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HOW MANY WILD CARDS ARE THERE IN BASEBALL THIS YEAR

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Major League Baseball has utilized a wild card playoff system since 2012 to expand the number of teams that make the postseason beyond the traditional three division winners in each league. The current wild card format allows for two wild card teams in each league to earn a spot in a best-of-three games playoff series to determine who advances to the League Division Series.

When the wild card system was initially introduced in 2012 and 2013 there was just one wild card team from each league that participated in a one-game playoff to determine the wild card winner. This put a lot of emphasis on that single elimination game and meant a team could win 93 games and still miss the postseason if they lost that wild card game. To help address the unfairness of a single game deciding a team’s playoff fate, MLB expanded to a two-team wild card format beginning in 2012.

Under the current setup, the two teams in each league with the best regular season records among those who did not win their division compete in the wild card round. The team with the higher winning percentage of the two hosts the lower seeded club for their best-of-three series. This mini-series helps alleviate some of the randomness that could occur in a one-game playoff. It also expands the postseason and gives an extra two teams the opportunity to fight for a spot in the LDS each year.

For the 2022 MLB season there continues to be two wild card playoff spots available in both the American and National Leagues. This means a total of four wild card teams will participate in best-of-three series to kick off October baseball this year. The top two division winners in each league receive byes directly to the LDS round, while the two wild card teams battle in their series.

In the AL, the four division winners as of mid-August are the New York Yankees (AL East), Houston Astros (AL West), Cleveland Guardians (AL Central), and either the Toronto Blue Jays or Tampa Bay Rays (AL East – race is close). That would leave the other non-division winner between Toronto and Tampa along with the next two highest winning teams as the two AL wild card clubs.

Over in the NL, the division leaders to this point are the Los Angeles Dodgers (NL West), New York Mets (NL East), and St. Louis Cardinals (NL Central). Like the AL East, the NL West is tightly contested between the Dodgers and San Diego Padres. Whichever team does not win the division would likely be one NL wild card team. The other spot would go to either the Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, or Philadelphia Phillies – whoever has the next best record among non-division winners.

As the regular season winds down in September, the races for the division titles and wild card positions will only intensify. More than ever, every game matters for teams hovering around or above .500 on the brink of the postseason picture. The additional playoff spots created by the wild cards adds another layer of drama, excitement, and possibility. It gives franchises renewed hope even if they can’t catch their division leaders. Coming all the way back to win a wild card series after a grueling 162-game schedule would be an incredible achievement and story.

While some traditionalists argue expanding the playoffs dilutes the regular season, the current wild card format has largely been seen as a successful modification that has made October baseball even more compelling. More franchises and fan bases have remained invested deeper into September knowing two extra playoff slots are on the line. The setup provides a balanced approach between honoring division champs and rewarding other quality teams. As long as MLB maintains the two wild card per league structure, four teams will have the opportunity to fight their way into the division series through these one-and-done wild card rounds each fall. The drama and excitement they create has made postseason baseball even more compelling and unpredictable.

For the 2022 MLB season there continue to be two wild card playoff spots available in both the American League and National League. This means a total of four teams – two from each league – will participate in best-of-three wild card series to begin the postseason chase this October. The system allows an extra two clubs per league a chance to extend their season and battle their way into the LDS. While the races are still ongoing, the wild cards provide renewed hope for franchises chasing their division leaders down the stretch and make for an thrilling conclusion to the regular season.

ARE THERE ANY VALUABLE 1988 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1988 Topps baseball card set featured several very valuable rookie cards that are highly sought after by collectors to this day. One of the most valuable rookie cards from the 1988 Topps set is Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie card. Griffey went on to have a legendary Hall of Fame career and his rookie card is considered one of the all-time classic rookie cards in the hobby. In mint condition, Griffey’s 1988 Topps rookie card can fetch thousands of dollars, with PSA 10 and BGS 10 graded versions selling for well over $10,000. Another extremely valuable rookie from 1988 is Mark McGwire’s rookie card. McGwire went on to break the single season home run record and his rookie card has appreciated greatly over the years. PSA 10 and BGS 10 versions of McGwire’s 1988 Topps rookie now sell for $3,000-$5,000 in many cases.

