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WHAT BASEBALL CARDS SHOULD I BUY IN 2022

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Whether you’re a long-time baseball card collector looking to find the next big stars, or a new collector just getting into the hobby, 2022 presents some excellent buying opportunities across both modern and vintage issues. With player performance and the overall baseball card market both very unpredictable right now, doing some research and targeting specific subsets can help maximize your chances of finding cards that hold or increase in value over time.

On the modern side, some of the top rookie cards to target in 2022 include Bobby Witt Jr. cards from Topps Series 1 and Bowman Chrome. Witt had a phenomenal rookie season with the Royals in 2022 and has all the tools to be a perennial All-Star. His cards have already begun appreciating in value and that trend should continue as he establishes himself in the majors. Another young star to watch is Julio Rodriguez of the Mariners. J-Rod took baseball by storm in the second half of 2022 and his Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome rookie refractors from 2021 could pay off handsomely long-term as his career progresses.

Staying in the 2021 rookie class, cards of Shane Baz, Jarred Kelenic, and Bryson Stott are worth adding to your collection if the price is right. All three had disappointing rookie years but still have plenty of upside if they can put it together in 2023 and beyond. The 2016 Topps Update series introduced rookie cards of superstars like Carlos Correa, Corey Seager and Kyle Tucker that can still be found relatively cheaply and offer strong long-term potential.

In terms of veteran studs who continue producing at an elite level, you can’t go wrong owning cards from current and previous series of Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuna Jr, Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr. While their base rookies are out of most collectors’ price ranges now, their recent inserts, parallels and autographs offer affordable exposure to sure-fire Hall of Famers in the prime of their careers.

Another strong area to focus on is prospects coming off breakout minor league seasons who could make an immediate MLB impact in 2023. One player who fits this bill is Gunnar Henderson, who had a monster .312/.450/.553 slash line between Double and Triple-A in 2022 before a September call up with the Orioles. His 2019 Bowman Chrome and 2020 Bowman Draft Chrome rookie refractor cards still sell relatively inexpensively and could multiply in value if he becomes a star as expected. Other high-ceiling prospects in this range like Oneil Cruz, Bobby Miller and Jackson Holliday offer nice upside for your collection.

Shifting to vintage, the post-war era from the 1950s through the late 1980s hosts several Hall of Famers whose early career RC’s, star rookies and commons have yet to fully appreciate. Players like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Frank Robinson and Reggie Jackson were dominating on the field during formative times for the hobby and their classic Topps, Fleer and Donruss issues can still provide great returns. Even raw commons from the 1970s of George Brett, Mike Schmidt and Nolan Ryan offer opportunities for cost-effective investing in sure thing inductees.

The late 1980s also produced a star-studded rookie class headlined by Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds and Tom Glavine that has aged exceptionally well. Low-numbered Griffey and Bonds rookies remain truly iconic, but there are also bargains to be had in their common 1988 Donruss, Fleer and Score issues which are just hitting their stride value-wise. Younger collectors may also want to target stars of the 1990s like Chipper Jones, Craig Biggio, Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez for long-term potential.

By focusing on current elites continuing to produce, young stars still establishing themselves, top prospects on the cusp of stardom, and undervalued legends of baseball’s earliest decades, your 2022 baseball card purchases can build a collection with something for every interest with eye towards future appreciation. Doing thorough research on each player’s career arc and production, and studying recent sales data to understand fair pricing will help you identify the best modern and vintage buy opportunities to maximize returns from this ever-evolving hobby. With a strategic approach, your baseball card portfolio can grow significantly in value over the years.

WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY OLD BASEBALL CARDS

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If you have a large collection of baseball cards that you no longer want or have room to store, one option is to consider selling your collection. Even cards that may not seem that valuable on their own can add up to a decent amount if sold as a complete collection. To sell your baseball card collection, you will first need to take an inventory of all the cards and carefully organize them. Make a spreadsheet or database listing each card along with the player name, year, brand (Topps, Fleer, etc.), and condition. Taking high quality photos of each individual card or groups of cards will help potential buyers evaluate the collection.

Once your collection is fully inventoried and catalogued, you can choose to sell it yourself through online marketplaces like eBay, or seek out a reputable sports card shop or auction house to handle the sale for you. Selling online yourself allows you to set the price and terms, but you’ll need to handle packing, shipping, payments, and any returns yourself. Consigning your collection through an established dealer means letting the pros market and sell it for you in exchange for a commission, usually around 20-30% of the final sale price. They have the experience and buyer connections to potentially get a better overall price.

