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HOUSTON ASTROS BASEBALL CARDS 2022

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The Houston Astros had another successful season in 2022, winning the American League West division for the fourth time in five years. The team’s returning stars and emerging young talents made for an exciting year that baseball card collectors took note of. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top Astros players from 2022 and the baseball cards featuring them that collectors sought after.

Justin Verlander remained one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2022 at age 39. In his return to Houston, Verlander won the AL Cy Young award by posting a league-leading 1.75 ERA over 28 starts. His dominance was evidenced by leading the AL in wins (18), WHIP (0.829), opponents’ batting average (.186) and innings pitched (175). Not surprisingly, Verlander autographed and memorabilia cards from 2022 carried high values. His Topps Chrome Blue Refractor auto /99 pulled a strong premium, as did 1/1 printing plates and memorabilia cards featuring game-used items from his stellar season.

Yordan Alvarez had a breakout season in 2022 by setting an Astros single-season record with 37 home runs. He was a mere four homers shy of the overall major league lead. Alvarez ended up third in the league in slugging percentage (.603) and OPS (.995), establishing himself as one of MLB’s premier power hitters at just 25 years old. Alvarez rookie cards from previous years spiked in value, and his 2022 Topps cards including base, parallels and autographs were highly sought after. Numbered refractors featuring his smiling face after big home runs were hot ticket items.

Jeremy Pena had huge shoes to fill as the rookie who took over as the Astros’ starting shortstop after Carlos Correa departed in free agency. Pena rose to the challenge by winning AL Rookie of the Year honors thanks to his consistent production and stellar defense. The 25-year-old posted a .253 average with 22 home runs and 63 RBI. Pena’s impressive debut season translated to strong card values, especially for his Topps Chrome autographs and numbered parallels from ’22 Topps Series 2. As he cements his place on the Astros, Pena’s long term potential makes him an exciting young player to follow.

Jose Altuve has been the face of the Astros franchise for over a decade now and continues chugging along as one of baseball’s most dynamic players at second base. At 32, Altuve hit .300 for the seventh time in his career in 2022 with 28 homers and 57 RBI in his usual leadoff role. His success was evidenced by several accolades including his fifth Silver Slugger award and seventh All-Star nod. Altuve’s cards always hold value due to his stellar career and popularity in Houston, with autographed cards and numbered rookie parallels seeing high collector demand.

Framber Valdez had a breakout season as the Astros’ ace, going 17-6 with a 2.82 ERA over 204.2 innings while making his second All-Star team. Despite missing time on the injured list, the 28-year-old lefty proved his mettle and entered the Cy Young conversation. Valdez rookie cards from previous years spiked in value. His 2022 Topps Chrome Autograph Refractors became hot items, as did memorabilia cards featuring game-used items. As one of the leaders of Houston’s young pitching staff, Valdez’s long-term star potential bodes well for collectors.

Young pitchers like Cristian Javier, Hunter Brown and Luis Garcia showed promise and flashed dominant potential in 2022 as rotation and bullpen options alongside Verlander and Valdez. Javier struck out 194 batters in 147.1 innings over 28 games (19 starts), proving his ability as both a starter and closer. Brown made Houston take notice in his MLB debut by allowing just one earned run in his first 30 innings across four starts. Garcia overcame a rough start to record 147 strikeouts in 153.1 innings in his second full season. The upside of these hurlers made their 2022 Topps Chrome rookie cards and parallels popular risks to take on.

Veteran third baseman Alex Bregman returned from injury to hit 12 home runs in 90 games and provide his usual stellar defense on a playoff team. His past star power kept collectors interested in chasing 2022 parallels and autographs despite the limited playing time. Catcher Martin Maldonado brought his elite pitch framing skills behind the plate and mashed a career-high 14 homers at age 36. Speedy outfielder Chas McCormick emerged as a valuable fourth outfielder, starting 80 games while batting .245 with 13 long balls. Their contributions added to the Astros’ success and collector interest in their 2022 cardboard.

The Houston Astros’ talented roster and playoff run made their 2022 baseball cards a hot commodity. Stars like Verlander and Alvarez led the way while emerging youngsters like Pena, Valdez, Javier and Brown gained increased collector followings. The team’s continued winning ways and stable of popular veterans ensured Houston remained one of the most intriguing franchises on the card market. With another successful campaign appearing likely for 2023, Astros cards should remain a mainstay in collections for years to come.

