Tag Archives: high

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL LINEUP CARDS

Leave a reply

High school baseball lineup cards are an important part of each game for a baseball team. The lineup card lists the batting order and defensive positioning for each player on the team. Coaches spend time carefully constructing their lineup cards to give their team the best chance of success in each contest.

There are a few key elements that go into a coach’s decisions for the lineup card. The most important factor is positioning players based on their strengths and abilities. Coaches want to play to each player’s strengths on both offense and defense. For the batting order, better hitters with more power and ability to drive in runs will usually bat toward the top of the order. Faster players with more of a slap-hitting approach may bat toward the bottom.

In the field, better defensive players at premium positions like catcher, shortstop, and center field will usually start there if possible. Players’ throwing arms also factor into decisions on infield versus outfield placement. Less experienced players or weaker defenders may sit or play a corner infield or outfield spot where there is less responsibility. Pitchers generally play a less taxing defensive position when not on the mound, often first base or outfield.

After assessing individual player strengths, coaches look at strategic aspects like balancing left-handed and right-handed hitters in the lineup. Most pitchers have stronger numbers against same-handed batters, so mixing handedness makes it tougher for the opposing hurler. Platoon advantages are also a factor, starting lefties against right-handed starting pitchers and vice versa.

The coach must then slot the players into a batting order that will provide the most run scoring opportunities. usually having the better hitters separated and followed by other good hitters creates a deep, difficult to navigate order. Leadoff hitters must get on base frequently via hits or walks, the second hitter should be a high-average contact hitter to advance the leadoff man, and the middle of the order contains power threats.

A coach considers chemistry, experience level, and specific game matchups in crafting each day’s lineup card. Veterans often bat higher due to composure in pressure spots. Younger players may start on the bench to be used later as a defensive replacement or pinch runner. Left-handed specialists may be used against a tough opposing lefty starter.

Once the batting order is set, infield and outfield positions are assigned based on the above assessments. The pitcher will usually bat eighth ahead of the pitcher’s spot. Defensive replacements are noted on the bench slots in case of late-game positional changes. The completed nine-man lineup card is then submitted to the home plate umpire at least 30 minutes before first pitch, as per National Federation of State High School Associations rules.

Throughout the contest, the lineup card remains a useful tool as the game progresses. pinch hitters, pinch runners, defensive subs, and pitching changes are all tracked on the card for easy reference by both coaches and officials. Late-inning decisions on double-switches or defensive moves often reference back to the original card. After the game, coaches review the card and their decisions to identify what worked and didn’t for future games against the same opponent or with a new team.

High school baseball features intense rivalries and pressure-packed conference games where every strategic edge matters. The lineup card sits at the core of a coach’s game management and puts their best nine players in a position to win each half-inning. Careful consideration of talent, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, and game situations goes into constructing an effective starting nine that can carry a team to victory.

HIGH SELLING BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Baseball cards are one of the most popular collectibles in the world. Ever since the late 1800s when the first baseball cards were produced as promotional items inserted into cigarette packs and candy, fans young and old have been actively collecting cards featuring their favorite players both current and past. While most cards have relatively little monetary value, there are some rare, vintage, and iconic baseball cards that have sold for extraordinary prices at auction over the years. Let’s take a look at some of the highest selling baseball cards of all time.

One of the most famous and expensive baseball cards ever sold is the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner card. Produced between 1909-1911 as part of the American Tobacco Company’s famous T206 series, it is widely considered the rarest and most valuable baseball card out there. What makes the Honus Wagner card so scarce is that the player, who was a contemporary superstar for the Pittsburgh Pirates, threatened to sue the American Tobacco Company for using his image to promote their products without permission. As a result, it’s believed only around 60 genuine Honus Wagner cards were produced before being pulled from production, making them incredibly rare today. In recent years, Honus Wagner cards that have crossed the auction block have sold for record-breaking prices. In 2016, one in near-mint condition fetched $3.12 million at auction, making it the highest sale price on record for any sports card. Other examples have sold for between $2-3 million as well.

Another card with extraordinary price tags is the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card. As one of the most iconic players in baseball history and considered by many the best all-around player ever, Mantle’s rookie card is one of the key chase cards for collectors. In excellent condition with high grades from authentication services, Mantle rookies have broken numerous auction records. In 2021, one Mint 9 example sold for $5.2 million, making it the most valuable baseball card ever sold at the time. Other near-mint to mint condition Mantle rookie cards have also achieved north of $1 million in recent years. In 2000 a PSA Gem Mint 10 Mantle rookie sold for $1,265,000, setting a then-record for any collectible card. The card’s iconic subject, rarity in top grades due to poor printing quality, and stature as one of the first post-WWII mass-produced baseball cards all contribute to its tremendous collectible value.

