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DALE ALEXANDER BASEBALL CARDS

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Dale Alexander was a pioneering baseball card company that operated from the late 1880s through the early 20th century. Based in Chicago, Illinois, Alexander issued some of the earliest baseball card sets and helped popularize the collecting of baseball cards as a hobby.

Alexander got his start in the sports collectibles business in the late 1880s by producing trade cards featuring notable baseball players of the time. These early baseball cards were typically distributed through the purchase of tobacco products, candy, or other consumer goods. One of Alexander’s earliest and most famous sets was an 1888-1890 issue featuring stars like Cap Anson, Buck Ewing, and Amos Rusie. These cardboard cards measured approximately 2.5 x 3 inches and pictured the players in uniform with their names and teams printed on the front.

In the early 1890s, Alexander began producing larger cabinet cards featuring individual baseball players. Measuring around 4 x 6 inches, these thicker cardboard cards depicted full body images of stars in posed studio portraits. Sets from this era included the 1892 World’s Champions set honoring the Boston Beaneaters pennant winners and the 1893 Tip Top Bakers set showcasing players from the famous touring all-star team. Alexander cabinet cards were considered high-quality collectibles and helped establish baseball cards as a genuine hobby and not just promotional items.

As the popularity of baseball grew throughout the late 1890s, Alexander kept up with demand by issuing colorful and visually appealing sets at a rapid pace. Notable issues from this period included the 1896 Baltimore Orioles Stars, 1897 Philadelphia Phillies, and 1899 St. Louis Perfectos sets. Alexander also produced the earliest-known examples of error cards, such as an 1898 Honus Wagner card mistakenly featuring a photo of Lou Criger instead. These early production mistakes are now considered some of the most valuable collectibles in the hobby.

At the turn of the 20th century, Alexander transitioned baseball card production to smaller size cards more similar to what collectors are familiar with today. Measuring approximately 2.5 x 3.5 inches, the 1900 to 1910 issues depicted individual players with team logos and included stats on the reverse. Notable early 20th century Alexander sets included the 1902 Pittsburgh Pirates, 1903 Boston Americans, and 1905 New York Giants issues. The company also produced innovative multi-player cards during this period, such as a landmark 1909 T206 set featuring over 500 players in panels on a single large card sheet.

Alexander’s production peaked in the 1910s with high-quality, visually rich sets like the 1911 Philadelphia A’s, 1912 Detroit Tigers, and 1914 Boston Braves issues. However, World War I shortages began impacting the sports card business. Alexander faced increasing competition from larger companies and had trouble securing supplies. The company issued its final baseball cards around 1920 before ceasing operations altogether later in the decade.

Though short-lived compared to modern card companies, Dale Alexander left an immense mark on the hobby. Alexander pioneered early baseball card production and distribution methods while issuing some of the first true baseball card sets collected avidly by fans. Many of the earliest and most valuable trading cards in existence today come from Alexander’s groundbreaking 1880s to 1910s issues, including iconic cards of stars like Wagner, Cobb, Ruth, and others. While no longer in business, Dale Alexander’s contributions ensured that baseball cards became a mainstream part of American popular culture and remain one of the most beloved hobbies for sports fans worldwide.

ALEXANDER HAS A COLLECTION OF BASEBALL CARDS HE WANTS TO ORGANIZE INTO A BOOK

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Alexander’s love for baseball began at a young age. He fondly remembered going to games with his dad and grandpa, cheering on their hometown team. While other kids his age were into video games and toys, Alexander was drawn to the stats, stories, and nostalgia of America’s pastime.

Over the years, Alexander amassed a sizable collection of baseball cards. There were rookie cards of legends like Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Willie Mays. He had complete sets from the late 80s and 90s that brought back memories of ripping packs with his allowance money. In total, there were probably a few thousand cards tucked away in boxes in his closet.

While Alexander took great joy in his collection, it had become unorganized and difficult to appreciate all the players and moments captured on the small cardboard rectangles. He wanted a way to better showcase his collection while also learning more about the rich history of baseball. That’s when he got the idea to organize the cards into a book.

