly anticipated return of Bowman as the main baseball card manufacturer, seven years after Topps had gained the exclusive MLB license in 1981.

Bowman had been one of the original “Big Three” baseball card companies along with Topps and Fleer in the 1950s-1970s era. They helped popularize the modern concept of collecting, trading and building complete sets. In the early 1980s Topps was able to outbid and outmuscle their competitors for sole MLB rights. While Fleer and Donruss tried to stay afloat with independent sets featuring retired players, Bowman was forced to leave the baseball card market altogether between 1982-1988.

Card collectors had been eagerly awaiting Bowman’s return, hoping they might help reinvigorate competition and creativity back into the hobby. When news broke in late 1988 that Bowman had regained an MLB license, beginning with the 1989 season, excitement levels skyrocketed. Hobby shops and enthusiasts wanted to see if Bowman still “had it” after such a long absence. They aimed to make their big comeback set truly memorable and innovative.

To achieve this, Bowman packed the ’89 issue with exciting features and bonuses. There were a whopping 396 total cards in the base set, 96 more than the contemporary Topps flagship set. This included separate subsets for rookie cards, highlight films, leaders and all-stars. The photography and card designs also took a modern, stylish approach with creative color schemes and borders. Perhaps most notably, Bowman included an incredible 33 total rookie cards of future Hall of Famers and MVPs like Ken Griffey Jr, Gary Sheffield, Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux.

The astronomical rookie class alone made the ’89 Bowman set a legendary collector’s item. But they also upped the bonuses beyond the base checklist. Packs came with sticker cards of more players that could be added to pages in the included album. There were also factory-sealed “cello packs” containing even rarer parallel insert cards in brighter colors and refractors. Overall the robust product and treasure hunt aspects kept kids and investors excitedly ripping packs.

The gamble paid off tremendously for Bowman. Their comeback set was an immediate commercial smash, outselling Topps for the first time. The renewed competition also had positive impact on the growing baseball card market. The nostalgia factor around Bowman’s return made even common cards from the set retain higher value in the secondary market compared to base cards from other contemporary issues. But naturally, the true blue-chip investments centered around the debut rookie cards – especially of future superstars like Griffey and Sheffield who went on to Hall of Fame careers.

Even though three decades have passed, the historic 1989 Bowman baseball card set remains one of the most iconic issues in the entire hobby. Its rookie class legacy alone guaranteed its place in card collecting history and lore. For investors, high-grade Griffey, Maddux or Sheffield rookies from that set can still fetch thousands to even tens of thousands at auction today. The 1989 issue showed that with the right combination of talent, timing, and tremendous bonuses/value – a comeback set could cement its place as arguably the most significant modern-era release. It was Bowman’s grand triumphant return to reclaim their spot among the elite manufacturers of baseball cards.

MOST VALUABLE 2022 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS SERIES 1

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2022 marked the 70th anniversary of Topps Baseball cards, with Series 1 being the flagship set released in late January/early February. The 2022 Topps Baseball Series 1 set included a total of 386 base cards split across various subsets after years of set sizes hovering closer to 300 cards. With increased interest in the hobby and rise of memorabilia collectors, several rookie cards and special parallels emerged as some of the most valuable cards from the 2022 Topps Series 1 release. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the top standalone cards that have already proven to carry significant worth.

One of the most hyped rookies leading up to Series 1 was Detroit Tigers prospect Riley Greene. As the 5th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Greene had one of the more acclaimed prospect pedigrees entering his first MLB season in 2022. His blue bordered parallel rookie card /385 carried an immediate premium upon release due to his prospect status. PSA 10 examples of this card quickly shot up above the $100 range and have steadily increased, currently hovering around $175-200 raw with a PSA 10 recently selling for $450. Greene’s red border /150 parallel saw similar early gains with a PSA 10 red parallel now reaching $700-800.