Another 1950s era card that has achieved seven-figure prices is the 1953 Topps Rookie Cups subset card of Roberto Clemente. As one of the greatest right fielders in baseball history and the first Latin American player to receive widespread acclaim, Clemente’s rookie card holds iconic status. In 2021, a PSA Gem Mint 10 example sold for $1.044 million at auction. Other PSA/BGS Mint 9 examples have crossed the block in the $500K range in recent years. Part of what makes the Clemente rookie particularly scarce is it was issued as part of a separate premium eight-card Rookie Cups subset within the larger 1953 Topps set which was likely under-produced and not widely distributed. This, along with Clemente’s Hall of Fame playing career and cultural impact have led outstanding examples of his rookie to develop tremendous rarity in the highest grades.

A record that still stands to this day is the $3.12 million paid in August 2021 for a 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner tobacco card, confirming it as the most valuable trading card in the world. The rare card received a PSA Authentic grade of POOR-1, meaning the card was authentic but in extremely poor condition. While the card itself was ragged, what collectors valued was owning a piece of history. The Wagner card is arguably one of the most iconic and recognized collectibles worldwide, immortalizing “The Flying Dutchman” who played well over a century ago for the Pittsburgh Pirates but whose legend and mystique are as strong today as ever.

Coming up on the century mark is one of the oldest and most desirable baseball cards available – the 1909-1911 American Tobacco Company’s T206 series card portraying Nap Lajoie. Known for his batting prowess despite standing just 5-foot-7, Lajoie enjoyed a Hall of Fame career playing second base that spanned two decades for the Philadelphia Athletics and Cleveland Indians from 1896 through 1916. His iconic tobacco card image is widely considered one of the finest and most recognized in the collectible realm. In January 2022, a PSA Gem Mint 10 graded example of Lajoie’s T206 card sold at auction for an astounding $3,744,000 making it the third highest price ever paid for a single baseball card. What made this particular card so valuable was its perfect state of preservation – out of the approximately 60 known copies in existence, it was just the second to achieve a PSA 10 rating which speaks volumes to its astounding eye appeal after well over a century. Lajoie’s status as a stalwart superstar of the early game combined with the card’s outstanding condition and rarity all factored into its multimillion dollar acquisition price.

A more modern card that still pulls in huge sums is the notorious 1974 Ted Williams final rookie card produced by Fleer. In what became a legendary blunder, Fleer commissioned shots of Williams for his official rookie season years with the Boston Red Sox but mistakenly used the image on his 1973-74 card, making it technically his final card in major league action despite not being produced until years after he retired. The scarcity of the error combined with Williams’ iconic status has elevated his 1974 Fleer card as one of the key chase cards for late 20th century baseball collections. In April 2021, a PSA/DNA Mint 9 copy sold for $1,352,000 at auction, proving its staying power as one of the priciest of post-war issues. The card stands as an unprecedented mistake that Williams’ prodigious career only enhances. It has proven far more valuable than any true 1974 rookie card across all sports.

Beyond tobacco and 1950s/early ‘60s issues, one of the most valuable 1980s rookie cards is none other than the 1986 Fleer Mickey Mantle. Rightly regarded as one of the cleanest and finest Mantle cards from that decade, examples in top-graded PSA/BGS Mint or Gem Mint condition have achieved astronomical prices in recent times. A PSA 10 copy was part of the famed Mint Condition Card Collection auction in February 2021 and sold for $372,000, standing as the highest price ever paid for a Mantle card from the Fleer or Topps issues of the 1980s – still phenomenal money for a 30+ year old card. The Mantle design on the 1986 Fleer issue continues to resonate strongly with collectors as one of the clearest, most dynamic portraits of the iconic switch-hitter in action from earlier in his career.

And finally, no overview of valuable modern baseball cards would be complete without the extraordinary record set by a 2009 Bowman Sterling Mike Trout rookie card. Still playing in his prime for the Los Angeles Angels, Trout has developed a strong case as the greatest all-around player of his generation and one of the best ever. This has translated to tremendous demand for his ultra-rare 2009 Bowman rookie card, specifically the parallel refractor “Orange Ice” version limited to just 15 copies. In August 2021, one prized PSA/DNA Gem Mint 10 Orange Ice Trout exploded expectations by selling for a staggering $3.936 million – crushing the former record by over $1 million and standing today as the most expensive modern-era trading card ever. It solidified Trout’s place not just as a future Hall of Famer but as a true elite performing asset within the baseball collectibles market as well due to his iconic early cardboard. Trout’s ongoing excellence only heightens demand for one of the true holy grails from the modern era.

