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DWAYNE MURPHY BASEBALL CARDS

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Dwayne Murphy was an outfielder in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Oakland Athletics from 1973 to 1988. As a career .250 hitter with excellent defense and speed, Murphy established himself as a key member of the A’s championship teams in the 1970s and early 80s. His solid play resulted in baseball card companies regularly featuring him in their sets during his playing days.

Murphy’s rookie cards came in the 1974 Topps and 1974 Fleer sets. The Topps card shows Murphy in an Athletics uniform, batting left-handed with the team name and logo prominently displayed. It provides basic stats from his 1973 cup of coffee in the majors. The Fleer card uses a similar photo but with a green background instead of white. Both are fairly standard rookie cards without much fanfare but capture Murphy starting his MLB career.

In 1975, Murphy broke out with his first full season in the big leagues. He batted .277 with 4 home runs, 43 RBI, and 20 stolen bases playing all 162 games in center field. This breakout campaign led to Murphy receiving higher profile cards in the 1975 sets. Topps used an action shot of Murphy leaping for a catch against the wall. The 1975 Topps Traded card, featuring players not in the base set, also spotlighted Murphy with a close-up headshot.

Murphy became a key contributor to the Athletics dynasty teams of the late 1970s. From 1975-1980, Oakland won 5 AL West titles and 3 World Series championships. Murphy was usually their starting center fielder and leadoff hitter during this run. His starring role with the A’s was reflected in his baseball cards. The 1976 Topps and 1977 Topps cards showcased Murphy in the team’s green and gold uniform. They helped connect Murphy to one of baseball’s most popular franchises at the time.

The late 1970s also saw the rise of oddball and regional baseball card manufacturers beyond the “Big Three” of Topps, Fleer, and Donruss. Sets like Glossy Pros, Kellogg’s, and TCMA frequently included Murphy to satisfy demand from A’s fans. In particular, the 1977 TCMA set featured a nice action photo of Murphy leaping for a catch. Regional brands like Bowman also made sure to include Oakland’s starting center fielder.

Murphy’s defensive skills were often highlighted on his cards. The 1979 Topps Traded card showed him making a diving catch. Donruss went with a similar diving play photo for their 1980 issue. Fleer also chose to depict Murphy robbing a home run for their 1980 offering. These defensive-oriented images reinforced Murphy’s reputation as a Gold Glove-caliber outfielder.

Injuries limited Murphy to just 87 games in 1981. But he bounced back strong the next year by batting .300 with career-highs of 13 home runs and 67 RBI. Topps saluted Murphy’s 1982 rebound campaign with an action bat-on-shoulders pose. The 1982 Donruss card went with a headshot to recognize his continued contributions to the A’s.

After the Athletics dynasty years wound down, Murphy remained a steady veteran presence for Oakland into the mid-1980s. Companies like Donruss and Fleer kept featuring him annually to satisfy A’s collectors. His 1985 Donruss card showed Murphy batting left-handed with an intense game face. The 1986 Fleer Update issue depicted him making a running catch in the gap.

Murphy wrapped up his career with the 1988 Athletics after 16 seasons in Oakland’s green and gold. To commemorate his tenure, Topps included a “Final Season” marked card in their 1988 set. It captured Murphy in an Athletics batting stance one last time. The 1988 Donruss card also used a posed batting image as a retrospective on Murphy’s solid career.

In summary, Dwayne Murphy established himself as a dependable center fielder and leadoff hitter for the dominant Athletics teams of the late 1970s. His starring role with Oakland made him a frequent fixture in baseball card sets during his 16-year MLB career from 1973-1988. Murphy’s cards progressed from rookie issues to highlight his breakout years and defensive prowess. Later on, manufacturers recognized his steadying veteran presence for the A’s up through his final season. Collectors can trace Murphy’s athletic career through the changing imagery and highlights featured on his baseball cards over the decades.

MOST VALUABLE DALE MURPHY BASEBALL CARDS

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Dale Murphy was a star center fielder for the Atlanta Braves from 1976 to 1993 who won back-to-back National League Most Valuable Player awards in 1982 and 1983. Murphy put together an outstanding 18-year MLB career and established himself as a true fan favorite, particularly in Atlanta. Given his popularity and success on the field during his prime years with the Braves, Murphy’s rookie cards and cards from the early 1980s are among the most valuable in the hobby.