Before listing your collection for sale, it’s a good idea to do some research on recent sold prices for comparable collections to help establish a realistic asking price. Consider the quality, condition and completeness of the cards, as well as any key rookie cards or stars from championships teams that could increase interest and price. Sets that are complete from top to bottom tend to demand a premium. For consignment, the dealer will also give you their professional opinion on valuation. Once priced appropriately, market your collection aggressively on the various selling platforms with clear photos, a full descriptive listing and fair payment/return policies to attract serious buyers.

If selling your baseball cards as a collection doesn’t appeal to you or doesn’t generate enough interest from potential buyers, another option is to choose a handful of valuable individual cards to sell separately. Before picking cards to individually sell, you’ll want to closely examine each one to identify any especially rare, valuable or sought-after pieces. Check online price guides, recent auction results and trading/selling forums to get a sense of current market values for top cards in various conditions from each year and set. Grading services like PSA/BGS can also accurately assess a card’s condition, which directly affects its price. Once you’ve selected cards likely worth more money individually versus as part of a full set, list and market them the same focused way described for a full collection sale.

Rather than selling your baseball cards, another option is donating them to raise funds for charity. You could contact local youth sports leagues, libraries or schools to see if they’d be interested in displaying your cards or using them for fundraising prizes or auctions. Donating cards as a collection in this way comes with a tax deduction receipt based on the collection’s fair market value as determined by an independent appraisal from a dealer. Many dedicated sports card collectors looking to complete sets are also always on the hunt and may appreciate your cards finding a new long-term home in their collection in exchange for a tax-deductible donation.

If you don’t want to sell or donate your baseball cards but also no longer have room to keep the full collection, consider organizing and displaying just your favorite cards or your child/grandchild’s favorites on the wall in protective holder pages or frames. Pulling out sentimental rookie cards or autographs adds a fun personalized touch to your home décor too. The rest of the sizable collection you could box up and store away safely long-term in case future generations take an interest someday or you decide later to sell portions online. Storing your collection off-site in a temperature controlled facility or rented safe deposit box can protect cards from moisture, heat/cold fluctuations or damage over time too.

For a hands-on hobby option, you could start a fun new tradition of organizing team binders, trading cards online/at shows, building complete vintage sets or even playing Strat-O-Matic baseball sim games with your grandkids using your real card rosters. Kids especially enjoy learning about different eras through handling actual cards from their favorite players which can spark lifelong passions. If building full vintage sets appeals to you as a personal collecting project, many avid sports card collecting communities also meet regularly for friendly swaps to help each other fill gaps in sets spanning decades – it’s a social way to put cards back to active use while preserving baseball history too!

With a sizeable baseball card collection you’ve outgrown, your best options are thoughtfully assessing what to keep and sell/donate to raise funds for charity or pass down your passion to others. Carefully inventorying, researching values, consigning higher end pieces and maximizing market exposure through online auction sites and dealer consignment can maximize your financial return versus a quick bulk sell-off too. Displaying sentimental favorites, collecting with family or swapping with fellow fans also keeps your cards actively circulating within the sports collectibles community for enjoyment versus long-term storage. With some planning and effort, there are many rewarding ways to put your treasured cards from the past to their best next use.

WHAT 2022 BASEBALL CARDS SHOULD I BUY

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There are many exciting 2022 baseball card releases to consider adding to your collection. Top rookies, star veterans, and inserts with valuable autographs and memorabilia can all make worthwhile long-term investments or add thrill to your hobby. Let’s look at some of the best options to target across different price points.

At the high-end, one of the hottest rookie classes in decades makes several 2022 releases a must. Topps Baseball features prospects like Jeremy Peña, Julio Rodríguez, Bobby Witt Jr., CJ Abrams and Riley Greene on base rookie cards. Pulling a coveted autographed or memorabilia card of a future star could yield big returns down the road. Opt for Hobby Boxes, Jumbos, or High-Number cases for your best shot at one. Topps Chrome Update and Bowman Draft Jumbo have been selling out quickly due to the hype around this year’s prospects too.