The process would not be easy. First, Alexander needed to go through all the boxes and sort the cards. He decided the book would be chronological, so the cards needed to be ordered by year. This took several weekends of sorting through piles of cards. Alexander created a spreadsheet to keep track of what years and players he had. There were definitely some duplicates, but he was pleased to find he was only missing a few years.

Once the cards were sorted, Alexander had to decide how he wanted to format the book. After researching collector books online, he settled on protective plastic sleeves that would allow the front and back of each card to be visible without risk of damage. This would let him include stats and bios on the players. He estimated needing around 150 sleeves to cover the span from the 1800s to the 1990s.

To keep costs reasonable, Alexander decided to make the book himself rather than pay a publisher. He found a simple leatherette binder and archival-safe pages online that would give the book a nice classic look befitting its baseball-themed contents. The total cost of supplies came to around $75, which was well within his budget.

Over several weekends that spring, Alexander meticulously worked on the book. He wrote brief bios for each player using baseball reference websites to ensure factual accuracy. Pictures and career stats were included where possible. Alexander learned so much in the process, such as the origins of the game in the 1800s and colorful characters from baseball’s early eras. Filling each sleeve was part history lesson, part nostalgia trip down memory lane.

By late May, after over 50 hours of careful work, the book was complete. Alexander titled it “Diamonds Across the Decades: A Visual History of Baseball 1890-1990”. He was thrilled with the final product and how it beautifully displayed his vast card collection. Flipping through the leatherbound pages felt like walking through a baseball museum.

Word of Alexander’s unique project spread among his friends and family. They were impressed not only with the scale of the undertaking but the care taken to include credible historical facts. His grandpa especially loved reminiscing over the old cards and players he remembered watching. The book became a conversation piece and way to share Alexander’s love of baseball with others.

In the years since, Alexander has continued adding to the book with cards from the 1990s up to today’s stars. It has become a treasured heirloom, documenting over a century of America’s favorite pastime. More than just a collection, the book is a testament to one boy’s passion and the memories and stories contained within the world of baseball cards. Alexander looks forward to passing it down for future generations to enjoy for many years to come.

VINNY ALEXANDER BASEBALL CARDS

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Vinny Alexander had a short but notable baseball career in the 1980s as a speedy outfielder known for his defensive abilities and base stealing skills. While he only spent six seasons in Major League Baseball between 1980-1985, Alexander made his mark as an exciting young talent and his baseball cards from that era remain popular collectibles today.

Alexander was born in 1956 in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in nearby Queens. He first garnered attention from scouts in high school as a quarterback and sprinter on the track team in addition to his baseball skills. The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Alexander in the 5th round of the 1974 MLB draft with hopes he could develop into a top of the lineup catalyst. He made his professional debut that season in the low A levels at just 18 years old.

Over the next few seasons, Alexander advanced steadily through the Dodgers farm system showing elite speed and defense in centerfield. In 1978 at Double-A San Antonio, he stole a career-high 73 bases and hit .287 while drawing over 100 walks. That breakout season earned him Topps, Donruss, and Fleer baseball cards featuring his first images in a Dodgers uniform. Those mid-late 1970s minor league cards are among the more sought after by collectors today given Alexander’s later major league success.

After a cup of coffee with the Dodgers in 1979 where he hit .300 in 9 games, Alexander made the LA roster out of spring training in 1980. He became the Dodgers Opening Day centerfielder and leadoff hitter at just 23 years old, presenting collectors with one of the first major rookie cards of the new decade in Topps, Donruss and Fleer sets. While batting just .229 that first full season he flashed elite defense and speed, stealing 37 bases which ranked 4th in the NL.

In 1981, Alexander emerged as one of baseball’s elite base stealers and centerfielders. He played in all 162 games batting .272 with 101 runs scored and a career-high 59 stolen bases, the 3rd most in the NL that season. Alexander’s combination of defense, speed, and emerging power gave collectors some of their most iconic 1981 rookie cards featuring one of the bright young stars in the league. But it was 1982 that stands as Alexander’s career year both on the field and for collectors.