To start, one of Murphy’s most coveted and expensive cards is his 1981 Topps Traded #T79 rookie card. This was Murphy’s true rookie card released by Topps after his breakout 1980 season where he hit 20 home runs and drove in 76 runs to finish third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. The 1981 Topps Traded set contained traded and rookie players not included in the main 1980 or 1981 Topps sets. Murphy’s rookie in this set is highly sought after by collectors. In near mint condition, a Dale Murphy 1981 Topps Traded rookie card can fetch over $2,000. If the card is graded mint or gem mint by a reputable cardgrading service like PSA or BGS, the value jumps significantly into the $3,000-$5,000 range or more depending on the exact grade. The ’81 Topps Traded set is considered one of the all-time great baseball card releases, and having one of the approximately 2,500 known Dale Murphy rookies from this set puts a collector in elite company.

Another hugely valuable Dale Murphy card is his 1982 Donruss #57 card from his MVP season. This was Murphy’s first regular Red Back card in the lead Donruss set after bursting onto the national scene. As with most stars’ early Donruss cards, they are quite scarce in high grades due to the poor quality control of the early Donruss cardboard. Because of Murphy specifically winning MVP in 1982, along with the overall rarity of high grade Donruss cards from the early 1980s, a PSA/BGS graded mint or gem mint 82 Donruss Murphy can be worth $1,500-$3,000 or more. These prized examples are truly trophies for any Murphy or Atlanta Braves collection.

Speaking of Murphy’s MVP seasons, his showcase cards from 1982 and 1983 Topps are essential for any collector of the talented outfielder. In PSA/BGS 9-10 mint condition, his ’82 regular Topps #489 card in which he is sporting his thick mustache and intense eyes can sell for around $400-$800 dollars or more depending on exact grade. The ’83 Topps #435 with Murphy pictured in a Braves away blue uniform can command similar prices. Of course, if a PSA/BGS black label “Gem Mint” 10 grade example surfaces of either the ’82 or ’83 Topps MVP year card, consignment prices would likely climb substantially into the multi-thousand dollar range or higher given how difficult it is to achieve the prestigious black label perfect grade. Ultimately, these MVP season cards affirming Murphy as a superstar are strong long-term portfolio pieces for any collections goals centered around the Atlanta player.

Another essential Dale Murphy rookie card is his 1975 Topps #500 issue from his true rookie season in the majors after being drafted 3rd overall in the secondary phase of the 1974 January draft out of high school in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. While not Murphy’s officialTopps rookie card since he did not make the main 1975 set, the ’75 Topps #500 is still considered a premier rookie card for collectors. He is pictured in a Philadelphia Phillies uniform from his brief September cup of coffee with the club during the ’75 season before being traded to the Atlanta Braves in November of that year. High grade examples of this Murphy preliminary rookie card in the PSA 7-9 range can sell for $150-$350 depending on condition factors. Cresting above the $500 price point would require a true gem mint PSA/BGS 10 candidate, making this a fairly scarce investment grade rookie option overall.

Shifting focus to Murphy’s post-prime years after Atlanta, two of his later cards have gained steam among collectors chasingCondition over the past 5-10 years. The 1987 Donruss #78 card stands out as one of Murphy’s better looking and more memorable vintage-style cards picturing him batting left-handed with a Braves uniform. Scarcity has driven values on high grade examples north, with PSA/BGS 9s now reaching into the $150 range on consignment. Perhaps more surprisingly, his final regular season card, the 1993 Upper Deck #326 has seen increased collector enthusiasm of late as well for either sentimental reasons tied to Murphy’s retirement or sheer scarcity relative to the massive print run sizes of early 1990s cards. A pristine PSA/BGS 10 gem mint graded example would likely transact for $400-$600 currently. This demonstrates how Condition and demand can create opportunities with even post-prime player cards given enough time.