Two other high-value rookies from the 1988 set are Barry Larkin’s rookie card and Erik Hanson’s rookie card. Larkin was a future Hall of Famer and one of the best shortstops of his generation. His rookie card can sell for $500-800 in top condition. Hanson was viewed as a can’t-miss pitching prospect and while he didn’t have the career initially expected, his rookie card has remained popular. PSA 10 and BGS 10 versions often sell in the $300-500 range. Beyond rookies, there are also several star players from the late 1980s whose flagship rookie or early career cards from the 1988 Topps set command strong prices. For example, Roger Clemens’ 1988 Topps card, which captured him in his prime with the Boston Red Sox, has appreciated greatly. Graded versions routinely sell for $1,000-$1,500 depending on the overall player demand at the time of sale.

Tom Glavine, another pitching great from that era, has a popular 1988 Topps card that sells in the $300-$500 range in top condition. Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg has a few standout cards from the 1988 set as well that still attract strong collector interest. His update card and All-Star card can sell for $150-$250 each in top grades. There are also several stars whose 1988 Topps rookie cards did not necessarily predict future Hall of Fame careers but have become popular among collectors. For example, José Canseco’s rookie card from the 1988 set sells quite well, usually in the $80-$120 range in PSA 10 or BGS 10 condition, given his huge popularity from the late 1980s through the 1990s as the first 40/40 player.

The 1988 set also featured stars like Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, Cal Ripken Jr. and Kirby Puckett in the prime of their careers. Key cards showing these all-time greats in action can sell in the $50-100 range depending on player, condition and overall demand levels. While condition is critical for high-value vintage cards like those from 1988 Topps set, even well-worn, played examples of the rookie cards discussed and other star cards can sell in the $10-30 range based purely on nostalgia and name recognition alone. While the 1988 Topps set lacked the true rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Frank Thomas, Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, a handful of rookie cards like Griffey, McGwire and Larkin have grown incredibly valuable alongside other signature cards highlighting stars from that late 1980s period. With strong vintage appeal and memorable photography, the 1988 Topps set remains a must-have for collectors.

ARE THERE ANY TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS WORTH MONEY

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Without a doubt, many Topps baseball cards hold significant value, particularly vintage issues from the 1950s-1970s. Topps has produced baseball cards since 1952 and was the lone issuer of licensed MLB cards for decades. Some key expensive and collectible Topps cards include:

1954 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 – Widely considered the most valuable baseball card in existence. High grades have sold for over $2 million. Mantle’s iconic rookie card established him as a star and is the pinnacle vintage card. Only a few dozen PSA/BGS Gem Mint 10 known to exist.

1952 Topps Ted Williams #83 – Ted Williams was one of the greatest hitters ever and his fiery competitive nature made him a fan favorite. High grades of his rookie card regularly sell for $100,000+. Like Mantle, amazing condition examples are extremely rare.

1968 Topps Nolan Ryan #500 – Nolan Ryan etched his name in the record books as arguably the greatest strikeout pitcher ever. His first Topps card was issued during his early Angels days. High grades in the $15,000-$20,000 range.

1957 Topps Hank Aaron #250 – Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record and was a steadying influence for the Braves franchise for decades. Considered one of the classiest players ever, his rookie card is a must-have for vintage collectors at $3,000-$5,000.

1956 Topps Sandy Koufax #257 – Sandy Koufax reinvented himself as a fireballing left-handed ace and won 3 Cy Young Awards. His arm issues shortened his career but not before dominating batters with blinding fastballs and hard curves. Priced under $2,000 for grades around EX-MT, but far higher for pristine copies.

1970 Topps Johnny Bench #1 – Arguably the greatest defensive catcher ever, Johnny Bench was the heart and soul of the Big Red Machine dynasty. His “flagship” card leads off the 1970 set and is an icon of the vintage era. Typical price $2,000-$3,000 depending on condition.

1964 Topps Jim Bouton #450 – “Ball Four” author Jim Bouton chronicled his iconoclastic view of baseball in his controversial memoir. His on-card appearance was one of the earliest “action” photos used and the card remains a favorite of collectors at $700.

