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BASEBALL CARDS TWINS

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Baseball cards featuring twins have been around since the early days of the collecting hobby. Twins are a rarity in Major League Baseball, with only a small handful of twins ever making it to the big leagues together throughout history. Their uniqueness has made baseball cards showcasing sibling twins highly sought after by collectors.

Some of the earliest twins to appear on baseball cards include the Brennan brothers – Jerry and Tommy Brennan. The Brennan twins made their MLB debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers together in 1898. In 1909, the duo appeared on an early tobacco card issue together still as members of the Dodgers franchise. The 1909 Brennan Brothers card remains one of the rarest and most valuable baseball cards of the era given the twins were among the earliest sibling players.

In more modern times, one of the most iconic baseball card issues highlighting twins is the 1960 Topps set that included Dick and Hank Allen. As members of the Philadelphia Phillies, Dick and Hank made history by becoming the first sibling batting teammates in MLB. Their 1960 Topps rookie card together has become a highly valued piece in any serious vintage collection. Even today, a pristine Dick and Hank Allen card can fetch thousands of dollars.

Another sibling duo who have been immortalized on sought after cardboard are pitcher Jim and Gaylord Perry. In the 1970s, Jim and Gaylord had successful careers simultaneously, with Jim pitching for the Indians and Rangers while Gaylord led the Giants and Padres staffs. Their simultaneous 1970 Topps rookie cards remain fan favorites. Gaylord and Jim went on to both be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, enhancing the appeal of their brotherly baseball cards many collectors cherish.

Moving into the 1980s, twins Tim and Tom Hilgendorf broke into the majors with the Chicago White Sox. In 1983, the right-handed pitchers made their MLB debuts within a week of each other. Their twin rookie cards from Donruss and Topps that year are some of the more novel issues from the decade. While their careers were not long-lived in the majors, the rarity of twins makes their cards popular finds for White Sox PC holders and twins card aficionados.

Perhaps the best known and most widely recognized baseball twins cards come from the pitching duo of Orel and Randy Hershiser. in the late 1980s, Orel and Randy rose through the Los Angeles Dodgers system together as right-handed hurlers. In 1983, they made their major league debuts just months apart for LA. Since that period through the late 1980s and 1990s, Orel and Randy appeared on countless baseball cards together as Dodgers. Their Topps rookie cards that debuted them as brothers in the majors are constant big sellers in the vintage marketplace.

Some other notable twins to be featured on popular baseball cards over the years include Jim and Joe Kelly, who came up with the Boston Red Sox in the 2010s. Their sibling bond was highlighted on Topps cards during their time as teammates. More recently, Cavan and Connor Biggio debuted with the Toronto Blue Jays together in 2019. Although their careers are just getting started, the father-son dynamic alongside playing as twins has added intrigue to their early Topps RCs.

Whether its superstar Hall of Famers like the Perrys or more niche players, baseball cards have long served to highlight the rarity of twins making their way at the highest level. The collectibility of cards showing siblings playing alongside each other adds unique value for fans and memorabilia hounds alike. As long as twins continue competing in MLB someday, their cardboard issued by Topps, Donruss and others will remain appreciated in the world of baseball collectibles.

MINNESOTA TWINS BASEBALL CARDS

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The Minnesota Twins have a long and storied history in Major League Baseball, and their players have been featured on countless baseball cards over the decades. From the early days of the franchise when they were known as the Washington Senators, to their modern era as the Twins, these players have entertained millions of fans while also appearing in the coveted cardboard collectibles loved by people of all ages.

Some of the earliest Twins baseball cards come from the late 1950s and early 1960s when the team was still located in the nation’s capital under the Senators moniker. Future Hall of Famers like Harmon Killebrew, who spent his entire 22-year MLB career with the franchise, have cards from this Washington era. Killebrew rookie cards from 1954 and 1955 are quite valuable today, often fetching thousands of dollars depending on the card’s condition and rarity. Another star from that time period whose cards can be found is pitcher Camilo Pascual, who won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 1955 playing for the Senators.

When the team moved to the Twin Cities in 1961 and became the Minnesota Twins, it opened up new opportunities for card companies to feature the players on cards specifically branded for their new home state. Home Run King and slugger Harmon Killebrew continued to be one of the most prominent players featured, and 1961 was also the rookie card year for future stars like Tony Oliva, Zoilo Versalles, and Jim Kaat. These early Minnesota Twins rookie cards can sell for hundreds to even over a thousand dollars if graded and preserved in mint condition. Pitching greats like Jim Perry and Bert Blyleven also had numerous Topps, Fleer, and other baseball cards issued during the 1960s as they established themselves as reliable starters.

The late 1960s saw the rise of another future Hall of Famer, outfielder Rod Carew, who collected seven batting titles over his 19-year career, including six as a member of the Twins from 1967 to 1978. Carew’s 1967 Topps rookie card is one of the most iconic from the brand and remains highly sought after by collectors. Carew was joined by slugger Bob Allison and pitcher Jim Merritt as Twins stars who appeared on dozens of cards in the late 60s/early 70s era. This generation of Twins had success, winning American League championships in 1965 and 1969 behind strong starting pitching and lineup led by Tony Oliva, Carew, and Killebrew.

