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BASEBALL CARDS EDDIE MURRAY

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Eddie Murray was one of the most prolific hitters of his era who played in Major League Baseball from 1977-1997. Known as a quiet, consistent player who shunned attention, Murray still found his way onto countless baseball cards during his illustrious career. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most notable Eddie Murray baseball cards from his playing days.

One of Murray’s earliest baseball cards came from his rookie season in 1977 with Topps. Sporting the iconic Orioles uniform colors of orange and black, this card shows a clean-shaven Murray in a headshot pose from his debut season where he hit .277 with 13 home runs in just 108 games. Murray would go on to spend over a decade with the Orioles franchise, cementing his status as a hometown star in Baltimore. This rookie card remains one of the most sought after from Murray’s collection.

In 1981, Topps captured Murray mid-swing on card #498 in their set that year. By this point, Murray had blossomed into a true slugging star, hitting .277 with 33 home runs and 110 RBI in 1981 to finish third in AL MVP voting. The action shot on this card shows Murray’s classic smooth, compact swing that would serve him so well over his career. Also of note is the inclusion of Murray’s stats and accomplishments on the back of the card, as was standard for Topps in the early 1980s.

One of Murray’s most iconic baseball cards came in 1987 from Fleer. On card #344, Murray is featured in a close-up headshot with blue skies and clouds behind him. But it’s Murray’s thick mustache and aviator sunglasses that make this card truly stand out from the rest. With Murray having just come off his second AL MVP season in 1986 where he led the league in home runs, this “cool guy” card captured Murray at the peak of his popularity. Copies of this card in near-mint condition can still fetch over $100 today due to its retro charm.

After leaving the Orioles via free agency following the 1988 season, Murray signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His first baseball card as a Dodger was in 1989 Donruss on card #130. Here, Murray is again shown mid-swing but this time in the classic Dodger home whites. The card also features Murray’s 1988 stats when he hit .306 with 33 home runs split between Baltimore and LA. This served as a transition card announcing Murray’s change of scenery out west to Dodger Stadium.

Murray would play his final seasons in the 1990s after brief stops with the Dodgers, Indians, and Angels organizations. In 1991, he received what would be one of his last truly iconic baseball cards from Upper Deck on card #107. With a close third-base camera angle, this photo captures the essence of Murray – gritty determination on every play. Even in the twilight of his career, Murray was still among the league leaders in numerous categories as noted on the back of this card. It stands as one of the best summation cards of Murray’s excellence at the plate.

After retiring following the 1997 season, Murray’s legacy as one of the game’s most consistent sluggers was cemented. He finished with 504 home runs and over 3,000 hits – an exclusive club. Memorabilia from his playing days remains popular with collectors to this day. In particular, his rookie cards from 1977 Topps and the 1987 Fleer card with mustache stand out as highly sought after pieces of his baseball card history. While he may have avoided attention, Eddie Murray’s prolific talent ensured his place in the record books and in the collections of card enthusiasts for generations to come.

In summary, Eddie Murray’s baseball cards provide a who’s who tour of his 21 illustrious major league seasons. From his rookie year in Baltimore to stints with the Dodgers and Indians late in his career, Murray’s cards captured the essence of his hitting prowess and quiet leadership. Particular standouts include his 1977 rookie, 1981 Topps action shot, iconic 1987 Fleer mustache card, and 1991 Upper Deck summation photo. While a man of few words himself, Murray’s baseball cards tell the story of one of the game’s most durable and consistent power hitters through the decades. They remain a cherished connection to one of baseball’s true quiet stars.

EDDIE MURRAY BASEBALL CARDS

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Eddie Murray was one of the most prolific hitters of his era who played for 21 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1977-1997. As a result, Murray has been featured on numerous baseball cards over the years from the 1970s through the 1990s. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most notable and valuable Eddie Murray baseball cards from his historic career.

One of Murray’s earliest and most sought after rookie cards is his 1977 Topps card #132. This was Murray’s true rookie card issued during his debut season with the Baltimore Orioles after being drafted 3rd overall in the June 1976 amateur draft out of Valley High School in Las Vegas. The design features Murray in an Orioles uniform from waist up with a blue and orange border. The photo captures his stoic demeanor that became synonymous with his playing style. Murray’s rookie card in gem mint condition can fetch over $1,000 due to its scarcity and significance as documenting his first season in the majors.

Another prized early Murray rookie is his 1977 Kellogg’s card #46. Kellogg’s produced baseball cards for cereal boxes from 1973-1981 and their design had a photo on the front and stats on the back. Murray looks confident batting from the left side in this image wearing an Orioles jersey. In top graded condition, it can sell for $500 or more given that Kellogg’s print runs were smaller than the major card companies like Topps. The set is highly collectible and captures Murray in the beginning stages of his Hall of Fame career.

In 1978, Murray’s breakout season saw him hit .333 with 27 home runs and 102 RBI while finishing third in AL MVP voting. This stellar campaign made his 1978 Topps card #234 very desirable. It shows Murray crouched in the batter’s box with an intense focus wearing an Orioles uniform. High grade versions fetch $150-300 due to Murray’s emerging superstar status reflected on the card from his award-winning 1978 season. This was when he started to become recognized as one of the top sluggers in baseball.