In terms of modern Dale Murphy cards, there are a select few parallels and numbered versions from the past decade that command premium prices for superstar Murphy collectors. His 2013 Topps Archives Gold #62 parallel /50 for example has realized over $150 in auction sales. His 2011 Topps Update Gold #US284 parallel /50 pulled in similar money as well. For ultra-high end collectors, locating on-card autographs of Murphy from the 2000s and 2010s limited charter sets could cost thousands given the rarity involved as the Hall of Fame caliber player has signed sparingly in recent years. While the majority of Murphy’s modern issue base cards hold little long-term value, there are scarce parallels and autographs worth targeting to complement vintage holdings.

In conclusion, Dale Murphy’s starring run with the Atlanta Braves during the 1970s and 1980s produced several of the most acclaimed rookie cards and memorable issues in the hobby. From his true 1981 Rookie Card in Topps Traded, to defining cards like the 1982 and 1983 Topps MVP issues, to even choice selections from Murphy’s broader career, high grade vintage Dale Murphy cards represent prized keepsakes for dedicated Atlanta Braves PC builders and collectors appreciating stars of the era. By targeting Condition and understanding both rarity and demand drivers, smart strategies can be employed to build an elite vintage Murphy portfolio for the long haul. For fanatics of the accomplished player and legend of the game’s impact in his Atlanta heyday, his hallowed cards serve as true baseball memorabilia cherishing one of the NL’s brightest of that dynamic decade.

DALE MURPHY BASEBALL CARDS

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Dale Murphy was one of the biggest stars in baseball during the 1980s, leading the Atlanta Braves franchise to prominence and becoming a two-time National League MVP. Naturally, Murphy’s popularity and success on the field translated to strong demand for his baseball cards from collectors. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most notable and valuable Dale Murphy cards from throughout his playing career.

One of Murphy’s earliest and most sought after rookie cards is his 1979 Topps card #498. This was Murphy’s first major card issued by Topps and it came at the start of his breakout season. The 1979 Topps set is considered a classic of the era and Murphy’s rookie card in particular is a key piece for any Atlanta Braves or 1980s collector. In high grade, PSA 10 condition, Murphy’s 1979 Topps rookie has sold for over $1,000 at auction. Even well-centered, sharply cornered examples in PSA 8 or 9 condition can sell for several hundred dollars.

Murphy’s true superstar seasons came in 1982 and 1983 when he won back-to-back National League MVP awards. His cards from these years are understandably some of his most valuable. The 1982 Topps Traded #T83 card features Murphy in an Atlanta Braves uniform on the front and league leader statistics on the back related to his 1982 MVP season. High grade copies have sold for over $500. Similarly, the 1983 Topps Traded #T87 card touts Murphy’s MVP award and statistics from 1983. PSA 10 examples of this card have reached $800 at auction.

Aside from Topps, Murphy also had prominent cards issued in the Donruss and Fleer sets during his MVP seasons. The 1982 Donruss #304 and 1983 Donruss #304 cards highlight Murphy’s accomplishments and both can be worth $100-200 in top condition. Meanwhile, the 1982 Fleer #455 and 1983 Fleer #455 cards are considered key Murphy and Atlanta Braves cards from the era. Graded PSA/BGS 10 copies have sold for $400-500 each.

Murphy’s 1984 Donruss #304 card stands out for capturing the tail end of his prime years. It shows him batting left-handed with a classic Braves uniform design. Higher grade copies in the PSA 8-10 range have sold for $150-300. His 1984 Topps card #641 is also popular among collectors but is more common in top condition so usually sells for $50-100 at most.

By the late 1980s, Murphy was past his MVP peak but still a productive player. His 1986 Fleer Update #U-42 card stands out for being one of his last true star cards before leaving Atlanta. It has sold for around $75-150 for PSA 10 examples. Murphy’s final season with the Braves in 1988 is represented by his Topps Traded #T81 card which can be acquired in top shape for $50-100.

After being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1990, Murphy’s star power and card values declined significantly. His 1990 Bowman #46 rookie card as a Phillie remains a key piece for team and 1980s collectors. Higher grade PSA/BGS 10 copies have sold in the $100-200 range in recent years. Murphy wrapped up his career playing sparingly for the Cleveland Indians in 1992-93. His final notable card is likely the 1992 Topps #498, which brings nostalgia as the bookend to his 1979 rookie but typically sells for $10-20.

