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MIKE TROUT ALL STAR BASEBALL CARDS

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Mike Trout has established himself as one of the greatest players in Major League Baseball over the past decade. While still very early in his career, Trout has already accumulated a lengthy resume packed with accolades that includes three MVP awards, seven All-Star selections, and an Rookie of the Year honor. Unsurprisingly, Trout’s dominance on the field has translated to immense popularity in the sports collecting world, especially when it comes to his baseball cards.

As one of the faces of MLB, Trout’s rookie cards in particular have drawn massive interest from investors and enthusiasts alike. His 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Superfractor autograph card PSA 10 is arguably the most coveted modern baseball card in existence, with unconfirmed reports of examples selling for well over $400,000. Even base rookie cards in high grades still command prices upwards of $10,000. It’s easy to see why these early cards hold such value, as they capture Trout at the very beginning of his storied career and before he became a household name.

While his rookie cards understandably get most of the attention, Trout’s collection of prestigious on-card autographed All-Star cards are also highly sought after items within the hobby. Starting with his 2012 Bowman Sterling All-Star Collection autograph, each of the subsequent years that Trout participated in the Midsummer Classic have been documented with intricate autograph cards from premium trading card companies. These include releases like Topps, Bowman, Panini NFL, and more. What makes the autograph All-Star cards especially attractive is that they provide a visual verification of Trout’s accomplishments for each season in an aesthetically-pleasing on-card autograph format.

Trout’s 2012 Bowman Sterling All-Star Collection autograph has maintained strong collector demand due to it being his first official All-Star acknowledgment card. Examples regularly sell in the $300-$400 range for PSA 10 examples. His 2013 Topps All-Star Rookies autograph from that season’s game at Citi Field in New York holds similar value. It’s Trout’s 2014 Topps All-Star Game autograph card (#ASG-MT) that has emerged as the most highly-coveted of his signed All-Star cards. With its stunning rainbow foil design, parallel versions have climbed to the $1000+ price point for top grades. Trout’s autographed performance during the 2014 Midsummer Classic was also one of the best of his storied All-Star career.

Other notable signed All-Star cards in Trout’s collection include his 2015 Topps All-Star Game gold foil parallel autograph (/50), 2015 Topps Chrome All-Star Game Refractors autograph, and 2016 Topps Allen & Ginter World’s Best autograph (/99). As Trout’s star continued rising with more MVP awards during this span, the prices for these signed parallels grew substantially compared to his early All-Star cards. One can only speculate how high the prices may climb for Trout’s certified autographed cards from his record-setting 2016 All-Star effort in San Diego, where he took home MVP honors after an incredible 8-RBI performance.

Signed rookie cards and early career All-Star autographs aside, Trout’s flagship annual issue base cards have also developed into must-owns for any serious collector. His staggering consistency makes even his common base cards highly relevant several years after their initial release. Trout routinely sells out of huge production runs, with parallels and autographed variations becoming exceedingly rare and costly over time. For example, Trout’s 2014 Topps Update base card in a PSA 10 now sells in the $80-100 range according to recent eBay sales, showing unusual staying power for a non-hit from just a few years prior.

Mike Trout’s reign over the baseball card collecting world is a byproduct of his incredible on-field accomplishments thus far as one of the leaders of MLB’s new generation. With many more prime years still ahead, Trout’s cards should maintain their stratospheric values and perhaps climb even higher as he potentially establishes himself as the best player of all-time. Not only does Trout deliver year after year with jaw-dropping statistics worthy of MVP consideration, but he also provides fans with countless electrifying playoff and All-Star moments that continue immortalizing his legacy one spectacular card at a time. As long as Trout keeps raising the bar as a ballplayer, his diverse array of autographed rookie cards, flagship issues, and prestigious signed All-Star selections will remain anchoring points for any collection.

1990 FLEER ALL STAR BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1990 Fleer baseball card set was unique for both its design elements and the talent featured on its All Star selection of cards. Coming off a decade where collectors were enthralled by the flashy and colorful offerings from Donruss and Score, Fleer decided to take a simpler approach for the new season. While the base cards may have lacked pizazz, the All Star picks more than made up for it with some of the biggest names and rising young stars in the game at the time.

Fleer had been producing baseball cards since 1956 but it wasn’t until the late 1980s that the company began to compete more directly with industry leaders Topps and Donruss. In 1989, Fleer made headway by utilizing innovative technologies like holograms and fluorescent ink on certain inserts. For 1990 though, they opted to let the players shine through with straightforward photography rather than flashy graphics. Each base card featured a solid white border surrounding a color action shot of the player in uniform against a plain gray or tan background. Text was kept to a minimum with just the team name/logo and some career stats along the bottom.