The franchise experienced some down years in the late 1970s after losing Carew to free agency, but a new core of players led by outfielder Lyman Bostock started to emerge. Bostock’s rookie card came in 1975 for Topps and Fleer. His career and life were tragically cut short when he was shot and killed at age 27 in 1978. Still, his rookie cards remain historically significant for representing one of the franchise’s bright young talents stolen much too soon. Twins cards from the late 70s also featured other soon-to-be All-Stars like catcher Butch Wynegar, first baseman Dan Ford, and pitcher Bert Blyleven, who remained with the team until 1985.

In the 1980s, the Twins had tremendous success under manager Billy Martin and later Tom Kelly, winning division titles in 1987, 1991, and winning the World Series in 1987 and 1991. Stars like Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, Frank Viola, Bert Blyleven, and Gary Gaetti made frequent appearances on baseball cards during those glory years. Kirby Puckett’s success turned him into one of the most photographed baseball players ever, cementing his status as a true face of the franchise with his upbeat energy and highlights. Gaetti, Hrbek, and Puckett especially were such vital parts of those championship cores that their Topps and Donruss cards from that era continue to be highly sought after and command big dollars today in pristine condition.

Moving into the 1990s, the Twins continued with their explosive offenses led by Puckett, Hrbek, Chuck Knoblauch, and rookies like Rookie of the Year winner Pat Mahomes (1992). Winfield was brought in via free agency several times over different spans of his career to provide power. Knoblauch’s rookie cards in 1991 were highly produced but still hold nostalgic significance to collectors. Later in the decade, future stars like Torii Hunter started breaking into the majors, with Hunter’s Topps rookie card coming in 1997. Injuries diminished the careers of Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, and others as the franchise entered a bit of a rebuilding phase in the late 90s. Still, nostalgia for those World Series winners kept demand high for 1990s cards of the stars.

Having moved into their current ballpark, Target Field, in 2010, the Twins have had lots of new stars to feature on cards over the past decade plus. Pitchers like Johan Santana, Francisco Liriano, and homegrown aces like Jose Berrios have all had popular rookie cards. Outfielder Byron Buxton’s Topps and Bowman rookie cards from 2015 gained value as he developed into an elite defensive player. Shortstop Jorge Polanco emerged as an All-Star in 2019, giving collectors from that year someone new to watch. Even during down years, the Twins have loyal fans who enjoy collecting the newest generations of cards showing tomorrow’s stars in pitcher Joe Ryan or outfielder Alex Kirilloff. Into the future, the Twins figures to continue cultivating new homegrown talents that collectors can watch develop one card at a time.

Spanning over 60 years in Minnesota and Washington D.C., the Twins franchise has been well-represented on baseball cards entertaining collectors of all ages. Rookie cards, winners of individual honors, home run leaders, pitchers’ duels, and championships are all part of the team’s rich cardboard history that finds new appreciation with each generation. As the Twins strive to bring more titles back to Minnesota, their players will likely continue occupying shiny new spots inside the treasured cases and collections of sports card aficionados everywhere.

1987 MINNESOTA TWINS TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1987 Minnesota Twins Topps baseball card set is notable for capturing an exciting season where the Twins won the American League Western Division pennant. The Topps company had been producing thorough Major League Baseball card sets year after year to commemorate each season. For 1987, Topps included flagship cards for every player on the Twins’ 40-man roster at the time.

Some key players featured prominently in the set included starting pitchers Frank Viola and Bert Blyleven, who anchored the Twins’ rotation. Both had terrific seasons and played a large role in the team’s success. Viola won the Cy Young Award after going 20-4 with a 2.90 ERA in 1987. It was a career year for the lefty. Blyleven continued his strong late-career performance by going 17-9 with a 3.45 ERA and 162 strikeouts as the team’s ace. Their cards aptly depict their important roles on that championship contender squad.

Position player cards of note included catcher Tom Nieto, who batted .300 in a backup role but was an excellent defender and catcher for the staff. Third baseman Gary Gaetti had a breakout season, leading the league in extra-base hits and finishing sixth in MVP voting after posting a .278 average with 28 home runs and 105 RBI. His card shows him in the midst of a powerful swing that epitomized his production that year. Center fielder Kirby Puckett also had a signature campaign, batting .297 with 14 home runs and 88 RBI in helping lead the Twins offense.

Manager Tom Kelly’s card is also a standout as it captures the skipper in the midst of animated discussion with an umpire, representative of his feisty personality in guiding the Twins to deep playoff runs. Kelly would go on to be quite successful as the Twins’ manager throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. Backup catcher Rick Lysander also received notoriety due to his unique batting stance card image, bent over at an extreme angle reminiscent of batting practice takes in the cage.

