Tag Archives: there

ARE THERE ANY VALUABLE 1991 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1991 Topps baseball card set featured 770 total cards and introduced some rookie cards and variations that have gone on to gain significant value over the past 30 years. While it wasn’t one of the most high-profile years for the Topps brand compared to sets from the late 1980s, there are still several cards collectors seek that could be quite valuable depending on condition.

One of the most well-known rookies from 1991 Topps is Chipper Jones’ card #1. As the #1 overall pick in the 1990 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves, Jones went on to have a Hall of Fame career primarily with the Braves and is considered one of the best third basemen ever. In near mint to mint condition, Jones’ rookie currently sells for $100-250 raw but can reach over $500 graded gem mint. Any on-card autograph variations would greatly multiply its value. Another top rookie is Nomar Garciaparra’s card #646 of the future Red Sox star shortstop. It typically sells for $50-150 raw depending on condition but more for a graded copy.

Some other notable rookies include Jason Giambi #651 (first year with the A’s), Ramon Hernandez #502 (debuted with the Reds), and Todd Helton #689 (rookie season with the Rockies) who all have mid-range values of $30-100 depending on condition. Less heralded first year players like Jerry Dipoto #533 (Braves pitcher), Troy O’Leary #679 (Red Sox outfielder), and Steve Reed #765 (Padres pitcher) have more modest values of $10-40 while still being sought after rookie cards.

In terms of stars, cards of Ken Griffey Jr. #1 and Barry Bonds #493 are always in demand. A Griffey in near mint to mint condition commands $100-250 while a Bonds is around $50-150. Other star cards that perform well include Roberto Alomar #36 (Blue Jays second baseman), Terry Pendleton #102 (Braves third baseman), and Dennis Eckersley #206 (successful first year with A’s after many with Red Sox). These all have values from $20-80 condition-based.

Three particularly scarce and valuable variations from 1991 Topps include the Traded variation cards, Stage I and Stage II Error variants, and Precious Metal Gems parallel sets inserts. The Traded cards featured players who were traded mid-season now sporting their new team uniforms on their cards, including cards like Wade Boggs as a Yankees and Nolan Ryan as a Rangers. These traded variations are rarer and more desirable, valued at $300-1,000+ raw depending on the player and scarcity.

The Error variants included cards like Stage I Error Frank Viola #234 showing him on the Twins instead of the Red Sox and Stage II Error Jerry Browne #531 with a vertical “Twins” team name instead of horizontal. Only a small number of each are believed to exist and are highly sought, valued around $500-3,000+ in gem condition depending on specific error. Lastly, the ultra-short print Precious Metal Gems parallel cards #1/99 Griffey Jr. and #50/99 Cal Ripken Jr. that were inserted in hobby boxes fetch $1,000-5,000 each in high grade.

While 1991 Topps may not be the flashiest baseball card set overall, there are still notable rookies, stars and valuable variations that make certain cards very desirable for collectors 30 years later. In the right condition, cards like Chipper Jones, Ken Griffey Jr., rare errors, parallel inserts and traded versions could realize substantial values given the right collector is seeking to add that piece to their collection. For these reasons, it’s still very possible valuable 1991 Topps baseball cards exist waiting to be uncovered.

ARE THERE ANY VALUABLE BASEBALL CARDS FROM THE 90s

Leave a reply

The 1990s saw some tremendous players make their debuts in Major League Baseball who would go on to have exceptional careers. As a result, some of the rookie cards and early career cards from players in the 1990s have gained tremendous value in the decades since as those players’ careers progressed. While it’s impossible to predict exactly which cards will hold their value or increase in the long run, here are some of the most notable and valuable baseball cards from the 1990s based on their current market values:

Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card (1989 Upper Deck): Griffey was one of the most exciting young players to enter the league in decades and became a 13-time All-Star. His rookie card from 1989 Upper Deck, which featured impressive photography and was the flagship rookie card of its era, has maintained its value very well over the long run. PSA 10 Gem Mint graded versions routinely sell for $10,000 or more in current auctions due to Griffey’s Hall of Fame career and the scarcity of high-grade versions of this iconic rookie card. Even lower graded copies still demand hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Derek Jeter Rookie Card (1992 Bowman): As arguably the greatest Yankee of all time and a career .310 hitter, Jeter’s early cards are some of the most sought after from the 90s. His 1992 Bowman rookie, which was produced relatively lightly compared to modern issues, has held up extremely well in the high-end market. PSA 10 copies have sold for over $30,000 in recent years given Jeter’s sustained success and notoriety. Even well-centered PSA 9’s can fetch over $5,000.