1969 Topps Johnny Unitas NFL #30 – Topps issued handsome football cards paired with their baseball sets and Unitas’ regal pose stood out. The legendary Colts QB owned football in the 1950s-60s. Near mint copies at $600.

1971 Topps Nolan Ryan #500 – Considered by far the most valuable modern Ryan, with higher pop reports than the scarce ’68, though not as collectible today. Prices hover around $1,500 in top condition.

2009 Topps Kobe Bryant #102 – The final true “rookie” card issued for Kobe Bryant as Topps lost the NBA license after a lengthy run. Graded Gem Mint 10’s sell for well over $1,000 given his all-time great status.

1973 Topps Hank Aaron #163 – Hank Aaron’s iconic final season card that shows him powering past Babe Ruth’s home run record. Highly collectible image from a milestone year. About $500 in top shape.

There are many other rare or key player Topps issues worth serious money depending on condition and specific attributes. Topps’ long heritage and hold on MLB/NFL properties during the vintage heyday ensure their brand maintain massive collector interest. With patience and research, hidden gems can also be found in later top-selling sets like 1957, 1975, 1984 and 1989. But the early returns on investment are unmatched with true Mantle, Aaron, Mays, Koufax rookie cards. A lifetime hobby can be had sourcing, grading, and trading Topps treasures from the past.

The extensive history of Topps baseball cards virtually guarantees there will always be high value issues residing in attics, basements and collections nationwide. While the biggest whales like the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle are basically unattainable for all but the wealthiest, there are still terrific finds and growth potential owning mid-range vintage keys, stars of the past, first-year cards and true “rookie” cup-of-coffee issues that haven’t fully appreciated yet. For the dedicated collector, Topps keeps on delivering memorable playable pieces of baseball’s heritage.

ARE THERE ANY VALUABLE 1988 SCORE BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1988 score baseball card set featured some really desirable rookie cards that have increased significantly in value over the past few decades. While the set as a whole was produced in huge numbers, there are still several cards that can be worth a decent amount of money depending on the player, condition of the card, and other factors. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top valuable cards collectors seek out from the 1988 score set.

One of the most well-known and valuable rookie cards from 1988 is the Ken Griffey Jr. card. Griffey was one of the most exciting young players to enter the majors in years and his rookie card is considered one of the classic modern era cards. In near mint to mint condition, the Griffey Jr. 1988 score rookie fetches prices well over $100 on the current market. High grade copies in pristine mint condition have even sold for over $1,000. The Griffey rookie is highly sought after by collectors and remains one of the most iconic cards from the late 80s.

Another star player who debuted in 1988 and had an excellent rookie card was Oakland Athletics pitcher Bob Welch. Welch won the American League Cy Young award as a rookie and his 1988 score card can be worth $50-$75 in top shape. For something a bit more rare and premium, there is also a Bob Welch rookie photo variation card that features a unique close-up action photo instead of the base design. This variation sells in the $150-$250 range in top condition. Welch established himself right away and his card captures a memorable rookie season.

Beyond rookies, there are also some trade copies and parallel inserts that add value and collector interest to certain 1988 score cards. For example, the Nolan Ryan card, which features one of the game’s all-time greats, can reach $15-$25 for the base version. There is also an extremely rare photo variation that exchanged the team logo at left for another action shot. This parallel is quite scarce and has sold for over $500 in pristine shape. High grade copies of the base Ryan are also desirable to player collectors.

The 1988 score set included several exciting young position players as well. Shortstop Barry Larkin had a breakout season and his rookie card typically sells for $15-$25 on the secondary market. In flawless mint condition, a Larkin rookie could reach $50-75. Similarly, catcher Sandy Alomar Jr., outfielder Lenny Dykstra, and third baseman Wally Joyner all debuted in ’88 and their rookie cards hold value anywhere from $8-15 each in top condition due to their career accomplishments after that inaugural season.

Pitchers like David Wells, Mark Langston, and Curt Schilling also had notable rookie seasons in 1988. All three hurlers went on to solid big league careers and their rookie cards can sell for $5-15 each depending on grade. Another mid-range valuable card is that of slugging outfielder and 1987 Rookie of the Year Ben McDonald. His second year card usually fetches $10-20 with his performance and hardware adding to the collector interest in his 1988 score issue.

