• 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 / 6 Al Kaline Cards to Remember ‘Mr. Tiger’

6 Al Kaline Cards to Remember ‘Mr. Tiger’

April 6, 2020 By Bob D'Angelo

He was known as “Mr. Tiger” during his 22-year major-league career, and he certainly fit theAl Kaline description.  Al Kaline cards first popped out of wax packs a year after the Korean War and were still there as the curtain was closing in Viet Nam.

Kaline’s longevity was no secret.  He could hit, run and throw. Underrated and underappreciated outside Detroit, No. 6 was a rock-solid performer for the Tigers. From 1957 through 1965, he won a Gold Glove in every year except 1960. He never hit 30 home runs in a season, but wound up with 399 in his career; he hit 29 twice, in 1962 and ’65.

By the Numbers

He won the American League batting title in 1955 as a 20-year-old, hitting .340 and collecting a league-leading 200 hits, and while his career average fell to .297 (like Mickey Mantle, Kaline’s latter years were injury plagued), Kaline wound up with 3,007 hits. He never won a Most Valuable Player award, but finished in the top 10 nine times and was the runner-up in 1955 and 1963. He never struck out more than 75 times in a season, and that came in his final season (1974).

In 1968, he made it to his first — and only — World Series and excelled, batting .379 with 11 hits, 2 homers and 8 RBIs.

What better way to remember Kaline than to look at six great baseball cards? They all might not be the most valuable cards of the Baltimore native, but the mini list does provide a nice cross-section of his career.  Click the title to see them for sale and auction on eBay.

1954 Topps No. 201

Al Kaline rookie card 1954

This is Kaline’s rookie card, and he sure looks young. The card was part of Topps’ 250-card set. Cards measured 2 5/8 inches by 3 ¾ inches. Kaline is shown in a vertical card design, with a glorified, color mug shot as the main piece of art. In the background, Kaline is shown in black-and-white, kneeling as if in the on-deck circle.

Kaline is one of three key rookie cards in the 1954 Topps set, along with fellow Hall of Famers Hank Aaron and Ernie Banks. It’s also extremely tough to find in high grade. 

1959 Home Run Derby

1959 Home Run Derby card Al Kaline

Kaline led the AL in slugging and OPS in 1959.  He was part of this 20-card, unnumbered set that was produced by American Motors to publicize the “Home Run Derby” television program. Those contests were filmed in December 1959 and ran weekly on television from January 9 to July 2, 1960.  The contests were held at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, which later became the home of the expansion Angels in ’61. The power alleys were a generous 345 feet from home plate, so homers flew out of the park.

The series each week pitted two sluggers against one another and was hosted by the very droll Mark Scott — “It’s a home run or nothing here on ‘Home Run Derby’ ” was his signature line.

Kaline was included in the set on the strength of his 27 home runs in 1959.

1960 Post

Al Kaline 1960 Post Creal

Kaline was part of a nine-card set that included five baseball players (the others were Don Drysdale, Harmon Killebrew, Ed Mathews and Mickey Mantle), two football stars (Johnny Unitas and Frank Gifford) and two basketball players (Bob Cousy and Bob Pettit). The cards were issued on the backs of Post Grape-Nuts cereals and are oversized at 7-inches by 8 ¾ inches, covering the entire back of the cereal box. Predictably, the card backs were blank. Full-color photos are framed with a light wood-colored design.

The card front includes Kaline’s name, team and a facsimile autograph. Biographical information was listed on the side panel of the cereal box. Kaline was a natural to be included in the set, since Post was based in Battle Creek, Michigan. Grape-Nuts, by the way, is the oldest cereal in the company founded by C.W. Post, making its debut in 1897.

1961 Jay Publishing

1961 Jay Publishing Al Kaline

Kaline was a full-fledged star by the early 60s, leading the AL in doubles in ’61 while hitting .324 and scoring 116 runs.  His picture is one thousands of kids who visited Tiger Stadium wanted and the souvenir stands were happy to oblige.

From 1958 through 1965, Jay Publishing’s Big League Books division produced 5-inch by 7-inch black-and-white player photos sold at stadiums and via mail order.

The 1961 set shows Kaline kneeling in the on-deck circle. The photos were framed with white borders, and for the 1961 set, the player’s name was in black block letters at the bottom of the page.

1968 Topps No. 240

Al Kaline 1968 Topps

This card is a favorite of many Tigers fans, since it was the year Detroit won the World Series. The Tigers rallied from a 3-1 deficit after four games to take the title from the St. Louis Cardinals, the defending Series champs. Kaline is shown in a posed batting stance that was typical of Topps cards during the mid- to late 1960s.