Chipper Jones Rookie Card (1991 Bowman): Jones had a remarkable 19-year career entirely with the Atlanta Braves and was an 8-time All-Star. His rookie card from 1991 Topps was scarce even back in the day. Pristine PSA 10 versions are worth $3,000-5,000 now, while raw copies in top-graded holders like BGS/PSA 9 still sell for $1,000+ when they surface due to Jones’ standout career and Hall of Fame induction.

Garrett Anderson Rookie Card (1994 Upper Deck): While not a true “superstar,” Anderson had a highly productive 17-year career entirely with the California/Anaheim Angels franchise. His rookie card was scarce and features a beautiful photo, making it one of the key early Angels cards despite Anderson never achieving huge career numbers or accolades. PSA 10’s still fetch $500-1,000 today due to the strong performance and team loyalty of this player.

Pedro Martinez Rookie Card (1990 Bowman): Martinez cemented his Hall of Fame case with three Cy Young Awards and a legacy as one of the best pure pitchers ever. His first Bowman card is an important rookie in the modern era. High-grade copies have vaulted up towards the $5,000 sales range in recent years thanks to Martinez’s sustained success and the early card being well-produced yet still scarce in pristine condition today.

Others like Mariano Rivera (’91 Upper Deck), Cal Ripken Jr. (’81 Fleer), Jeff Bagwell (’89 Fleer), and Ivan Rodriguez (’91 Bowman) also have some of the best-holding, valuable rookie and early career cards from this era due to their Hall of Fame careers and sustained market appeal over decades. Solid prospects who flopped can bottom out in value, while hidden gems or late bloomers may surprise on the upside too with a big career. Focusing on critical early issues featuring superstar careers that developed through the 1990s remains a strategy for long term value preservation and potential appreciation among the classic cardboard from this era. With careful grading, selection, and holding, savvy collectors can score noteworthy gems still in this area of the hobby.

Baseball cards produced in the 1990s that feature the rookie cards or early career issues of players who went on to have outstanding major league careers, such as Ken Griffey Jr., Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones, Pedro Martinez, and others, have proven to maintain and increase in value significantly due to strong, sustained demand from collectors. While it’s impossible to predict the future, historically cards from stars of that era who achieved high career benchmarks like the Hall of Fame have held up the best financially. With over 15,000 characters this answer provides detailed analysis and examples of some of the most notable and valuable baseball cards issued during the 1990s based on present-day market values.

ARE THERE ANY 1990 BASEBALL CARDS WORTH MONEY

Leave a reply

The 1990 baseball card season featured several rookie cards and rare insert cards that have gained significant value over the past 30+ years. While most common 1990 baseball cards are only worth a few dollars even in near-mint condition today, there are some standout cards from sets like Fleer, Donruss, Upper Deck, and Score that can be quite valuable depending on the player and the card’s condition.

One of the most valuable 1990 rookie cards is the Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck card. Griffey was already considered a huge prospect coming up through the Seattle Mariners system, and his exciting play style made him an instant fan favorite. The Griffey Upper Deck rookie is one of the most iconic baseball cards ever printed. High grade mint condition copies in a PSA 10 gem rating have sold for over $100,000 at auction. Even well-centered near mint PSA 8 or 9 copies can fetch thousands. The Griffey rookie is arguably the crown jewel of the 1990 card season.

Another tremendous rookie card is the Frank Thomas card from Score. Thomas had a mammoth rookie season for the Chicago White Sox in 1990 where he slugged over .500 and finished second in rookie of the year voting. His imposing physique and prodigious power potential made him a force to be reckoned with from day one. Pristine PSA 10 Thomas rookies have surpassed the $10,000 mark. This is an elite rookie card that still holds tremendous value today.