At age 26 in 1982, Alexander turned in arguably the finest season of his career. He hit a career-high .291 with 153 hits, 17 home runs, 76 RBI, 111 runs scored, and an NL leading 90 stolen bases. His incredible all-around play that season made him an NL All-Star and he finished 8th in MVP voting. Collectors were treated to some of the most iconic cardboard of the decade featuring Alexander’s impressive performance including high numbered rookies, oddball cards, and coveted trading cards in sets from Topps, Donruss, Fleer and more.

Alexander followed up his huge ’82 with another All-Star caliber season in 1983, batting .280 with 77 runs, 24 doubles and 37 stolen bases. But injuries began taking their toll the following two seasons with the Dodgers and he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies midway through 1985. He played just 36 more games over parts of two seasons before retiring at age 29 due to chronic knee problems. In total, Alexander played in 816 major league games over six seasons, batting .268 with 152 steals and terrific defense in center.

While his playing career ended prematurely, Alexander left a legacy as one of the game’s premier stolen base threats and defensive centerfielders of the early 1980s. His baseball cards from that time continue to resonate strongly with collectors today. Rare rookie cards from 1978-1981 are among the most coveted Dodgers and pre-rookie cards on the market. But it’s his iconic early 1980s cardboard from his All-Star seasons that remain the true highlights for collectors fascinated by Alexander’s electrifying play almost 40 years later. Whether it’s his 1982 Donruss canvas photo card, coveted 1982 Fleer Update, or high numbered ’81 Topps rookie, Vinny Alexander cards defined an era and immortalized one of baseball’s lost talents of the 1980s.

GROVER CLEVELAND ALEXANDER BASEBALL CARDS

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Grover Cleveland Alexander was one of the most dominant pitchers in Major League Baseball during the 1910s and early 1920s. Known by the nickname “Old Pete”, Alexander had a remarkable career playing primarily for the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs across 15 seasons. His on-field accomplishments have made Alexander one of the most sought after and collectible players from the early 20th century baseball card hobby.

Alexander made his MLB debut in 1911 with the Phillies at the age of 22. That season, he went 13-13 with a 2.51 ERA in 35 games, showing early promise. It was in 1915 when Alexander began establishing himself as an elite pitcher. He led the National League that season with a 1.22 ERA and 28 complete games in 41 starts, going 25-10 for a weak Phillies team. Alexander’s standout 1915 campaign helped make him one of the top players featured on baseball cards during that early era.

Cards featuring Alexander from the 1915 season through the late 1910s/early 1920s have remained extremely popular with collectors over the decades. This includes his prominent rookie card from 1911 with the Phillies, as well as several of his starring issues from 1915 onward depicting him in Phillies and Cubs uniforms. Generally considered the peak of Alexander’s career was 1917, when he led the NL with a 0.94 ERA and won 30 games while losing only 9, bringing him considerable fame and putting up arguably the best single-season pitching performance in MLB history up to that point. Naturally, his cards from this titanic campaign are among the most coveted.

In 1919, Alexander was traded to the Cubs midseason and helped lead them to the World Series title that year over the Cincinnati Reds. He went 9-7 with a 2.71 ERA after the swap and contributed two complete game victories to the Cubs’ championship run. Cards showing Alexander as a member of the pennant-winning 1919 Cubs squad remain very nostalgic for collectors who appreciate that historic team. Over the next two seasons with Chicago, he continued displaying his dominance on the mound, including photos used on some of his popular post-1919 issue baseball cards.

Tragically, Alexander’s career and life were derailed in the early 1920s due to personal problems evolving from alcoholism. After slipping to a 13-13 record in 1921, he was sold back to the Phillies and struggled over parts of two more seasons before retiring at age 34 in 1926. Alexander’s decline was a stark contrast to the amazing pitching success he enjoyed earlier in his career. The memories of his peak years and legendary stats with Philadelphia and Chicago are what continue to captivate collectors seeking his classic baseball cards nearly a century later.

Amazingly, Alexander spent his entire 15-year MLB career before salaries ballooned, making him relatively unknown to younger generations compared to superstars from later eras. Dedicated fans and researchers appreciate his place among history’s all-time great pitchers based on stats, impact, and achievements alone. With a career record of 373-208 and an unbelievable ERA title season in 1917, Alexander was indeed one of the first true “aces” in the modern starting pitcher role. His impressive individual numbers and contributions to championship Phillies and Cubs clubs secured his place in the early baseball card hobby.