While simple compared to sets from competitors, the clean minimalist design highlighted the athletes. It also allowed collectors to focus more on the talents and not be distracted by visual gimmicks. From both an artistic and financial standpoint, the stripped-back approach proved successful as the 1990 Fleer set became one of the most popular of the decade despite lacking razzmatazz. It helped further cement Fleer as a serious contender worth investing in long-term for the growing collector base.

Naturally, one of the highlights for any mainstream baseball card release are the special All Star selections. For 1990, Fleer picked 31 All Stars to feature including 14 starting position players and 9 starting pitchers from the 1989 Midsummer Classic at Anaheim Stadium. Many of the selections were no-brainers, headlined by the likes of Kirby Puckett, Rickey Henderson, Wade Boggs, and Nolan Ryan. A few wildcards were also included who were either coming into their own or making a big splash at the time.

Perhaps the biggest surprise on the list (but certainly not as an All Star that year) was 24-year old Ken Griffey Jr. of the Seattle Mariners. Still early in his epic career, “The Kid” was already dazzling fans with jaw-dropping plays in center field and a sweet left-handed swing. He was named an All Star reserve but his dominant potential was obvious. His 1990 Fleer card alongside the game’s established stars showed he was poised for superstardom. Now one of the most iconic athletes ever, any Griffey Jr. rookie or early career issue is a must-have for collectors.

Another young talent highlighted was 25-year old Ruben Sierra of the Texas Rangers. As a rookie in 1989, Sierra smashed 20 home runs in just 370 at-bats and made his first All Star team. Deservedly so, his 1990 Fleer All Star pick proved prescient as he’d go on to have a solid 16-year career. Then there was 27-year old Bobby Thigpen, who shattered the major league record for saves in 1990 with 57 as the Chicago White Sox closer. With his funky delivery and overpowering fastball, he was must-see TV during saves and his card captured him at the peak of his dominance.

On the National League side, 26-year old Barry Bonds was selected fresh off winning his first NL MVP award. His immense potential and 5-tool ability was evident and he would go on to smash the career home run record. Elsewhere, 22-year old Dwight Gooden made the list following a dominant season where he won 17 games and struck out 268 batters for the Mets. “Doc” was already a superstar but injuries would impact his career trajectory in the coming years. Regardless, any vintage Gooden issue remains a highly coveted piece for 80s/90s collecting.

Also of note were the returning veterans still performing at an elite level like 42-year old Nolan Ryan, who was thrown hard as ever for the Rangers posting a flame-throwing 14 wins and 225 strikeouts. Meanwhile, surefire Hall of Famers like Rickey Henderson, Wade Boggs, and Kirby Puckett maintained their offensive dominance in 1989. For Puckett specifically, it was a banner season hitting .332 with 31 HRs and 112 RBIs en route to his first MVP award. His 1990 Fleer card cemented his status as not just the best player on a juggernaut Twins team, but one of the premier talents in baseball at the time.

When examining the full 1990 Fleer All Star baseball card checklist, it’s clear the selection committee recognized both established contributors and ascending young core players who shaped the sport for much of the 90s decade. Seeing the marquee names alongside up-and-comers proved prescient for how the next few seasons would unfold. While the base issue lacked frills, the star power featured on these special All Star picks more than delivered. They remain a prized collecting commodity to this day for those seeking iconic stars and underrated gems from the late 80s/early 90s golden era of the game.

In the end, Fleer let the talented subjects shine through on simple but effective 1990 design. It highlighted the players over production values at a time baseball card popularity was booming. The All Star selections proved especially prescient for the careers to come. Whether completed base set or prized individual issues, the 1990 Fleer offering deserves a place in any vintage collector’s storage. They offer a memorable snapshot capturing iconic players and rising talents who thrilled fans for seasons to come.

STAR COMPANY BASEBALL CARDS

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The idea of baseball cards featuring star employees of major companies seems like a fun promotional concept, but could it actually work in practice? In this article, I’ll explore the viability and logistics of implementing a “star company baseball cards” program.

First, some key details about the proposed concept. Each baseball card would feature an employee who demonstrates exceptional performance, leadership qualities, innovative thinking, client satisfaction scores, community involvement, or other attributes that represent the company’s values and culture. Only a select number of “all-stars” would be chosen each year to avoid watering down the prestige.

Cards would include things like the employee’s name, title, years of service, accomplishments, and maybe a short profile. Photographs would showcase the employee at work or engaged in activities representing the company brand. On the back could be career stats like awards, quantitative metrics of their contributions, or testimonials from colleagues and clients.

While modeled after traditional baseball cards, company cards wouldn’t involve any sports or betting elements. The intent would be recognition and raising the profile of top performers, not gamification. Done tastefully, it could acknowledge excellence, build morale, and humanize a brand at the same time.

But how practical is the idea? Here are a few considerations:

Cost would be a major factor. Designing, printing, and distributing quality cards across a large workforce wouldn’t come cheaply. Even at basic production levels, hundreds or thousands of dollars could be spent annually depending on company size. Ongoing financial commitment would be required to sustain the program.