After eight productive seasons with Baltimore, Murray was surprisingly traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 1983. His first card with his new team was the 1984 Topps Traded #T84 issue. It depicts Murray in a Dodgers cap and jersey from his waist up with a blue backdrop. This transition card marks Murray moving to a new coast and city, showing collectors the next phase of his career. In pristine condition, examples can sell for $75-150 given its rarity and historical significance as Murray’s first card as a Dodger.

Murray enjoyed three excellent seasons with the Dodgers, highlighted by winning the 1985 NL Batting Title with a .351 average. His 1985 Fleer Update #U-39 card captured this peak performance. It features Murray crouched in the batter’s box with Dodger blue and white uniform showing his intense concentration. High grade versions are valued around $100 since it documents Murray’s batting crown-winning season and continued excellence in the National League.

After the 1986 season, Murray signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles in December 1986, returning to the franchise where he broke in and had his early success. His first card back with the O’s was the 1987 Topps Traded #T49 issue. It shows Murray from the waist up in an Orioles jersey with an orange backdrop, marking his second stint with the team. Near mint copies can sell for $50-75 given its scarcity and significance as Murray’s first card after rejoining the Orioles later in his career.

Murray played four more seasons in Baltimore before finishing his career with the 1992-93 Cleveland Indians and 1994-95 Los Angeles Dodgers. Some other notable later Murray cards include his 1990 Topps Traded #T48 as an Oriole, 1992 Fleer #469 as an Indian, and 1995 Upper Deck #362 as a Dodger in the final season of his Hall of Fame career. He retired with 504 home runs and over 3,000 hits, making him one of the most prolific offensive players of the 1980s and beyond.

In all, Eddie Murray’s 21-year MLB tenure resulted in many quality baseball cards issued that are still popular with collectors today. From his early rookie cards to documentation of award-winning seasons and franchise transitions, Murray cards provide historical value given his stellar career. Many of his highest graded issues can sell for hundreds reflecting his status as a true baseball legend. Eddie Murray was one of the game’s best hitters who is still fondly remembered today through his iconic baseball cards.

BASEBALL CARDS MURRAY KY

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Baseball cards have a long history in Murray, Kentucky dating back to the early 20th century. Some of the earliest documented baseball cards collected and traded by locals can be found from sets released in the 1910s and 1920s. Like many small towns across America during this time period, the hobby of collecting and trading baseball cards took root in Murray and became a popular pastime for many young people.

One of the first major baseball card collections discovered that originated from Murray dates back to 1922. This extensive collection belonged to Robert “Bobby” Jones and contained over 1,000 unique cards from sets released between 1911-1922. Bobby was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and had amassed a sizable collection through trading with friends and purchases at local stores. Many of the cards showed signs of heavy use, with edges worn down from being handled frequently as part of trading sessions at school and neighborhood ball games.

Through the late 1920s and 1930s, the trend of collecting continued strong in Murray. Stores like Belk-Settle Department Store and Turner’s Store began stocking baseball cards in packs and boxes to meet the growing demand. Young collectors would pool their allowance money and visit these stores, hoping to find the rare cards they needed to complete their sets. Turner’s Store owner J.D. Turner even started an informal baseball card trade club for local boys, where they could meet weekly and trade with each other under his supervision.

World War 2 brought collecting to a slowdown as production of non-essential items like trading cards was halted. But interest was reignited after the war ended, with the arrival of the post-war Leaf brand in 1948 being a major event for Murray collectors. Leaf cards featured colorful, eye-catching designs that departed from the simpler look of pre-war cards. They also included the first modern style gum in packs. This helped make collecting fun again for a new generation.

Through the 1950s, the heyday of baseball card collecting in Murray was underway. Popular sets from Bowman, Topps and Fleer were available at drug stores, grocery stores and gas stations all around town. Kids could often be found sorting through their collections and making trades outside Murray High School between classes. Some enterprising young collectors even started a mail-order baseball card business, buying and selling rare cards to collectors around the region.

Two of the biggest names from this era were Gene Landolt and Johnny McCage. As teenagers, they amassed enormous collections by the late 1950s totaling over 10,000 cards each through aggressive trading. Landolt focused on complete vintage sets from the 1920s and 1930s, while McCage specialized in high-grade modern stars. Both were early pioneers in attributing, grading and documenting the conditions and histories of their valuable vintage and star rookie cards.

The 1960s saw new innovations like color photography and multi-player cards introduced. Topps in particular drove the market with their innovative marketing. But the early 1970s brought changes, as the rise of new hobbies and interests led collecting into decline. Stores also stopped stocking cards, making them harder to find. Two of Murray’s largest private collections from the 1960s, belonging to Jim Johnson and Mark Russell, were eventually sold off or donated to local schools.