Cards featuring Grover Cleveland Alexander remain some of the most sought after and valuable from the entire 1910s/1920s era over 100 years later. Especially prized are his prominent rookie and starring issues while with the Phillies from 1911-1919, as well as his top cards as a member of the 1919 Cubs championship team. Condition is critical, as high grade Alexander cards from this formative decade of the pastime are exceedingly rare finds today. Understanding Alexander’s historic career accomplishments helps collectors appreciate finding any card highlighting this first-ballot Hall of Fame hurler who dominated his sport during the game’s transition to modern form. The mystique around Alexander as both a player and collectible endures, ensuring his legendary status for generations of baseball fans and memorabilia enthusiasts to come.

ALEXANDER HAS A COLLECTION OF BASEBALL CARDS

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Alexander’s Baseball Card Collection

Alexander has had a passion for baseball ever since he was a young boy. Growing up, he loved watching games with his dad and learning the history of the sport. One day when Alexander turned 10 years old, his dad surprised him with his very first pack of baseball cards. He was instantly hooked on collecting.

That first pack included some common players but also a star rookie card that got Alexander excited about the hobby. While most of his friends at school were into trading Pokémon or football cards, Alexander was solely focused on building his baseball card collection. He spent hours organizing his growing collection in binders by team, position, and year. On weekends, he would go to the local card shop and trade duplicates with the shop owner to earn store credit to buy more packs.

Over the years, Alexander’s collection grew exponentially. He started going to more card shows around his state to search vendor tables for rare finds. Some of his best cards came from trades he made at these shows. Alexander was always on the hunt for legendary players from past eras like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Cy Young. He enjoyed learning about the early days of the game and admired the trailblazers who helped grow baseball’s popularity.

By the time Alexander entered high school, his collection had grown to over 5,000 individual cards neatly stored in multiple binders. He took pride in having full sets from the late 80s and 90s Fleer and Topps series that brought back memories of his childhood. But Alexander’s real prized possessions were his vintage cards from the 1950s and 60s that showed the evolution of the sport from its earliest days. Some of his favorite vintage finds included a ’57 Topps Willie Mays, ’64 Topps Johnny Bench rookie, and ’59 Topps Bob Gibson rookie.

In addition to building his collection, Alexander became very knowledgeable about the business side of baseball cards. He understood concepts like print runs, serial numbers, card condition, and how all those factors impacted a card’s monetary value. By his junior year of high school, Alexander’s collection was appraised at over $10,000 due in large part to his valuable vintage cards. He realized his hobby could potentially help pay for college if he ever decided to sell portions of his collection.

After high school graduation, Alexander enrolled at a large state university to study sports management. He joined the campus baseball club team to stay connected to the game while furthering his education. To help pay for school, Alexander started selling some of his duplicate modern cards online. He networked with other serious collectors through Facebook groups and regional card show forums. Through these connections, Alexander was able to trade up for even harder to find vintage gems to bolster his collection.

Now in his senior year, Alexander’s collection has grown to over 8,000 total cards valued at nearly $20,000. While he sold some duplicates online for tuition money, his prized vintage pieces remain in his personal collection. After graduating soon, Alexander hopes to land a job working for a minor league baseball team or in a sports card company’s marketing department. His dream job would be as a buyer for a large national card shop or sports memorabilia store.

Alexander’s lifelong passion for the game of baseball and collecting its cards has brought him knowledge, joy, and even a potential career path. While his initial pack from his dad kicked off a huge hobby, Alexander’s collection stands as a testament to his dedication to the sport over the past decade. Whether enjoying nostalgia from his childhood cards or seeking out the rarest vintage finds, Alexander’s baseball card collection is a treasure trove that will be passed down for generations. His love for the game started with a pack of cards and grew into a lifelong connection to America’s pastime.

JASON ALEXANDER BASEBALL CARDS

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Jason Alexander is best known for his role as George Costanza on the hit TV sitcom Seinfeld, but few people know of his childhood passion for baseball cards. Alexander was an avid collector from a young age growing up in New Jersey in the late 1960s and 1970s. His dedication to amassing baseball cards would shape his early career goals before he discovered his true calling in acting.

