• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Get Sports Collectors Daily via EMail
    • Advertise with SC Daily
    • Write for Sports Collectors Daily
    • Write About Your Sports Collection
    • Where Can I Sell My Baseball Cards?
  • Hot on eBay
    • Most Watched Graded Rookies
    • Most Watched PSA 10 Cards
    • Most Watched BGS, BVG Cards
    • Most Watched SGC Cards
    • Most Watched CSG,CGC Cards
    • Most Watched Baseball Cards
      • Most Watched 2023 Baseball Cards
      • Most Watched 2022 Baseball Rookie Cards
      • Bowman Chrome Cards
      • Ronald Acuna Jr. Cards
      • Shohei Ohtani Cards
      • Mike Trout Cards
      • Fernando Tatis Jr. Cards
      • Babe Ruth Cards
      • Hank Aaron Cards
      • Jackie Robinson Cards:
      • Mickey Mantle Cards
      • Willie Mays Cards
      • Vintage Baseball Card Sets
      • T206 Cards
    • Most Watched Basketball
      • Top 100 Most Watched Basketball Rookie Cards
      • 100 Hottest 2022-23 NBA Rookie Cards
      • 100 Hottest 2021-22 NBA Rookie Cards
      • 100 Hottest 2020-21 NBA Rookie Cards
      • 100 Hottest 2019-20 NBA Rookie Cards
        • Zion Williamson Rookie Cards
        • Ja Morant Rookie Cards
      • Michael Jordan Cards
      • Kobe Bryant Cards
      • LeBron James Rookie Cards
      • Nikola Jokic Rookie Cards
      • Giannis Antetokounmpo Cards
      • Luka Doncic Rookie Cards
      • Prizm Basketball Cards
      • Panini National Treasures
    • Most Watched Football Cards
      • Most Watched NFL Rookie Cards
      • 2022 NFL Rookie Cards
        • Brock Purdy Rookie Cards
      • 2021 NFL Rookie Cards
      • 2020 NFL Rookie Cards
        • Joe Burrow Rookie Cards
        • Justin Herbert Rookie Cards
        • Jalen Hurts Rookie Cards
      • Josh Allen Rookie Cards
      • Patrick Mahomes Rookie Cards
      • Tom Brady Cards
    • Most Watched Hockey Cards
      • Top 100 Most Watched Hockey Rookie Cards
      • Most Watched 2021-22 NHL Rookie Cards
      • Most Watched 2020-21 Rookie Cards
      • Most Watched 2019-20 Rookie Cards
      • Connor McDavid Cards
      • Wayne Gretzky Cards
      • Bobby Orr Cards
    • Most Watched Soccer Cards
    • Most Watched UFC Cards
    • Most Watched Golf Cards
    • Most Watched 1 of 1 Cards
    • Most Watched Racing Cards
    • Top Sports Card Dealers on eBay
    • Most Watched Memorabilia
      • Vintage Sports Memorabilia
    • Vintage Sports Tickets, Stubs
    • Most Watched Autographs
  • Ending Soon on Ebay
    • Baseball Cards
    • Basketball Cards
    • Football Cards
    • Hockey Cards
    • Soccer Cards
    • Golf Cards
    • UFC Cards
  • Top - Ad

Sports Collectors Daily

Sports Collectors Daily

Sports collecting news - Sports cards and sports memorabilia industry news.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network. 

  • Sports Memorabilia News
  • Sports Card News
    • Modern Sports Card News
      • New Sports Card Release Calendar
      • Shop Talk
    • Vintage Sports Card News
      • Affordable Vintage Cards, Collectibles
      • Old Baseball Card Sets
      • Old Basketball Card Sets
      • Old Football Card Sets
      • Old Hockey Card Sets
      • Vintage Pack Facts
  • Business/Industry News
    • Sports Memorabilia Business News
    • Sports Memorabilia Industry News
  • Around The Hobby
    • Editor’s Blog
    • David Cycleback’s Identification and Authentication Advice
  • Popular Stories
  • Sell Your Cards
You are here: Home / Sports Card News / Vintage Sports Card News / Best Baseball Rookie Cards By Year: The 1960s

Best Baseball Rookie Cards By Year: The 1960s

February 16, 2016 By Rich Mueller

As times and tastes have changed over the years, the baseball card collecting hobby has evolved. Types and manufacturers of cards have changed. Collectors’ interests in different inserts and base sets, players and eras has changed, too.

