As it pertains to borderline Hall of Famers, articles making an argument for who the next “Ted Simmons” should be have been written in many spaces. Jim Kaat, Dick Allen, Dale Murphy, Lou Whitaker, Minnie Minoso et al, lead the cast of players whom every collector knows. However, in this piece I want to come purely from the standpoint of featuring great, largely forgotten … [Read more...] about Dusting Off the Rookie Cards of Some Unsung Stars
rookie cards
No Rookies, No Autos… No Problem! The Future Belongs to Kylian Mbappé
There is a poison chalice that media and fans can’t help but pass to any gifted young star: “The next…” Before Michael Jordan had ever hinted at a desire to try his hand at minor league baseball, NBA observers were foisting the “next Jordan” label onto every ultra-athletic wing that entered the league. The work of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James put the moniker out to pasture, … [Read more...] about No Rookies, No Autos… No Problem! The Future Belongs to Kylian Mbappé
Lucky 11 – Lionel Messi’s Rookie Cards
Writing about Lionel Messi is something of an absurdist exercise. He is the most revered and respected player in the world’s most popular sport. His is an ungodly combination of vision and situational awareness, obscene ball control while dribbling, inch-perfect passing, lethal finishing ability and physical toughness. Messi is the platonic ideal of a superstar. (Full … [Read more...] about Lucky 11 – Lionel Messi’s Rookie Cards
Rookie Card vs. “Rookie Year”: Are Some Hockey Card Values Out of Whack?
The past year of the sports card boom may be a somewhat similar take on the early 1990's but this is no 2.0 version. We are approaching unprecedented 10X and appreciating more as every day, week and month passes. The title of this article illustrates a rather new term being thrown around within the sports card industry, as many new words or phrases do in a boom, possibly … [Read more...] about Rookie Card vs. “Rookie Year”: Are Some Hockey Card Values Out of Whack?
Jackie Robinson Baseball Cards: A Guide to His Best
Jackie Robinson baseball cards have always been popular and what few game worn jerseys, bats and other items have survived always sell for significant amounts of money. While no mainstream card company really existed in the aftermath of World War II, there were cards issued of him in 1947 and by '48, bubble gum and cards were back together again and Robinson helped usher … [Read more...] about Jackie Robinson Baseball Cards: A Guide to His Best
Arozarena Rookie Cards a Late Season Sensation
Randy Arozarena has rocketed to prominence during this baseball postseason. But Arozarena’s journey was long and difficult. It included a treacherous trip on a boat five years ago from his native Cuba to Mexico and a positive test for COVID-19 earlier this year, but now the Tampa Bay Rays’ 25-year-old outfielder is living up to the nickname he earned in his native Cuba — El … [Read more...] about Arozarena Rookie Cards a Late Season Sensation
Hottest Mike Trout Cards on eBay
Mike Trout grew up wanting to be Derek Jeter so it's almost fitting that Trout, a New Jersey native, be the player many believe will pick up the mantle as the unofficial 'face of baseball'. At a couple of weeks shy of his 23rd birthday, he was the youngest All-Star Game MVP since Ken Griffey Jr. The hottest Mike Trout baseball cards range from his 2009 Bowman … [Read more...] about Hottest Mike Trout Cards on eBay
3rd No-Hitter Puts Focus on Verlander Rookie Cards
No one's catching Nolan Ryan anytime soon but any pitcher with over 200 wins and three no-hitters is someone to whom even The Express would tip his cap. It's been 14 years since Justin Verlander rookie cards first arrived and as he enters some pretty exclusive company en route to the Hall of Fame, it might be time to take a second look at them. The Verlander … [Read more...] about 3rd No-Hitter Puts Focus on Verlander Rookie Cards
1979-80 Topps Hockey Ushered In New Era
It was the first Topps hockey card set to feature The Great One, and the final one to include Mr. Hockey. In some ways, the 1979-80 Topps set ushered in the modern era of National Hockey League cards. Wayne Gretzky’s rookie card (No. 18) is the key card in the set, and the 264-card product is the final main run appearance of Gordie Howe (No. 175). Even the design signaled … [Read more...] about 1979-80 Topps Hockey Ushered In New Era
Hottest 2018-19 NBA Rookie Cards
It doesn't take a long list of first year players to create a hot list. Sometimes one young superstar in the making can move product and keep collectors and prospectors clicking the "buy" button online or snapping up product at their local card shop. The list of hottest 2018-19 NBA rookie cards is built around one player. Luka Doncic rookie cards have been on … [Read more...] about Hottest 2018-19 NBA Rookie Cards