Beyond the obvious star rookie cards, there are also a couple key short prints to be aware of that enhance the value of certain 1988 score regular base cards. Cards #150 (Todd Worrell) and #475 (Ed Correa) were produced in far lower print runs than the other cards that year. As a result, both the Worrell and Correa in pristine condition can sell for $40-$75 depending on demand from short print collectors. High grade Hall of Fame players like Nolan Ryan, Reggie Jackson, and Gary Carter command $5-15 each due to their playing accolades regardless of the era of their issue.

While produced massively, the 1988 score set still provides numerous valuable collecting and investing opportunities for baseball card collectors and investors. Rookies of future stars like Griffey, Welch, and others lead the way price-wise. There are also short prints, parallels, and accomplished veteran players that make certain common 1988 cards worth notable money – especially in top graded condition. For those interested in the late 80s market, this fun and memorable set deserves attention for its memorable rookie class and other scarce collectibles over 30 years later.

IS THERE AN APP FOR PRICING BASEBALL CARDS

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One of the most well-known and widely used apps is the TCDB (Trading Card Database) app. TCDB has a large database of card prices that is updated regularly, with pricing info sourced directly from sales on major trading card auction sites like eBay. With the TCDB app, you can quickly look up cards by simply scanning the barcode or entering the set name and card number. It will return a range of recently sold prices to give you an idea of the current market value. The app is very user-friendly and allows you to easily organize your collection in a digital database. You can create want lists and use the app’s advanced search and filtering tools to find specific cards. In addition to pricing, TCDB provides details on card specifications, production numbers, and ratings. It’s a powerful all-in-one tool for any level of baseball card collector or dealer.

Another highly rated option is the Collector app from PSA/DNA Authentication. While primarily aimed at grading and authenticating trading cards, the Collector app also has robust pricing functionality. You can search over 4 million auction prices from recent PSA-graded card sales on PSA’s website to get pricing data. The app allows you to view population report information and scan or manually enter cards to check values. Where it differs from TCDB is that the pricing is focused more specifically on PSA-graded card prices rather than the broader overall market. For collectors of PSA-slabbed cards, this targeted data can be very useful. The tradeoff is that it won’t return as many pricing points for uncertified or lower-grade copies. Still, it’s a powerful tool from the most trusted name in card grading.

For Mac and Windows users, the BCG (Beckett Collectible Guide) Price Guide app brings the data from the venerable Beckett magazine directly to computers. With over 500,000 prices covering the entire spectrum of sports cards (including all major baseball sets from the 1950s to present), this provides one of the most complete databases available digitally. Users can search by sport, year, brand, player name, and other filters to instantly check estimated average sale prices. The BCG app includes checklists, card scans, population reports and other reference resources. It’s ideal for collectors doing in-depth research and those who prefer using larger screens over mobile devices. Like TCDB, Beckett prices are based on recent eBay and auction market activity.

Another highly rated option focused solely on baseball cards is the Baseball Card Price Guide app from Zistle. While smaller in overall database size compared to the three mentioned above, Zistle is aimed specifically at baseball collecting. Pricing data comes directly from baseball card auction sales, scanned card values, community members submitting prices, and Zistle’s own team of hobby experts. The app allows looking up individual card values quickly by scanning codes or entering details manually. You can easily build and organize your entire collection inventory within the app. Like some competitors, Zistle provides additional collector resources like checklists, card scans, population numbers and even a forum community. Overall it’s a solid dedicated solution for baseball fans who want a streamlined experience centered on America’s pastime.

Apps like TCDB, BCG Price Guide, Collector, and Zistle Baseball Card Price Guide all provide mobile access to help research the values of your collection from the convenience of your phone or tablet. While each has some differences in focus and database size/sources, any of them can be useful tools for serious collectors looking to catalog, organize and get pricing details for their baseball cards on the go. Taking the time to try out different options will help you determine which provides the most relevant data and features for your specific needs. Having accurate values at your fingertips allows making smarter buying/selling or collection management decisions.

