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BOBBY COX BASEBALL CARDS

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Bobby Cox was an American professional baseball player and manager who spent his entire career in the Atlanta Braves organization. As a player, Cox was a middle infielder who appeared in over 1,000 major league games between 1954 and 1976. It is his managerial career that he is best known for. Cox managed the Braves from 1978 to 2010, leading them to 14 division titles, five National League pennants, and a 1995 World Series championship.

Due to his long and successful career both as a player and manager, Bobby Cox has been featured on numerous baseball cards over the decades. Some of his more notable baseball card appearances include:

1954 Topps #64 – Cox’s rookie card features him as a member of the Milwaukee Braves organization. He is pictured in a batting stance wearing dark baseball pants and a long sleeved undershirt. This is one of Cox’s more sought after cards from his playing days due to its rookie card status. Graded mint condition examples can fetch hundreds of dollars.

1959 Topps #531 – This card shows Cox as a member of the Milwaukee Braves during his playing prime. He is pictured from the waist up wearing a Braves uniform with his batting helmet on. This is one of Cox’s more common cards from the 1950s and can be acquired in lower grades for just a few dollars.

1978 Topps #122 – Cox’s managerial career began with the Atlanta Braves in 1978 after retiring as a player. This is considered his “rookie manager” card and features a headshot photograph of him in a Braves pullover. It was one of the first cards to highlight Cox in his new role as a big league skipper.

1991 Fleer #363 – This card commemorates Cox winning his 1,000th career game as a manager in 1991. It shows a action image of him in the Braves dugout and was a special “milestone moments” card inserted randomly in Fleer packs that year.

1995 Upper Deck #75 – As the manager of the 1995 World Series champion Braves, Cox was featured prominently in card sets that year. This card features a photograph of him holding the Commissioner’s Trophy after the Braves defeated the Cleveland Indians. Highly sought after by Braves fans and collectors of championship cards.

2000 Upper Deck #100 – By the late 1990s, Cox had become the longest tenured manager in baseball. This card highlights his longevity behind the Braves bench with a headshot photograph. It was included in the base set of many 2000 trading card products.

2010 Topps #334 – Cox’s final card as an active manager came after he retired following the 2010 season. The photograph shows him in the Braves dugout, encapsulating his over 30 year career leading the franchise. It serves as a nice retrospective piece for collectors of Braves and Cox memorabilia.

In addition to his individual player and manager cards over the decades, Bobby Cox was also frequently featured on special team and franchise cards highlighting the Atlanta Braves. This includes cards honoring the 1995 World Series championship squad, the franchise’s all-time great players and managers, and retrospective cards looking back at the Braves’ rich history in Atlanta.

Whether from his playing days in the 1950s as a middle infielder or his legendary managerial career that spanned from 1978 to 2010, Bobby Cox left an indelible mark on the Atlanta Braves franchise. As a result, he remains a popular figure to this day amongst collectors of Braves cards, memorabilia, and items commemorating the storied history of the organization. Many of Cox’s baseball cards, especially those from his early playing career and milestone moments as a manager, retain strong collector interest decades after their original release.

BOBBY WITT JR BASEBALL CARDS

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Bobby Witt Jr. is one of the most highly anticipated prospects in recent baseball memory. As the number two overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals, Witt took the minor leagues by storm in his first full professional season in 2021. His electrifying play and star potential have already made his rookie cards some of the most sought after on the modern baseball card market.

Witt was considered a potential first overall pick coming out of high school, but slipped to number two where the Royals happily selected him. As an 18-year old in Low-A ball in 2019, Witt showed the promise that made him such a coveted prospect by batting .290 with 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases in just 58 games. It was his breakout 2021 campaign that really put Witt on the map and started to drive interest in his rookie cards.

Across three minor league levels in 2021, Witt batted an eye-popping .290 with 33 home runs and 82 RBI. He slugged .540 and showed off plus speed and defense at shortstop as well. Witt earned a late season promotion to the majors and got his first MLB taste, going 9 for 26 with two home runs in eight games. His incredible all-around season cemented his status as not just a top prospect, but a true blue chipper likely to be an impact MLB player very soon.

With Witt’s star rapidly rising, collectors took notice of his rookie cards. Some of his most sought after and valuable cards from recent years include his 2019 Bowman Chrome Prospects Auto Refractor card, numbered to just 5 copies in existence. Given Witt’s rarity and explosive 2021 season, mint condition examples of this ultra-short printed card have sold for upwards of $10,000. Another highly valuable Witt rookie is his 2019 Bowman Draft Chrome Green Auto, which is numbered to only 10 copies. Near mint examples have traded hands for $4,000-$6,000.

