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TINKERS TO EVERS TO CHANCE BASEBALL CARDS

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The legendary double play combination of shortstop Joe Tinker, second baseman Johnny Evers, and first baseman Frank Chance of the Chicago Cubs from 1903-1912 has been immortalized in poetry and lore since their heyday. Perhaps no artifacts better represent their achievements and fame than a rare set of 1909-1911 T206 tobacco era baseball cards featuring all three players. These colorful pieces of cardboard have become iconic in their own right due to their association with the famed infielders.

Produced from 1909-1911 by the American Tobacco Company, the “T206” set has become one of the most iconic in the history of sports card collecting. The cards featured active major league players from the time on the front with advertisements for various tobacco products on the back. While numerous players were included in the 525 card series, the 1909, 1910, and 1911 cards of Tinker (S55, S93, S147), Evers (S56, S94, S148), and Chance (S57, S95, S149) have taken on outsized significance. They are exceedingly rare, iconic representations of one of the most acclaimed double plays combos of all-time.

The trio entered their prime and gained widespread renown together on the Chicago Cubs clubs that won back-to-back World Series titles in 1907 and 1908. As the Cubs’ everyday infield for over a decade under manager-third baseman Frank Chance, they became known for their slick fielding prowess and ability to turn lightning quick double plays with military precision. Their wizardry was highlighted by Chance’s strong and accurate throws from first base to Evers at second who, in turn, delivered the ball on time and on target to Tinker at shortstop.

Their intricate dance on the field together was immortalized in the poem “Baseball’s Sad Lexicon” written by newspaperman Franklin P. Adams in 1910. The poem went on to be one of the most reprinted sports poems ever written and further etched the trio into American folklore. At the time, the Cubs were one of the earliest big market clubs and the major leagues were increasing in popularity nationwide. Tinker, Evers, and Chance became the new sporting heroes for millions of baseball fans across the country.

Given their fame and accomplishments during the peak popularity of the T206 set, the individual cards of each player have become among the most in demand in the entire vintage baseball card market. In pristine condition with strong eye appeal, high grade examples of their 1909, 1910, and 1911 issues routinely sell for five figures or more at public auction. While the set included many other all-time greats like Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, and Christy Mathewson, the Tinker, Evers, Chance trio remains among the true blue chip cards.

In October 2015, an PSA NM-MT 8 graded 1909 T206 Joe Tinker card sold for an astounding $93,000 through Robert Edward Auctions, setting a new record price for any vintage Tinker card. Less than a year later in August 2016, a PSA EX-MT 5 graded 1909 T206 Frank Chance realized $101,563.25 at auction through Heritage, also setting a new high water mark for the iconic first baseman. These astronomical prices indicate how beloved the items remain over 100 years later as prized pieces of baseball history tied directly to three of the games earliest big stars.

While scarcity and condition certainly play a major role in the cards’ values, their enduring fame sustained by elements like the “Tinker to Evers to Chance” poem ensures ongoing strong demand from collectors. Few other sets of historic players are so strongly connected in the public imagination due to their peerless performances up the middle for one of the earliest great baseball dynasties. Their T206 representations are some of the most significant baseball cards not just for their excellent condition and rarity, but for their direct ties to one of the games truly legendary double play trios.

More than a century after their glory years patrolling the infield at West Side Park in Chicago, the names of Tinker, Evers, and Chance remain synonymous with the quick precision of turning the double play. Their 1909-1911 T206 baseball cards stand as colorful snapshots capturing them at the absolute peak of their fame. Scarce survivors from the early 20th century production run, high quality examples routinely set new standards in the marketplace due to their direct association with heroes who helped advance baseball’s growing popularity across America. For historians, enthusiasts, and collectors alike, they represent precious remnants of the sporting legends and their incredible contributions to the national pastime.