Logistically, choosing award winners could prove difficult. Objective metrics don’t exist for many roles, so subjective choices might undermine credibility or spark favoritism claims. Developing transparent nomination and selection processes would require careful planning and oversight.

Privacy regulations could complicate publicizing personal details and photographs of employees without consent. Obtaining meaningful approvals across global workforces adds bureaucratic hurdles. Legal vetting would need to ensure compliance with varying employment laws.

Storing, displaying, and properly retiring old cards as employees come and go would necessitate dedicated staff administration. Physical or digital inventories require ongoing management, archiving, and updates each cycle. Electronic solutions could reduce some overhead but not eliminate it.

Not all employees may welcome the recognition or attention. Introverted personalities in particular may find the honor uncomfortable despite deserving it. The more public and widespread distribution is, the greater reluctance there may be from some stars.

Companies tend to utilize existing digital platforms already in place for staff engagement and acknowledgment. Pushing offline printed paraphernalia competes for limited communication/promotion budgets and shelf space against other proven initiatives. Incremental benefit must outweigh added costs.

Most concerning of all is that baseball cards culturally convey a sense of frivolity or childhood nostalgia at odds with professional business environments. Critics could argue they reduce hard work down to superficial game pieces or undermine workplace seriousness. Defenders counter recognition should be both meaningful and memorable.

So while star company baseball cards offer potential upside for humanizing brands, connecting with customers, and boosting employee enthusiasm – obstacles around practical execution are substantial. Costs, legalities, logistics, and perception issues present real challenges. Simpler digital or certificate recognitions may better suit corporate cultures for now. If interest persists though, creative workarounds or scaled down pilots could test feasibility.

Baseball cards starring star employees is an intriguing employee engagement notion with branding applications. But numerous considerations around finances, operations, privacy, and professionalism make widespread physical implementation doubtful in the immediate future. With refinement, the concept deserves some exploration – but recognition programs are better served focusing first on digital platforms already established within most firms. The upsides of baseball cards may not outweigh present downsides for widespread corporate use just yet.

SCORE ALL STAR BASEBALL CARDS

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Score was a trading card company that produced baseball cards from 1986 to 1993. Their core set was called Score All-Star baseball and they produced high quality cards during the height of the baseball card boom in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Let’s take a deeper look at the history and traits of Score All-Star baseball cards.

Score was founded in 1986 by Louis Manna and was headquartered in New Rochelle, New York. Their first baseball card set that year was called “Score ’86” and it had 396 total cards. It was their 1987 set branded as “Score All-Star baseball” that really put them on the map and launched their successful run producing baseball cards through the early 90s.

The 1987 Score All-Star set had 528 total cards and featured a clean and classic design that collectors loved. The photography was sharp and high quality. Each card had a white border surrounding the image with the team name and player info below in text. Above the image was the “Score” logo printed in classic baseball script font. The cards had terrific gloss and were quite thick, giving them a very premium feel in the hand compared to some other brands at the time.

In terms of player content, the ’87 Score set was the first to include all active major leaguers at the time of production. This made for a very complete rookie class as well as inclusion of lesser known depth players that added to the authentic baseball experience for collectors. Score also featured short bios of players on the rear of some cards that provided interesting facts and stats to learn more about them. The set had a fairly normal statistical distribution with the usual rookie and star player short prints scattered throughout boxes.

The success of the 1987 Score All-Star cards led the company to produce the set again with minor tweaks and enhancements in 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991. Some notable improvements over the years included better photography with some action shots added, additional stats and career highlights featured on the back, and bigger rookie classes as new players entered the majors each season. One downside was that starting in 1989, Score increased the printed run of each consecutive year, decreasing scarcity.

From 1992-1993, Score made some poor business decisions that ultimately led to their demise. They printed extremely high numbers in 1992 which flooded the market. They also created confusing variations and inserted autograph and logo patch cards in ways that angered collectors. Perhaps most damaging was the introduction of “Score Traded” in 1993 which copied the design of the base set but included traded players in their new team’s uniforms, contradicting the stated release timeline of the original base cards. These factors eroded collector confidence in the brand.

In terms of the actual physical cards themselves, Score All-Stars from the late 80s golden era are known for their exceptional quality control. The centering, cuts and composition of the cardboard stock were meticulously maintained by Score. This is evidenced by the extremely high percentages of these cards that still grade professionally as Mint condition today, a testament to how well they were produced and have held up over 30+ years. The luxurious gloss also helped keep the images sharp.

When it comes to the value of Score All-Star baseball cards in the current vintage market, there is a lot of variability depending on specific years, players and production factors:

1987 Score All-Star cards have held their value very well and grades examples of stars from that pioneering set can sell for hundreds of dollars. Top rookies like Mark McGwire are particularly desirable.