While the majority of baseball cards hold relatively modest value, certain rare, vintage, iconic, or early issue rookie cards depicting prominent players transcend being just cardboard and take on lives of their own as highly valuable collectors items and cultural artifacts. As the players depicted like Wagner, Mantle, Clemente, Williams, and Trout go down as all-time greats, so too do their classic cardboard portraits seemingly gain prominence both aesthetically and economically with passing time and increased scarcity. The highest sale prices achieved by these elite cards serve as a testament to both baseball fandom and the collecting instincts that have fueled the baseball memorabilia and cards marketplace for over a century.

1967 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS HIGH NUMBERS

Leave a reply

The 1967 Topps baseball card set is one of the larger and more unique sets in the history of the company. What makes the 1967 set stand out from others is that it was issued in two series – a lower numbered series 1-399 and a higher numbered series 400-550. This led collectors to term the higher series cards the “1967 Topps High Numbers.”

Topps initially planned for a 399 card standard size set in 1967, continuing their pattern of sets in the early-to-mid 1960s. As the season progressed and rookie cards emerged, Topps saw an opportunity to significantly expand the set and make additional money. They obtained the rights to additional photos late in the year and decided to add a second series of higher numbered cards to complete the set.

Some key things to know about the 1967 Topps High Numbers:

Numbers: The high numbers run from card #400 to #550 for a total of 151 additional cards added to the set beyond the initial series one cards.

Rookie Cards: Notable rookie cards found in the high numbers include Reggie Jackson, Don Drysdale, Gary Nolan, Amos Otis, Don Wilson, and Bobby Cox among others. Jackson’s iconic rookie card is #506.

Photo Sources: With the tight production timeline, Topps had to get creative with photos for the high numbers. Some were leftover photos from previous years while others came from other baseball card companies like Fleer and Post.

Design Differences: The high number cards have a distinctly different design scheme from the low numbers. Most notably, the team logo is on a solid color bar across the bottom rather than above the player’s picture. The rest of the layout is also tweaked slightly.

Printing Errors: As Topps rushed to produce and release the high numbers, a number of errors crept into the set. Several cards have misspellings, crooked text, or photos of the wrong players entirely. These mistakes increase certain cards’ scarcity and collectibility.

Short Print Runs: Whereas Topps may have initially printed multi-million card runs of the standard 399 cards early in the year, the high numbers had much lower print runs sometimes estimated at only a few hundred thousand copies each. This scarcity drives prices higher over 60 years later.

Condition Issues: The rushed production also led to issues with the high number cards being more prone to centering problems, poor color registration, and overall weaker quality control during the printing and cutting process. Mint condition specimens are exceptionally rare.

While not planned from the beginning of the season, the 1967 Topps high numbers became one of the defining aspects of the entire set that collectors still seek out today. Finding choice examples in high grade is a challenge due to the low initial print runs and issues during manufacturing. Still, collectors enjoy that the high numbers represent Topps ambition to fully document the 1967 season and provide cards for the game’s growing stars, even if it was in hastily produced second series.

Key cards at the top of want lists for 1967 Topps high numbers collectors include the rookies of Reggie Jackson, Don Drysdale, and Gary Nolan. Finding their cards in centered near-mint to mint condition would be a true prize. Other popular high numbers chase cards include batting champion Tony Oliva on card #522, 300-game winner Warren Spahn on #523, 20-game winner Jim Lonborg on #525, and Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews on #550, the last card in the set.

While pricey in top grades today, the 1967 Topps high numbers remain an important part of the set that showcased Topps’ willingness to go above and beyond to comprehensively feature the players of that MLB season. Their rushed production led to errors, flaws and scarcity that collectors have appreciated for decades as they hunt down choices specimens to add to their collections and satisfy their quest to own cards highlighting another year of baseball history.

1968 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS HIGH NUMBERS

Leave a reply

The 1968 Topps baseball card set is most famous for being the first major league baseball card set to break tradition and issue cards beyond the typical player roster size. For years, Topps had consistently released baseball card sets that contained photos and stats for every player on major league rosters at the time of production. In 1968 Topps broke new ground by continuing player cards beyond the typical roster cut off with the introduction of “high number” cards.

