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You are here: Home / Business/Industry News / Sports Memorabilia Business News / Is Barry Bonds Destined to be Sports Pariah?

Is Barry Bonds Destined to be Sports Pariah?

June 3, 2013 By Rich Mueller

On June 4, 1986, a tall and wiry rookie from Riverside California, stepped to the plate for the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. the Atlanta Braves. Batting leadoff, this 21-year-old outfield phenom planted a fifth inning offering by Craig McMurtry into the left field seats at old Fulton County Stadium.

Barry Bonds’ solo home run that day was the first of his career. It was also part of a 4-for-5 day that saw Bonds miss hitting for the cycle by just a triple. For this the son of Bobby Bonds and cousin of the great Reggie Jackson, this was just one of what would become many great days for the budding star.  In a couple of months, the first Barry Bonds rookie card would arrive and quickly became a hot property among collectors and speculators.

Bonds jerseyBonds went on to have a remarkable 22-year career. Considered the best player of his generation (prior to his alleged steroid use), Bonds garnered seven NL MVP awards, eight Gold Gloves and 12 Silver Slugger Awards. Most strikingly, he broke Hank Aaron’s all-time record for home runs (762).

But on this the 27th anniversary of Bonds hitting his first career home run, Bonds’ alleged use of steroids has many 1986 Topps Traded Barry Bonds rookie cardscollectors wondering if he is destined to be all but ignored by baseball card collectors.

Fair or not, it seems like the answer to this question is increasingly in the affirmative, much like it is with other MLB stars suspected of using steroids. Other players include Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Roger Clemens, Rafael Palmeiro and Alex Rodriguez.

Supporting evidence lies not only in stagnant values of Bonds’ rookie cards in Beckett Magazine, but also in eBay selling prices for Bonds’ best rookie cards.

For example, Bonds’ 1986 Topps Traded XRC sits largely idle in both graded and ungraded forms. 

The Tiffany version of Bonds’ Topps Traded XRC is not faring much better. Even in sealed sets, collectors are staying away.

Barry Bond 1986 Fleer Update RookieNor are collectors jumping at chances to get terrific deals on Bonds’ 1986 Fleer Update. 

Adding insult to injury, all Bonds’ 1987 rookie cards sit idle in eBay as well. Even a very rare (and ironic), PSA/DNA certified Bonds “Say No to Drugs,” auto (on his 1987 Donruss rookie card) recently flopped on eBay. According to CBS Sports, the owner of this auto charged $100,000 for the rights to own this card. Not surprising, this card failed to sell.

. Unfortunately, the correct version of this card suffers the same ill fate as Bonds’ other rookies. Even Beckett graded 9 versions of Bonds’ 1987 Donruss rookie card find little to no interest from buyers.

As strange as it is to see collectors run from Bonds’ rookie cards considering his numbers, they may continue to struggle. Even if proof arises Bonds in no way, shape or form did steroids, this still may be the case. For in spite of never being officially convicted, the power of public opinion can be staggering.

You can see what Barry Bonds rookie cards are on eBay here.

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Notes: HOF Election; Topps News; CSG Update, More Barry Bond 1986 Fleer Update RookieUnwrapping Barry Bonds Rookie Card Populations as Action Picks Up 1985 Topps Mark McGwire1985 Topps Team USA Cards Paved the Way for Future Olympic Issues Greg Maddux BGS 9.5 1987 DonrussGrading Companies Give Much Needed Boost to Junk Wax Era 1986 Donruss 30th Anniversary: 5 Memorable Cards Bo Jackson 1986 Donruss The RookiesBo Jackson Cards Still Popular with Those Who Remember When 2014 Topps Tribute Mark McGwire autographTopps Signs Mark McGwire to Autograph Deal

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: Sports Memorabilia Business News Tagged With: 1986 Donruss The Rookies, 1987 Topps, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire

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