HOW MANY BRANDS OF BASEBALL CARDS ARE THERE

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Topps is generally considered the most iconic and important brand in the history of baseball cards. Founded in 1938, Topps was the dominant brand for much of the 20th century and produced some of the most valuable vintage cards. Some significant Topps cards and sets include the iconic 1952 Topps, the high-valued Mickey Mantle rookie card from 1952, the infamous 1914 Baltimore Terrapins E90 card produced under the predecessor American Caramel company, and the iconic 1983 design that is still used today. Topps remained the lone producers of MLB licensed cards until 1981 when competition arrived. Even today with multiple competitors, Topps produces the mainstream flagship set each year and holds about 50% market share.

Fleer was the first major competitor to Topps, debuting their MLB licensed card set in 1981. This notably featured rookie cards for players like Cal Ripken Jr. that remain highly collectible today. Throughout the 80s and 90s Fleer was considered the #2 brand behind Topps and produced creative sets like “Fleer Stickers” and “Fleer Ultra.” In 2000 Upper Deck purchased Fleer but has since discontinued the brand, though some Fleer brands like “Fleer Authentics” remain in production. Important Fleer cards include the Ripken rookie along with deals like Mark McGwire, Tony Gwynn, and Barry Bonds.

Donruss debuted in 1981 alongside Fleer to become the third major MLB licensed producer. Donruss emphasized on-card player stats over photography in the early years. Notable mid-80s rookies in Donruss sets were Gooden, Mark McGuire, and Barry Bonds. In the late 80s Donruss gained attention for “Diamond Kings” inserts highlighting superstars. The brand struggled for stability in later years changing hands between owners until production stopped in the late 90s. Donruss briefly relaunched in the 2010s before being discontinued again.

Upper Deck became the dominant #2 brand through the 1990s after debuting MLB licenses in 1989. Their premium quality paper stock and focus on artistic photography was innovative. Upper Deck introduced the baseball card hobby to “parallels” like black gold refractors of stars like Chipper Jones and Derek Jeter. In the 2000s they purchased other brands like Fleer and Skybox. Declining baseball card sales led Upper Deck to drastically reduce MLB licenses by the 2010s becoming a smaller niche player today.

Leaf was a mid-sized brand active through the 1990s known for innovative sets like “Metal Universe” inserts crafted from metal paper stock. In the 2000s, Leaf shifted to higher-end direct-to-consumer releases but struggled financially. The brand changed hands in later years before production ceased by the late 2010s. Leaf introduced collectors to redemption cards and parallel multi-variations before others.

Score was an established sports card brand in other sports that launched baseball sets in the late 1980s/early 1990s to compete with Topps, Fleer, etc. Score’s best known cards featured rookies like Frank Thomas and Jimmy Key. The brand focused more on football/basketball but continued occasional baseball cards into the 2000s before ultimately leaving the sport.

Pacific was a smaller niche 1990s brand best known for innovative premium releases like “Pacific Online” on titanium/metal stock. Other mid-sized brands from that era included Studio, Pinnacle, and Takara. Most of these struggled to compete long-term against the major producers.

In the modern era, Panini acquired official MLB licenses in 2008 competing directly with Topps annually. Their “Contenders” and “Prizm” releases featuring refractors and parallels are highly sought-after. Other smaller modern brands seeking niches include Allen & Ginter, Stadium Club, Topps Archives, Archives Signature, and Triple Threads seeking premium collectors. Brands like Target Optic and Walmart Chroma focus on exclusives for big box retailers.

While there are occasional niche smaller brands, the major baseball card producers historically have been Topps, Fleer, Donruss, Upper Deck, and more recently Panini. Several other mid-sized brands competed at various points but most were unable to survive long-term against the largest and most established producers in the MLB licensed sports card market. The dominance of Topps remains despite 40+ years of competition from other companies in what has remained a lucrative multi-billion dollar baseball memorabilia industry.

IS THERE AN APP TO SCAN BASEBALL CARDS

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TCGplayer Card Scanner: This is one of the most widely used apps for scanning baseball and trading cards. With TCGplayer Card Scanner, you can point your phone’s camera at a card and it will automatically recognize the card and pull up details like the player, year, set/series and more. It will provide a market value price based on completed sales. You can save the cards you scan to your collection. The app allows you to search over 7 million cards in its database. It’s available for both iOS and Android.