Up until 1968, Topps baseball sets typically contained photos of around 660 players, which was enough space to feature one card for every major league ballplayer as rosters were much smaller back then. As player movement between teams increased in the late 1960s due to expansion franchises, trades, and call ups from the minors, Topps realized they needed more cards to feature all current major leaguers. Topps decided to take advantage of this by continuing the 1968 set with additional “high number” cards from #660 onwards to feature these new players.

The first “high number” cards began at #660 with Dodger’s pitcher Jack Aker. From there, the high numbers continued consecutively with players like Jerry Moses (#661), Ken Holtzman (#662), and so on. In total, the 1968 Topps set included 87 high number cards, ranging from #660 through #746 to round out coverage of that season’s rosters.

Some key things to note about the 1968 Topps high number cards include that they are smaller in size than the standard cards issues in the first 659 slot. They measure approximately 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches, nearly a half-inch smaller than the regular sized cards. They also utilized a simplified design compared to the more elaborate fronts of the lower numbered cards. Perhaps most noticeably, only the player’s name and position are listed on the front of the card, with no team affiliation. Team facts are listed on the back along with batting and fielding stats.

Another major difference with the high number cards is that they were significantly more scarce in production and have remained that way since. While the regular Topps cards from #1 to #659 had print runs estimated around 2.8 million copies each, the high number cards from #660 on had production numbers around 100,000 copies – a huge disparity.

This limited print run has made finding high graded examples of 1968 Topps high numbers extremely challenging for collectors. In fact, high number cards that grade PSA 8 or above routinely sell for two to three times as much as similarly graded regular issue cards from the base set. Prices have only climbed higher in recent years, especially for the true scarce short prints like #660 Jack Aker or #685 rookie cards of Nolan Ryan and Tom Seaver which are considered the key cards of the high number run.

Even still finding many of these cards in gradeable condition is a barrier for collectors seeking to complete the full 87 high number run. Populations graded by PSA and other third party authentication companies remain exceptionally low across the board. This scarcity has only amplified interest in the historic cards and secured their place in the hobby as some of the earliest “short prints” prior to the modern era of inserts and parallels.

While the 1968 set broke ground by extending into high numbers, Topps would not consistently issue cards beyond the standard player roster size each year on a regular basis going forward. It wasn’t until the early 1970s that other issues like 1972 and 1973 would feature high number cards again before the format became a yearly staple. But the 1968 Topps set, as the pioneering release that started the trend, remains highly valued in the collecting community. After 50+ years, its still considered one of the most influential releases in the hobby’s history and its high number cards are among the most coveted and difficult to obtain in the entire classic era of baseball cards.

EBAY 1972 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS HIGH NUMBERS

Leave a reply

The 1972 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable issues in the hobby’s history. What makes the ’72 Topps set so unique compared to other vintage releases is that it was produced in two separate series – a low number series released in the spring of 1972 as usual containing cards #1-402, followed by a high number series containing cards #403-630 released later that year in the fall.

This was the first time Topps had ever split a single year set into two series issued months apart. It was done primarily due to a printing issue, as the Topps printing plant experienced production problems in the early part of 1972 that prevented them from completing the entire 660 card checklist (660 included all major and minor leaguers at the time) for the traditional spring release. Rather than delay the entire set or have incomplete rosters, Topps made the bold decision to split it into two series issued separately.

The low numbers contained all the star players and were readily available in stores during the baseball season as usual. The high numbers which were mostly made up of lesser known and minor league players saw far less distribution. Many retailers had already received shipments of the low numbers in the spring and had no need for the additional inventory of the high numbers released months later. As a result, the high number cards saw much lower print runs and had more limited availability compared to their lower numbered counterparts.

This scarcity has made high number cards from the 1972 set among the most valuable and desirable cards for collectors today. PSA 10 mint examples of common low numbers from the set can usually be acquired for a few hundred dollars, but PSA 10 examples of high numbers for comparable players can reach well into the thousands. One of the most iconic and valuable high number cards is Nolan Ryan’s #550 rookie card. In PSA 10 condition, it routinely sells for over $20,000 due to its impressive eye appeal and significance as Ryan’s first card issued by Topps.