Moving to a mid-range budget, Series 1 and 2 retail and hobby boxes offer a much lower per-pack price to try and build sets including base rookies of the top prospects. Donruss Baseball also has notable rookies to target in blasters, hangers and hobby boxes at an affordable price-point. For autograph or memorabilia cards, Donruss Optic and Sterling are hit or miss but can provide value. Heritage Minors box breaks spread the cost and make chasing rookie talent from the draft more fun and affordable too.

Stayingvalue-minded, collectors’ favorites like Topps Base, Update and Chrome along with Fan Favorites retail put together nicely at a bargain. Baseball card collectors appreciate the classic designs and modern rookies year after year that maintain resell value. For international stars, check out Topps Big League which puts talents like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. front and center affordably. Bowman Sterling Jumbos offer unique styling and hit rates on today’s and tomorrow’s breakouts without costing a fortune either.

Collectors seeking specific star veterans should investigate newly released products. Topps Chrome and Gold Label are top choices for chasing autographs or memorabilia of legends like Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge. Archives Snapshots curates retro uniform photos and autographs of fan favorites across eras very affordably in blasters too. Allen & Ginter and Finest flaunt flashy parallels and inserts spotlighting today’s elite that drive secondary market demand higher.

Novice collectors can find enjoyment starting with value hanger and blaster boxes too. Target dollar store fare like Allen & Ginter or Topps Series 2 which offer fun base cards and often special parallels or short prints inside without huge risk. Shop opportunistically after series releases for hobby boxes going on sale as interest winds down short-term too. Consider your budget but don’t sleep on this year’s generational rookie class or chasing your favorite stars across different 2022 releases – there are plenty of cardboard treasures still waiting to be unearthed!

WHAT PACK OF BASEBALL CARDS SHOULD I BUY

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There are many excellent options for baseball cards packs that you can purchase. It really depends on your interests, budget, and whether you want to collect modern players, older retired players, or both. Given that you didn’t provide any additional context in your question, I will aim to provide a well-rounded recommendation.

Some general tips when considering baseball card packs – look at the year the cards were produced as this will determine the players and teams featured. Newer packs will have current active players while older packs feature retired players. Consider the number of cards in a pack as more cards gives more chances to find a valuable hit. Check reviews online to see what others pulled from different brands and sets. Make sure to research current player valuations so you understand rookie cards and star players to target. Always have fun with your collecting!

For a mix of current stars and future Hall of Famers, you can’t go wrong with a box of Topps Series 1 or 2 from the most recent season. These come with 18 packs per box, which is great value. You’ll find rookie cards of up-and-comers as well as veterans. Topps is the dominant brand and these sets are always popular. Alternatively, individual blaster packs which have 10 cards a piece are more affordable for a smaller budget.

Panini Prizm is another strong modern option known for its flashy refractors and parallels. The photographs have a nice sheen to them compared to Topps’ basic stock photos. Prizm also does a good job spotlighting rookies. For vintage players,Leaf Productions makes high-end sets that focus on specific retired greats each year. These premium cards have gorgeous artistic designs.

Getting into older era players is half the fun of collecting in my opinion. You’ll want to search manufacturer sets from the 1980s, 90s and 2000s to build a foundation. Some top brands to scope out include Fleer, Donruss and Score – all of which had competitive designs back in the day. Fleer is especially known for its “filmstrips” style borders from the late 80s/early 90s.

If pre-1980 players interest you, there are lots of affordable vintage packs available on the secondary market now. Topps dominated distribution from the 1950s-70s so they would be a solid pick. You could try 1948, ’52, ’59 or ’69 Topps for an iconic slice of baseball history. The older the set, the harder the cards may be to find in mint condition of course. But it’s cool just to own brand new sealed wax from bygone eras.

Some other beginner-friendly options include Topps Heritage which recreates retro designs with today’s players. Upper Deck is another premier maker that uses cutting-edge photo techniques. Donruss sometimes has “throwback” packs modeled after its older sets. And Fleer Tradition harkens back to the classic Fleer aesthetic. These bridge new and old school sensibilities.

No matter what you choose, don’t forget to have fun with the variety packs offer in terms of players, designs and possibilities for valuable hits. Getting starter boxes or individual packs is an affordable way to sample different manufacturers without a huge investment. From there, you can focus your collecting based on personal interests discovered. Have patience too – building a long-term collection takes time but is rewarding when completed. I hope this detailed overview provides you with some great baseball card pack options and advice to start enjoying the hobby! Let me know if any other questions come up.