CardMavin: Another highly rated app is CardMavin. Like TCGplayer, you can scan a card and it will identify it, providing details and pricing information. What sets CardMavin apart is its social features. You can connect your account to track your collection, make trades with other users, and buy/sell cards through the app’s marketplace directly. It also has grading guides to help you determine the condition of your cards. CardMavin supports over 16 million cards in its database and is available on iOS and Android.

Collector’s Arsenal: For those looking more robust tracking and cataloging features, Collector’s Arsenal is a good option. In addition to scanning cards, you can manually enter cards into your digital collection and log each one with precise condition details, notes, price paid and more. It will track values of your whole collection over time. You can also create want lists and see market values/sales to help with trading. While not as large in database size as TCGplayer or CardMavin, it’s very customizable for serious collectors. Available on iOS.

Sports Card Investor: For investors focused more on the monetary value of their collection, Sports Card Investor provides in-depth market research tools and insights. You can input your entire paper collection to get an estimated value. It tracks thousands of individual players and provides news/alerts on athletes whose values are rising or falling. The scanning feature recognizes cards but some of the pricing data is limited. Still, it’s great for serious hobby investors on a budget. Android only.

Baseball Card Scanner 3D: One unique app is Baseball Card Scanner 3D, which uses augmented reality to “project” scanned baseball cards into the real world. Point your camera at a card and it pops up life-sized in front of you with all identification and stats. You save cards to your PC-linked collection. The AR display is a fun bonus but database/pricing info is limited compared to the other apps mentioned. Only available on iOS devices.

These are some of the top apps for scanning baseball cards on your smartphone or tablet. The largest databases and most comprehensive features are provided by TCGplayer Card Scanner and CardMavin. But apps like Collector’s Arsenal or Sports Card Investor offer deeper tracking and analysis tools for serious collectors and investors. With so many options, there’s a baseball card scanning app suited for any level of the hobby. With just a quick scan of your phone’s camera, you can access details on any card in your collection.

HOW MANY STARS OF THE MLB BASEBALL CARDS ARE THERE

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There is no definitive number of “stars” when it comes to Major League Baseball cards, as there is no official designation or criteria for determining stardom on baseball cards. Here are some insights into star players who tend to be highly featured and sought after on MLB cards over the years:

Throughout the early decades of baseball card production from the late 1880s through the 1950s, the sport’s biggest stars tended to be the most prominently featured players on cards. This included legends like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, and Joe DiMaggio. As individual players became true national icons of the game, they stood out compared to others in terms of the number of cards released featuring them in various seasons, sets, and card manufacturers.

Ruth in particular was one of the first true “card stars,” with his popularity in the 1920s driving strong sales of his cards and numerous variations released each year by companies hoping to cash in on his fame. Ruth’s iconic status and broad appeal to fans helped cement individual players as true stars and drivers of interest in the card hobby.

Into the modern licensed baseball card era from the late 1950s onward, two major forces have determined the number of stars featured prominently on cards in any given year or set – performance on the field and popularity/notoriety. Players who achieve statistical milestones, awards, or help lead their teams to championships undoubtedly gain more consumer andmanufacturer focus when it comes to card releases. At the same time, those with vibrant personalities or off-field fame that capture the public’s attention also tend to have more cards in circulation.

Some indicators that a player has reached “star status” in terms of baseball card popularity and production include:

Consistently being featured prominently in the base set rosters of the major card companies like Topps, Bowman, etc. Especially those released as the primary photographer card.

Having autographed, memorabilia, rare parallel or short-print cards produced with higher frequency than other players.

Appearing across multiple card brands/licenses beyond just the major manufacturers. Indicative of their name holding strong secondary market value.

Remaining in strong demand years after retiring, with their rookie and career highlight cards retaining/appreciating value faster than most.

Recognition by non-sports entities or reaching a level of mass market fame/notoriety alongside their on-field play.

Based on these typical markers, in any given season of MLB there are usually between 30-50 players at any moment that could reasonably be considered true “stars” or superstar level talents based on baseball card popularity, production levels, and secondary market reactions.