1988-1991 Score All-Stars also remain quite collectible and grades stars and key rookies can be worth $50-100+. Solid condition common cards can often sell in the $5-10 range.

The overproduction issues of 1992 caused a market crash where once $20+ cards lost most value. Grades examples of stars have rebounded some to $10-20 today.

1993 Score Traded variants are quite unpopular with collectors and have not increased in value like other year’s sets. Base set cards hold little value as well.

In conclusion, Score All-Star baseball cards from the late 80s established the brand as a premier producer known for top quality photography, design and construction. While earlier sets from 1986-1991 are most coveted, properly graded examples from the height of their run continue to be appreciated by vintage collectors. The dominance ofScore in those boom years truly cemented them as all-star performers in the baseball card industry.

1992 KELLOGG’s CORN FLAKES ALL STAR BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1992 Kellogg’s Corn Flakes All Star Baseball card insert set was included in boxes of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes cereal from February to July of that year. Like many baseball card promotions of the time, Kellogg’s included these premium cards to drive cereal sales. The 1992 set featured 20 baseball all stars from the American and National Leagues. Each card depicted a different player along with stats and career highlights on the back. Though not particularly valuable today as a complete set, the 1992 Kellogg’s cards provide a glimpse into the great players of that era and serve as a nostalgic reminder of childhood baseball card collecting experiences for many.

The 1992 season was a pivotal year in Major League Baseball. It was the first year both leagues would field an equal number of teams and divisions after the addition of the Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins as expansion franchises. It was also a year that saw star players like Barry Bonds, Cal Ripken Jr., Kirby Puckett, and Dennis Eckersley at or nearing the peaks of their impressive careers. Not surprisingly, many of these superstars made the cut for inclusion in the 1992 Kellogg’s set. Rookies like Jeff Bagwell also earned a spot after impressive debut seasons. In total, the set featured 11 National Leaguers and 9 American Leaguers in the prime of their careers.

Some of the bigger star names that Kellogg’s selected for the 1992 set included Barry Bonds of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Ken Griffey Jr. of the Seattle Mariners, Dennis Eckersley of the Oakland A’s, Cal Ripken Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles, Kirby Puckett of the Minnesota Twins, and Ryne Sandberg of the Chicago Cubs, all legitimate superstars at that point in the early 90s. Lesser known at the time but still young standouts chosen included Jeff Bagwell of the Houston Astros in just his rookie season, as well future Hall of Famers like Tom Glavine of the Atlanta Braves. Veteran presences included Dave Stewart of the A’s, Jack Morris of the Toronto Blue Jays, and Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres.

Design-wise, the 1992 Kellogg’s All Star cards were fairly straightforward. Each featured a headshot photo of the player on a solid blue background with their name across the top in white block letters. Team logos and the Kellogg’s name were prominently displayed on the front as well. Statistics like career batting average, home runs, RBIs and earned run average depending on the position were listed on the back along with a short blurb highlighting some of the player’s career achievements up to that point. The cards utilized a standard 3.5″ x 2.5″ size common for many baseball sets of the early 90s. Production values were good overall though not quite on par with the premium flagship sets from companies like Topps, Fleer or Upper Deck.

While not considered especially rare or valuable individually in the collector world now, the 1992 Kellogg’s All Star baseball cards still hold nostalgic significance for those who remember pulling them from cereal boxes as kids in the early 90s. For baseball card investors as well, the complete 20-card insert set in high grade can still fetch $30-50 on the secondary market depending on condition, showing there is still some demand. Beyond monetary value, the cards serve as a reminder of that specific year in baseball when superstars like Barry Bonds, Cal Ripken Jr. and others were performing at the peak of their Hall of Fame careers. For those who grew up collecting in the early 90s, flipping through the 1992 Kellogg’s All Stars is a nice walk down memory lane.

While cereal and baseball card promotions were common then, Kellogg’s has generally stayed out of the official licensed baseball card business in the decades since. Some other memorable Kellogg’s sports card inserts from the 90s included 1992 World Series Heroes, 1994 MLB All Century team cards, and 1997 All-Star ballot cards. But none reached the scale and player selection quality of the 1992 MLB All Stars issue. For both casual baseball fans and dedicated card collectors of a certain age, the Kellogg’s Corn Flakes All Star Baseball cards from 1992 hold a special place, representing the great players and a peak era of the national pastime. Though the cards themselves may not retain huge monetary value, they still evoke fond memories of childhood summers enjoying cereal and baseball card collecting decades later.

1989 STAR BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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The 1989 baseball card season featured some of the biggest stars and young up-and-comers of the late 80s era. While the junk wax era had started to diminish card values overall, there were still some highly sought after rookie cards and stars of the day that hold value even today. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the top cards from 1989 and what they may be worth in today’s market.