ASTROS WORLD SERIES BASEBALL CARDS

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The Houston Astros 2017 World Series championship run was one of the most memorable in recent baseball history. After years of struggling near the bottom of the standings, the Astros rebuilt their franchise from the ground up utilizing analytics and developing homegrown talent to emerge as a powerhouse. Their thrilling seven-game World Series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers capped an incredible season that cemented the Astros as one of baseball’s elite organizations.

Naturally, collectors were eager to commemorate the Astros’ first ever World Series title with special baseball cards. Several companies produced sets highlighting the ’17 Astros, but among the most coveted for fans and investors were the official Major League Baseball World Series cards released by Topps. As the exclusive licensee for MLB, Topps is the undisputed leader in high-end baseball card production. Their World Series cards are considered the pinnacle achievement for any player, and the ’17 Astros roster had several stars whose rookie cards immediately took on greater significance.

Some of the most notable rookie cards from the ’17 Topps Astros World Series set included third baseman Alex Bregman, outfielder Kyle Tucker, and pitcher Francis Martes. As emerging young talents who were integral to Houston’s championship run as rookies or sophomores, having their first Topps cards showcase the team’s World Series victory amplified interest and demand. Bregman in particular became a breakout star of the playoffs, batting .333 in the ALCS and winning ALCS MVP. His rookie World Series card skyrocketed in secondary market value as his stardom continued to rise in subsequent seasons.

In addition to rookie standouts, the ’17 Topps World Series set also commemorated career-defining moments for Astros veterans. Jose Altuve had already established himself as a perennial All-Star, but winning AL MVP in ’17 and hitting the walk-off homer in Game 6 to send the Series to a deciding Game 7 cemented his legacy as one of the franchise’s all-time greats. His World Series card capturing that pivotal home run is a highly sought after chase card for Astros collectors. Carlos Correa also had a monster postseason at just 23 years old, batting over .300 with key hits and stellar defense that established him as a budding superstar. His World Series rookie card remains a prized long-term investment piece.

Of course, no Astros World Series collection would be complete without cards honoring the team’s core stalwarts who had endured years of losing to help bring Houston its first championship. Singles hitter extraordinaire Marwin Gonzalez was among the unsung heroes of the ’17 playoff run, batting over .500 in the ALCS and providing stellar defense all over the diamond. His World Series card pays tribute to his invaluable contributions off the bench. Stalwart hurlers like Dallas Keuchel, Charlie Morton, and Lance McCullers Jr. had their breakout performances immortalized after years of steady workhorse efforts for subpar teams. Even backup catcher Juan Centeno received a World Series card after playing a small but memorable role late in the season.

The ’17 Topps World Series set also featured several popular parallel and short print variations to entice collectors. Gold foil parallels numbered to just 17 copies provided the ultimate chase. Another rare parallel saw blue borders and was limited to only 7 copies, commemorating the Astros’ 7-game Series victory. Short prints of stars like Altuve, Correa, and Bregman ensured those rookies and prospects would remain elusive. Autograph and memorabilia cards of Series MVP George Springer and other heroes added tremendous premium hits. Overall the design and production quality of the ’17 Topps World Series set captured the drama and excitement of Houston’s first championship run.

For Astros fans and the growing legion of collectors who have come to appreciate their rebuild success story, the ’17 Topps World Series cards serve as a fitting commemoration. Prices have steadily risen in the secondary market as the players’ careers progress and the championship assumes greater historical significance. Complete sets now trade hands for thousands due to the card quality, storytelling elements, and prestige of a true “rookie cup” style issue for the sport’s modern era. With the Astros remaining annual contenders and several stars from that ’17 squad still in their primes, the cards continue to gain in both appreciation and monetary value years after the championship parade. They stand as a testament to one of the most impressive rebuilds in pro sports and a reminder of the Astros’ arrival among baseball’s contemporary powerhouses.

VALUABLE ASTROS BASEBALL CARDS

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Top Valuable Houston Astros Baseball Cards

The Houston Astros joined Major League Baseball as an expansion team in 1962 and have endured over half a century of franchise history. During that time, many notable players have donned the Astros uniform and their baseball cards hold significant value for collectors. Let’s explore some of the most valuable Astros cards that fetch impressive sums at auction.