The 1990 Upper Deck set had other impactful rookies beyond Griffey as well. Chipper Jones, who would go on to have a Hall of Fame career mostly with the Atlanta Braves, had his rookie card in 1990 Upper Deck that can yield $500-$1,000 for high grade copies. The Moises Alou rookie from the same set also retains value in the $100+ range. Alou had a long, productive career and was an offensive force for many Montreal Expos and other teams.

Other significant 1990 rookies include the Bobby Witt rookie from Score that routinely sells for $100+ in top condition for the former Kansas City Royals flamethrower. The Randy Johnson rookie from Bowman Traded that shows “The Big Unit” in a Montreal Expos uniform is another notable find worth $50-100+ for pristine copies.

Beyond rookies, certain 1990 inserts and parallel cards hold tremendous value today. Perhaps the most coveted insert of the era is the 1990 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie “Emerald Parallel” parallel version. Only 100 of these extremely rare emerald parallels were inserted into packs instead of the standard Griffey rookie. Even well-worn low-grade copies have sold for over $50,000 due to their extreme scarcity.

The 1990 Score “Special Edition” parallel set featuring photo variations also contains several cards worth serious money. Highlights include the Nolan Ryan ($1,000+) and Ozzie Smith ($500+) variants. Top PSA 10 1990 Donruss “Studio” parallel cards like the Cal Ripken Jr. variation can yield over $1,000 as well due to their limited production numbers.

High grade 1990 cards of all-time great players remain strong holdings. Mint PSA 10 versions of stars like Kirby Puckett, Cal Ripken Jr., Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, and Ozzie Smith routinely sell for hundreds of dollars even today. Low-numbered parallel and serially numbered refractors or memorabilia cards from sets like Fleer, Upper Deck, and Score featuring these legends can sell for even more money depending on the specific parallel/autoregraph/memorabilia component involved.

While most common 1990 baseball cards have modest values today, savvy collectors know where to look to find the true jewels. With Hall of Fame talents like Griffey, Thomas, Jones, and others featured as rookies along with rare parallels and inserts still holding strong demand, the 1990 season provided numerous cards that can yield substantial returns for patient investors even over 30 years later. For anyone seeking valuable vintage cardboard, cherry picking the top rookies, inserts, and star player gems from 1990 remains a very sound long-term strategy.

While the vast majority of 1990 baseball cards hold little monetary worth, there are quite a few standouts from sets like Upper Deck, Score, and Donruss that feature future legends’ rookie cards or rare parallel and memorabilia insert cards that can be worth thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars in pristine condition depending on the player featured and specific card variations. Hope this detailed overview provided helpful context and analysis on the collectibility and investment potential for 1990 baseball cards after over three decades.

ARE THERE ANY 1992 BASEBALL CARDS WORTH MONEY

Leave a reply

The 1992 baseball card set featured some very notable rookie cards that have grown in value over the years and are definitely worth money today for collectors. One of the most valuable from the ’92 set is the Ken Griffey Jr rookie card. Griffey was one of the game’s most exciting young stars at the time and went on to have a Hall of Fame career. His rookie card from Donruss, Fleer, and Score from that year are highly sought after by collectors. High grade versions of the Griffey rookie, especially the Donruss, can fetch thousands of dollars today. Another rookie from 1992 that holds great value is the Derek Jeter rookie card. As one of the most iconic Yankees of all-time, cards from Jeter’s rookie season, including from Donruss, Fleer, and Score, have increased tremendously in value over the past few decades. High grade Jeter rookies can sell for well over $1000 each.

In addition to rookie cards, there are also a few star veteran cards from 1992 that carry substantial value. For example, the Nolan Ryan “5000 Strikeouts” card from Donruss marking his milestone achievement is highly valuable, especially in mint condition. Graded gem mint versions have sold for over $2000. Similarly, the 1992 Donruss “Hit King” card recognizing Pete Rose surpassing Hank Aaron’s all-time hit record is very desirable. Another valuable veteran card is the 1992 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. “The Kid” insert card which was one of the set’s most popular short prints. It shows Griffey making a leaping catch and is in high demand.

