Ferguson Jenkins is considered one of the greatest pitchers in Chicago Cubs history and one of the best right-handed hurlers of his era. As such, Jenkins’ baseball cards from his playing days in the 1960s through the 1980s are highly coveted by collectors. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the key Ferguson Jenkins baseball cards that exist and what makes them so desirable.
One of Jenkins’ most iconic and valuable cards is his 1965 Topps rookie card, which pictures him as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. Jenkins had just come off a very impressive rookie season in 1964 where he went 16-13 with a 2.80 ERA for the Phillies. His rookie card, with its classic black-and-white photo and design, is a key piece of cardboard for any serious baseball card collector. In high grade, a Jenkins 1965 Topps rookie card can fetch thousands of dollars due to its significance as his first card issued.
After being traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1966, Jenkins blossomed into a true ace pitcher. His 1967, 1968 and 1969 Topps cards from his Cubs seasons are highly sought after. The 1967 card in particular stands out, as it pictures Jenkins mid-windup and highlights his 21-15 record and 2.80 ERA from the previous season. High-grade 1967 Jenkins Cubs cards can sell for well over $100 due to his breakout performance that year. His 1968 and 1969 Topps Cubs issue cards also hold value in the $50-100 range for top-condition specimens.
Jenkins’ crowning baseball card achievement came in 1971, when he appeared on one of the most iconic cards of the entire decade – his 1971 Topps Traded card. Issued mid-season after Jenkins was traded from the Cubs to the Texas Rangers, the Traded set was a novelty at the time. Jenkins’ card stands out with its unique posed long-shot photo. Grading a pristine mint on the PSA 10 scale, a 1971 Topps Traded Jenkins can sell for thousands due to its rarity, condition sensitivity and subject’s Hall of Fame status. Even well-worn copies still command three-figure prices.
Beyond the flagship Topps issues, Jenkins also appeared in several notable high-series and special sets throughout his career. His 1969 Topps Deckle Edge card, with its ornate cut edges, is a prized find for vintage Cubs collectors. Jenkins also has cards in the 1969 Topps Super, 1970 Topps Super and 1972 Topps Super high-number subsets that can sell for $50-150 each in top condition.
Internationally, Jenkins appeared in several Canadian-based issues as well. His standout Canada Cards include a 1968 O-Pee-Chee card that mimics his 1968 Topps design and a coveted 1971 O-Pee-Chee Traded issue that mirrors the famed 1971 Topps Traded design. Both are key pieces for Jenkins enthusiasts north of the border.
Later in his career, Jenkins continued to appear in the standard Topps and Donruss sets of the late 1970s and early 1980s as a member of the Rangers, Phillies and Red Sox. While not as historically important as his 1960s and early 1970s Cubs issues, high-grade copies from his later playing days can still attract $10-20 each from collectors. His final baseball card was likely issued in 1982.
In summary, Ferguson Jenkins’ playing career spanned three decades but produced some of the most iconic baseball cards for Cubs fans and collectors during baseball’s “golden era” in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Keys like his 1965 rookie, 1967-1969 Topps Cubs issues and the legendary 1971 Topps Traded make Jenkins one of the most collectible pitchers in the hobby. For those seeking pieces of cardboard representing one of the game’s all-time great hurlers, Jenkins’ vintage cards remain a highly respected part of the collection.