Rookies and prospects rated cards as well, such as pitcher Allan Anderson who made his major league debut in 1987 and went 6-8 with a 3.86 ERA in 21 games. Other youngsters like infielder Tim Teufel and pitcher Brad Havens received cards highlighting their potential despite having seen limited major league action up to that point. Even long reliever Ron Romanick, who did not make an appearance for the Twins in ’87, was given a card as he remained on the Twin Cities roster.

The standard team logos, team name fonts, and card color/design from that era are all well represented. The 1987 Topps set delivers traditional nostalgia while also signifying an optimistic time of contention for the Minnesota franchise. The backdrop images used for many players are from Met Stadium, the Twins’ home field through the 1981 season before moving to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Met Stadium had since been demolished but remained a source of familiarity and baseball history for Twin Cities fans.

Of course, the reverse side of each card contained statistics, career highlights, and fun facts about the players from the 1986 season and earlier points in their careers. Things like birthdates, handedness, and rookie season information were consistently listed. Pitcher cards contained full season-by-season loglines listing won-loss records, ERA and innings totals. Hitter cards focused more on season batting stats. This data tracking of player progression proved engaging for collectors to research and compare players year over year.

Although 1987 concluded with a disappointing American League Championship Series loss to the Detroit Tigers, that twins squad laid the groundwork for consistent contention throughout the late 80s and early 90s. Topps helpfully commemorated its key performers through this flagship 1987 set. While not quite making the timeless upper echelons of rookie cards for players like Puckett or Blyleven, they retain plenty of nostalgia and affordability for Twin Cities enthusiasts and baseball memorabilia appreciators. With sharp photography and representation of that competitive ’87 team, it stands as one of the more historically notable Topps releases for Minnesota baseball fans.

MINNESOTA TWINS BASEBALL CARDS CHECKLISTS

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Minnesota Twins Baseball Cards Checklists: A Detailed History from the Early Years

The Minnesota Twins franchise has a long and storied history that baseball card collectors have been documenting for decades. What started as the Washington Senators moved to become the Minnesota Twins in 1961, opening up a new era for baseball cards centered around the Twin Cities. In this article, we will take an extensive look back through the early years of Minnesota Twins baseball cards, from their inaugural 1961 season all the way through the 1970s. Buckle up for a detailed journey through the original Twins checklists.

1961 Topps: The Twins’ Debut

Topps was the dominant baseball card maker in the early 1960s, so it’s no surprise that the 1961 Topps set was the first to feature Minnesota Twins players. Highlights of the rookie Twins roster included stars like Harmon Killebrew, Bob Allison, and Jim Kaat. Other notables included pitchers Camilo Pascual and Jim Perry. There were 25 total Twins players featured across cards #1 to #25 in the set. This inaugural checklist helped baseball fans get to know the new American League franchise.

1962-1966: Topps Dominates the Early Years

In the initial half-decade of Minnesota Twins cards, Topps was pretty much the only game in town. From 1962 through 1966, they manufactured the lone major baseball card sets each year. Some notable additions to the franchise in this span included Tony Oliva (1962 ROY), Zoilo Versalles (1965 MVP), and Jim “Mudcat” Grant. Checklists generally ranged between 20-30 Twins players each year. Rosters evolved but mainstays like Killebrew, Allison, Kaat, Pascual and others anchored the early Twins.

1967: Fleer Joins the Party

In 1967, Fleer obtained a license to produce modern size baseball cards for the first time. They debuted with a modest 132-card set that included around 15 Twins players like Killebrew, Oliva, Versalles, and Kaat amongst the checklist. This marked the first time collectors had a second company to obtain Minnesota cards from beyond just Topps. The emergence of Fleer added more options and helped grow the collector market.

1968-1972: Topps and Fleer Duel It Out

The latter half of the 1960s saw Topps and Fleer dueling it out each season for baseball card dominance. Both maintained sizable checklists of around 15-25 Twins players annually. Notable franchise additions this era included pitching standouts Bert Blyleven and Dick Woodson, as well as power hitters like Danny Thompson and Steve Braun. Rookies like Lyman Bostock also gained notoriety on the checklists of 1968-1972. Competition between Topps and Fleer widened collecting opportunities.

1973-1978: The Peak Years of Checklist Size

Coinciding with the Twins’ rise to prominence as 1976 AL Champions, the mid-1970s represented a high water mark for Minnesota Twins card representation across issues from Topps, Fleer, and the new entrant Donruss. Checklist sizes routinely reached 30+ players. Stars like Rod Carew, Larry Hisle, Bert Blyleven, and Kent Hrbek became ubiquitous. Rookies like Willie Norwood and Dave Goltz gained early cardboard fame. The late 1970s even saw experimental checklists from OPC and TCMA capture the Burly bunch in their prime years of popularity.

1979-1980: Twilight of the 60s/70s Stars

As the 1970s came to a close, Twins cards from Topps, Donruss and Fleer began to feature more younger talents like Ken Landreaux, Gary Ward, and Tom Runnells while bidding farewell to the 60s/70s core of Killebrew, Oliva, Carew, Blyleven, et al. Icons like Carew were dealt away. Checklist sizes began to contract slightly but collectors could still happily round out rosters of their favorite late 70s Twins. The end of an era was marked on cardboard.