Craig Biggio (#88) 1989 Topps Rookie Card

Widely considered the greatest Astro of all time, Craig Biggio spent his entire 20-year career with Houston from 1988 to 2007. His rookie card from 1989 Topps is among the most sought after and valuable in the hobby. High graded examples in Mint condition regularly sell for $1,000 or more due to Biggio’s Hall of Fame career and status as an Astro for life. In gem mint 10 condition, a PSA-graded Biggio ’89 has sold for over $5,000, a true kingpin card for Astros collectors.

Jeff Bagwell (#117) 1991 Bowman Rookie Card

Arguably the second greatest Astro ever after Biggio, Jeff Bagwell terrorized pitchers across 15 stellar seasons in Houston from 1991 to 2005. His rookie card comes from 1991 Bowman and also holds immense significance. Mint 9 copies have changed hands for $1,000 while a pristine PSA 10 example topped $4,000 at auction in 2022. Bagwell cemented his Cooperstown status and this rookie serves as a prized addition to any Astros PC.

Lance Berkman (#107) 1998 Bowman’s Best Chrome Refractor

“The Big Puma” Lance Berkman enjoyed a terrific 14-year MLB career including 11 seasons launching bombs for Houston from 1999 to 2010. His supershortprinted 1998 Bowman’s Best Chrome Refractor rookie stands out as one of the rarest and most valuable Astros RC’s available. Only 10 are known to exist in a PSA 10 gem and it set a new record when one copy sold for an eye-popping $30,000 at Goldin Auctions in 2020.

Roy Oswalt (#31) 1996 Bowman Chrome Rookie Refractor

A stellar righty who was an All-Star for Houston from 2001 to 2010, Roy Oswalt consistently delivered for the Astros at the top of their rotation. Among the most coveted of his rookie cards is the ultra-rare 1996 Bowman Chrome Refractor which appears on checklists but remained virtually unseen for years. Incredibly, one authenticated PSA 10 example uncovered in 2017 and realized $17,500 at auction, showing its immense rarity and cachet with Astros collectors.

Billy Wagner (#46) 1993 Bowman Rookie Card

Before closing out games for other clubs, Billy Wagner was lights out as Houston’s flame-throwing closer from 1995 to 2003. His 1993 Bowman RC is one of the more iconic and bankable Astros cards available. High graded versions in PSA 9-10 condition consistently realize $500-1000 at auction given Wagner’s elite career numbers and strikeout prowess as an Astro All-Star reliever. This is an affordable way for collectors to add a true Houston great to their collections.

Mike Scott (#33) 1981 Topps Traded

Winning the 1986 NL Cy Young leading the Astros to within a win of the World Series, Mike Scott cemented his status as one of the franchise’s all-time best pitchers. Especially coveted by collectors is his scarce 1981 Topps Traded card which features him in an Angels uniform after being dealt to Houston that season. PSA 10 examples have crossed the $1,000 mark, a true premium for such an important piece of Astros history and one of their most impactful hurlers.

Jeff Kent (#29) 1990 Bowman Rookie Card

Spending six productive seasons in Houston from 1992 to 1997, second baseman Jeff Kent went on to further All-Star success with other clubs. His extremely tough 1990 Bowman rookie remains a real prized find. High graded copies have reached well over $1,000 at auction given Kent’s prolific 21-year MLB career and the extremely low print run of his early Bowman issues as an Astro. This serves as a true key card from their talent stable in the early 1990s.

César Cedeño (#24) 1973 Topps

A five-time All-Star outfielder for Houston’s “Killer B’s” squads of the 1970s, César Cedeño shined briefly but brightly as one of their franchise cornerstones. Especially sharp 1973 Topps cards holding his Astros tenure capture significant nostalgia and history. High-grade examples have topped $500 at auction, showcasing Cedeño’s popularity among collectors of this era in Astros annals.

J.R. Richard (#50) 1979 Topps

Possessing perhaps the nastiest stuff seen in an Astrodome mound man, J.R. Richard was well on his way to the Hall of Fame before stroke ended his career at age 30 in 1980. Often called the greatest pitcher to never make the Hall, his 1979 Topps card represents the physical prime and dominance of “The Big Horse.” PSA 10 specimens have reached $1,000 showing immense demand for a key piece of underrated Astros history from their lineup of aces in the 1970s.

So in summation – while the Astros franchise history remains relatively young compared to others, they have boasted several true icon players who are represented by some enormously valuable baseball cards. Key rookies of Bagwell, Biggio, Berkman and others continue to gain esteem and sell for impressive highs. Collectors would be wise to pursue these vital cards that showcase some of the greatest talent to don an Astros uniform through the decades.