While Greene may have been the highest touted rookie, one card that greatly exceeded early expectations was Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene. Despite touted velocity, Greene faced questions about his future role and command entering his rookie campaign. His standard rookie card /386 initially sold for under $20 but growth in on-field performance led demand to skyrocket throughout the 2022 season. Nearing the winter, PSA 10 examples now consistently sell for $300-350 with one recent sale reaching a new record high of $550 raw. Greene’s ultra-short printed gold parallel /70 also gained over 2000% relative to initial sales, with the lone PSA 10 example to surface so far selling for a staggering $5,000 back in August.

Another rookie who saw major gains was Los Angeles Angels phenom catcher Logan O’Hoppe. Selected in the 1st round of the 2020 MLB Draft, O’Hoppe had one of the more intriguing offensive profiles of any catching prospect in baseball. That intrigue transferred directly to his rookie card /386, which maintained a steady $50-75 market all summer long. As O’Hoppe continued mashing in the minors and was added to the Angels’ 40-man roster, prices escalated. Raw PSA 10s now sell around $200-250 with one reaching $350 back in September. Even his blue /385 parallel climbed above the $100 mark raw for a PSA 10.

While the main focus was understandably on rookie cards, one of the biggest surprises from Series 1 was the emergence of several star veteran parallels. For example, Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw’s gold parallel /70 jumped up significantly above his standard base rookie pricing purely due to the rarity factor. Early PSA 10 sales came in around $350-400 raw but have since escalated to consistently clear the $500 mark, with one example selling for a record $750 this fall. His parallel gained over 1000% relative to initial PSA 10 prices from January.

Miami Marlins rookie pitcher Edward Cabrera also showed huge gains on the strength of an impressive late season debut. While not a true rookie, his standard /386 climbed from a initial $15-20 to routinely clearing $100 raw for a PSA 10 this winter. Cabrera’s scarcer red /150 parallel gained even more dramatically, rising from a meager $30-40 to a peak of $275 raw for the lone PSA 10 to surface. Both parallel pops sustained over 1500% increases relative to initial prices.

Along with veteran parallels, autograph and memorabilia cards also proved to have staying power as collectibles. For instance, St. Louis Cardinals star Nolan Arenado’s autographed card /99 experienced steady appreciation from its initial $200-250 range all the way up to consistently clearing $450 raw now for a PSA/DNA authenticated example. His even lower print auto /10 rose from an early $500 asking to a recent winter high of $1000.

Two other notables were an Albert Pujols autographed card/99, which gained from its early $300 range to a winter peak of $650, and a rare Fernando Tatis Jr triple relic /5 that skyrocketed from under $1000 early on to a record $2500 sale this fall after Tatis’ season-ending injury. These particular hit cards demonstrated lasting value more common in higher-end products despite coming from a mainstream release like Series 1.

While the vast majority gained value steadily throughout the season, a couple saw meteoric short-term rises purely due to singular events. For instance, Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II’s standard rookie spiked from $25-35 to an astounding $250 immediately following his performance in the 2022 NLDS, before settling back down around $150-175 shortly thereafter. His blue /385 also saw a similar, albeit less pronounced, short spike.

Los Angeles Angels pitcher/hitter Shohei Ohtani stood out similarly when he belted his MLB record-setting 33rd home run of the year in late June. His standard card jumped nearly 1000% for a few weeks, climbing from the usual $50-75 to a peak of $500 shortly after the milestone before retreating. While these event-based increases proved temporary, they underscored the potential for real-time reaction in the trading card market to on-field accomplishments.

The 2022 Topps Series 1 release proved a major success for the hobby, breeding several new star prospects, rookie sensations, and even veteran parallels that emerged as highly valuable modern cards. Cards like Riley Greene, Hunter Greene, Logan O’Hoppe, Michael Harris II, and Shohei Ohtani kept creating momentum with their on-field impacts, while overlooked gems like Edward Cabrera ultimately gained the most on a percentage basis relative to early valuations. This flagship set helped demonstrate trading cards can provide an investable collectible tied to the future prosperity of the next generation of MLB stars. Series 1 cemented its place as the preeminent starting point for any baseball card collection spanning both mainstream and high-end markets.