But while many gimmicks in the hobby have gone boom-and-bust (hologram cards, anyone?) there is one subset of cards for which collectors will seemingly always have an appetite: Rookie cards of superstars.

The best rookie cards of all time have maintained consistent appeal in the market through all of the turbulence the hobby has undergone. In this article (the second in a decade-by-decade series), we’ll examine the best rookie cards of the 1960’s, determining the best individual card of each year in the decade. It’s an all-Topps list, because Topps held a de facto monopoly on the industry during the 1960’s.

Click the title of each to see them on eBay.

1960 Topps #148 Carl Yastrzemski

Carl Yastrzemski rookie card 1960 ToppsThough “Yaz” would go on to be a household name – winning a Triple Crown, an MVP award, and eventual enshrinement in Cooperstown’s Baseball Hall of Fame – you have to imagine that a young kid opening a pack of cards in spring of 1960 might have had some trouble pronouncing the name of this rookie from Boston. Listed here as a second baseman, Yastrzemski spent the bulk of his career patrolling the grass in front of Fenway’s Green Monster. He retired in 1983 as one of the most popular players in Red Sox history.

Because of Yastrzemski’s continued popularity, his rookie card has maintained consistent appeal to collectors. High-grade examples trade in the $800-$1000 range today.

(honorable mention: Topps #316 Willie McCovey)

1961 Topps #417 Juan MarichalJuan Marichal 1961 Topps

For card collectors, the 1961 Topps set has never seemed to reach the level of appeal that some of the others of the decade have. Part of the reason, no doubt, is that the set is graphically simple and

Though overshadowed for much of his career by brighter stars in Los Angeles (Sandy Koufax) and Saint Louis (Bob Gibson), Juan Marichal was one of the finest pitchers of the pitching-dominated 1960’s. His distinctive windup and leg-kick aren’t on display in his rookie card, but the card is one of the more aesthetically pleasing examples in the set.

(honorable mention: Ron Santo, Billy Williams)

Lou Brock rookie card 1962 Topps1962 Topps #387 Lou Brock

It took a trade to St. Louis for Brock’s talent to emerge (a source of continuing torture in Chicago).  His 1962 Topps rookie card is a tough one to find in mint condition.  In fact, out of more than 2,000 graded by PSA, there are only 21 9s and two 10s.  Even a 7 is likely to cost $150-$200.  It’s one of the key cards in any 1960s collection.

(honorable mention: Gaylord Perry, Bo Belinsky/Jim Bouton)

1963 Topps #537 Pete Rose1963 Topps Pete Rose

So it would now appear all but certain he won’t see the Hall of Fame in our lifetime.  Not that we really expected it but it’s possible there would have been a significant Rose rookie renaissance if it had somehow happened.  Either way, Pete’s rookie card (one he shares with three others) is far and away the top card in this set and one of the most valuable cards of the entire decade. Unless you’ve got a lot of spare change, an ‘8’ is about the best you can hope to obtain and even those are $6,000 or more now. For about 15% of that you can own a pretty fair looking ‘6’.

(honorable mention: Fleer Maury Wills, Topps Willie Stargell)

1964 To1964 Topps Phil Niekro rookie cardpps #541 Phil Niekro

The 1964 Topps set is short on Hall of Fame rookies but you can have your Phil on this one.  Niekro and Roof were there as the Braves closed out their brief but eventful tenure in Milwaukee.  Niekro’s rookie card is fairly easy to find but a nicer NM example still runs close to $100.  Topps put the young Niekro on a rookie card once again in ’65.

(honorable mention: Richie Allen, Tony Conigliaro)

1965 Topps #477 Steve Carlton

1965 Topps Steve CarltonLefty was still hanging on as late as 1988 but he was pretty much toast when he passed the 300 win mark a few years earlier. Those rough years at the end shouldn’t diminish how dominant he was from 1971-1982.  He wound up winning four Cy Young Awards, five strikeout titles and two World Series rings.  Carlton’s shared rookie card probably isn’t as valuable as it should be considering his accomplishments but we never complain about cheap baseball cards.