One of the most coveted and valuable cards from 1989 is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey was already showing superstar potential in his rookie season with the Seattle Mariners in 1989. His sweet left-handed swing and ample five-tool talents had scouts and fans eagerly anticipating a Hall of Fame career. This anticipation translated to huge demand for his rookie card. In pristine mint condition, Griffey’s Upper Deck rookie card can fetch over $10,000 today. Even well-centered, nicely centered copies in excellent condition bring $1,000-$2,000. The card captured Griffey at the beginning of what became one of the great careers in baseball history.

Another star who had a monster rookie season in 1989 was Gregg Jefferies of the St. Louis Cardinals. Jefferies hit .321 with 17 home runs and 82 RBI that year to finish third in Rookie of the Year voting behind Griffey and alDonruss Darryl Strawberry. While Jefferies career ultimately fizzled due to injuries and attitude problems, his rookie potential made his 1989 Donruss and Score cards very desirable at the time. In near mint to mint condition, the Jefferies rookie fetches $150-300 today.

Speaking of Donruss, their flagship set in 1989 included rookie cards of future all-stars like Sandy Alomar Jr., Tom Glavine, and Moises Alou. All were relatively affordable even in top grades, with Alomar around $50-100, Glavine $30-60, and Alou $15-30 for mint copies. The Chicago Cubs had a bevy of young stars emerge in 1989 as well, and Shawon Dunston’s performance led to solid prices for his ’89 Donruss and Score cards in the $15-30 range.

Star power was well-represented in 1989, headlined by the likes of sluggers Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, and Nolan Ryan. Canseco was coming off back-to-back 40+ home run seasons and his ’89 rookie streak parallel fetched up to $300 in pristine condition. Big Mac hit a career-high 32 home runs in 1989 and his Donruss card brought $60-100. And ageless wonder Nolan Ryan in an Angels uniform could pull $10-20 for a well-centered ’89 Fleer.

Rickey Henderson had arguably the best season of his Hall of Fame career in 1989. Playing for the Oakland A’s, Henderson batted .276 with 33 home runs, 93 RBI, and 116 stolen bases. That elite stolen base total is still tied for the single season record. Henderson’s high action photo and statline made his ’89 Topps, Donruss and Score cards very popular, with mint Topps examples bringing as much as $75-150 today.

Baseball card values also tend to get a boost when historic events are captured. Such was the case for Davey Johnson’s 1989 Upper Deck card, which features a photo from him managing the Mets in the ’88 NLCS against the Dodgers. That playoff series win was the Mets first since the days of Seaver and Koosman, so Johnson’s managerial accomplishment elevated the card. Graded mint copies have sold for $50-100.

Rookie fever also extended to pitching prospects in ’89. The Toronto Blue Jays had a touted hurler make his debut that year in Dave Stieb, and his Donruss RC has maintained decent $10-20 value. Tom Glavine took home NL Rookie of the Year honors and starting for the Atlanta Braves as a 23-year old. Near mint or better copies of his rookie cards from that season can still fetch $50-100 in today’s market.

Upper Deck stood out as the premier brand of the late 80s and some of their star shots from 1989 still hold great nostalgic appeal. Nolan Ryan’s intense windup and can’t-miss rookie Griffey Jr. remained two of the brand’s most iconic images from that year, still worth $20-40 and $75-150 respectively in top condition. The classic design, sharp photography and player selection ensured Upper Deck cards retained strong collectability decades later.

While 1989 was deep in the junk wax era, there were still several star rookie cards, notable personal accomplishments, and iconic photos that helped insulate certain cards from the downward value pressure of the time. Pristine copies of the Griffey Jr., McGwire, Henderson, Glavine and Canseco rookies as well as stars like Ryan remain worthwhile investments today for collectors of 80s and 90s baseball memorabilia. The star power, historic moments and visual aesthetics of the best ’89s make them stand out over 30 years later.

1989 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS ALL STAR

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The 1989 Topps baseball card set is regarded as one of the most iconic and collectible issues ever produced by the longtime baseball card manufacturer. In addition to featuring stellar rookie cards of future Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr. and Greg Maddux, the 1989 Topps set also included a 12-card All-Star subset highlighting some of the biggest stars from that season.

Released the year after the infamous baseball strike that canceled the 1994 World Series, the 1989 season saw baseball fans return to the ballparks in droves now that the sport was back in full swing. With talented future stars like Griffey and Maddux starting to make their mark on the league alongside established veterans, it was an exciting time for the game. The 1989 Topps All-Star subset reflected this new wave of talent coming up alongside the veteran stars who had long anchored their respective franchises.

The subset featured three cards for both the American League and National League, with each card showcasing a specific player from the 1988 All-Star teams at each position – starting pitcher, catcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder. This positional breakdown allowed Topps to capture nearly everyAll-Star at each slot from the midsummer classic the previous season.