WHAT BASEBALL CARDS SHOULD YOU GET GRADED

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Grade and centering are very important attributes that can significantly impact a card’s value. Ideally, you’ll want to grade cards that you believe could realistically achieve a grade of Excellent-Mint (EX-MT) or higher. Anything graded below a EX is unlikely to gain much value from the grading process after factoring in costs. Proper centering is also critical, as off-center cards may be docked one or more letter grades. Take a close look at potential cards to grade and only submit those that appear to be sharp and well-centered copies.

For modern cards printed within the last several decades, focus on rookies and star players from the biggest trading card manufacturers – Topps, Upper Deck, etc. Cards of star players from their rookie seasons almost always have strong long-term potential. Examples could include Mickey Mantle and Ted Williams rookie cards from the 1950s, or Tom Brady and LeBron James rookies from the late 1990s/2000s. Autograph and memorabilia cards of current stars also typically carry the highest premiums.

For older vintage cards prior to the 1950s, look at classic T206 tobacco cards, iconic stars, and full sets you may want to grade and preserve long-term. Examples of top individual vintage cards to consider include Honus Wagner T206, Babe Ruth 1914 Baltimore News, 1954 Topps Mickey Mantle, and Joe DiMaggio 1951 Bowman. Full vintage sets in high grade like 1909-11 T206 could gain huge value intact and preserved long-term. Autographs and game-used equipment on vintage cards are also highly desirable.

Current events should also factor in. If a player just won an award, reached a milestone, or generated plenty of positive media coverage – that will increase demand and values of their vintage cards in the short term. Similarly, submitting cards around the start of baseball season in April when interest is peaking can be advantageous.

Always inspect cards very closely under bright lighting for any flaws, imperfections, or issues that could negatively impact the grading. Make sure to carefully read submission guidelines to pick the appropriate grading service, value tier, and turnaround time based on your budget and objectives. You’ll also want to consider encapsulation options like slabs versus holders to protect long-term preservation and resale value.

Researching population reports is another great way to identify strong opportunities. Look at the number of high-grade examples known to currently exist – fewer of a rare card in top condition means greater demand and potential for price appreciation over time. Solid eye appeal and photographic quality are also important attributes grading companies consider.

It’s smart to have at least a basic understanding of the card’s history and any notable sales or auction prices. Knowing estimated values at various grade levels can help determine break-even points and whether investing in grading makes financial sense. Careful planning goes a long way to choosing baseball cards that stand the best chances for long-term gains in value from third-party certification and encapsulation. Let me know if any part of the process requires additional clarification or advice.

WHAT KIND OF BASEBALL CARDS SHOULD I BUY

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There are many different types of baseball cards that you can consider buying. Some of the most common and popular options include:

Modern Cards (within the last 5 years) – Buying relatively new cards of current stars is a good way to start a collection if you are just getting into the hobby. Cards from the last few years of superstar players like Mike Trout, Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger and others are readily available and fairly inexpensive on the marketplace. They provide a solid foundation for your collection and are fun to follow as you watch these players’ careers progress in real-time. Within the past few years, some popular brands that produce baseball cards include Topps, Bowman, Panini and Donruss.

Rookie Cards – One type of modern card to focus on are rookie cards, which are a player’s first official baseball card released by the major card companies like Topps, Bowman, etc. following their call-up to the big leagues. Rookie cards tend to hold extra value because they commemorate a player’s debut. It’s exciting to invest in rookies of emerging young stars who could turn into the next big thing. Some great rookie cards to target from recent years include Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Wander Franco.

Hall of Fame Player Cards – Cards featuring baseball legends who have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown make for prized pieces of any collection. Cards of most pre-1980s HOFers can be quite expensive. Some affordable HOF player options to consider include newer releases like Topps Tribute cards that reprint classic designs. Cards from the late 80s/early 90s of Tim Raines, Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell are also relatively obtainable. Targeting HOFers at different points in their career is a great strategy.

Autographed Cards – For dedicated collectors, adding signed cards to your collection takes it to another level. While very rare rookie autographs of superstars could cost thousands, there are plenty of signed options in the $50-200 range. In particular, searching for signings from national or regional card shows of established but not biggest names provides good bang for your buck. Rookie autographs of future Hall of Famers pre-breakout are also worthwhile speculative investments. Just be sure to verify the authenticity of any signed card.