Witt’s main flagship rookie card comes from Topps’ 2021 Bowman Baseball release. The standard Topps Chrome rookie refractor parallel is one of the most common Witt rookie options available, but still holds value given his hype. Graded mint 9 examples can be acquired for $150-$250, while a true gem mint 10 tops $500. More elusive parallels like the Gold refractor (/50) and Rainbow foil (/5) command thousands. Witt also has an autographed Bowman Chrome variation that is one of his most iconic signatures as a rookie. Pristine auto examples are $500-800, with ungraded versions around $300.

Topps Chrome Update & High Tek also featured Witt rookies upon his September MLB call up. The Update Chrome rookie refractor remains under $100 even in top grades due to higher print runs. The parallel-heavy High Tek set provides some pricier options. Notable Witt cards include the Gold refractor (/50-$300), Rainbow foil (/5-$1,000), and 1/1 Green Auto parallel (valued over $2,000 in auctions when available). These short printed parallels highlight how Witt mania has collectors chasing even the rarest versions of his rookie season cards.

Bobby Witt Jr.’s star showed no signs of slowing in 2022 either. After starting the season back in Triple-A, he earned an early April promotion to Kansas City. Witt immediately made an impact by hitting 13 home runs before the All-Star break. He became the youngest player ever to participate in the Home Run Derby and held his own against MLB’s elite sluggers. Witt’s breakout sophomore campaign has further driven interest in his flagship 2021 rookies from Bowman and Topps products. Near mint Bowman Chrome rookies now sell in the $200-300 range, while a true gem BGS/PSA 10 could approach $1,000 given enough time.

All signs point to Witt establishing himself as a true superstar for the Royals in the coming years. As one of the most hyped prospects of the last decade, his cards already hold value rivaling some of the games’ biggest names. But if Witt continues developing and puts up All-Star caliber seasons, his rookie cards could appreciate exponentially further. For collectors, snatching up pristine examples now, especially of the ultra-short printed parallels, seems a sound long-term investment considering Witt’s limitless upside. His cards have all the makings of becoming some of the most iconic and valuable from the modern baseball card era.

BOBBY WITT JR ROOKIE BASEBALL CARDS

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Bobby Witt Jr. had one of the most anticipated rookie seasons in baseball in 2022 after being selected as the number two overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals. As a result, Witt Jr.’s rookie cards generated enormous interest from collectors prior to and during his debut season in the major leagues.

Witt Jr. was considered a true five-tool prospect coming up through the Royals’ farm system, showing elite skills with the bat, arm, fielding abilities, speed, and power potential. This led to many collectors believing Witt Jr. had the talent to become a true superstar, driving strong early demand for his rookie cards. Some of Witt Jr.’s top rookie cards include his 2019 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Auto Refractor, 2019 Bowman Draft Chrome Green Auto, and 2022 Topps Series 1 card.

The 2019 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Auto Refractor is widely considered Witt Jr.’s top rookie card. It features his autograph on the front in colored refractors of green, orange, and blue parallels. Due to Witt Jr.’s status as the second overall pick and top prospect in the 2019 draft class, this card shot up collector lists and gained value quickly. Near-mint copies of the base refractor now sell for $500-800, with the more rare color parallels reaching $1,000-2,000 each based on grade and parallel.

Another highly sought-after Witt Jr. rookie is the 2019 Bowman Draft Chrome Green Auto parallel, limited to only 5 copies produced. It is the rarest of his Bowman Chrome autos and has seen some incredible price appreciation over the past few years. Just a year after Witt Jr. was drafted, PSA 10 examples were selling for $3,000-5,000. Now, mint condition copies in a PSA 10 grade are valued around $15,000-20,000 or more due to Witt Jr.’s breakout 2022 MLB season.

Witt Jr.’s first true “rookie card” as a big leaguer came in 2022 Topps Series 1. While not featuring an autograph like his Bowman cards, the 2022 Topps card was the first widely available card showing Witt Jr. in a Royals uniform after making his MLB debut. Near-mint PSA 9 copies have sold in the $50-100 range, with flawless PSA 10 examples reaching up to $150-250 based on the ever-changing card market. As Witt Jr. continues developing, this card stands to gain more value as a key piece in any Bobby Witt Jr. PC.

To live up to the hype, Witt Jr. had an outstanding rookie season in 2022. He slashed .254/.307/.428 with 20 home runs and 80 RBI in 150 games while playing stellar defense at third base and shortstop. Witt Jr. also flashed elite speed and base running skills. His combination of five-tool talents and production immediately in the majors further cemented his status as a future superstar. This led to increased demand and higher prices for all of his top rookie cards on the secondary market.