Leading off the AL portion of the subset is Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros, representing starting pitchers. At 41 years old in 1988, Ryan was still in the midst of his remarkable late-career dominance on the mound. His card featured a classic photo of the fireballer mid-windup, winging another blazing fastball toward the plate. Catchers were represented by the Boston Red Sox’s Tony Pena, a slick fielder and steady contributor both behind and at the plate.

Don Mattingly of the New York Yankees headlined first basemen with his smooth left-handed swing. Second base belonged to Oakland A’s speedster Willie Randolph. Red Sox third baseman Wade Boggs, known more for his elite hit tool than anything else, held down the hot corner. Shortstops were portrayed by Alan Trammell, the dependable cog in the Detroit Tigers lineup. Boston left fielder Mike Greenwell, coming off a breakout season, earned the nod for his position.

Center fielders in the AL got no bigger than Rickey Henderson, the electric leadoff man and perennial stolen base champion of the Oakland A’s. And finishing out the AL portion of the ’89 Topps All-Star subset was Kansas City Royals right fielder Kevin Seitzer, a supremely talented but oft-overlooked player in the late 80s.

Switching over to the National League portion of the All-Star subset, starting pitchers were represented by the Mets’ Dwight Gooden. At just 23 years old in 1988, “Doc” was already a two-time Cy Young Award winner and one of the most electric hurlers in baseball. Catching for the NL was the Cincinnati Reds’ Bo Diaz, a solid receiver who would also chip in some timely hitting.

At first base was the Philadelphia Phillies’ Mike Schmidt, wrapping up an illustrious Hall of Fame career. Chicago Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg, fresh off an MVP season, held down the top of the NL order. Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Bobby Bonilla, an underrated power hitter, earned his place amongst the All-Stars. Ozzie Smith, the wizardly shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals, was a lock for his position.

In left field was the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Barry Bonds, already displaying the elite talent and hyper focus that would make him the greatest to ever play. Darryl Strawberry, the mammoth slugger for the New York Mets, proudly represented center fielders. And finally rounding out the NL portion of the subset was San Diego Padres right fielder Tony Gwynn, on his way to a record-setting batting title that would be the first of many for the surefire Hall of Famer.

With this comprehensive breakdown of every position represented amongst the 1988 midsummer classic rosters, Topps succeeded in capturing a who’s who of baseball during that late 80s season. Even over 30 years later, it remains one of the most iconic and well-curated All-Star subsets ever featured in the hallowed cardboard. Alongside the star rookie cards, it cemented the 1989 Topps issue as one of the most significant and valuable releases from the entire vintage era of the baseball card boom.

ALL STAR BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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The Value of All Star Baseball Cards

Collecting baseball cards is a hobby enjoyed by many, especially those who have a passion for America’s favorite pastime. While common cards can be worth just a few cents, some rare and coveted all star cards can sell for thousands, or even tens of thousands of dollars. The value of any given baseball card is determined by several key factors, including the player featured, the year and condition of the card, and of course supply and demand in the collecting marketplace. Let’s take a deeper look at what drives the value of some of the most prized all star baseball cards out there.

One of the most valuable baseball cards ever sold is the iconic 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card. In pristine mint condition, this historic first Mantle card can fetch over $2 million at auction. What makes it so valuable? For starters, Mantle is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, winning three MVP awards and playing on seven World Series championship teams for the New York Yankees. As his rookie card, the 1952 Topps issue was the first trading card to feature the budding superstar. Mint condition examples are extremely rare, with experts estimating only a few dozen truly pristine copies still exist today out of the roughly 500,000 originally printed. The combination of Mickey Mantle’s legendary status and the sheer rarity of finding this 68 year old card in flawless condition accounts for its astronomical price tag.

Another highly valuable all star rookie card is the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner. Like the ’52 Mantle, it features one of the earliest baseball legends in Honus Wagner, a star shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates who was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in its first year. What really drives the Wagner’s value is the small print run and unusual circumstances around its production. It’s believed that Wagner asked the American Tobacco Company to halt production of his card, as he disapproved of promoting tobacco. As a result, it’s estimated fewer than 60 graded examples exist today in all conditions combined. In January 2021, a PSA MINT 9 copy sold at auction for a record $6.6 million, making it the most valuable baseball card ever. With such a minuscule population and its association with one of the first true superstars, the T206 Wagner will likely continue appreciating rapidly for serious collectors.

In addition to the all-time greats’ rookie cards, other memorable baseball accomplishments can make certain vintage cards incredibly valuable as well. A prime example is the 1975 Topps Nolan Ryan No-Hitter card, which features a photo of Ryan pitching his first no-hitter on May 15, 1973 for the California Angels. What makes this particular card stand out is the limited print run – it was only produced for a few months in 1975 before Topps lost the rights to Nolan Ryan’s likeness. As a result, experts believe fewer than 100 copies are known to exist today. In gem mint condition, it has sold at auction for over $30,000, with its price influenced greatly by the rarity stemming from the short production window.