Numerous/Parallels – In the modern era, card companies create parallel and numbered card sets within the same year’s issue to add scarcity and desirability. Refractors, silk cuts, negatives and other parallels use different surfaces/materials and are pulled much less frequently than the base cards. Numbered cards like /99, /50 or /10 provide an experience similar to collecting serial numbers. These parallels command higher values despite showing the same photo. They allow you to feel like you own rarer versions within sets and are fun to hunt for.

Vintage/Retired Players – Dating back to the earliest years of issued baseball cards in the late 1800s up through the 1980s, vintage cards provide a connection to the history and nostalgia of the game. While very high-end vintage cards of Honus Wagner, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle etc. can sell for hundreds of thousands, focusing on retired stars from the 50s, 60s, 70s within your budget is highly recommendable. Stars of that era like Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson, Johnny Bench have affordably graded vintage options.

Complete Sets – Assembling full sets of particular years, leagues, teams or subsets is a classic type of collecting that bears its own rewards. Seeing the finished product with all the puzzles pieces in order can bring enjoyment. Popular complete target sets include Topps Flagship from the 1980s-present (most affordable decades are 1980s-1990s), Topps Traded sets which differ from the base issues, and specialized sets like Topps Pro Debut which features minor leaguers and prospects. Finding unopened wax packs of the above is an exciting way to randomly build a set too.

Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) & Beckett Graded Cards – In recent decades, card grading services like PSA and Beckett have become widespread in the hobby. They professionally analyse cards, encase them in protective slabs and assign numerical grades between 1-10 based on quality/condition. This adds standardized clarity to value and condition. While grading is a whole other layer of collecting, already-graded cards are perfectly valid to seek out. Targetting mid-range grades between 5-8 keeps costs reasonable while still securing well-preserved pieces for your set.

Rookie Cup/Prospect Cards – Other than true rookie cards, another fun avenue is focusing on minor league/prospect issues from brands like Bowman, Topps, etc. These affordably commemorate young future stars before they debut. Cards from Topps Rookie Cup, Bowman’s Best, Bowman Chrome are good examples. Scouting the top-rated farm systems and minor league standouts to target provides an enjoyable side-hustle within collecting.

Budget Players – Don’t forget about collecting future Hall of Famers, perennial All-Stars and fan favorites who may never have achieved superstardom but still have value in your PC based on your connections to them or what they represented. Targeting stars from the 1990s-2000s within affordable price ranges like Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones, Mariano Rivera and Ichiro Suzuki is highly recommended on any budget. Not every card needs to break the bank.

Player Collections – Another method is to zero in on completing the card collection for one particular player throughout their career across different sets, years and variations. This allows you to really chronicle someone’s achievement in-depth. Popular centered collection targets are Jeter, Trout, Griffey Jr., Ryan and Mantle. It’s extra satisfying to fill out the career story gap-by-gap. Best to start with one affordable legend/career first before branching out further.

Some of the best types of baseball cards for beginners or anyone on any budget to target include modern rookie cards, Hall of Famers from different eras, affordable autographed cards, complete vintage/retired player sets, numbered or parallel insert cards, graded cards, rookie prospects, budget all-stars and developing entire player collections. The key is finding cards that interest you personally based on players, designs, sets, eras or categories while balancing enjoyment with financial practicality as your collection grows. With some research and strategy, there are rewarding baseball card options for collectors of any level.

HOW SHOULD I SORT MY BASEBALL CARDS

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There are many different ways that you can sort your baseball cards, and the best method really depends on your own preferences and how you want to organize and enjoy your collection. Some of the most common card sorting options include sorting by team, player, year, or card issue. You may also want to consider combining methods.

Sorting by team is a straightforward approach that many collectors find appealing. You can organize your cards into team folders or binder sheets divided by franchises. This allows you to easily find players from your favorite clubs and stay organized by baseball’s natural team structure. Some collectors take this a step further by also sorting players alphabetically within each team’s section.

Another popular method is sorting alphabetically by player name. This method ensures every card is easy to locate, but it separates players from their baseball teams which some collectors don’t prefer. You can solve this issue by first sorting your entire collection into team sets, and then alphabetizing the players within each team grouping. This combined approach provides the benefits of both sorting options.

Sorting by year is best if you want to trace individual careers or see how the sport evolved season by season. You can organize your cards into yearly folders or divided binder pages from newest to oldest. Make sure to note the specific season/date on any undated vintage cards. This style works best if your collection spans several eras of baseball history with cards from different decades.