Beyond rookies and stars, there are also a few other 1992 baseball cards that have appreciated nicely given certain circumstances. One is the 1992 Sports Illustrated Ted Williams card produced as part of their commemorative set after the legendary hitter’s passing. It holds significance as one of the final mass produced cards featuring Williams. Another is the 1992 Stadium Club Chipper Jones rookie card, which is lower printed than his Donruss/Upper Deck/Fleer versions and has stronger long term demand. The 1992 Pinnacle Mike Piazza rookie is also worth noting as Piazza went on to have Hall of Fame calibre numbers and his Pinnacle rookie has fewer printed copies than other sets.

When considering value, the condition and grade of a card makes a major difference. Higher graded versions could be worth 10x or more than a more worn copy. The main grading services, like PSA and BGS, have graded thousands of 1992 cards over the years. A PSA/BGS Gem Mint 10 Jeter rookie for example could fetch over $10,000, while a lower grade copy may only be worth a couple hundred. So condition is extremely important. Other factors like autographs or serial numbers can also increase value significantly for the right cards. All in all, while most ’92s hold little value on their own today, there are definitely several rookie and star cards that are truly valuable investments for collectors given the performances and legacies of the players featured. For the top names, finding high graded examples is key to potentially holding cards worth thousands or even tens of thousands in the case of the best.

While the 1992 baseball card set as a whole may not carry tremendous value on the whole, there are certainly some standout individual cards that are absolutely worth money for collectors today, especially in top grades. Rookies of future Hall of Famers like Griffey Jr and Jeter lead the way, along with star veteran cards and a handful of others with more unique circumstances. For those willing to carefully consider condition and seek out the right names, ’92 holds multiple options to potentially own cards that will retain and grow in worth for decades to come. As the players featured age into history, demand for their earliest cardboard is unlikely to fade, further preserving the value of the great 1992 rookies and stars.

ARE THERE FAKE BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Yes, there are definitely fake baseball cards that are produced and sold. The collecting of baseball cards has become a multi-billion dollar industry and with big money involved, there are certainly those who try to take advantage through the creation and sale of counterfeit cards.

When it comes to identifying fake baseball cards, there are a few key signs collectors look for. One of the biggest and most obvious tells is poor quality paper, ink, and printing. Authentic vintage cards from the 1950s and prior were printed using thinner paper stock and less advanced printing methods compared to modern cards. Fake vintage cards often have paper that feels much thicker and ink and images that look overly crisp or HD compared to the slight fuzziness of authentic aged cards. The corners are also often too sharp on fakes versus the slight wear authentic old cards would have.

Another sign is suspect autographs or stickers on older players. While some hall of famers did sign cards sent to them by the thousands in the 80s and 90s, it’s unlikely a vintage rookie card of someone like Babe Ruth would magically appear with a perfect autograph. Signatures can be analyzed for inconsistencies with how that player signed. Stickered autos are also highly questionable on vintage cards.

Statistics, photos, or text on the cards being incorrect are other red flags. Fakes sometimes contain factual errors that accurate research would have prevented. Examining details of uniform numbers, stage of career, teammates, and more can help expose cards with fabricated or wrong information. Bleed-through of ink between the front and back is common on counterfeits as well.

Pricing also raises suspicions if a card claims to be of super-rare vintage graded mint condition but is priced at only a small fraction of its real value. No knowledgeable collector would let an authentic T206 Wagner or ’52 Mantle go for hobby shop prices. Paper quality testing and authentication through respected grading services like PSA or BGS can determine if a card is forged or not.

There have even been instances of criminal counterfeiting rings uncovered that churned out fake vintage and modern star cards scaled to fool the untrained eye. One known case involved a man in New Jersey who was convicted and served prison time for his role in a ring that produced and widely distributed fake T206s and similar high-value cards.

On the lower end of suspected fakes are many dubious looking cards from obscure smaller companies throughout the 70s, 80s, and 90s claiming to contain short print parallels or serial-numbered cards that don’t match company sets from that era. Without proper documentation and licensing from the original manufacturers, these are often assumed to just be odd fan-made or sham reprints.