More modern star players can also have valuable all star cards, though usually not on the level of the true vintage greats discussed above. For example, a mint condition 1992 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card recently sold at auction for $109,200. Griffey was one of the most talented and popular players of the 1990s-2000s, winning back-to-back MVP awards in 1997-98. His rookie card was also from the highly coveted inaugural Upper Deck set that helped skyrocket the modern baseball card market. While not as rare as the pre-war tobacco cards, Griffey Jr. rookies in pristine condition are still quite scarce. Other modern star rookie cards like the 1987 Topps Barry Bonds ($25,000), 1989 Bowman Chipper Jones ($15,000), and 2003 Topps Adrian Gonzalez ($10,000) also command significant prices.

Of course, beyond individual player cards, there are also certain rare sets, variants, and error cards that increase value tremendously due to limited production runs or unique characteristics. The 1914 Cracker Jack set is a perfect example, as it was the first baseball card insert included in Cracker Jack boxes and marked the beginning of the modern era of trading cards. Only around 50 of the 109 card strip have been discovered, with individual cards selling for upwards of $50,000 when in high grade. The 1933 Goudey Sport Kings Billy Jurges error card, featuring an upside down photo and misspelled first name, has sold for over $90,000 as a true one-of-a-kind oddity.

While many common baseball cards may have little monetary worth, the rarest examples featuring all-time great players from the earliest decades of the game as well as short print modern rookie cards can be exceptionally valuable for serious collectors. Condition, population reports, and the historical significance of the player or set dictate value more than any other factors. With prices continuing to climb annually for the most coveted vintage pieces, it’s clear that the highest end all star baseball cards will remain a smart investment for those with a passion for the hobby.

1989 STAR MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL CARDS SERIES 2

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The 1989 Star minor league baseball card series 2 brought fans 300 new prospects to get excited about from across America’s lower levels of professional baseball. While series 1 in 1988 had introduced fans to future MLB stars like Curt Schilling and Kenny Lofton in their rookie minor league seasons, series 2 upped the ante by featuring players from even more affiliate teams in more leagues.

Top prospects highlighted included a young Manny Ramirez playing for the Pittsfield Mets of the New York-Pennsylvania League and future 300-game winner Bartolo Colon pitching for the West Haven Whitecaps of the Eastern League. But deeper in the sets countless other future MLB contributors and memorable minor leaguers had their rookie card debuts as well.

For collectors at the time, the 1989 Star minor league baseball card series 2 offered the thrill of identifying breakout players early. While baseball card producers mainly focused on the majors then, Star carved out an important niche capturing the next wave of talent in its infancy. Their brightly colored cardboard portraits provided an affordable connection to the developmental ranks of America’s pastime.

As with series 1, the 1989 Star minor league issues came in wax paper packs of five cards with no gum. A total of 12 different sets made up series 2, each focused on a specific minor league. Beyond just showcasing the players, the sets also featured occasional manager or league leader stats cards to round them out. Collectors could mix and match subsets to build full rosters of prospects coming up through each affiliate circuit.

subsets included:

Eastern League (AA) – Featuring future platoon hitters like Nick Esasky and Jim Leyritz among its 100 cards.

Southern League (AA) – Highlighted Bartolo Colon in addition to Steve Carter and Gregg Olson on its way to 99 total players.

Texas League (AA) – Spotlighted Bobby Witt and Lee Stevens while totaling 100 cards.

American Association (AAA) – Included Lance Johnson and John Wasdin among 99 in all.

Pacific Coast League (AAA) – Had Donell Nixon and Scott Servais among 100 featured.

International League (AAA) – Pictured Steve Scarsone and John Habyan on 99 cards.

American Association (A) – Rained on upcoming hurlers like Ken Hill and John Wetteland over 100 cards.

Carolina League (A) – Immortalized Bobby Bonilla and Andy Ashby in addition to 100 others.

Florida State League (A) – Shone on Walt Weiss and John Cummings with 99 total players.

Midwest League (A) – Drew Rick Aguilera and Frank Catalanotto among 100 featured.

New York-Penn League (A) – Gave a rookie card to Manny Ramirez as part of 100 cards in the set.

Northwest League (A) – Highlighted soon-to-be-slugger Jeff Manto and arms like Mark Portugal over 99 cards.

Beyond the players, each set also included minor variations that add to the collecting intrigue. Pictured fronts came in both white and yellow borders. Reverse stats boxes could be found in different colored inks between red, blue, purple and green. Glossy, semi-gloss or matte cardboard finishes brought further diversity.

The success of the 1989 Star minor league baseball card series 2 helped cement their niche in the collecting scene. While other companies continued focusing on major leaguers, Star kept churning out affordable and desirable issues spotlighting the sport’s rising hopefuls for years to come. Their minor league cards allowed fans to follow favorite prospects’ stat lines and roster moves between levels all the way to The Show.