Some collectors also like to sort by card issue, which separates cards by manufacturer within yearly sets. This allows for a very detailed organization tracking not just the years but also brands like Topps, Fleer, etc. It provides the most specific level of categorization at the expense of more dividers/organization compared to grouping simply by year.

You may also consider combining two or more sorting styles that suit your collection preferences. A common hybrid method is to first separate cards into general eras like Pre-1960, 1960-1979, 1980-present and then alphabetize players within each time period subsection. Another option is to break your collection into team sets sorted by year, with players alphabetized under each season-team page. There are endless possibilities to fit your individual interests!

The key things to consider are what information you most want to track in your organization system, how many separate sections or dividers you want to deal with, and ensuring any written notes on pages/folders are clear and comprehensive. Don’t forgot to store your cards safely in sleeves, pages, or toploaders to protect them — organization only works if the collection is well preserved! Over time you may also refine your sorting as your needs change, so be willing to re-organize periodically as your collection expands.

I’d also recommend having a main binder or box to contain your full sorted collection, along with related supplemental binders or boxes. For extras like duplicate common cards, you can make separate “trade” binders to more easily swap with other collectors. Just be sure all binders are clearly labeled so you don’t mix up sections as your organizing evolves. With a well thought-out system and the willingness to adapt sorting styles as needed, you’ll be able to truly maximize both the enjoyment and value of your growing baseball card collection for years to come!

Let me know if any part of these card sorting recommendations needs further explanation or if you have additional questions. A properly organized collection will serve you well as your passion for the hobby expands. With a little time and care spent setting up sections by teams, players, years or issues, your cards will always be right at your fingertips for researching stats, admiring vintage designs, or simply nostalgic reminiscence of summers at the ballpark. I hope these suggestions provide a helpful starting point as you find the ideal approach customized for your unique baseball cards. Enjoy the process of bringing order to your collecting!

WHAT BRAND BASEBALL CARDS SHOULD I BUY

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Topps is arguably the most iconic and popular brand in all of baseball cards. They have held the exclusive license to produce Major League Baseball cards since the mid-20th century. This means any Topps cards from recent years will feature current MLB stars and include valuable rookies. Topps puts out several different sets each year like Series 1, Series 2, Update, etc. They do a great job of design and photography. Topps cards will typically hold their value well long-term given their status as the official MLB licensed product.

Bowman is the second largest baseball card manufacturer and producer of some highly coveted rookie cards. Bowman cards are considered by many collectors to have the best photography and designs. They have exclusivity over MLB rookies and draft prospects. Some enormous stars like Mike Trout had their best and most valuable rookie cards produced in Bowman sets. Bowman puts out an annual Draft Picks & Prospects set solely focused on minor leaguers and amateur players. Their releases carry substantial appeal to investor-grade card collectors.

Fleer was one of the biggest names in the baseball card industry for many decades until losing the MLB license. They are now owned by Upper Deck. Modern Fleer cards feature retired players and hold collector interest for nostalgia purposes. Fleer produced some iconic cards throughout the 1980s and 1990s that are still highly respected among collectors today. Their photography and retro styling can give a fun vintage feel compared to more modern card designs.

Donruss was another huge ’80s and ’90s producer that lost the MLB rights later on but retains collector goodwill. Their retired star and vintage release cards continue to find an audience. Donruss was known for bold and colorful designs that pop visually compared to some cleaner, simpler designs today. Fun insert sets were also a Donruss specialty that introduced hit varieties like ’91 Stadium Club. Their older products hold appeal for vintage collectors seeking era-specific cards.

Leaf is a top independent card company without an MLB license that assembles collections through photographing minor and independent league players. They create a niche offering rookie cards and prospects outside of the Bowman ecosystem. Leaf produces high-quality cards that receive plenty of circulation at hobby shops nationwide. Their draft picks sets preview future MLB talent before reaching the majors. Leaf has developed a solid reputation and following among collector segments seeking alternatives beyond Topps/Bowman.

Panini acquired exclusive NFL and NBA licenses that previously belonged to Upper Deck, but they do not have MLB rights. However, Panini still puts out popular baseball releases through arrangements with retired players and teams/leagues below the Major League level. Their collegiate and international cards have collector demand. While not all Panini releases involve current MLB content, their products are colourful and offer something different compared to the main MLB licensed brands.