Another factor contributing to the high numbers’ greater rarity was the lack of widespread interest in collecting and understanding of the hobby during the early 1970s. Baseball cards were still primarily seen as disposable promotional items included with gum that few envisioned would hold significant value decades later. As a result, many of the high number cards received far less attention and care from the children who opened them compared to the more prominent low numbers. The lower print runs combined with less careful handling has resulted in far fewer high numbers surviving in pristine preserved condition today compared to their counterparts.

Grading and preservation is especially crucial for high number cards to maximize their value. Even higher graded examples in the 7-8 range can be quite affordable for many compared to mint 9s or gem mint 10s. But it’s those perfect specimens in encapsulated 10 grade that achieve the loftiest auction prices. Just a few points lower in grade can mean a valuation decrease of thousands for a key high number rookie or star player card.

When acquiring high numbers, there are a few other factors collectors look for beyond simply grade. Shadowing or centering issues seem more prevalent in the high numbers than the lows due to printing and quality control. But cards that present as sharp and error-free with great color can still earn strong prices. Complete set builders also pay a premium for cards needed to finish their 1972 Topps high number registry sets. Subsets like the league leaders are also particularly valuable, especially in high grade.

The 1972 Topps high numbers have developed a legendary status among vintage baseball card collectors and remain among the most coveted and investment-worthy issues over 50 years since their release. With far lower surviving populations in top condition than the more available low numbers, their combination of historical significance, visual appeal, and statistical rarity make them highly sought after pieces to this day for set builders and investors. As more collectors are priced out of the hottest modern cards, vintage issues like the 1972s continue gaining new admirers and appreciation for their classic cardboard allure.

2021 TOPPS HERITAGE HIGH NUMBER BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 2021 Topps Heritage High Number baseball card set is the latest iteration in Topps’ popular Heritage line that pays tribute to the classic designs of the 1960s and 70s. With 405 total cards in the main set, the 2021 Topps Heritage High Number set picks up where the base Heritage set left off, continuing card numbers from #406 all the way through #810.

As with previous Topps Heritage releases, the 2021 High Number set showcases retro designs that mimic the look and feel of Topps cards from the 1960s. That includes designs like the classic white borders and team logo designs, replicated photo quality, as well as red or blue banner headers at the top of each card showcasing the players team. The back design of each card also stays true to the vintage paper stock look and information provided on the backs of 1960s cards as well.

Some key production details of note with the 2021 Topps Heritage High Number release includes that it contains 135 additional player and manager cards beyond the base 270 card Heritage set. The cards are also manufactured on the thicker, high gloss stock that is similar to the feel and appearance of the original 1960s cardboard stock Topps used. The set also contained several popular inserts, parallels, and short prints to chase.

One of the most popular inserts included in the 2021 Heritage High Number release is the 14 card Diamond Kings subset. Featuring some of the game’s biggest stars dressed in full uniform photos with metallic gold borders and numbering, these inserts were a big chase for collectors. Other inserts included Tribute cards paying homage to recently retired Hall of Famers, a 7 card Red Hot Rookie subset, as well as Manager and Coach cards not featured in the main Heritage subset.

In terms of parallels, the 2021 Topps Heritage High Number release contained several popular parallel variations for collectors to hunt. This includes the popular Rainbow Foil parallel available across the entire 135 card checklist in 1/1000 pack odds. Additional parallels included Gold /2021 parallels available at a 1/250 pack rate, as well as Green parallel versions numbered to /75. Topps also included several popular 1/1Rainbow Foil parallel short prints only available through hobby boxes of the set as super rare chase cards.

The rookie class featured in the 2021 Heritage High Number set included several young stars and future Hall of Famers. Notable rookies included Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Eloy Jimenez, Matt Chapman, Shane Bieber, and more. Autographs and memorabilia cards of these rookies were hot commodities for collectors. Veterans featured included popular stars like Nolan Arenado, Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, and Zack Greinke among many others. Managers included in the set ranged from Terry Francona to AJ Hinch to Bob Melvin.

In terms of overall release, the 2021 Topps Heritage High Number set maintained the popularity that the Heritage brand has built up over the decades. While release dates were slightly delayed compared to previous years due to COVID-19 production impacts, the set still sold out quickly upon release. Hobby boxes had an MSRP of around $120 but immediately commanded premiums on the secondary market. Individual chase cards like the popular 1/1 Rainbow Foil parallels or big rookie autographs reached into the thousands of dollars among collectors.

