Cal Ripken, Jr. is and always will be "The Iron Man" of Major League Baseball, but Ripken was much more than just his remarkable streak. He was one of the most consistent players of his generation-if not, the most consistent. He didn't just show up. He produced. Not only could you count on him to get 600 at bats per year, he'd also add power, run production, and stellar defense … [Read more...]
Modern Baseball Era Committee Candidates and Their Rookie Cards
This weekend, a 16-member Modern Baseball Era Committee will gather to consider nine players and one former executive for induction to Cooperstown. Obviously, Hall of Fame election tends to mean a boost for a player’s rookie cards. As of now, all but the highest graded examples of most of the players’ cards are inexpensive. With results due to be announced Sunday at … [Read more...]
Notes: Big Sales for Harper NOW Cards; Ocean City Show; Collector’s HOF Card Quest
Topps sold 12,387 Bryce Harper Phillies NOW cards in 24 hours between Sunday and Monday afternoon. That’s the third most regular NOW all-time behind the one they produced when Shohei Ohtani signed with the Angels (17,323) and another made for Aaron Judge's rookie home run record in late September 2017 (16,138). Topps also produced two more Harper cards … [Read more...]
The Rise of Signed Baseball Rookie Cards
Stern was the warning to neophytes at card shows where old-timers were signing in the 1980s and 90s: "Get an autograph on a baseball. A picture. A program. DO NOT have him sign his rookie card!" The reason? Some non-written rule about a signature--even a real one--lessening the value of the card itself. So card-focused was the hobby's old guard at the time that an autograph was … [Read more...]
Step-by-Step Guide for Investing in Vintage Baseball Cards
Yeah, we know. Buy stocks and mutual funds. Don’t invest in baseball cards. Believe me, our retirement savings are not locked up in cardboard and we're not suggesting yours should be either. But… there’s no denying that high quality vintage cards have been very solid performers over time. If only we’d bought a few ’52 Mantles when nice ones could be had for under … [Read more...]
1925 Exhibit Lou Gehrig Rookie Card Among Hobby’s Hottest
Forget sticking a penny inside the Exhibit Supply Company vending machine at the county fair in 1925. If you'd stuck a few thousand dollars into a low or mid-grade Lou Gehrig rookie card just a couple of years ago, you made a shrewd investment. The postcard-sized image that is considered by most to be Gehrig's first baseball card has skyrocketed in value. Measuring … [Read more...]
Mike Schmidt Rookie Card Last of the Vintage High Number HOFers
He's arguably one of the best to ever play third base in the majors, dazzling fans with his great glove work but also providing historically significant run production at the plate. Mike Schmidt also has another distinction: the last of the important vintage high number rookie cards. Schmidt's 1973 Topps rookie card (#615) is one he humbly shares with … [Read more...]
He’s In: Piazza Rookie Cards Plentiful, Mostly Cheap
It never sinks in completely until a player's career comes to an end. Jim Edmonds won how many Gold Gloves? Tim Raines stole how many bases? Most fans--except those in New York and maybe LA-- just sort of shrugged when Mike Piazza announced his retirement nearly eight years ago. He was still a decent hitter, even when DH'ing for the A's in 2007. But he hadn't really … [Read more...]
Hottest Rickey Henderson Cards on eBay
They called it a "Rickey Rally". The Oakland A's of the late 1980s and 90s counted on Rickey Henderson to jump-start the offense. They just never knew in what form it would come. A walk, a steal and a hit behind him. A triple to the corner. Beating out an infield hit. Stealing second. Stealing third. Scoring on a fly ball. Sometimes he just hit a home run and … [Read more...]
15 Solid Football Card Investments
No other sporting event held on American soil outdraws the Super Bowl. NFL TV ratings continue to soar because the country pretty much stops each Sunday in the fall while fans scramble to find their favorite team’s broadcast. Thursday Night? Monday Night? If the game is good, we’re all watching. With that sort of popularity, it’s no wonder the topic of the best football … [Read more...]