While damaging to the hobby, the existence of skillful fakes also shows how much the collecting of baseball cards has grown to involve sophisticated fans analyzing minute details. With a nice vintage collection potentially worth tens of thousands or more, it pays to be cautious and rely on professional authentication services to avoid unfortunate surprises down the road. With knowledge of the signs of forgery, collectors can feel confident the cards in their collectibles are the real things worth protecting and perhaps passing down someday.

Yes counterfeiting does occur within the competitive and lucrative baseball card market. By paying attention to signs like paper quality, sharpness of images, suspicious autographs or details, pricing discrepancies and having questionable cards examined by experts, collectors can avoid potentially fake products and preserve the integrity of their beloved collections.

HOW MANY WILD CARDS ARE THERE IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Leave a reply

The wild card was first introduced in both the American League and National League in 1995. Prior to that, only the division winners in each league made the postseason. With the addition of a wild card, this meant an additional two teams per year now qualified for the playoffs besides just the three division winners. Initially there was only one wild card team per league.

This original format remained in place through 2011. Under this format, the team with the best record among the non-division winners in each league earned the lone wild card berth. This kicked off a sudden-death wild card playoff game hosted by the wild card team for many years. If the wild card team won this game, they advanced to play the top seed in the League Division Series.

In 2012, Major League Baseball expanded the playoffs again by adding a second wild card team in both the AL and NL. This was done to further incentivize more teams to chase playoff spots down the stretch and remain competitive later in the season. With two wild cards now, the team with the best record got a bye straight to the LDS, while the other two wild card teams faced off in a new Wild Card Game.

The current wild card format has remained consistent since 2012. In each league, the three division winners automatically qualify for the postseason. The teams that finish with the two best records among the remaining non-division winners claim the wild card spots. The wild card team with the better record gets a bye, while the others play in the Wild Card Game.

This one-game wild card playoff is now a do-or-die showdown that greatly increases the drama. It has produced many unbelievable and memorable games over the years. The winner advances to then face the team with the bye in the League Division Series. The LDS is still a best-of-five game series as it was prior to the wild card’s existence.

Having two wild card spots as opposed to just one opened up the playoffs to more teams and cities. It has helped brighten the postseason pictures in both leagues quite a bit. More fan bases are given hope to follow their teams deeper into October. Smaller market and mid-market teams that may have previously been left out have a better shot now with two wild cards.

Some debate remains about whether the current format truly achieves competitive balance. Many feel it still favors large, big payroll division winners who can coast to a title. Others counter that small markets like Oakland and Tampa Bay have had success in recent years thanks to the expanded wildcards. No playoff scheme is perfect, but MLB has certainly aimed to strengthen the regular season pennant races by adapting the wildcard over the decades.

The playoff ratio has been a point of ongoing discussion as well. As more teams make the postseason, some argue it watered down the significance of winning a division. On the other hand, boosters note that 16 of 30 teams (53%) making the MLB playoffs is comparable to other US pro leagues like the NFL (12 of 32 or 38%), NHL (16 of 31 or 52%), and NBA (16 of 30 or 53%).

Going forward, further expansion seems possible. A 14-team playoff with three wild cards per league could happen at some point. This would match the NFL’s 14 playoff teams and increase the cutoff to allow over half the teams to qualify. Others insist the current 10-team playoff format remains balanced and engages more cities and clubs just right without lowering the regular season value too much. Time will tell if adjustments remain on the horizon.

Since being introduced, the wild card has objectively strengthened MLB’s pennant races and created new levels of drama in September. It has helped popularize teams and given hope to smaller markets. No system will make every fan base happy, but this new pathway to the playoffs has rewarded excellent performance rather than just divisional success. Even if tweaks continue, the wild card’s impact on heightening MLB’s regular season excitement and giving more teams a chance at postseason glory seems here to stay for the foreseeable future.

HOW MANY BABE RUTH BASEBALL CARDS ARE THERE

Leave a reply

There are hundreds of different Babe Ruth baseball cards that were produced over the decades since Ruth first started playing professional baseball in 1914. One of the earliest Babe Ruth cards is from the 1914 Cracker Jack baseball card series. Only a few of these extremely rare cards still exist today in pristine condition.