Though production values were basic, the sets served their purpose of capturing the next generation of baseball stars during formative seasons. Today they retain hobby significance for documenting that crucial developmental period just before breaking through. While not every name panned out, plenty within the 1989 Star minor league baseball card series 2 subsets went on to memorable big league careers. For enthusiasts of the farm system experience, they remain a fun connection to tracking talents’ first card appearances.

While series 2 didn’t have superstars quite on the level of series 1’s Schilling and Lofton rookie cards, it featured no less than a handful of eventual all-stars and 300-game winner Bartolo Colon. For a quarter of a pack at the time, it offered affordable access to the next wave of promise rising up affiliated ballclubs. Though production was simple, Star helped fill the niche between major-focused giants by chronicling embryonic prospects just starting out on the ladder to MLB. Their 1989 minor league card sets continue resonating today as a unique biographical chronicle of blossoming ballplayer careers.

1988 TOPPS SUPER STAR BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1988 Topps Super Star Baseball card set is one of the most sought after and valuable sets from the late 1980s. The set featured 60 total cards, with each card showcasing a current Major League Baseball superstar. What made the 1988 Topps Super Star set so memorable and collectible was the unique photo style and design elements utilized on each card.

For the photos, Topps created a colorful, artistic style where each player appeared to be bursting out of a colored illustration background. While a standard baseball card would simply feature a headshot or action photo of the player, the 1988 Topps Super Stars took it to another level with their creative flair. In the photos, many players would have exaggerated facial expressions or be caught in the middle of an athletic motion to almost superhero-like proportions.

The backgrounds for each card were also one-of-a-kind, with different vibrant colors and illustrative designs behind each player. Some examples included a yellow sunburst style, a green leafy vine texture, or a blue wave pattern. Together with the larger than life photos, this made each 1988 Topps Super Star card truly stand out from the typical baseball card design of the time.

To further accentuate the superstar status of the players featured, elaborate silver foil was heavily used on each card. Parts of the photos and backgrounds would be enhanced with foil that really made certain areas of the designs pop under light. Text was also done is shiny silver font, such as the “Super Star” subtitle above each player’s name.

The quality of card stock was also higher for the 1988 Topps Super Stars compared to the typical mass produced baseball card sets. The thicker stock helped the foil elements and colors really shine through vibrantly on each card. The card backs also utilized a silver logo and design elements to carry the premium stylistic cues all the way around.

When it came to selecting the players to spotlight, Topps compiled an impressive list of true superstars from across Major League Baseball in 1988. Icons of the era like Mike Schmidt, Nolan Ryan, Wade Boggs, Cal Ripken Jr., Ozzie Smith, and George Brett all received the Super Star treatment. Younger emerging talents like Roger Clemens, Dwight Gooden, and Mark McGwire also made the cut.

Several of the players featured were also reaching significant career milestones at the time that further elevated their superstar status. For example, Pete Rose’s card recognized his pursuit of Ty Cobb’s all-time hits record, which he would break that season. Tony Gwynn’s card hailed his batting title victories. And Ozzie Smith’s paid tribute to his multi-Gold Glove winning ways.

In the decades since its release, the coveted 1988 Topps Super Star set has become a highly valuable collectible for baseball card enthusiasts and investors alike. The unique designs, vibrant colors, foil accents, and all-star caliber players featured have made it a true modern classic among vintage issues in the hobby. Near gem mint condition copies of the Mike Schmidt, Nolan Ryan, and Cal Ripken cards have sold for over $1,000 individually in recent years.

Even more modestly graded examples still command strong premiums over typical late 80s issues as well due to the set’s iconic status. The demand has likely been boosted by the fact that over 30 years later, these players remain household names that hold a nostalgic appeal for collectors. The mixture of investment potential and fun, colorful retro designs make the 1988 Topps Super Stars highly sought after when they surface on the secondary market.

While supplies are limited due to natural card deterioration over the decades, complete sets still trade hands when owners look to capitalize on the modern appreciation the issue has achieved. It’s fascinating to see how a fun, artistically creative concept like the 1988 Topps Super Stars has become prized as both a collectible treasure and potentially lucrative long-term investment in the boomingly popular world of sports card speculation today. Themes of nostalgia, commemorating all-time great players, and clever designs consistently appeal to collectors even long after the cards were initially released.

For these reasons, the 1988 Topps Super Star baseball card set has endured as one of the most iconic and cherished issues of its decade. The elite talent pool featured, innovative photo styles, and premium production increased its appeal far beyond the typical baseball card. It serves as a reminder of Topps’ capacity for creative, outside the box ideas that have defined some their most beloved modern releases over the past 30+ years. The demand doesn’t seem to be slowing for this shining example of late 80s card craft either.