With its vintage aesthetics, exciting rookie classes, and inclusion of popular inserts and parallels each year, Topps Heritage High Number continues to be a must-have release for both baseball card collectors and investors alike. The retro designs have enduring popularity and capture the nostalgia many feel for the classic cardboard of their childhoods. With strong secondary market demand year over year, the 2021 installment will likely join previous editions in becoming a set that retains value for collectors long term. Both the accessibility of the affordable boxes as well as endurance of the vintage design ensures Topps Heritage High Number baseball cards remain a staple in the annual release cycle.

BASEBALL CARDS HIGH NUMBERS

Leave a reply

Baseball cards with numbers in the high hundreds and thousands have always been a source of mystery and intrigue for collectors. These cards depict players that most fans have never heard of and provide a window into the deepest depths of minor league baseball history.

In the early days of the sport in the late 1800s, baseball cards were included as advertisements in tobacco products to help promote the brands. These original cards only featured the biggest stars of the day and serial numbers only went up into the low hundreds at most. As the baseball card collecting hobby exploded in popularity in the post-World War 2 era, card manufacturers like Topps, Fleer and Donruss began issuing vastly larger sets each year to meet demand.

By the 1950s, the typical baseball card set had grown to over 500 cards. This allowed for more inclusion of minor leaguers, career minor leaguers, and even players who never made the majors. Serial numbers were extended accordingly, rising into the 600-700 range. Most of these high-numbered players remained virtually unknown except to the most diehard stat geeks and minor league historians. The average collector at the time was mainly interested in the stars and often did not know who these obscure players depicted on the high-numbered cards even were.

As the decades progressed, baseball card sets continued ballooning in size. In 1972, Topps broke the 1,000 card mark for the first time with their standard red border issue. The 1980s saw sets peak at over 700 cards for the flagship Topps and Donruss/Fleer issues. By this time, numbers were extended well into the quadruple digits. The 1989 Topps baseball card set, for example, spanned an incredible 1,898 cards—exposing collectors to countless unknown and forgotten players that few outside their hometowns had ever heard of.

For collectors in the pre-internet era, these high-numbered players were mysterious figures lost to the obscurity of history. Without access to thorough minor league statistics and records online, there was no way for most fans to identify who these players were or what they accomplished without painstaking research. Some became almost mythical figures, with collectors trading tales of the most obscure players they had come across with card numbers reaching unheard of heights into the 2000s.

With the digital age and proliferation of detailed online baseball archives, our understanding of these high-numbered players has evolved tremendously. We now have access to their complete career statistics spanning both the majors and minors. Sites like Baseball Reference make it possible to look up even the most obscure single-season minor leaguers from the 1930s or 1940s and learn their career paths.

Through meticulous research, collectors can now piece together the full stories behind these players who once existed as mere names on cardboard. We discover that many were career minor leaguers who bounced around the lower levels for decades without ever getting a sustained big league chance. Others were young prospects whose careers were waylaid by injury before they could make the show. And some were late-blooming veterans who had brief cups of coffee in the majors after long tenures in Triple-A.

While the specific accomplishments of many high-numbered players will remain unknown, their cards still hold historical value in depicting the breadth of professional baseball during different eras. They represent the depth of talent that populated the minor league ranks and served as part of the infrastructure that helped develop stars. In an age where sets can include well over 1,000 cards, the possibility remains that any given high-numbered player may have a more interesting untold story just waiting to be uncovered with further research.

For dedicated baseball card collectors and historians, the challenge of learning about these obscure figures and bringing more of their careers to light remains part of the appeal. Each new discovery helps add another piece to the puzzle of understanding professional baseball on all levels through the decades. The high-numbered cards from the formative years of the hobby continue fueling curiosity even today about the stories that remain buried in the sport’s history, just waiting to be found.

1989 HIGH VALUE BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1989 baseball card season featured some of the most iconic rookie cards and memorable moments from that decade. While not the flashiest year in the hobby compared to others from the late 1980s, 1989 cards introduced new superstars and provided investment opportunities that have paid off tremendously in the decades since. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the most noteworthy issues and standout cards from the hobby in 1989.

The biggest release of the year came from Fleer, who had secured an exclusive license with MLB Properties. Their 561-card base set featured custom photography on every card for the first time in years. Rated a 6.0 on Beckett’s 1-10 scale at the time of release, the Fleer set lacked star power but made up for it with fun action shots and crisp printing quality. While neither rare nor especially valuable today on their own, complete sets in top condition can still fetch $100-150 due to its historical significance.