There are numerous additional smaller baseball card companies beyond the majors I’ve outlined here. Brands like Stadium Club, Limited, Score, and Pinnacle produced premium cards prior to losing MLB licenses as well. Their older vintage releases remain desirable to collectors. Independent companies like Golden, Triple Crown, and Gintak also cater to niche collectors. The top brands are Topps and Bowman for current MLB stars and prospects, with the others providing retro, niche, or non-MLB alternatives depending on collector preferences. When deciding which cards to purchase or open, focusing on brands with MLB licenses will give products with the longest-term potential for holding value.

Therefore, in summary some of the best baseball card brands for collectors to consider purchasing and collecting include Topps, Bowman, Donruss and Fleer for their iconic MLB license history and strong brand recognition continuing today. Bowman especially offers attractive rookie cards. Leaf opens up prospects beyond Topps/Bowman. And non-MLB licensed companies like Panini and independent brands provide alternative collecting options beyond the official MLB sets. Proper research into the brand history, available checklists and photographic quality should help any collector decide which products to prioritize based on their specific collecting interests in current stars, prospects or vintage players.

WHICH BASEBALL CARDS SHOULD I BUY

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There are many factors to consider when choosing baseball cards to purchase as an investment or collection. The most important cards to focus on are those of star players, especially those who had long and productive careers as well as playoff and championship success. Investing in rookie cards of future Hall of Famers who went on to have incredible careers can provide great returns. It’s impossible to predict the future, so it’s best to focus on players with a proven track record.

Some specific players and sets I would recommend looking into include cards of legendary stars from the 1940s-1980s before the massive expansion of the hobby. Stars like Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and others from that era tend to hold their value very well. Their rookie cards or early career cards that were printed in much lower numbers are quite scarce and desirable among collectors decades later.

For the modern era, rookie cards or early RCs of all-time greats like Ken Griffey Jr, Chipper Jones, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Albert Pujols and others would be wise purchases. Look for high-grade copies of their Topps rookie cards, Bowman Chrome rookie refractor parallels, or limited edition special release cards from that time in pristine condition.

Another option is to focus on stars from championship teams who captured World Series titles, MVP awards or had epic postseason performances. Cards of players like Babe Ruth from the 1920s Yankees dynasty, Joe DiMaggio, players from the 1950s Yankees like Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford, members of the 1970s-90s Oakland A’s dynasty like Reggie Jackson and Rollie Fingers, stars from the 1990s-2000s Yankees three peat teams like Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte hold cache.

Similarly, cards featuring iconic individual playoff moments in history could retain value nicely as those authenticated pieces of history. Examples might include cards featuring Kirk Gibson’s 1988 World Series walk-off home run, Joe Carter’s 1993 World Series game winner or cards highlighting David Freese’s 2011 World Series MVP performance.

For the truly high-end, rare vintage cards in pristine grades of the all-time greatest players could yield enormous returns. Realistically though, most collectors will have to settle for high-grade modern rookie cards or authenticated memorabilia cards of current stars. But with patience and a keen eye, even modest investments can grow substantially over time.

Some specific sets, years and paraphernalia to consider targeting include:

1952 Topps – High-grade examples of Mickey Mantle’s amazing rookie season. Very limited print run makes PSA/BGS 9+ copies extremely scarce.

1957 Topps – Willie Mays’ impressive career was already underway but high-grade examples command big money.

1968 Topps – Probably the most iconic set of the 1960s and early trading card boom era before mass production. High-grade Hall of Famers are pricey.

1974 Topps – First cards featuring color photographs instead of illustrations. Marked transition to modern design that collectors love.

1979 Topps Traded – Extremely early Derek Jeter rookie still widely sought after today.

1987 Topps – Tall boys featuring the rookie cards of Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux and David Justice from Atlanta’s future dynasty years.

1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie – Highly recognized as one of the most iconic and valuable modern rookie cards. Early serial numbered parallels very scarce.

1992 Bowman Derek Jeter rookie – Much lower printed run than Topps makes high-grade copies rare and pricey.

2001 Topps Albert Pujols rookie – One of the last affordable rookie cards of such an all-time great slugger before prices skyrocketed.

2007 Bowman Chrome Draft Kris Bryant – Available right as his career began taking off leading to huge returns for early buyers.