Some examples of consistent modern stars through the 1990s-2010s who routinely topped these categories include Ken Griffey Jr, Barry Bonds, Cal Ripken Jr, Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones, Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, Mike Trout. In the current era, names like Bryce Harper, Mookie Betts, Fernando Tatis Jr. appear to be on a star trajectory as rookies based on early card popularity.

Performance and fame are evolving targets. A hot, award-winning season can thrust someone unexpected into the top star conversations temporarily. Injuries or controversies can undermine a previous star’s card production. Rosters also expand in the modern game, giving more fringe players cards despite more modest playing careers.

So in the end, while figures evolve constantly, a reasonable estimate of the number of true “stars” represented robustly through baseball cards in any single MLB season since the late 1950s would fall somewhere between 30-50 individual players. With the number fluctuating annually based on that season’s top performers and fan favorites driving demand from the expansive community of card collectors.

ARE THERE BASEBALL CARDS AT WALMART

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Yes, many Walmart stores do carry baseball cards that can be purchased. Walmart has a large retail presence across the United States and aims to stock items that will appeal to local customer interests in each geographic region. In many areas, baseball is a popular recreational activity and spectator sport, so having a baseball card selection makes sense for Walmart.

The baseball card selection and availability can vary some between individual Walmart stores depending on factors like size of the store, customer demographics of that location, and how much dedicated shelf space the store chooses to allot to trading cards and collectibles. In general most mid-sized to large Walmart stores will have at least a small to moderate selection of newly released and older baseball card products available year-round. Customers should be able to find both unopened packs/boxes of the current season or year’s cards as well as some loose pack digs/singles available if looking for individual player cards.

Some of the baseball card brands that Walmart commonly stocks include Topps, Bowman, Donruss, Leaf, and Upper Deck. These are among the major professional card companies that produce annual baseball card sets during and after each Major League Baseball season. Walmart might have unopened products from the current year readily available as well as some past season/year items that are still in stock. Customers can expect to find both high-end hobby boxes with fewer cards per pack down to more affordable retail wax packs containing over a dozen cards each.

In addition to newly released materials, eagle-eyed collectors may discover older boxes, packs and loose commons/uncommons from past years mixed into the general baseball card selection. Given enough digging, it’s possible to encounter 1980s, 90s or 2000s era Topps, Donruss, Fleer products and more. Of course, finding chase cards from vintage sets mixed among commons is very much luck of the draw. But Walmart’s large inventories sometimes turn up unexpected vintage gems.

Customers may also discover promotional packs, discounted overstock items and clearance baseball cards marked down. After a season or product run has ended, Walmart needs to make shelf space for the new year’s releases, so previously popular items may be reduced just to clear inventory. This creates opportunistic buying situations for thrifty collectors. Seasonal and holiday-themed baseball cards released around Memorial Day, Independence Day or Halloween may also periodically appear as associates find room to feature them.

The baseball card selection tends to be located within the same general area as other trading cards like basketball, football, hockey, non-sports etc. It is not uncommon for a Walmart to have an 8 foot shelf space or dedicated endcap completely filled with various cards. Signage should clearly indicate where the baseball cards are situated in relation to other related collectibles like memorabilia, autograph items and equipment within the store.

Customers should be aware that not every WalmartSupercenter or smaller Neighborhood Market format store will necessarily devote the same real estate to cards. Baseball cards may only make up a small fraction of a more generalized “trading cards” section. Or they could have their own featured area. It really comes down to store management preferences on space allocation for that category of product.

Fortunately, Walmart makes finding items fast and easy through their website and mobile app. Customers can check online whether a particular location has baseball cards in stock and read reviews from others. The item description and photos clarify the general quality and selection level to expect. This lets customers know in advance whether stopping by a specific Walmart is worthwhile based on their collecting interests and needs.

With over 5,000 stores across America, there is a good chance a Walmart near you stocks at least some new and older baseball cards satisfying casual readers or die-hard collectors. Combined with low prices, the chain offers accessibility and affordability that makes it a popular shopping destination for card enthusiasts. With a bit of searching, the baseball card selection at Walmart can uncover hidden gems still awaiting discovery on the racks.