(honorable mention: Joe Morgan double-print, Tony Oliva short-print)

1966 Topps #126 Jim Palmer

1966-Topps-Jim-PalmerWith three Cy Young Awards and three World Series rings, Jim Palmer experienced personal and team success during his long tenure with the Orioles.  He was still a teenager when the photo for his rookie card was taken.  In ’66, he became the youngest pitcher ever to throw a World Series shutout.  You can own a high-grade copy of his rookie card for less than $100, thanks in part to its abundance.

(honorable mention: Fergie Jenkins, Don Sutton)

1967 Topps #581 Tom Seaver 

YTom Seaver rookie cardou sail through the ’64,’65 and ’66 rookie card roster with relative ease and then take a 2×4 to the face in ’67 and ’68.  The Seaver rookie card arrived in the last series as Tom Terrific began his meteoric rise to Amazing-ville.  The Seaver rookie is $500 and up for respectable-looking, $5,000 and up for one of the few mint, graded examples that are out there.  It’s harder to find than the double-printed Carew, but it’s quite a double whammy for anyone putting a set together.

(honorable mention: Rod Carew)

1968 Topps #177 Nolan Ryan/Jerry Koosman

Nolan Ryan 1968 ToppsFew post-War cards–except maybe early Mantles and Clementes and Jordan rookie cards have appreciated as much lately as this one.  It’s far from rare but Ryan is an icon to anyone who watched him pitch in the 70s, 80s and even the early 90s.  The strikeouts, no-hitters and Texas toughness aren’t going to be duplicated.  Demand for Ryan rookies outstrips the common nature of the card itself. The centering of this card is often imperfect so competition for mint, graded examples–even at the new five-figure price level– is strong.

(honorable mention: Johnny Bench)69T260Reggie-Jackson

1969 Topps #260 Reggie Jackson

You really couldn’t picture Reggie sharing a ‘Rookie Stars’ card, now could you?  It is strange, though, that it took so long for Jackson to finally appear on a card.  He’d made a strong showing over 35 games in ’67 and was clearly a big part of the A’s plan as they moved to the coast but Topps didn’t include him in the ’68 set.  You can own a nice one for $200-$300.

(honorable mention: Rollie Fingers, Bobby Bonds)

No matter what decade you’re talking, it’s the classic baseball rookie cards like these that stand the test of time, whether your measurement is value or simple nostalgia.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • Facebook Messenger

Related Stories:

Inside the 1962 Topps Babe Ruth Subset Huskins Baseball Rookie Card Guide Features Over 12,000 Players Cool Early Johnny Bench Cards Best Rookie Baseball Cards of the 1950'sBest Baseball Rookie Cards by Year: The 1950s Tom Seaver 1967 ToppsVintage Set Break of the Month: 1967 Topps Baseball 1966 Topps Baseball Set an Underrated Classic

About Rich Mueller

Rich is the editor and founder of Sports Collectors Daily. A broadcaster and writer for over 40 years and a collector for even longer than that, he's usually typing something somewhere. Type him back at [email protected].

Filed Under: Vintage Sports Card News Tagged With: 1960s baseball cards, 1960s baseball rookie cards, best baseball cards all-time, best rookie cards, rookie cards

Primary Sidebar

Our articles may contain affiliate links. When you click on links to merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network. 

Shop Sports Cards on Ebay
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • Hockey

High End Cards and Memorabilia

  • BBCE Authenticated Boxes, Packs opens in a new window
  • Graded pre-War Card eBay Auctions
  • PWCC Premier Auction
  • PWCC Fixed Price Marketplace
  • Graded Rookie Cards on eBay opens in a new window
  • Authenticated Photos on eBay opens in a new window
  • Graded Tickets & Stubs opens in a new window

Bargain Corner

  • Michael Jordan cards $5 and less opens in a new window
  • Kobe Bryant cards $5 and less opens in a new window
  • Mickey Mantle Cards Under $150 opens in a new window
  • Graded T206 Cards Under $150 opens in a new window
  • Pre-War Cards Under $100 opens in a new window
  • Pre-1980 Graded Baseball Cards $10 and Less opens in a new window
  • Pre-1980 Graded Football Cards $10 and Less opens in a new window
  • Vintage Graded Basketball Cards $25 and less opens in a new window
  • Vintage Graded Hockey Cards $10 and Less opens in a new window
  • Complete Sets $20 and Less opens in a new window
  • Baseball Hall of Famers for $5 or Less opens in a new window
  • Football Hall of Famers for $5 or Less opens in a new window
  • Hobby Boxes Under $30 opens in a new window
  • Pre-1986 Rookie Cards Under $1 opens in a new window
  • Buy Boxes Directly from Topps opens in a new window

