Its nearly impossible to describe the importance of Jackie Robinson to baseball and American history after breakingbaseballs color barrier in 1947. However, at the beginning of his career, things didn't go so smoothly for Goldschmidt after he made his MLB debut on August 1, 2011, against the San Francisco Giants. His legendary career and life were cut short on December 31, 1972, when he died in a plane crash while en route to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Late into the 2022 season, Paul Goldschmidt had a legitimate chance at winning the Triple Crown. On it, Gehrig is shown with a huge bright smile atop a yellow background giving the card tremendous eye appeal. While he cooled off from that torrid pace, the now two-time All-Star was still one of the game's most feared hitters. Best 2022 Topps Series 2 Valuable Cards & Best Rookie List | Witt But, the fact that his is the last card in the iconic 407 card set gives it an extra bump due to the inherent difficulty in collecting the card. That PSA 10 copy sold for $717,000 in 2016. Posey was one of the biggest young names in the game at that point so seeing Topps issue multiple cards for him in this set should be no surprise. While the #144 Full Body Ruth was double-printed and isnt as scarce, it is harder to find in high-grade than the #181 Green Ruth. Halladay was given the ball for Games 1 and 5. This card can be quite challenging and is the key to the set. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. Once the owner of the career mark for home runs (755), Aaron possessed some of the strongest hands and wrists that produced some of the quickest bat speed the game has ever seen. Mathewson won 30 or more games four different times in his storied career, attributing much of his success to a specialty pitch that was comparable to a screwball. 10 Greatest Topps Baseball Cards To Buy Now In 2023 - Gold Card Auctions Cabrera was consistently brilliant from start to finish in 2011, posting an MLB-best .344 batting average for his first of three-straight AL batting titles. The error was quickly caught, though, so there arent many copies in existence. It was the first time since 1924 that a pitcher accomplished the feat in both leagues during the same season. Although not as popular as his 1948 Bowman rookie card, his 1948 Leaf rookie card is the tougher of the two. Bowman did not include him in their 1953 set so that makes his Topps card of that year even more sought after. Produced in 1915 by the American Caramel Company of York, Pennsylvania, the E106 set consists of 48 different cards, including two varieties of the legendary Ty Cobb. Their glossy obverse surface usually results in creasing and cracking issues making it tough to find these in high grade. Most Expensive [2023 Topps] Baseball Cards Jackson dominated the minors that year and the Naps called him up late in the 1910 season. His career ERA of 2.13 proves just how difficult it was to hit off of him. 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron RC #7. Ungraded & graded values for all '06 Topps Baseball Cards. But there was plenty to like about their accomplishments before the season's heartbreaking finale. The 1969 Topps baseball card set is well-loved in this hobby by many collectors for several different reasons. If you look at the bottom, Sherry Magees last name is mistakenly spelled Magie. After 60 years in the hobby, Topps helped celebrate their "Diamond Anniversary" by packing so much into their 2011 Topps baseball card set. 1987 Topps Baseball Cards - 25 Most Valuable - Wax Pack Gods Are you selling sports cards that were produced from 1868 - 1975? Because Mantle was exclusively signed with Bowman in 1954 and 1955, you won't find him on any of Topps' cards in either of those two sets. Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. But what most usually don't realize is that many pre-War and even high grade post-War vintagebaseball card valuescan be astronomical. Because they were distributed in packages of hot dogs, its extremely difficult to find them in high grade. This card is a key classic in the hobby and is Aarons only recognized rookie card. An SGC 2 Example Sold in August 2022 for $7,250,000. Most Valuable Baseball Cards All the information and details has been compiled from the trusted sites including Wikipedia, New York Post, and Forbes. After the 2010 campaign, manager Bobby Cox called it a career, leaving a hole in the Braves clubhouse that couldn't be filled. Prices are updated daily based upon 2022 Topps 1st Edition listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. Both are not cheap but it is this version that is the more desirable and expensive of the two. In this video, we go over the top 3 most valuable Topps baseball cards from the year 1985. Cheapest, 1990 Topps #414 Frank Thomas Rookie Card Estimated PSA 10 Value: $175 Check prices on: Amazon Now, this is what Thomas's rookie card is supposed to look like when his full name appears at the bottom of the card. In 2010, Jones blew out his left knee in mid-August and could not help his Braves teammates in a tense five-game NLDS loss to the eventual World Series champion Giants. In PSA 4.5 grade, it is estimated this card would reel in over $1 million. This card has been and will likely remain the most valuable baseball card for years to come. Like many 1952 Topps cards, this Mays issue is prone to tilt and centering problems. This is true whether you're looking at the base card, the premium Tiffany variant, or even the Desert Storm version which is limited in number. 