CHANCE ADAMS BASEBALL CARDS

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Chance Adams Baseball Cards: Tracking the Rise of the Yankees Pitching Prospect

Chance Adams has long been considered one of the top pitching prospects in the loaded New York Yankees farm system. Since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Dallas Baptist University, Adams has steadily climbed the minor league ranks while tantalizing scouts with a mid-90s fastball and sharp curveball. His success on the mound has translated to increased attention from baseball card collectors looking to add the talented right-hander to their collections. Let’s take an in-depth look at Chance Adams’ baseball card history to track his development both on the field and in the collectibles marketplace.

Adams made his cardboard debut in 2016 Topps Series 1, appearing as a rookie card insert in the set. Standing out with his bright red uniform on a sea of blue Yankees cards, the #175 RC card marked Adams’ entrance onto the baseball card scene. At the time, he was pitching for Low-A Charleston and had yet to rise above A-ball. Accordingly, his 2016 Topps rookie remained relatively inexpensive, available for just a few dollars in mint condition.

Adams took a step forward in 2017 by reaching Double-A Trenton, where he posted a stellar 2.89 ERA over 101.1 innings. His success translated to increased exposure and demand for his cards. His flagship 2017 Topps Series 1 base card became a hot ticket among Yankees collectors, routinely fetching $10-15 each. Adams also received prestigious prospect treatment with inserts in 2017 Topps Chrome Update and 2017 Topps Heritage High Number. As one of the organization’s brightest young arms, Adams was generating buzz that drove up interest in his growing collection of cards.

The 2018 season saw Adams make the jump to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he continued honing his craft against advanced competition. His on-field advancement was again reflected in the baseball card market. Adams’ 2018 Topps Series 1 base card maintained strong secondary market prices around $10-12 each. More significantly, collectors began to seek out and acquire his earlier 2016-2017 rookie cards at a brisker pace, sending the values of those seminal issues upwards of $15-20 per copy. It was clear that Adams had arrived among the elite Yankees prospects, as evidenced by robust demand for all of his available cardboard.

Adams received his biggest baseball card exposure yet in 2018 with inclusion in the prestigious Topps Chrome Prospects set. Highlighting 60 of the top minor leaguers, the Prospects parallels gained immediate cachet upon release. Adams’ blue refractor parallel /60 became a true collector’s item, with examples trading hands for $100-150 online. Even his base Topps Chrome Prospects parallel commanded $30-40. Adams had inarguably reached superstar prospect status, with his cards appreciating to match.

The 2019 season saw Adams make his long-awaited MLB debut with the Yankees in July. Though he struggled with a 6.27 ERA over 12.1 innings, simply reaching the majors was a milestone that excited collectors. His 2019 Topps Series 1 base card sold for $15-20, while his 2016-2018 rookie issues jumped to $25-35 each. Adams also appeared for the first time in the prestigious Topps Finest and Topps Chrome Update sets upon his call-up. As a new rookie cup eligible player, interest was high in acquiring his initial “true” rookie cards from 2019.

While Adams spent most of 2020 at the Yankees’ alternate site, he continued gaining traction as a prospect. His cards held steady values in the $15-25 range. In 2021, Adams earned a longer look in the Bronx and showed improved results, with a 4.47 ERA over 51.2 innings. The experience seems to have helped refine his game. Looking ahead to the 2022 season, Adams will vie for a permanent spot in the Yankees’ rotation. If he succeeds, interest and prices for his entire baseball card collection will likely reach new heights. For now, Chance Adams remains one of the most closely watched young hurlers in the game, as collectors and clubs alike await his next steps forward.

In summary, Chance Adams’ baseball cards provide a tangible way to track his rise from raw draft pick to top Yankees pitching prospect to initial MLB action. As his on-field performance has developed incrementally each season in the minors and majors, so too have the values of his growing number of cardboard issues. For dedicated Yankees collectors and prospect hounds, few players’ collections offer as compelling a story as that of Chance Adams’ still-unfolding career. His future success or setbacks on the mound are sure to be reflected in the baseball card market for years to come.