Certified autograph cards from the 1960s of all-time legends like Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams etc in impeccable condition could set back investors six figures or more due to extreme rarity.

Signed game-worn jerseys, bats, balls or other memorabilia pieces authenticated with legitimate provenance pertaining to all-time great postseason performances could earn handsome returns as display pieces.

While sports cards should always be seen as somewhat speculative long-term investments prone to boom/bust cycles, focusing on star players of the past and present from proven championship winning franchises offers the best chances for growth over the years. Diversifying an overall portfolio among several decades, sets, rookies and stars helps mitigate risk. And obtaining high-quality, well-centering grading when possible further serves to maximize future values for serious collectors. Starting small and dollar-cost averaging into positions gradually over time is also a smart approach for building positions in top cards before their prices potentially escalate much higher in the coming decades. With patience, research and discipline, a baseball card collection can offer significant portfolio returns alongside enjoyment for any true fan of America’s pastime.

When investing in baseball cards, the smartest approach is focusing on the all-time greatest players, especially their early career and rookie cards from before the modern era. Established stars from championship teams whose successes became a permanent part of baseball history and lore provide the best chances at long-term appreciation. Combining premium condition, desirable parallels and autograph/memorabilia elements can maximize future values when buying iconic cards as financial investments. With due diligence selecting proven performers amidst ever-changing markets, a baseball card collection assembled intelligently over the years can reward collectors for decades to come.

WHAT BASEBALL CARDS SHOULD I INVEST IN

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There are several factors to consider when deciding which baseball cards to invest in. One of the most important things to evaluate is the track record and career of the player whose card you want to buy. Investing in stars who had long, successful careers and put up big numbers tends to be a safer long-term investment compared to players who had only a few great seasons. All things equal, cards of players with Hall of Fame caliber careers like Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Nolan Ryan, etc. will generally hold their value better over decades compared to flashy yet relatively short-lived talents.

It’s also important to focus on cards of players from earlier baseball eras, pre-1990s typically. Cards from the late 80s and early 90s up until today’s players have much higher print runs due to advances in printing technology. This means they are more plentiful on the secondary market long-term, making impressive price growth more difficult compared to rare vintage cards from the 1950s and prior. Very low-numbered and rare pre-war T206 cards, early 1900s Tobacco cards, and 1950s+rookie cards of all-time greats that were printed in far fewer quantities offer huge investment upside due to their scarcity.

Within modern player cards to target, you’ll want to focus on the biggest stars who played within the last 20-30 years that collectors truly love and will pay top dollar for decades from now. Players like Ken Griffey Jr, Chipper Jones, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Alex Rodriguez, Mike Piazza and Pedro Martinez come to mind here. While risks are greater with active vs retired players, cards of current dominant superstars like Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw, and Ronald Acuna Jr. could prove to be excellent long-term investments as they build their careers.

Rookie cards in particular have excellent investment potential across eras. While the most famous and expensive rookies currently are those of Michael Jordan due to higher collecting crossover, premier rookie cards from the MLB that are in top condition offer big returns as well. Examples include Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Roger Maris, Tom Seaver, Cal Ripken Jr., and those mentioned above. Early 1950s-70s rookie cards offer the highest upside while 90s+rookies may have lower returns given larger print runs.

Beyond individual players and their most iconic rookie cards, there are also certain historic sets from earlier eras that long-term investors would be wise to accumulate. Complete examples in high mint condition of the 1952 Topps, 1956 Topps, 1969 Topps, and 1976 SSPC/Traded/Record Breakers/Super sets will hold value best as they become increasingly rare. Pick the stars within and you have all-star collections that will likely appreciate substantially in the years ahead.

Condition is absolutely critical to consider as well. Only cards in top grades like Mint/Near Mint 9-10 should be targeted, as poorly-kept lower grade examples may not fetch much over face value decades later as supplies increase. Always inspect cards closely yourself or have an expert review first before investing significant money. Authenticity is another factor – only purchase from established dealers with guarantees to avoid fake cards, a growing problem in the lucrative vintage market.

Diversifying between star players across eras, sought-after rookie cards, and complete vintage sets spread out investment risk versus concentrating on just one or two assets. Patience is key as well – cards bought and held for 20+ years provide the greatest chances for impressive price gains due to long-term shortages. While short-term flipping can lead to profits, steady additions of top-condition collectibles when prices are reasonable tend to produce the best results over the long run for savvy baseball memorabilia investors.