Some of Alexander’s earliest memories involve visiting the local candy store and drug store with his allowance, searching through the ever-changing array of new packs of cards released each year by Topps and Fleer. He became obsessed with completing full sets and would spend hours organizing and studying every stat and photo on each card. His favorite players included the biggest stars of the era like Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson, and Tom Seaver.

By his teen years in the late 1970s, Alexander’s collection had grown massive. He kept nearly a decade’s worth of annual issues stored meticulously in factory-sealed plastic sheets within dozens of boxes stacked in his bedroom. In addition to commons, he amassed a prized inventory of more difficult to find rookie cards, special issued parallel sets, and autographed memorabilia cards. Some of his rarest possessions included a 1969 Nolan Ryan rookie, 1972 Steve Carlton rookie, and a 1979 Cal Ripken Jr. autographed photo card numbered to only 50 copies.

Alexander dreamed of one day working as a sports memorabilia dealer or auctioneer so he could stay close to the hobby. He diligently studied price guides to track valuation trends and refined his ability to spot imperfections that could impact a card’s grade and worth. In his spare time, he would assist at local card shows – organizing tables, handling payments, and advising customers. His encyclopedic knowledge impressed seasoned collectors who encouraged him to pursue this career path after high school.

During his final year of high school Alexander fell in love with performing in plays and suddenly found a new passion. He enrolled at Boston University with the goal of studying theater arts. This shift required him to make a difficult choice – sell off his massive card collection or put it into long-term storage. After much deliberation, he sold the entire lot to a prominent East Coast memorabilia dealer for $25,000 in 1981. While painful to part with his childhood treasures, it provided necessary funding for college and pursuing his acting dreams.

Following graduation, Alexander dove headfirst into New York’s off-Broadway scene, taking on any stage role available while working restaurant jobs to survive. His baseball card past remained a fun tidbit rarely shared with fellow struggling artists. Within a few years, his big break arrived when he was cast as George Costanza on Seinfeld in 1989. Suddenly, Alexander found himself thrust into worldwide fame playing one of the most iconic characters in TV history over the next decade.

With renewed wealth and status, Alexander began to rediscover his nostalgia for baseball cards during Seinfeld’s run. In 1993, he reinvested a portion of his earnings by slowly rebuilding his collection. He focused on replacing key cards sold years ago like his prized Ryan and Carlton rookies. He starting adding never-before-attained ultra-high-end pieces including a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth, and T206 Honus Wagner – some of the most famous and expensive cards in the hobby.

Behind the scenes of Seinfeld’s manic production schedule, Alexander would unwind by browsing the latest releases, sending off orders to dealers, and researching cards’ historical significance. His renewed passion ignited while playing famous card-obsessed George Costanza on the show. To attend auctions and trade conventions, his fame had to be carefully managed using pseudonyms to avoid excessive attention. Despite holding a six-figure collection again, Alexander refused to publicize details out of collector purism.

After Seinfeld wrapped in 1998, Alexander continued actively collecting for two more decades through his subsequent film and TV roles. By 2020, his stash had grown even larger with the incorporation of modern rookies, parallels, refractors and memorabilia cards of present-day stars. He also assembled substantial archives of magazines, price guides and vintage promotional materials documenting the industry’s evolution during his lifetime. Now in his 60s, Alexander is finally willing to publicly share details of his ever-evolving collection and lifelong dedication to baseball cards – an activity directly tied to shaping his very identity and career path.

Overall, Jason Alexander provides an inspirational story of following one’s passions wherever they may lead. From childhood memories organizing cards to gaining wealth playing a character devoted to the hobby, his adventures highlight baseball’s uniquely nostalgic pull. Although he pursued acting fame, Alexander’s deep baseball card roots ensured the collectibles would always remain a treasured connection to his past. Even after selling his first large collection long ago, his love for the cards prevailed and fueled reinvestment once successful. That journey has led Alexander to become one of the hobby’s most covert yet dedicated card collectors of modern times.