The history of Minnesota Twins baseball cards and checklists from 1961 through 1980 took baseball fans on a journey through the franchise’s original heyday – from debut to dominance. Led by the big 3 of Topps, Fleer and Donruss, collectors were well-served with options to build complete Twins rosters of the early expansion years. The evolution of the franchise is perfectly chronicled through the annual checklist snapshots from this rich early period.

MINNESOTA TWINS BASEBALL CARDS 2021

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The 2021 Minnesota Twins had an interesting season that was reflected in their baseball card releases that year. After making the playoffs in both 2018 and 2019, the Twins stumbled to a 73-89 record in the shortened 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hopes were high that 2021 would see the team return to postseason contention, led by starring players like Byron Buxton, José Berríos, and Taylor Rogers.

While the season did not pan out as hoped with the Twins finishing only 73-89 again, there were still many noteworthy baseball cards featuring Twin players released in 2021. Topps, Panini, Leaf, and other card companies produced sets showcasing the team’s talent and looking back on their history. Rooftop card collectors found several young players emerging as stars or having breakout seasons captured in cardboard.

Some of the top Minnesota Twins baseball cards from 2021 included standouts like:

Byron BuxtonDiamond Kings Base – Seen as the future of the franchise, Buxton had another injury-plagued season but remained one of the most exciting players in baseball when healthy. His Diamond Kings card showcased his elite defense and speed.

José BerríosChrome Update Refractor – After being traded at the deadline, Berríos’ star continued to rise. His Chrome Update Refractor captured him during his excellent start to the 2021 season before being dealt to the Blue Jays.

Taylor RogersDefinitive Collection Blue Foil Parallel /150 – The Twins’ stellar closer in recent years, Rogers put together another fine season before injury issues arose. This rare parallel version highlighted his importance in the bullpen.

Jorge PolancoAllen & Ginter Mini /25 – A breakout star in 2019, Polanco took a step back but still produced at the plate for Minnesota. This short print mini card chronicled his continuing development.

José MirandaBowman Chrome Blue Refractor /499 – As one of the team’s top prospects, Miranda impressed with his bat at Double-A and his card gains value as his potential is realized.

Alex KirilloffTopps Chrome Orange Refractor /150 – Injuries hampered Kirilloff’s rookie campaign after a strong debut in 2021, but collectors remain high on his talents long-term.

Bailey OberFinest Refractors – As a rookie, Ober showed promise as a back-end starter and continued Minnesota’s track record of developing pitching. His Finest Refractors captured this beginning.

Trevor LarnachTopps Fire Blue Refractor /99 – Another well-regarded hitting prospect, Larnach made his MLB debut in 2021 and flashed some power in a small sample size.

Gilberto CelestinoTopps Big League Debut /2021 – As one of the organization’s fastest rising international prospects, Celestino received playing time late in the season and his rookie card was highly sought.

In addition to starring players like Buxton and Berríos, the Twins’ strong farm system and prospect pipeline was highlighted in many 2021 releases. Snames like Ryan Jeffers, Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach, and Jose Miranda appeared across Topps, Bowman, Leaf, and Panini products with parallels, refractors, and special rookie cards. Parallel versions of breakouts like Jorge Polanco also gained value.

Vintage Minnesota baseball fans and collectors found throwback options too. Ginter, Topps Heritage, and Archives sets paid homage to franchise icons like Harmon Killebrew, Kent Hrbek, Bert Blyleven, and Tony Oliva. 1986 Fleer GOAT parallels commemorated the late Kirby Puckett’s Hall of Fame career. Upper Deck Legends Included Tom Kelly and managers like Ron Gardenhire.

While the 2021 Twins underperformed, their baseball cards remained popular with collectors young and old. Products captured both established stars and emerging prospects, chronicling the present and future of the franchise for cardholders. Despite injury and inconsistency on the field, several young Twins gained attention and card value as their talents developed. And classic Twins continued to be honored in throwback cardboard decades after their playing days ended. All in all, 2021 provided Minnesota baseball fans plenty of intriguing options to add to their collections despite a difficult major league season.

MOST VALUABLE MINNESOTA TWINS BASEBALL CARDS

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The Minnesota Twins have a long and storied franchise history dating back to their inception in 1961 as the Washington Senators. Over six decades, many legendary players have donned the Twins uniform and produced incredible baseball cards along the way. While it may be tough to narrow it down, here are some of the most valuable vintage Minnesota Twins baseball cards based on their rarity, condition, and player significance.

Perhaps the single most valuable Twins card is the 1965 Topps Joe Mauer rookie card. Widely considered one of the best catching prospects of all time coming out of high school, Mauer lived up to the hype by winning American League Rookie of the Year and batting titles in 2006 along with three AL MVP awards. In mint condition, graded as a PSA 10, his 1965 Topps rookie card currently sells for around $15,000. Even lower graded near-mint copies can fetch $5,000+. Mauer’s career numbers and legacy as the face of the Twins franchise for over a decade make this among the most sought-after cards for any Twin.