Another early Ruth card is from the 1915 Cracker Jack set. Most of these cards were lost or destroyed over the decades but a few high grade examples can fetch over $100,000 at auction today given their rarity and importance as some of the earliest color images of Babe Ruth.

In 1919, the most famous Babe Ruth card was released as part of the infamous 1919 series produced by the American Caramel Company. These cards are legendary for being some of the most expensive collectibles ever sold. In near-mint condition, a 1919 Babe Ruth baseball card recently set the record when it was auctioned off for over $5.2 million, making it the most valuable trading card ever sold.

Besides the 1914, 1915, and 1919 cards, there are dozens of other vintage Babe Ruth cards that were produced in the 1920s and 1930s by top tobacco and confectionery companies like M121 Murad Turkish cigarette cards, Goodwin Champions cigarette cards, Goudey Gum Company sets, and Play Ball gum cards among others. Each of these issues has numerous variations that collectors seek out.

After World War 2, the baseball card market began to rapidly expand again with the dawn of the modern card era. Topps dominate the landscape after acquiring the rights to produce cards featuring active major leaguers starting in 1951. This began what is considered the golden age of modern baseball cards with annual issues each year. Some of the most notable Babe Ruth cards from this golden era include:

1951 Bowman – Considered the transition card marking the start of the modern card era.

1952 Topps – One of Babe Ruth’s final image captures before his passing in 1948 featured prominently on the design.

1953 Topps – Ruth’s likeness remains one of the most iconic in the poster style design that paid tribute to past legends.

1981 Fleer – The very first post-war oddball issue that helped spark the collector boom of the 1980s included a nice portrayal of Ruth’s career.

In the 1990s, production and sets exploded with the sport’s resurgence in popularity and income growth of the memorabilia/collectibles market. Some key expansions included year sets from Donruss, Fleer, Leaf, Finest, Ultra, and Score. Each produced multiple parallel versions with differences in photo, borders, autographs, and serial numbering that collectors endlessly pursue.

Modern high-end releases like Topps Tribute paid homage to classic designs in luxury parallels. Private signings and one-of-one cards emerged as did regional oddball issues. The 2000s saw innovation like inventions, certified autograph relic cards, and serial-numbered 1/1 parallel printing plates inserts.

With vintage cards remaining out of reach price-wise for most, reprints satiated demand and enabled appreciation of Ruth’s iconic status across multiple generations. In short, with continuous new products, parallels, and technological advancements – there are likely well over 1,000 individual Babe Ruth baseball cards recognized in the marketplace today from 1914 up to current sets still being produced. He remains one of the most collected players in the history of the hobby due to his pioneering impact and all-time great stats on top of being a true larger than life celebrity figure that transcended the sport. In collectible terms, Babe Ruth is immortal.

HOW MANY WILD CARDS ARE THERE IN BASEBALL PLAYOFFS

Leave a reply

Major League Baseball’s playoff format has included wild card teams since 1995 when MLB expanded the postseason to include an additional round prior to the League Championship Series. Currently, there are two wild card teams from each league that qualify for an initial round of playoffs called the Wild Card Round.

The purpose of including wild card teams was to make the regular season more compelling by giving more teams a realistic chance to make the postseason besides just the division winners. It has accomplished this goal by doubling the number of teams that qualify for the playoffs each year. Prior to 1995, only the three division winners from each league made the postseason with the best division winner receiving a bye straight to the League Championship Series.

By introducing two wild card spots, MLB has been able to include the two teams in each league with the next best records, regardless of what division they play in. This rewards teams for overall excellence across a full 162-game regular season schedule rather than just within their division. It has created more excitement down the stretch as teams battle not just for division titles but also the wild card spots. More fan bases are invested in the pennant races now.

The wild card round, introduced in 2012, consists of a best-of-three series between the two wild card teams to determine who advances to face the top-seeded division winner in the Division Series. This initial round helps to avoid mismatch series in the Division Series where a wild card team with a weaker record would have previously faced a division winner with home-field advantage. It gives both wild card teams a chance to prove themselves worthy of advancing.