The baseball card market found new life in the late 1980s fueled by the arrival of stars like Ken Griffey Jr. Nostalgia for the vintage era also grew. Ira Kress, owner of Kress’s Small Engines in Murray, capitalized on this by starting a weekend baseball card show in 1988. Held monthly at the Calloway County Fairgrounds, it drew collectors from across Kentucky and Tennessee looking to buy, sell and trade.

Into the 1990s and 2000s, the shows continued to grow in size. Local dealers like Kress and Jimmy Baker specialized in high-dollar vintage and star rookie cards to serve the growing market. The early 2000s also saw a renewed interest in collecting among younger people. Two local brothers, Tim and Tom Masthay, amassed one of the finest Mickey Mantle collections in the country during this time before donating a large portion to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Today, the baseball card hobby remains alive and well in Murray. While the flea markets and card shows of the past have faded, online groups like the Murray Baseball Card Collectors Club keep the tradition of trading alive through digital means. Vintage local collections can also still be found in the private hands of “card families” whose multi-generational connections to the hobby live on. As a whole, over a century of collecting history in Murray serves as a microcosm for the rise and evolution of baseball cards across small-town America.

KYLER MURRAY BASEBALL CARDS

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Kyler Murray was one of the most exciting dual-sport athletes of the late 2010s, sparking a debate over his future in both football and baseball. As the first-round pick of Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics and the first overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, Murray unique position to be featured on baseball cards in two professional sports.

While Murray played quarterback at the University of Oklahoma and was drafted ninth overall by the Athletics in the 2018 MLB Draft, he had a very promising baseball career starting in high school. As a two-way star at Allen High School in Texas, Murray was rated as one of the top dual-sport prep prospects in the country. He drew early attention from scouts and collectors with his appearances in sets like 2017 Topps High Tek.

This non-rookie card showed Murray in his Allen high school uniform, listed as a shortstop with stats from his senior high school season. The card featured Murray’s vibrant athleticism and 5-tool potential that had scouts excited about his future in baseball. Even at the high school level, Murray was generating buzz and interest that would translate to the hobby.

After being drafted by Oakland, Murray enrolled at Oklahoma to pursue both football and baseball. In 2019, he appeared in multiple college baseball card products to showcase his status as a rising two-sport star. Products like 2019 Donruss Optic featured Murray in an Oklahoma baseball jersey, highlighting the talents that made him a high draft pick despite only playing one season of college ball.

As a quarterback at Oklahoma during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, Murray took the college football world by storm and captured the Heisman Trophy award in 2018. Despite his rising football stardom, Murray remained committed to baseball and reported to Oakland’s rookie league affiliate after the college season. This opened up new opportunities for cards featuring Murray as a dual-athlete.

Panini captured Murray’s two-sport profile with cards like 2019 Prizm Basketball that placed him in a Oklahoma football uniform on the front but listed his baseball stats and team on the back. Products like 2019 Topps Heritage Minors featured Murray in an Athletics minor league jersey after he was assigned to their Single-A team. These highlighted his high-profile status as an athlete pursuing two pro sports.

In the weeks leading up to the 2019 MLB Draft, Murray’s future was the subject of intense speculation. Would he choose football over baseball full-time? After much debate, Murray made headlines by announcing he would focus solely on the NFL. This decision had major ramifications for his baseball card collectors and the hobby.

Any projections of a baseball career were now up in the air. Murray’s athletic accomplishments and dual-sport potential up to that point had made him a popular young star in the market. But collectors now faced uncertainty regarding further releases in the baseball sector. Murray’s football stardom and Heisman pedigree also opened up possibility for increased value in college cards.

When the Arizona Cardinals selected Murray first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, it was hailed as an unprecedented scenario – no one had ever been drafted in the top 10 of both the MLB and NFL Drafts. His unique path to reaching the pinnacle of two major professional sports generated nationwide attention and buzz.

Panini capitalized on Murray’s new NFL status with releases like 2019 Donruss Optic Football that featured his rookie card in a Cardinals uniform. Given his high draft position and immediate starting role, Murray’s NFL rookie cards sold for top prices. Products like Leaf Entertainment also offered “Phoenix” parallels and memorabilia cards to tap into demand from Murray collectors.

Despite choosing football, Murray’s Oakland minor league affiliation and progress as an athlete ensured his baseball cards retained value as novel artifacts of his extraordinary dual-sport career. Sets like 2019 Topps Triple Threads paired swatches of his NFL uniforms with patches from his Athletics tenure. These hybridized the two phases of his young stardom.

In the years since, Murray has stabilized as the Cardinals’ franchise quarterback while maintaining ties to baseball. He works out in the offseason with Athletics players and works to improve his baseball skills. Some speculate he may one day attempt an NFL-MLB double if the scheduling allows.

Until any return to professional baseball occurs, Murray’s existing baseball cards continue to intrigue collectors. They preserve a unique chapter in the hobby – a supremely talented athlete who came agonizingly close to stardom in two sports. As one of the only stars ever drafted so high in consecutive sports, Kyler Murray’s baseball cards hold a special place documenting his trailblazing dual-sport path.