Another local star with an elite rookie card is Kent Hrbek. A four-time All-Star and 1987 World Series MVP, Hrbek spent his entire 14-year career with the Twins from 1981-1994. His 1981 Topps rookie card in a PSA 10 grade recently sold for just under $10,000, showing strong demand for “The Mayor of Hrbek City”. Even well-centered copies in poorer condition sell for $2,000-3,000, a testament to Hrbek’s iconic status in Minnesota baseball history. This remains one of the highest valued cards for any 1980s Twins player.

Perhaps the rarest Twins card overall belongs to Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven. Appearing on just a single 1970 Topps card as a 19-year old with the Senators, high-grade copies in a PSA 9-10 range sell for $8,000-10,000. Even low-pop PSA 8 examples still fetch $4,000-5,000. With only one rookie card in existence and over 60 career Wins Above Replacement, this scarce early Blyleven issue remains a prized possession. Not many Senators/Twins cards from the late 1960s-early 1970s carry valuations over $1,000, making the Blyleven among the most significant.

Staying in the 1960s-1970s era, catcher and 9-time All-Star Earl Battey has two quite valuable vintage issues as well. His 1964 Topps and 1967 Topps cards both regularly sell for $3,000-5,000 in top PSA 9-10 grades. Battey spent the bulk of his career with the original Senators/Twins franchise from 1955-1968, so finding high-quality representatives of his playing days remain highly sought after by vintage collectors. Similarly, 1967 Topps cards of hall of famer Harmon Killebrew routinely fetch $2,000-4,000 in top condition as one of his final representations with the Twins before being traded.

Fast forwarding to the 1980s glory years, Frank Viola’s highly coveted 1985 Fleer Update Block Buster (Gold #17) card can sell for $3,000-4,000Psa 10. This insert set only featured 32 short printed players, making Viola’s American League Cy Young and World Series championship reflection exceedingly rare. César Tovar’s 1965 Topps has also gained recent momentum, as PSA 10s sell for around $3,000 given his unique career spanning multiple positions. Some other notable $1,000+ cards from this era include Tom Brunansky and Al Newman’s 1987 Donruss highlights of Gold #5 and #17 inserts in high grades.

The late 1990s-2000s Twins dynasty has no shortage of valuable modern issues as well. With 5 All-Star selections and 3 Gold Gloves as the face of the franchise for over a decade, Torii Hunter’s 1998 Bowman Chrome, 1999 Topps Traded, and 2002 Topps base rookie cards have all recently sold in the $1,500-2,500 range in PSA 10. Similarly, a gem mint Johan Santana 2006 Topps Championship Ticket auto/relic dual patch card changes hands for $2,000+. Even role players like David Ortiz, LaTroy Hawkins, and Jacque Jones have $500-1,000 cards recognizing their contributions to playoff teams.

While no single player can summarize the franchise, many of these names continue to generate huge nostalgia and collector demand. With over 60 years of history packed with HOFers, MVPs, and deep postseason runs, the Minnesota Twins will likely always have iconic baseball cards beloved by not just fans, but savvy investors as well. Condition-sensitive rookies of Mauer, Hrbek, Blyleven, and others top the wish lists, but many other polished Twins gems from the 1960s onward can delight collectors for years to come.

MOST EXPENSIVE TWINS BASEBALL CARDS

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When it comes to collecting sports trading cards, many of the most valuable cards feature star players who have had Hall of Fame careers. There are also cards that gain immense value simply due to the circumstances surrounding their production and distribution. Such is the case with some of the priciest twins baseball cards ever sold at auction.

The 1952 Topps Bob Feller/Warren Spahn dual rookie card is often cited as the most valuable twins baseball card of all time. Only around 100 of these intricate dual rookie cards are believed to exist, making them incredibly scarce and desirable among serious collectors. The Feller/Spahn card stands out as it features future Hall of Famers Bob Feller and Warren Spahn from their rookie seasons with the Cleveland Indians and Boston Braves in 1952.

What makes this dual rookie so significant is that it was produced during the early experimental years of Topps baseball cards when the company was still figuring out production techniques. It’s believed this unique card came about due to an excess of two separate photo negatives that Topps opted to combine onto a single card to use up leftover materials.

This unconventional dual rookie card would sell for $94,500 at auction in 2018, setting a new record. Another PSA Graded Gem Mint 9.5 example broke records again in 2019 selling for an astounding $258,750. With only a small fraction known to survive in high grades, mint condition Feller/Spahn dual rookie examples will likely continue increasing in value as one of the most desirable vintage baseball cards.

Another scarce and expensive twins baseball card is the 1909 Erie Caramel E80 Honus Wagner/Ed Abbaticchio card. Like the Feller/Spahn rookie, this dual features two future Hall of Famers in Abbaticchio and the legendary Honus Wagner. Produced during the early decades of baseball cards included in tobacco products, the E80 dual is exceptionally rare with analysts believing fewer than 10 high grade examples still exist today.