Also that year, Donruss released their final major league baseball card set before losing their MLB license. Their 398-card release commemorated 75 years of the brand with a special anniversary logo on every card front. Perhaps the most coveted card from Donruss 1989 was the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie, issued at a staggering one-per-box ratio across their entire mid-summer production run. In pristine mint condition, vintage Griffey Jr. rookies sell for over $10,000 today.

The crown jewel release of 1989 was unquestionably Topps. Their flagship 792-card base set remains one of the most cherished issues of the junk wax era for good reason. Not only did it feature the debuts of future Hall of Famers like Griffey, Frank Thomas, and Tom Glavine, but it also chronicled iconic moments like the Loma Prieta earthquake World Series between the A’s and Giants. Rated an 8.0, this set introduced collectors to legends while perfectly capturing the late 80s aesthetic. Complete sets routinely sell for $500+ depending on condition.

Perhaps no card from 1989 illustrated the enormous investment potential of the era better than the Frank Thomas rookie. Pulled from 1991 Upper Deck packs at the dawn of the modern market renaissance, mint 1991 UD Frank Thomas RC PSA 10 gem rookies now sell for over $50,000 each. But it all began with his widely available yet hugely impactful 1989 Topps rookie card. In pristine condition, these have exploded in value to over $2,000 a piece today – remarkable for a card that could easily be acquired for $1-2 at the time of release.

Aside from new star player debuts, 1989 also saw notable statistical accomplishments memorialized. One such example is the Nolan Ryan Milestones 3,000th Strikeout insert from Topps, featuring his amazing feat from that season etched into baseball card history forever. Although simply a specially marked parallel and not exceedingly rare on its own, mint example with flawless centering can fetch $500+ individually. In collating specific milestones and achievements to supplementary sets, Topps paved the way for the insert fad that took the hobby by storm in the 90s.

wax

While not as iconic as other vintage issues, 1989 Upper Deck stood out for introducing bleeding-edge innovations like refractors and premium stock papers. Their 216-card regular release failed to reach the heights of later sets, but higher-end parallels like the incredibly rare 1/1 Gold Refractor Joe Carter proof of concept are true collector prizes trading hands for tens of thousands today. By elevating production values and experimenting with new technologies, Upper Deck laid the groundwork for the ultra-premium card movement.

As the late 80s collector boom began winding down, demand saw a noticeable decline compared to the past several years. Overproduction and lackluster returns caused the sports card market to plateau going into the 90s. For patient collectors, 1989 provided investment gems that have grown tremendously in worth. Rookies of future Hall of Famers like Griffey, Thomas, and Glavine are ascendant, while serially numbered parallel short prints from brands like Fleer and Upper Deck holdcollector appeal. Overall, 1989 cards introduced beloved players while experimenting with innovations that transformed the entire hobby.

1962 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS HIGH NUMBERS

Leave a reply

The 1962 Topps baseball card series is most famous for introducing the first high number cards to the set. Up until 1962, Topps baseball card sets featured cards numbering from 1 to around 520. In 1962 Topps significantly expanded the total number of cards in the set by adding over 100 “high number” cards with numbers starting around 530 all the way to over 700. This represented a major shift for the baseball card industry and collectors at the time.

Some background – in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Major League Baseball landscape was expanding and evolving rapidly. New teams were being added through expansion as baseball sought to grow its fanbase and presence across more of North America. In 1960 alone, the Los Angeles Angels and new Washington Senators franchises joined Major League Baseball, doubling the size of the American League. This meant many new players were entering the big leagues each year through both the expansion drafts and the increased minor league systems of these new teams.

Topps, as the monopoly baseball card producer at the time, wanted to capture more of these new players joining MLB rosters in their annual card sets. But their traditional formula of around 520 cards per set was not keeping pace with the growing number of potential subjects. Therefore, for the 1962 series Topps made the groundbreaking decision to significantly increase the total cards and add over 100 “high number” cards beyond the usual cutoff. This allowed them to feature more of the burgeoning pool of major leaguers around the two new AL teams and other rookies or lesser known veterans.

The high number cards started at #530 and went all the way to an eventual finishing point of #700, creating an unprecedented 171 additional cards in the 1962 set versus previous years. Some key facts about these 1962 Topps high number cards:

They featured many players from the new Los Angeles Angels and second Washington Senators franchises that obviously didn’t make the initial run of lower numbered cards. This helped collectors complete rosters of the two expansion teams.

-Others spotlighted less established major leaguers who may have only had a brief cup of coffee in the bigs or were fringe roster players. This gave the set much more completism.