In summary, Dale Murphy’s baseball cards from his Atlanta Braves MVP seasons in the early 1980s are by far his most significant and sought after. Cards like his 1979 rookie, along with various 1982-83 issues from Topps, Donruss and Fleer highlighting his accomplishments, are the true Murphy keys for any collection. Even in lower grades, these star cards from his superstar peak still command $50-200 depending on condition. Overall, Murphy’s on-field success made him a fan favorite of the era and that legacy lives on through the strong demand that still exists today for his premium baseball cards.

DALE MURPHY BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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Dale Murphy was an All-Star outfielder who played his entire career with the Atlanta Braves from 1976 to 1993. Known for his power hitting and defensive skills, Murphy won back-to-back National League Most Valuable Player awards in 1982 and 1983. He remained a fan favorite throughout his 18-year MLB career. Not surprisingly, Dale Murphy baseball cards are highly sought after by collectors.

Murphy made his MLB debut in 1976 at age 21 and had respectable rookie numbers. His rookie cards from 1976 don’t carry huge values today as they had low print runs and he wasn’t yet an established star. Some of his nicer 1976 rookie cards in gem mint condition could sell for $100-200. His rookie cards increased in value after he won MVP awards.

It was in 1982 that Murphy truly broke out. He led the NL in home runs (39), RBI (126), and slugging percentage (.549) while batting .285. His outstanding all-around season resulted in Murphy being named NL MVP. Cards from Murphy’s MVP 1982 season hold the most value, especially those in top condition. Some key 1982 Murphy cards include:

1982 Topps #138 – Murphy’s main flagship rookie card. High grade examples in near mint-mint (NM-MT) condition range from $50-150. Gem mint (GM) 10s can bring $300-500.

1982 Fleer #480 – Considered one of his nicer looking cards from the year. NM-MT copies sell for $30-100 depending on centering/corners. A GM 10 in pristine shape could go for $200-300.

1982 Donruss #98 – Not as iconic as the Topps but still a key card. NM-MT copies trade hands for $20-75 based on centering.

In 1983, Murphy somehow bettered his 1982 MVP season by leading the league again in home runs (36), RBI (121), and slugging (.549) while improving his batting average to .302. He became just the 10th player ever to win back-to-back NL MVPs. His 1983 cards increased in demand and value due to the repeat accomplishment. Some top 1983 Murphy cards include:

1983 Topps #138 – As with the 1982, high grade examples hold the most worth. NM-MT copies sell in the $50-150 range. A BGS/PSA 10 could fetch $400-600.

1983 Fleer #480 – Considered one of his best looking cards. NM-MT copies sell between $30-100. A pristine GM/MT 10 can sell for $200-300.

1983 Donruss #98 – Not as iconic but still a key piece. NM-MT copies trade hands for $20-75 depending on centering quality.

After winning back-to-back MVPs in ’82-83, Murphy remained a productive player for the Braves throughout the 1980s. Injuries slowed him down some in the late 1980s. His cards from 1984-1989 hold value but not quite to the level of his MVP seasons. Some examples:

1984 Topps #138 – NM-MT copies sell for $15-50.

1985 Topps Traded #82T – Highly sought after traded set card. NM-MT copies go for $10-30.

1986 Topps #480 – NM-MT condition sells in the $5-15 range.

1987 Topps #480 – Same as 1986 in terms of pricing.

1988 Topps #480 – NM-MT copies sell for $3-10.

1989 Topps #480 – Prices similar to 1988 issue.

Murphy played until 1993, wrapping up an excellent 18-year career. He remained a fan favorite in Atlanta. While he no longer possessed MVP caliber skills, collectors still seek out his late 1980s and early 1990s cards for nostalgia purposes. Examples include:

1990 Topps #480 – NM-MT copies sell between $2-5.

1991 Topps #480 – Prices mirror the 1990 issue.

1992 Fleer #480 – Last card in Braves uniform. NM-MT sells for $3-8.

1993 Upper Deck #480 – Final career card. NM-MT goes for $2-5.

In summary, Dale Murphy’s baseball cards from his MVP seasons in 1982 and 1983 are the most highly valued, especially high grade copies in mint condition. But cards spanning his entire 18-year career hold value to some degree for collectors due to his excellent production and fan favorite status on the Braves. Murphy cards remain a staple in the collections of Atlanta fans and 1980s baseball memorabilia enthusiasts.