What makes this dual so rare is that it was part of the short-lived Caramel baseball card series produced by the Erie Caramel Company in 1909 and 1910. Production was halted after just one year due to changes in collectible trading card laws. The scant surviving examples are thus amongst the earliest American made mass-produced baseball cards in existence.

In 2013, a PSA EX-MT 5 example of the Honus Wagner/Ed Abbaticchio E80 card realized a then-record $252,000 at auction. The exceptionally high price was due to the factors of featuring a legendary star player in Wagner along with the card’s unparalleled rarity as one of few survivors from this pioneer tobacco era issue. It stood as the most expensive twins baseball card ever sold until being surpassed by examples of the 1952 Topps Feller/Spahn dual rookie.

Another incredibly scarce and valuable twins baseball card holds significance as the first ever mass-produced issue. The 1909-11 T206 Gold Border set introduced colorful player portraits as part of Cumberland Company’s cigarette offering. Among the rarer high value T206 duals is the Eddie Plank/Chief Wilson example. Considered a key rarity in the landmark 1909-11 series, surviving high graded examples regularly sell for over $100,000.

The Plank/Wilson twin features future Hall of Famer pitcher Eddie Plank alongside fellow Philadelphia Athletics teammate Chief Wilson. With its attributed date of 1909, it holds distinction as being included amongst the initial batch of T206s when this iconic set first popularized baseball cards as part of tobacco promotion. Graded mint specimens are seldomly encountered, routinely achieving prices over $150,000 at auction.

While plenty of dual baseball cards feature recognized stars, there are oddball twins showcasing obscure and lesser known players that have gained significant value based on their scarce distribution. A fantastic example is the 1927 M101-1 Sanford Superba Gavvy Cravath/Slinks Barker dual card. Depicting then-active major leaguers Gavvy Cravath and Slinks Barker, this regional dual rookie from Sanford Superba cigarette packs is one of baseball’s true anomalies.

It’s estimated only 2-3 high grade specimens are known to exist after the M101-1 set saw narrow distribution confined only to New England. A copy that surfaced and graded PSA Mint 9 in 2015 realized a record $132,000 at auction. While the featured players themselves aren’t legends, the rarity, condition and regional oddity of the 1927 Sanford Superba dual rookie makes it highly coveted by dedicated collectors.

Certainly, the most expensive twins baseball cards have gained immense value based on their starring Hall of Famers and widespread appeal to enthusiasts. It’s often the infamously rare, regionally peculiar or early production oddballs that end up creating the most valuable dual rarities. Whether it’s iconic names like Wagner and Feller, or obscure players like Cravath and Barker, scarce twins continue fascinate collectors willing to pay premium prices for the thrill of owning cherished pieces of early sports card history. In today’s booming market, the most valuable duals are constantly achieving new record prices whenever premium specimens change hands.

TWINS BASEBALL CARDS WORTH MONEY

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Very few things in life can bring as much joy as finding a valuable baseball card tucked away in your collection. While most cards are worth just a few cents, there are always a few that could pay off your mortgage if they are in gem mint condition. Twins cards are no exception, as there are quite a few from their history that could be worth a pretty penny. Let’s take a deeper look at some twins baseball cards that could be worth serious money.

One of the most valuable twins cards ever is the 1965 Topps Jim Kaat rookie card. Only about 10-15 gem mint examples are known to exist, and the last few to cross the auction block have sold for over $30,000 each. What makes this card so rare is that only 86 copies were printed with the wrong photo, which is the version that has become the true rookie. The regular issue shows Kaat with a different uniform. This mistake made only a small run that has proven to be incredibly scarce over the decades.

Another huge money twins rookie is the 2001 Topps Zach Greinke card. As one of the best pitchers of his generation, demand remains high for Greinke rookie cards. High grade examples in PSA 10 condition have reached $2,500 recently. Even well-centered PSA 9 copies can bring $500-1000. What’s interesting about this card is Greinke only spent half a season with the Twins before being traded, yet his rookie card value remains tied strongly to Minnesota.

For players with lengthy Twins careers, hall of famers Tony Oliva and Kent Hrbek have valuable rookie cards as well. The 1964 Topps Oliva is highly sought after, with PSA 9’s selling around $800-1000. Hrbek’s memorable mustache graces his 1982 Topps rookie, with PSA 10’s reaching over $500. Both were vital cogs in the great Twins teams of the 60s and 80s, making their earliest issues very collectible.

Switching gears to the modern era, Byron Buxton’s 2015 Topps Chrome rookie refractor parallel /99 is a true gem for Twins fans. Numbered to just 99 copies, these often eclipse $1000 for higher grades. Even raw ungraded examples command $500+. Buxton appeared poised for superstardom after initially joining Minnesota, and collectors remain hopeful he can still achieve that potential. His posters have held value better than most.

Continuing with recent players, the 2011 Topps Jose Berrios rookie refractor /299 has quickly become a hits. Still just 27, Berrios has cemented himself as the Twins ace and continues improving. High end PSA 10 examples of this short printed parallel have reached $900. His immense talent and status as the staff leader make this a cardinal to target.

