Wade Boggs is considered one of the greatest hitters of all time and had a Hall of Fame career playing third base primarily for the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees from 1982 to 1999. As a result, Boggs has been featured on numerous baseball cards over the years that are highly collectible today. Here’s a look at the top 10 most valuable and sought after Wade Boggs baseball cards:
1986 Fleer #459 – Boggs’ 1986 Fleer card captured him during his prime years with the Red Sox when he was winning batting titles. It’s one of his more commonly found rookie cards from the 1980s. In near mint condition, this card trends around $15-20.
1988 Topps Traded #T39 – In 1988, Boggs was traded from the Red Sox to the Yankees in a blockbuster deal. This traded card marks his first as a Yankee. It shows him wearing pinstripes and the photo has good action. Graded gem mint 10 copies have sold for over $100.
1990 Upper Deck #1 – The inaugural Upper Deck set from 1990 was a huge hit. Boggs’ card stood out with its sharp photo and design. It marked his first season with the Yankees after joining them in 1988. Near mint copies in sleeves sell in the $25-30 range.
1983 Topps Traded #T79 – Boggs’ rookie season was in 1982, but he didn’t have a regular Topps rookie card. This 1983 Topps Traded card from his sophomore year serves as his true rookie. It’s scarce in high grade and has reached over $150 in mint condition.
1987 Topps #660 – Boggs’ 1987 campaign was one of his finest as he batted .363 and captured his fourth consecutive batting title. This card perfectly captures that season. Near mint copies consistently sell for $40-50.
1984 Fleer Update #U-66 – Boggs took home the AL batting title in 1984 with a .357 average. This rare FleerUpdate card from that year has fewer print runs than the base set. Ungraded mint versions have brought $300 due to its scarcity.
1991 Topps Traded #T1 – Boggs’ last season with the Yankees in 1991 was marked by this prestigious Traded card serial #T1. It features him in a Yankees batting stance. Pristine copies have reached over $400 at auction.
1982 Fleer #507 – Boggs made his MLB debut with the Red Sox in 1982 and had a solid rookie campaign. This 1982 Fleer issue serves as one of his true rookie cards. High graded examples have sold for upwards of $800.
1982 Topps #610 – As one of Boggs’ flagship rookie cards, the 1982 Topps #610 has long been one of the keys to any Boggs collection. In sought after gem mint 10 condition, this card has cracked the $4,000 barrier in recent sales.
1984 Donruss #46 – Boggs’ breakout season was 1984 when he cemented himself as an All-Star and batted .361 to take the AL batting title. This 1984 Donruss issue is considered by many to be his best card. A pristine near-mint copy recently sold at auction for a staggering $16,500, showing its rarity and demand from collectors.
In conclusion, Wade Boggs produced countless memorable moments over his Hall of Fame career and cards that captured each stage. While raw copies of his early 1980s rookie issues can be found for affordable prices still, the finest elite examples have become quite valuable to dedicated collectors. Boggs’ story and accomplishments ensure that the top cards from his playing days with the Red Sox and Yankees will remain widely collected and some of the most iconic in the hobby for years to come.