Looking ahead, if Witt Jr. continues on his current trajectory and becomes a perennial all-star and MVP candidate, his cards from the 2019 Bowman set could reach astronomical prices. The Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Auto Refractor in a PSA 10 could potentially sell for $5,000-10,000 down the road. And the ultra-rare Green Auto parallel might trade hands for $50,000 or more one day. Even his 2022 Topps rookie card could appreciate significantly, with a true gem mint PSA 10 example valued at $500-1,000 long term.

For collectors who missed the initial boom in Witt Jr. cards prior to his debut, now is still a great time to acquire some of his key rookies at reasonable prices compared to what they may be worth in five to ten years. And for those sitting on a stockpile from 2019 Bowman, now is the perfect time to enjoy the profit realized from an astute early investment in one of baseball’s brightest young stars. Either way, Bobby Witt Jr.’s cards are some of the most intriguing investments in the hobby and figure to gain tremendous value as his career progresses.

In summary, Bobby Witt Jr.’s rookie cards generated huge buzz as he rose through the Royals’ system. His 2019 Bowman Chrome cards, especially the rare parallels, have already appreciated substantially and have $10,000+ potential long term if he maintains superstar performance. Witt Jr. also had a phenomenal MLB rookie season in 2022 to live up to expectations, further raising values for all of his cards going forward. Collectors would be wise to hold Witt Jr.’s best rookies, as he looks primed to become a true generational talent and his cards a superb long term hobby investment.

BOBBY BONDS BASEBALL CARDS

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Bobby Bonds was an outstanding five-tool player who had a highly successful 12-year career playing Major League Baseball from 1968 to 1979. As an outfielder and third baseman, Bonds established himself as a power hitter and base stealer who could hit for both average and power. His athleticism and skills made him a fan favorite, and his baseball cards from his playing days are still highly sought after by collectors.

Bonds was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 5th round of the secondary phase of the 1965 draft. He made his MLB debut with the Giants in 1968 at just 19 years old. Bonds’ rookie card is from 1968 and was issued by Topps. The card features an action photo of Bonds swinging a bat from his left-handed stance. The design is classic 1960s Topps with blue borders and white lettering. Bonds’ rookie card is quite scarce in high grade and can fetch hundreds of dollars for mint condition copies.

In 1969, Bonds broke out with 27 home runs and 31 stolen bases in his second MLB season at age 20. His success led to increased exposure and more of his cards appearing in sets that year. The 1969 Topps and Fleer sets both featured Bonds. The Topps card shows Bonds in a Giants uniform with stats from his rookie year on the back. Fleer issued their first baseball cards in decades in 1969 and their Bonds card is quite scarce compared to the Topps issue.

The early 1970s were Bobby Bonds’ prime seasons with the Giants. In 1971, he hit a career-high 36 home runs and stole 32 bases. Topps issued cards of Bonds that year where he is pictured from the waist up in his batting stance. The 1972 and 1973 Topps cards continue to feature action shots. Bonds made the All-Star team in 1972 and 1973, cementing his status among the game’s elite players. His cards from this period are some of the most sought after as they capture Bonds at the peak of his abilities.

Injuries limited Bonds’ production some in 1974 and 1975, but he continued to be a star player. Topps cards from these seasons pictured Bonds in action shots for collectors. Bonds was traded to the New York Mets after the 1975 season where he enjoyed a career resurgence. His 1976 cards with the Mets, which included issues from Topps, Kellogg’s, and Donruss, are significant as they mark his first season with a new team. The Kellogg’s 3D card stands out for its unique hologram technology.

Bobby Bonds was dealt from the Mets to the California Angels after the 1977 season. His 1978 and 1979 Topps cards with the Angels round out his MLB playing career. By this point injuries were slowing Bonds down, but his legendary status was cemented. After retiring in 1979, Bonds became a respected hitting coach for many years in the big leagues. Today, Bobby Bonds baseball cards spanning his entire 12-year career remain popular with collectors. His rookie and star Giants cards from the late 1960s and early 1970s command the highest prices. But all of Bonds’ vintage issues are sought after for their depictions of one of baseball’s original five-tool talents.

Collectors enjoy Bobby Bonds cards for documenting the career of a truly gifted athlete who could do it all on the baseball field. Standing at just 5’9″, Bonds hit for power with speed and was a consistent .260 career hitter. Scouting reports praised his work ethic and all-around skills. Bonds was also the father of Barry Bonds, who went on to break the all-time home run record and have one of the greatest careers in MLB history. As a result, Bobby Bonds cards from his playing days with the Giants, Mets, and Angels have taken on greater significance in the collectibles marketplace. They represent not only the career of a star player, but also serve as a link between one of baseball’s famous father-son duos.