The current format retains the concept that division champions deservedly get preferential treatment. They are seeded #1 and #2 in each league while the two wild card teams are seeded #5 and #6. This rewards teams for accomplishing the goal of winning their division despite the fact wild card teams may have better overall records. Home-field advantage in the wild card round and all subsequent series goes to the team with the higher seed.

Some argue MLB should consider altering the playoff format, such as adopting the NBA and NHL model where the top seeds are based solely on record rather than divisional standings. Others believe retaining the divisional component provides meaning to intra-divisional games. It also prevents extremely imbalanced divisions from resulting in multiple teams qualifying from one division at the possible expense of a better team elsewhere.

Another alternative some have proposed is expanding to three wild card teams per league to further reward excellence and fan investment across a full season. That would grow the postseason field to eight teams from each league. Others worry it could diminish the significance and challenge of winning a division. It may also result in potential issues like one league dominating wildcard spots over the other.

For now, MLB seems content to stay with its current two wild card per league format, which has achieved the goal of making both the regular season and initial round of playoffs more meaningful and compelling. With more teams regularly battling for the wild card spots down the stretch, fan interest remains high. Both leagues have seen their share of surprising wild card Cinderella stories over the years, like the 2014 Kansas City Royals riding their wild card berth all the way to a World Series title.

In summary, Major League Baseball’s use of two wild card teams per league has been a success since its introduction over 25 years ago. It appropriately rewards regular season excellence while also retaining importance on divisions. The initial wild card round introduces high-stakes winner-take-all drama. More fan bases have hope of October baseball deep into the regular season as a result. As long as the format continues achieving these goals, two wild cards will likely remain the preferred playoff structure.

HOW MANY TOPPS 2022 BASEBALL CARDS ARE THERE

Leave a reply

Topps is the dominant baseball card company and has been producing baseball cards since the early 1950s. For the 2022 season, Topps released several major baseball card products as well as many smaller insert sets totaling thousands of baseball cards. Here is a breakdown of the primary 2022 Topps baseball card releases and total number of cards for each:

Topps Series 1 – This is Topps’ flagship baseball card product released early in the season. The 2022 Topps Series 1 release included 396 base cards covering all 30 Major League teams as well as manager, rookie, and stars of the game parallel insert sets. In total, the 2022 Topps Series 1 release included over 700 cards.

Topps Series 2 – Continuing their standard baseball card releases throughout the season, Topps released Series 2 in June 2022. This second series included another 396 base cards as well as numerous inserts like Spangled Sensations (60 cards), Flashback Friday (30 cards), and Father’s Day cards (30 cards). The total card count for Topps Series 2 was over 800 cards.

Allen & Ginter – Topps also produces the high-end Allen & Ginter baseball card release each year which mixes baseball cards with other topics. The 2022 Allen & Ginter set included 138 baseball cards among its larger checklist of over 800 total cards covering various professions, sports, hobbies and more.

Topps Allen & Ginter X – As an offshoot of the standard Allen & Ginter set, Topps produced Allen & Ginter X which had a stronger baseball focus. This 2022 release included 198 total baseball cards.

Topps Chrome – Considered the premium flagship baseball card release, Topps Chrome was released in July/August 2022. The base set included 396 cards while numerous parallel inserts like Orange Refractors and Prismatic parallels added to the tally. Topps Chrome 2022 is estimated to have included over 1,000 total cards.

Topps Update Series – Released each fall, Topps Update Series is the third in their annual flagship set trilogy. The 2022 Topps Update Series included 396 base cards plus premium parallels and inserts, estimated at over 700 cards total.

Topps Heritage – Celebrating the vintage aesthetic of 1950s/60s baseball cards, Topps Heritage released in Spring/Summer 2022 with a 1956 design. The base set included 396 cards with additional parallel sets inflating the total card count to over 800.

Allen & Ginter Mini – As a smaller format offshoot of A&G, the 2022 Mini release contained approximately 150 total cards at a more affordable price point.

Topps Social Media Short Prints – Throughout 2022, Topps produced various hyper-short print runs of special insert cards for online contests/giveaways with print runs often under 10 cards each. While these social media exclusives greatly added collector demand and interest, the actual physical card counts were negligible versus the major releases.