Hampered by injuries in 1968, Kaline played in just 102 games. He batted .287 and was clutch in the postseason. Manager Mayo Smith gambled, wanting his longtime star in the lineup for the World Series — so he took outfielder Mickey Stanley and installed him at shortstop for the Fall Classic.

1974 Topps No. 215

Al Kaline 1974 Topps

This is Kaline’s final regular-issue card, although he did appear in the 1975 set as card No. 4, in the subset that honored milestones (“Kaline joins 3000 hit club,” the card reads in capital block letters). The 1974 version shows Kaline playing first base, a position he fielded in 36 games during the 1973 season. By 1974, however, Kaline was relegated to use as a designated hitter. But that enabled him to have 630 plate appearances and 588 at-bats, the most since 1971. Kaline is shown crouching in anticipation at first base, his glove ready. The photo is not a great one, since a shadow caused by his hat covered half his face.

In his final game, on October, 2, 1974, Kaline went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts. He would be elected to the Hall of Fame in 1980.

You can see the current list of the ‘most watched’ Al Kaline cards on eBay below.

1954 Topps Set-Break #201 Al Kaline PSA 4 VG-EX 1954 Topps Set-Break #201 Al Kaline PSA 4 VG-EX
15 bids - Price: $335.00 - Watchers: 70
1957 Topps Baseball Al Kaline #125 PSA 8 TIGERS NM-MT HOF 1957 Topps Baseball Al Kaline #125 PSA 8 TIGERS NM-MT HOF
21 bids - Price: $207.50 - Watchers: 38
1955 Bowman #23 Al Kaline PSA 7 NM 1955 Bowman #23 Al Kaline PSA 7 NM
8 bids - Price: $57.00 - Watchers: 30
1964 Topps Stand Ups Set-Break Al Kaline NR-MINT *GMCARDS* 1964 Topps Stand Ups Set-Break Al Kaline NR-MINT *GMCARDS*
18 bids - Price: $86.00 - Watchers: 28
1956 TOPPS BASEBALL (98 CARDS) WILLIAMS ROBINSON AARON BANKS KALINE SPAHN ++ 1956 TOPPS BASEBALL (98 CARDS) WILLIAMS ROBINSON AARON BANKS KALINE SPAHN ++
17 bids - Price: $375.00 - Watchers: 27
Al Kaline PSA DNA Signed 1954 Topps Rookie Autograph Auto HOF Authentic #201 Al Kaline PSA DNA Signed 1954 Topps Rookie Autograph Auto HOF Authentic #201
7 bids - Price: $213.50 - Watchers: 23
2013 Topps Five Star Auto /353 Al Kaline HOF Detroit Tigers 2013 Topps Five Star Auto /353 Al Kaline HOF Detroit Tigers
10 bids - Price: $20.50 - Watchers: 22
1968 Topps Action All-Star Stickers #6 Al Kaline PSA 2 GOOD Detroit Tigers 1968 Topps Action All-Star Stickers #6 Al Kaline PSA 2 GOOD Detroit Tigers
15 bids - Price: $93.00 - Watchers: 22
1955 Topps Doubleheaders #45/46 Al Kaline & Corky Valentine PSA 5.5 EX+ 1955 Topps Doubleheaders #45/46 Al Kaline & Corky Valentine PSA 5.5 EX+
12 bids - Price: $125.50 - Watchers: 20
1956 Topps Baseball AL KALINE Gray Back #20 Detroit Tigers PSA 5 EX 1956 Topps Baseball AL KALINE Gray Back #20 Detroit Tigers PSA 5 EX
11 bids - Price: $36.00 - Watchers: 20
1958 Topps #304 Tigers Big Bats Al Kaline / Harvey Kuenn PSA 9 Mint 1958 Topps #304 Tigers Big Bats Al Kaline / Harvey Kuenn PSA 9 Mint
7 bids - Price: $130.00 - Watchers: 19
1956 Topps Set-Break # 20 Al Kaline EX-EXMINT (white back) *GMCARDS* 1956 Topps Set-Break # 20 Al Kaline EX-EXMINT (white back) *GMCARDS*
10 bids - Price: $23.50 - Watchers: 18
1968 TOPPS #240 AL KALINE TIGERS HOF PSA 8 1968 TOPPS #240 AL KALINE TIGERS HOF PSA 8
10 bids - Price: $117.00 - Watchers: 17
1954 Topps AL KALINE ROOKIE Tigers #201 SGC 3 VG Condition 1954 Topps AL KALINE ROOKIE Tigers #201 SGC 3 VG Condition
5 bids - Price: $56.00 - Watchers: 17
1966 TOPPS #410 AL KALINE TIGERS HOF SGC 8 1966 TOPPS #410 AL KALINE TIGERS HOF SGC 8
8 bids - Price: $165.00 - Watchers: 15
1955 Topps Set-Break #  4 Al Kaline BVG 3.5 VERY GOOD+ 1955 Topps Set-Break # 4 Al Kaline BVG 3.5 VERY GOOD+
2 bids - Price: $1.25 - Watchers: 15
1958 Topps Baseball Card Al Kaline Detroit Tigers #70 PSA 4 VG-EX New Slab 1958 Topps Baseball Card Al Kaline Detroit Tigers #70 PSA 4 VG-EX New Slab
7 bids - Price: $19.50 - Watchers: 15
1970s TOPPS BASEBALL HOF/STAR CARDS BANKS, MUNSON,BENCH CLEMENTE VG-EX READ*YCC* 1970s TOPPS BASEBALL HOF/STAR CARDS BANKS, MUNSON,BENCH CLEMENTE VG-EX READ*YCC*
7 bids - Price: $26.00 - Watchers: 14
1950s & 1960s TOPPS BASEBALL HOF/STAR CARDS MCCOVEY,MUSIAL LOWER GRADE READ*YCC* 1950s & 1960s TOPPS BASEBALL HOF/STAR CARDS MCCOVEY,MUSIAL LOWER GRADE READ*YCC*
7 bids - Price: $14.00 - Watchers: 14
1969 Topps Set-Break #410 Al Kaline PSA 8 NM-MT 1969 Topps Set-Break #410 Al Kaline PSA 8 NM-MT
9 bids - Price: $45.46 - Watchers: 14
Al Kaline 1959 TOPPS CARD #360 - PSA 6 Al Kaline 1959 TOPPS CARD #360 - PSA 6
4 bids - Price: $32.00 - Watchers: 13
2003 Topps Tribute World Series Signature Relics #AK Al Kaline 2003 Topps Tribute World Series Signature Relics #AK Al Kaline
2 bids - Price: $4.25 - Watchers: 13
1959 Topps Set-Break #360 Al Kaline NR-MINT *GMCARDS* 1959 Topps Set-Break #360 Al Kaline NR-MINT *GMCARDS*
5 bids - Price: $20.50 - Watchers: 12
1954 TOPPS #201 AL KALINE RC TIGERS HOF PSA 2 1954 TOPPS #201 AL KALINE RC TIGERS HOF PSA 2
1 bids - Price: $300.00 - Watchers: 12
1964 Topps A.L. Bombers Maris/Cash/Mantle/Kaline PSA 7 NM 1964 Topps A.L. Bombers Maris/Cash/Mantle/Kaline PSA 7 NM
10 bids - Price: $102.50 - Watchers: 12
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • Facebook Messenger