Speaking of short prints, the 1992 Bowman Chipper Jones Twins card /399 is a true rarity. Despite only playing 9 games for Minnesota before his Hall of Fame career took off with Atlanta, this pre-rookie issue remains one of the most valuable Twins cards period. A PSA 9 just sold for $3,750. Only 399 were produced, making this about as scarce as it gets to own a piece of Chipper’s early days.

For a true blast from the past, the 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle Twins card retains massive popularity. Although Mickey spent just one season in Minnesota’s minor league system as a 19 year old, any Mantle issue generates fervor. High grade versions remain north of $10,000 each when they surface. While he never even reached the Twins, this is as close as it gets for collectors of The Mick.

The all-time most expensive twins baseball card belongs to the 1909-11 T206 Eddie Cicotte card in a PSA Authentic grade of 8. This iconic T206 set features many of the game’s early stars, but high grade Cicotte examples are exceptionally rare finds. In 2018, one in this condition sold for a staggering $86,250. Admittedly, it’s not attainable for most collectors. But this just shows the incredible heights a valuable twins issue can reach.

While the average twins baseball card may not be worth much, there are certainly some that could pay major dividends with the right combination of player, set, and condition. Top rookies from the likes of Kaat, Greinke, Oliva, and Hrbek maintain strong values. Short prints highlight Buxton and Berrios. Mistake issues like the Chipper Jones twin stands outs. And vintage greats such as Mantle and Cicotte will always generate tremendous interest. With a little luck and perseverance, one of these gems could be waiting in your twin’s collection to be rediscovered.

MOST VALUABLE MN TWINS BASEBALL CARDS

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The Minnesota Twins have a rich baseball history dating back to their inception as the original Washington Senators in 1901. Over decades of playing in the Twin Cities, many legendary Twins players have had their likenesses immortalized on baseball cards. Some of these older cards have grown exceedingly rare and valuable as the years have passed. For serious collectors, high-grade examples of certain vintage Twins cards can command thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.

Some of the most coveted and expensive vintage Twins cards include ones featuring Hall of Famers Harmon Killebrew and Rod Carew. Killebrew played first base and outfield for the Twins from 1954 to 1974 and was one of the premier power hitters of his era, smashing 573 home runs over his career. His 1954 Topps rookie card in near-mint to mint condition has sold for over $10,000. Another valuable Killebrew card is his 1965 Topps, which shows him batting left-handed and going after an inside pitch. Pristine examples of this card have sold for upwards of $4,000.

Rod Carew played second base for the Twins from 1967 to 1978 and was a seven-time batting champion, winning the AL batting title in six consecutive seasons from 1969-1975. Some of his highest valued cards include his 1967 Topps rookie card, which has sold for $8,000+ in top grades. His 1973 Topps card, which was part of a classic set with innovative design elements, can fetch $3,000 NM-MT. Carew also had several valuable cards issued during his 1970s batting title streak. His 1975 Topps and 1976 SSPC cards, showing his batting prowess and hitting abilities, have sold for $4,000 apiece in pristine condition.

Moving into the 1980s, two of the most expensive Twins cards are ones featuring hall of fame pitcher Bert Blyleven. Blyleven had a storied 22-year career pitching primarily for the Twins and Indians from 1970 to 1992, compiling 287 wins and over 3,700 strikeouts. His iconic 1970 Topps rookie card graded mint has sold for $12,000. Another valuable Blyleven is his 1971 Topps, which depicts him mid-windup and is widely considered one of the best baseball card photos ever. High graded specimens of this classic card have hit $7,000 at auction.

Beyond the hall of famers, several younger superstar Twins from the 80s and 90s also have prized cards. Kent Hrbek was a six-time All-Star first baseman for Minnesota from 1981 to 1994 who led the team to two World Series appearances. His 1981 Topps rookie card in top shape fetches $1,500. Kirby Puckett played center field for the Twins from 1984 to 1995 and led them to championship titles in 1987 and 1991. Near-mint 1987 & 1991 Fleer Update cards showing Puckett at the height of his success have sold for $3,000 each.

Another ultra-valuable Twins card is that of catcher/DH Joe Mauer from his rookie season of 2004. Mauer won the AL batting title in 2006 with a .347 average to become the first Twins position player ever to win the award. High-graded examples of his popular 2004 Topps rookie card have sold for $7,000. Randy Bush, who was a key pitcher for the 1987 World Series team, has a prized 1984 Fleer Update rookie card which in pristine condition realizes $3,000. And Torii Hunter, the charismatic center fielder for Minnesota from 1997 to 2007, has affordable high-grade rookies in 1999 Topps Traded and Bowman Chrome that can fetch $300-500 each.

While newer Twins stars like Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton don’t have the nostalgia or rarity of cards from decades past, prized low-serial numbered parallels and autographed cards of current players still retain significant collector value. For example, Sano’s 2013 Topps Chrome Blue Refractor #/99 has sold for $700, while a 2015 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Auto 1/5 realized $3,000. Buxton cards also hold value, as his 2014 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor #/50 sold for $800 and a 2015 Topps Five Star Diamonds Auto Purple /10 hit $1,200.