In summary, Bobby Bonds was one of the original five-tool players of his era and his baseball cards are still widely collected today. Issues from his rookie season with the Giants in the late 1960s through his time with the Mets and Angels in the 1970s showcase Bonds’ progression as a player and changing uniforms. His best and most valuable cards come from his All-Star seasons in the early 1970s when he was in his physical prime. But collectors appreciate Bonds cards from all stages of his career for documenting a truly talented player and father of baseball royalty in Barry Bonds. The story behind Bobby Bonds and his family connections add significance to his vintage cards that remain popular with collectors.

2022 BOBBY WITT JR BASEBALL CARDS

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Bobby Witt Jr. had an outstanding debut season in 2022 that saw his stock skyrocket among collectors. The top prospect in baseball lived up to the hype with a dominant campaign for the Kansas City Royals. As a result, Witt Jr.’s rookie cards from 2022 are some of the most sought after on the modern baseball card market.

Witt Jr. was selected with the second overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Royals out of Colleyville Heritage High School in Texas. He quickly rose through the Royals’ farm system with stellar offensive production at every minor league stop. Entering 2022, Witt was considered the best prospect in the minors and ranked as the top overall prospect by nearly every evaluator.

There was immense excitement surrounding Witt’s major league debut in 2022 as collectors raced to pull his first Bowman Chrome cards from pack. Those cards immediately took off in value with mint PSA 10 gems commanding prices well over $1000 each. As Witt began tearing the cover off the ball in April for Kansas City, demand for those rookie cards only grew stronger.

Some of the most coveted Bobby Witt Jr. rookie cards on the market come from his appearance in the 2022 Topps Series 1 release. The base rookie card is one of the top rookies from the flagship set and can be found in the standard red border design. Graded PSA 10 examples of the Witt Series 1 rookie have averaged over $300 at auction. The paper version is also highly sought after by collectors looking to add a key Witt rookie to their collections.

Topps also included Witt in several parallel and short print variations that hold premium value. The rainbow foil paper version is one of the harder pulls from Series 1 hobby boxes. Likewise, the gold foil #/2021 parallel commands a large bonus over the base due to the limited print run. The red foil short print also carries a sizable premium. Perhaps most desirable of all is the prizm refractor variation, which graces collectors with Witt’s card encased in a colorful refracting coating. PSA 10 prism rookies have topped $1000 at auction.

In addition to his base rookie, Topps Series 1 featured Bobby Witt Jr. in several additional hit cards that excite collectors. The most sought after is arguably the photo variation, which offers an alternative photo of Witt in a Royals uniform. Printing only one per case on average, PSA 10 examples have reached $500 or more. Another short print favorite is the sepia variation, with its vintage style coloring. Both captures add considerable value to any Witt Jr. rookie collection.

Releases beyond Series 1 also highlighted Witt’s rookie success. Topps Finest and Topps Chrome each contained prizm, negative, and refractor parallels highly demanded by investors. The Topps Transcendent collection insert offers a regally rendered portrait photograph of Witt in an acetate frame. Upper Deck also featured Witt prominently in its 2022 offerings, including prized parallels in Chrome and Black. Many credit UD for creating the original “Chrome” design that kicked off the modern insert parallel craze in the ’90s.

On the international front, Panini held worldwide licensing rights to produce football (soccer) and baseball cards in 2022. Their Prizm and Flux brands both included sought after Witt rookies across multiple parallels. Like Topps Chrome, Panini Prizm is renowned for its vivid refractors and color explosions. Prizm “Black” and Gold parallels command premiums. Metal Universe parallels feature embedded metal flakes for a one-of-a-kind artwork within each card.

Witt made his MLB debut on April 7th, 2022 and he hasn’t slowed down since. He hit .256 with 13 home runs and 12 stolen bases over 108 games in his rookie season. Along the way, Witt showcased five-tool skills and established himself as a cornerstone player for the Royals rebuild. His tantalizing blend of power, speed, defense and youthful exuberance captivated fans nationwide. On the defensive side, Witt flashed natural instincts and range at second base that have evaluators projecting gold glove potential.

All the while, Bobby Witt Jr. baseball cards from 2022 continued to gain appreciation among collectors. Not since Fernando Tatis Jr.’s electrifying rookie season in 2019 had a player generated such buzz in the hobby simultaneously with their MLB debut. Many industry experts predict Witt’s rookies could ultimately rival or surpass the astronomical heights reached by stars like Mike Trout and Mickey Mantle in the long run. Only time will tell, but collectors are certainly taking notice of Witt’s immense talent and choosing to invest heavily in his earliest cardboard. The 2022 rookie class may ultimately be remembered as the year Bobby Witt Jr. burst onto the scene and sparked new excitement for the next generation of baseball stars.