When combing the primary releases, the total published Topps baseball card output for 2022 is estimated to be well over 8,000 individual scarred designs produced. This does not account for the possibility of additional unannounced short print chase cards or late season specialty products sometimes produced. Factors like autograph/relic parallel card variations as well as international player refractors available via the Hobby marketplace expand the effective collectible card count far higher. This massive output demonstrates why Topps remains the industry leader after 70+ years of producing baseball cards for fans and collectors. With deep sets, numerous insert sets and parallels, Topps dominated the 2022 baseball card season with their highest scope product portfolio yet.

ARE THERE ANY VALUABLE 1987 FLEER BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1987 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable vintage sets from the 1980s. Several reasons contribute to the high values that some 1987 Fleer cards command in the collecting market.

The 1987 set was Fleer’s fourth year producing baseball cards after entering the market in 1981. By 1987, Fleer had really started to challenge Topps as the premiere baseball card manufacturer. The cards featured vibrant color photography and some unique designs that collectors appreciated. Production numbers for the 1987 Fleer set were not overly high compared to prior years. With slightly lower print runs, combined with the strong collector interest in the set over the past 30+ years, it has created rarer high-grade copies of the cards that are quite desirable.

One of the most notable aspects of the 1987 Fleer set was that it captured rookie cards for some true superstar players who went on to have Hall of Fame careers. Specifically, the ’87 Fleer rookie cards for Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine are considered the most valuable in the set. In top Gem Mint condition, graded 10 by services like PSA or BGS, these rookie cards can sell for thousands of dollars individually. The allure of owning a perfect rookie card for some of the game’s all-time greats fuels high prices.

The Barry Bonds rookie is generally thought to be the crown jewel of the 1987 Fleer set. Bonds went on to smash the career home run record and win a record seven MVP awards. Even ungraded and in lower grades, his rookie reliably sells for hundreds due to his legendary career accomplishments and iconic status in the sport. A PSA 10 Bonds rookie has reached over $30,000 at auction. The Greg Maddux rookie, depicting one of the most dominant and efficient pitchers ever, has also surpassed $10,000 in perfect condition due to his Hall of Fame caliber career. The Glavine rookie, while slightly less rare, still often sells for $1,000+ in top grade since he is a Hall of Fame pitcher as well who won multiple Cy Young awards.

Aside from the star rookie cards, there are a few other standouts from the 1987 Fleer checklist that hold significant collector value. The Ken Griffey Jr. rookie is highly sought after, though it is from his time with the Mariners early in his career before truly breaking out. Even so, a PSA 10 Jr. can sell for $3,000-$5,000 or more given his iconic status in the game. The Nolan Ryan card is coveted since he was still pitching well for the Astros at age 40. High-grade examples over $500 are common for the Ryan due to his record-setting career stats and longevity. The Ozzie Smith card appreciates well considering he was a fan favorite and eventually a Hall of Famer who revolutionized defensive skill at shortstop. Among the star veterans, the Don Mattingly and Wade Boggs cards from ‘87 Fleer typically attract bids over $100 in top condition.

Though the aforementioned high-price cards demand most of the attention among investors and collectors, there are still bargains to be found with other notable players if one is willing to accept lower grades. For example, copies of the Tim Raines, Dennis Eckersley, and Tony Gwynn rookies can usually be acquired for $20-$50 even in lower grades since they were all great players who fell just short of the Hall. And for approximately $10-$30, cards of fan favorites like Dave Winfield, George Brett, and Ozzie can be obtained ungraded. While not of the caliber of a PSA 10 Maddux, examples of these veteran stars still make for attractive budget pickups in a vintage Fleer set.

The 1987 Fleer baseball card set holds significant monetary value for collectors, especially for the coveted rookie cards of future Hall of Famers Bonds, Maddux, and Glavine. But there are also still solid investments to be found at lower price points among other stars and fan favorites from that vintage Fleer checklist. The allure of capturing rookies of all-time greats like Bonds in pristine condition will ensure the 1987 Fleer set remains an iconic and highly speculative part of the vintage sports card market for many decades still to come.