RSS Auction Report

  • Pristine Auction October 2023 Daily, Weekly and Featured Auctions
  • Alt Liquid Auctions Current Auction Ends October 12, 2023
  • One of a Kind Collectibles Rare Autograph & Document Auction Ends October 12, 2023

Footer

Categories

  • Around the Hobby
  • Business/Industry News
    • Sports Memorabilia Business News
    • Sports Memorabilia Industry News
  • David Cycleback's Identification and Authentication Advice
  • Editor's Blog
  • Featured Articles
  • Hobby Shop Talk
  • National Sports Collectors Convention
  • Popular Stories
  • Rich Klein's Ramblings
  • Sports Card News
    • Modern Sports Card News
      • New Sports Card Release Calendar
    • Vintage Sports Card News
      • Old Baseball Card Sets
      • Old Basketball Card Sets
      • Old Football Card Sets
      • Old Hockey Card Sets
      • Vintage Pack Facts
  • Sports Memorabilia News
  • Uncategorized

Sponsor Links

  • Sports Card Forumopens in a new window
  • Buying Vintage Sports Cardsopens in a new window
  • Game Used Jerseysopens in a new window
  • Championship Rings For Saleopens in a new window
  • Vintage Basketball Cardsopens in a new window
  • NBA Signed Itemsopens in a new window
  • Autographed Baseballsopens in a new window
  • NASCAR Autographsopens in a new window
  • Vintage Graded Baseball Cardsopens in a new window
  • Player Picturesopens in a new window
  • Vintage Football Cardsopens in a new window
  • Sports Collectors Storeopens in a new window

Pages

Ending on eBay Soon
  • Baseball Card Auctions on eBay Ending Soon
  • Basketball Card Auctions on eBay Ending Soon
  • Football Card Auctions on eBay Ending Soon
  • Hockey Card Auctions Ending Soon on eBay
  • Vintage Sports Memorabilia on eBay Ending Soon
Top 100 on Ebay
  • Top 100 Most Watched Baseball Rookie Cards on eBay
  • Top 100 Most Watched Basketball Rookie Cards for Sale on eBay
  • Top 100 Most Watched Hockey Rookie Card Auctions
  • Top Authenticated Vintage Unopened Sports Card Boxes, Packs on eBay
Most Watched on eBay
  • 100 Most Watched Graded Rookie Cards for Sale on eBay
  • 100 Most Watched Tom Brady Card Auctions on eBay
  • 50 Hottest Hobby Boxes at Auction on eBay
  • 50 Most Watched Golf Trading Cards on eBay
  • 50 Most Watched Wrestling Trading Cards on eBay
  • 75 Most Watched Bowman Chrome Cards
  • Most Popular Bobbleheads on eBay
  • Most Watched 1/1 Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Basketball Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Complete Baseball Card Sets at Auction on eBay
  • Most Watched Football Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Football Rookie Card Auctions
  • Most Watched Goudey Baseball Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Hockey Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Racing Cards on eBay
  • Most Watched Soccer Cards for Sale on eBay
  • Most Watched Sports Autographs on eBay
  • Most Watched Sports Jerseys on eBay
  • Most Watched Unopened Sports Card Boxes, Packs on eBay
  • Most Watched Vintage Sports Memorabilia on eBay
  • Hottest Panini National Treasures Cards on eBay
  • Hottest PSA 10 Cards for Sale on eBay
  • What’s Hot on eBay
Sports Memorabilia
  • Sports Card Bargain Bin
  • Sports Memorabilia Auctions Ending Soon on eBay
About Sports Collectors Daily
  • Advertise with SC Daily
  • Contact Us
  • Get Sports Collectors Daily via EMail
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Sell Your Cards
  • What’s It Worth
  • Where Can I Sell My Baseball Cards?

Copyright © 2023 SportsCollectorsDaily.com | Web Design by Wickam Groupopens in a new window