Related Stories:

Notes: MLB Authenticators; Jeter Auction; Kaline Debut Stub; Showtime Cards Chuck D’s New Rap: “It’s So Hard to See My Baseball Cards Move On” New 1960 Post Cereal Variation Uncovered Notes: High-Grade ’15 Cracker Jack Jackson; ’54 Topps Manush “Orange” Printing Error; Ohio State Collector Photo of the Day: Kaline Rookie Card Look Alike Home Run Derby DVD cardsShould the 1959 Home Run Derby Set Be Labeled a 1960 Issue? Star cards 1968 Topps BaseballVintage Set Break of the Month: 1968 Topps Mickey Mantle 1960 Post CerealEditor’s Blog: NSCC Still Overwhelms

About Bob D'Angelo

Bob has been a sportswriter and copy editor for more than 35 years and a blogger for a decade. He is celebrating his 50th year of card collecting, and still counts his 1965 Topps Mickey Mantle as his favorite. You can reach him at [email protected].

Filed Under: Popular Stories, Vintage Sports Card News Tagged With: 1954 Topps baseball, 1960 Post Cereal, 1968 Topps, Al Kaline, Al Kaline rookie, home run derby, Jay Publishing

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 Offers Monthly Elite Auction Ending Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023
  • REA Midwest Consignment Trip – Consign Today
  • MEARS Auction of Memorabilia and More Ends October 7, 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