In summary, Minnesota Twins baseball cards from the 1960s-1990s featuring stars like Killebrew, Carew, Blyleven, Hrbek and Puckett in top condition are easily among the most valuable and sought after in the hobby. With the ups and downs of on-field performance waxing nostalgia, cards from the franchise’s World Series eras and heroes of yesteryear continue appreciating over time and providing a historic connection for collectors to relive past success. Having graded examples of these all-time great Twins in a collection is a true sign of dedication to the rich tradition and legacy of America’s pastime in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

MN TWINS BASEBALL CARDS

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The Minnesota Twins have been around since 1961 when the original Washington Senators franchise relocated to the Twin Cities. In that time, the team has produced many baseball card stars and sets over the decades that Twins fans love to collect. Let’s take an in-depth look at the history and key highlights of Minnesota Twins baseball cards from the early years up to modern issues.

One of the earliest and most sought after sets from the team’s beginnings is the 1961 Topps set. This was the first year cards were issued after the franchise moved to Minnesota. Rookie stars like Harmon Killebrew and Camilo Pascual had their debut cards in this set. The design and photography was typical of Topps issues from the late 50s/early 60s. High numbers of the cards were printed so most are reasonably easy to find today in circulated condition. Still, for collectors it’s very cool to own a piece of history from the team’s first season in Minnesota.

Speaking of rookie star cards, one of the true Holy Grails for any Twins collector is Tony Oliva’s 1964 Topps rookie card. Oliva would go on to be named American League Rookie of the Year that season and was a staply of the Twins outfield for over a decade. The condition of these cards varies widely due to the sheer numbers printed but high grade specimens can sell for thousands in auctions. Even in worn condition it’s an iconic piece of cardboard photography capturing a young Tony O in his early success.

During the 1960s, Topps held the exclusive baseball card license so they produced all the Twins team sets through 1968. The designs evolved each year but photography and production values remained basic. Highlights include Killebrew’s potent home run seasons represented on his cards. One of the scarcest regular issue Twins cards is Jerry Zimmerman’s 1968 Topps issue, with only around 50 copies known to exist today.

The late 1960s saw the introduction of competitive brands like Fleer and Leaf. In 1968 Fleer issued their groundbreaking “first color cards in gum” set that included some great Twins talent like Rod Carew in his sophomore season. Carew would become arguably the best season Twins player ever and his rookie cards from 1967 are also highly valuable.

The 1969 Topps set featured the infamous “bat in the helmet” photo of teammate Bob Allison holding a bat behind Carew in the on deck circle. Topps redeemed themselves the following year with a superb individual action shot of Carew at the plate. Throughout the 1970s multiple brands like Topps, Fleer, andDonruss kept Twins fans well stocked with new cards each year of their core players.

A major milestone was reached in 1981 when the Twins won the World Series, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals. Topps immortalized the championship team with a special photo and World Series logo added to the regular set. The ’87 Donruss Twins team set highlighted another playoff season. Individual rookie and star player cards kept emerging too, including Kent Hrbek’s and Frank Viola’s from the early 80s title years.

The late 80s and early 90s saw cards from brands like Score, Leaf, and Upper Deck join the fray. Score released memorable team and individual “Photo Patches” featuring jersey material enshrined on the cards. The ’91 Topps Traded set featured a cool “Turn Back The Clock” photo blending old and new Twins together.

Meanwhile, licensing issues caused gaps in coverage some years. In 1990 Fleer was the sole producer with their “Licensee” branded set after the Topps deal expired. The next year Upper Deck signed an exclusive MLB deal, producing the only Twins cards available in 1991.

The mid-90s saw huge interest in the sport and collector scene renewed. Topps regained the license in 1992. Brands like Studios and Pinnacle offered lavish premium card options alongside the mainstream releases. homegrown stars like Chuck Knoblauch and Kent Hrbek’s final seasons were chronicled in these high end sets.

A major rebrand occurred in 2000 when the Twins switched their primary logo to the current “TC” mark still used today. The next year also saw the debut of luxury sets like Elite Extra Edition offering 1/1 copy “relic” cards with uniform pieces. Parallels and autographed rookie cards of future Twins greats Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau accumulated major value in the hobby.

In 2002, Topps Total Memorabilia set the standard for modern relic cards by laminating swatches of jersey, bat or other memorabilia directly into specialty cards. Their releases continued highlighting Twins stars of the mid 2000s playoff years like Johan Santana and Francisco Liriano. The 2010s saw less mainstream sets issued as licensing consolidated among just a few dominant producers.

Parallel and serial-numbered “hit” cards featuring new promising talents like Byron Buxton keep appealing to collector demand. Plus, specialty products like Topps Dynasty honor the team’s rich history with photo collages and retrospective pieces. Through ever-changing card company partnerships and sets over 60+ years, the Minnesota Twins have ensured their players and franchise milestones live on through one of America’s favorite hobbies – baseball card collecting. The future remains bright for both Twins fans enjoying the games and collectors preserving the memories in cardboard form.