-The cardboard used for the high numbers had a noticeably different color and texture versus the lower numbered parallels. They were much duller and more faded in appearance.

-Topps did not do a great job of evenly distributing the new players among the high numbers. Many appeared bunched together which made completing the high run seem even more daunting.

-The sudden spike in total cards made the 1962 Topps set become the largest in the company’s history to that point and challenging for collectors used to the 520 card standard.

-The high numbers created intense new speculation and excitement within the collecting community. Now “gem mint” high numbers above #700 became incredibly rare and valuable chase cards.

-Among the most famous and iconic high number cards were #544 Hank Aaron’s first year with the Braves, #566 Boog Powell’s rookie, #585 Dick Howser rookie, and #675 Nolan Ryan’s first card as a Astro.

-To this day, low-printed 1962 Topps high numbers in top grades can be worth thousands of dollars due to their scarcity and significance in baseball card history.

While not well received by all collectors at the time accustomed to the traditional set size, the introduction of high number cards in 1962 proved to be a seminal moment that had ripple effects across the entire baseball card industry. It showed Topps and competitors’ willingness to adapt card production and immerse new players entering the majors each season. The higher totals also reflected baseball’s post-war growth and recognition of its burgeoning minor leagues. Most importantly, it triggered baseball card completism and chase card collection on an even larger scale. Even 60 years later, the massive 1962 Topps set, bookended by the iconic low and high number cards, continues to enthrall collectors and be one of the most storied in the hobby’s history.

1972 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS HIGH NUMBERS

Leave a reply

The 1972 Topps baseball card set is notably referred to as having high numbers and low numbers. Traditionally, Topps releases all of their cards in a standard numeric order from 1 to around 600 cards for their base series. In 1972 Topps broke tradition and issued cards in two distinct series. The first series contained cards numbered 1-398, including all of the team packs. The second series contained cards numbered 399-525, which were randomly inserted in wax packs. These later numbered cards came to be known as the “high numbers.”

There are a few theories as to why Topps split the 1972 set into two series. The most widely accepted theory is that the 1981 Major League Baseball strike delayed the start of the season. This pushed back the Topps photography and production schedule. In order to still release cards to coincide with the beginning of the season, Topps decided to issue the low numbered cards first containing portrait photos primarily taken the previous fall. Then they would follow up later in the season with additional action shots and player updates in the high numbered series.

Some key things to know about the 1972 Topps high numbers include that photographic quality varies more significantly than the low series. Many of the high number photos have a mix of outdoor action shots compared to the standard indoor portrait style of the low numbers. Uniforms and team affiliations in the high numbers also occasionally differ from the low series if a player was traded between the two series releases. The high numbers also document late season call-ups and rookie debuts that could not be included in the timely low numbered release.

Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers in the 1972 Topps high numbers include Jon Matlack (#406), Bill Madlock (#413), Jon Matlack (#406) Rollie Fingers (#420), and Don Sutton (#424). Other notable rookie cards include future All-Stars Ted Simmons (#473), Butch Metzger (#484), and Dennis Eckersley (#510). The high numbers also include the final baseball cards for legends like Mickey Mantle (#399), Whitey Ford (#400), and Hoyt Wilhelm (#521).

Two of the most valuable high number cards are Nolan Ryan’s #498 action shot which marks his first season with the California Angels and Rod Carew’s #518 card showing him early in his tenure with the Twins, before fully establishing himself as one of baseball’s all-time great hitters. Carew’s #518 typically ranks as the most valuable card in the entire 1972 Topps set due to his rookie season fully documented in the high numbers.

Another interesting aspect of the 1972 Topps high numbers is that they include the first cards featuring players from the National League East Division. When the Major Leagues split each league into an East and West Division in 1969, Topps did not indicate the divisions on cards until the high numbers of 1972. This makes high number cards of players like Mets pitcher Jon Matlack and Phillies third baseman Don Money notationable as some of the first to designate NL East.

The 1972 Topps high numbers provide a fascinating documentation of the transition to divisional play, rookie debuts of future stars, final cards for legendary players, and an overall mix of indoor and outdoor photography not seen in the initial low number release. While production variations and photographic inconsistencies may exist more than the low series, the historical significance and rookie content give high numbers a prominent place in the set, and in the annuals of vintage baseball cards from the 1970s. Even at lower print runs than the low series, strong rookie and star player content continue to make 1972 Topps high numbers a popular and collectible segment amongst vintage sports card enthusiasts.