TINKER EVERS CHANCE BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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The famous Chicago Cubs double play combination of Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Frank Chance have become immortalized in baseball lore thanks to the 1910 poem “Baseball’s Sad Lexicon” written by Franklin P. Adams. While their on-field exploits created legendary status, their individual baseball cards have also achieved notable value in the collecting world.

Joe Tinker received attention from collectors early on thanks to his status as one of the earliest stars depicted on baseball cards. Tinker’s most valuable card comes from the classic 1909-11 T206 set, considered one of the finest and most comprehensive issues from the early 20th century. In pristine condition with a grade of SGC 1 or PSA Gem Mint 1, a Tinker T206 in this condition can command $15,000-$25,000 at auction.

Even in lower grades around Very Good to Excellent condition, a Tinker T206 still carries value of $2,000-$5,000 due to the rarity of high grade examples remaining in existence over 100 years later. Earlier issues portraying Tinker also hold value, like his card from the smaller sized 1909 E90 set which can reach $500-$1,000 in solid condition. As a key member of the famed Cubs infield and one of the earliest stars depicted, Tinker cards remain an attraction for serious collectors.

While not quite reaching the lofty values of Tinker, Johnny Evers cards still hold substantial worth. His T206 is also widely considered the key card from the iconic set and regularly brings $4,000-$8,000 for high grade examples. Like Tinker’s earlier issues, Evers’ E90 card provides another collectible option at $200-$400. Perhaps Evers’ most visually appealing card comes from the 1911 Boston/Graham Almanac issue which features vibrant color images and sell for $600-800.

As the player-manager of the Cubs dynasty, Frank Chance arguably had the biggest on-field impact of the trio. His cards have not achieved quite the same financial value. Chance’s T206 is still a highly sought issue but more commonly sells in the $1,000-$2,500 range depending on condition. Still, a flawless example could potentially command over $5,000 from a dedicated buyer.

Chance was also included in some rare early sets like the 1909-11 Chicago Charms issue which holds additional significance for featuring exclusively Chicago players. High grade Chance Charms cards can reach $800-1200 at auction. Other issues including his 1910 Canadian Caramels and 1911 Boston Almanac also attract interest north of $300. Despite his intimidating on-field presence, Chance’s cards have more longevity as viable mid-range collecting options compared to the pricier grades of Tinker and Evers material.

While the individual cards of these Cubs legends offer plenty of history and affordability depending on condition, items combining all three players present a true assembling challenge. The most obvious inclusion of the trio occurs on the famous 1910 “Tinker Evers Chance” tobacco ad cards which were inserted in packages of Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. In top condition with brilliant colors, a complete 3-card “set” can demand over $15,000. But finding even two together in high grade is an accomplishment.

Rarer still is their shared inclusion in certain early tobacco sets. The ultra-elusive 1911 Minor League Cigarettes set contains cards of all three of them and finding any in existence today would draw worldwide attention from collectors. Raw cards in this issue would easily be worth at least $10,000 simply due to the complete absence of high grade examples. Their inclusion together in the eye-catching 1915 Cracker Jack set also provides a showcase that routinely sells for well over $3,000 when the cards grade respectably.

While not a true “set”, locating the key early individual cards of Tinker, Evers, and Chance offers collectors a chance to obtain tangible pieces of baseball history forever linked through legend. Even in lower grades, the nostalgia and lore behind these Cubs stalwarts ensure the cards maintain long-term collecting interest regardless of shifts in the wider hobby marketplace. For those seeking the finest examples to showcase the best the leaders of baseball’s first true dynasty have to offer, premium prices will follow. But for most fans, simply owning a piece of any one of them remains a worthwhile achievement on its own.

While the financial value of Tinker, Evers, and Chance baseball cards varies greatly depending on issue, grade, and findability of complete groupings – their continued popularity is assured for generations of collectors to come. As some of the earliest true superstars of the national pastime immortalized in verse, their individual cards especially from premiere 20th century sets like T206 and E90 provide viable historic collectibles. With care and wisdom, any level of enthusiast can join in celebrating these Cubs greats through baseball’s enduring collectible culture.