15 Most Valuable 1978 Topps Baseball Cards Worth Money From Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Famer Honus Wagner to Los Angeles Angels standout Mike Trout, here are nine iconic cards of star players that were sold or auctioned for significant sums: 1. Cobb turned in an absolute monster of a season in 1911 as he set career highs in batting (.420), hits (248), doubles (47), triples (24), RBI (127), runs (147) and slugging percentage (.621). And with 103 RBIs on the year, he became the first Reds player since Dave Parker to post back-to-back 100-RBI seasons (1985-86). Surprisingly, many dont even consider him the best pitcher ever, though. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. Its arguably the most visually pleasing and desirable of all the Ted Williams baseball cards in the hobby. In poor condition, this card would fetch hundreds of dollars but if youre lucky enough to land a copy in PSA 10 Gem Mint condition then youre talking big-time money. If youre a collector, just stick to what you love and collect only what you love. And because it features a close-up of Mantle, print defects on his face can also sometimes turn off collectors. And with cameras rolling from every angle, Jeter made sure to give HBO a show worth airing. Whether you can find one in high grade or not, though, its a superb card for any collector to own. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. While his 1952 Topps card is more popular and more expensive, some collectors forget that this is the only recognizedMantle rookie card. 2022 Topps Heritage Baseball Most Valuable Cards and Checklist And their continued popularity and demand prove that baseball cards still do hold great value. Unlike the other example that features cartoons in the background, DiMaggio is shown all by himself atop a blank background. This card is as visually stunning as it is rare. Exact prices are available to subscribers. Another obscure and rarely seen card, the 1915 E106 American Caramel Honus Wagner Throwing variation is just as much of a classic. With approximately 22 or less known to exist, all in low grades, the Ty Cobb back is the rarest of them all. The 23-year-old left walked a career-worst 41 batters in 50 innings pitched, issuing a ghastly 7.4 walks per 9 innings. Not many players were as consistent as Musial was over their careers as he went on to win seven batting titles and three MVP awards. 10 Most Valuable Sammy Sosa Baseball Cards 10. However, Carpenter was better, tossing a complete-game three-hit shutout to oust the two-time defending NL champs, 1-0. No More Secrets Puzzle Game, Ungraded Its pretty much identical to his 1915 Cracker Jack issue except for the fact that the back of the 1915 version is turned upside down and was printed on thicker paper stock. 3. Prices are updated daily based upon 2005 Topps listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. Considered one of the toughest post-war cards to collect, Leroy Satchel Paiges rookie card is a key to this set along with rookie cards of Jackie Robinson and Stan Musial. Read our methodology . Prices are updated daily based upon 2020 Topps listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. Need help buying or selling cards or have a general question about the hobby? Over twelve seasons, Martinez has played for the Astros, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Boston Red Sox, with whom he's been since 2018. While a PSA 10 Gem Mint copy sold for $432,690 in 2012 a PSA 9 copy sold for an even higher amount, $478k, in 2016. Overall, Votto hit .309 with a .947 OPS, 29 home runs, and 101 runs scored. 2005 Topps card list & price guide. Mathews had a prolific career as a feared power hitter and spent many years alongside Hank Aaron to form one of the greatest home run hitting duos the game has ever seen. What's worse was that his (relative) struggles were coming at a low point for the Mariners organization. Neither makes a difference when it comes to value, though. The glossy coatings of these cards present a bit of an issue with cracking at times but they are nonetheless some terrific cards. These are the Top 3 Most Valuable Baseball Cards Worth Money. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 by Old Sports Cards, LLC. But whats not up for debate is whether its one of his most important. The last card in the '75 Topps set, this Hank Aaron collectible won't ever be confused as the baseball legend's best-looking card. Yet, packed within all of that excitement was a run of base cards that featured big-name stars and promising rookies. Estimates place the number of front/back combinations around 5,500 which led to this set being nicknamed The Monster.. Demand for Clementes rookie card has skyrocketed over the past couple of years. The 1954 Wilson Franks Ted Williams baseball card is one of if not the most important regional card ever produced. The Tigers couldn't capitalize on Cabrera's otherworldly October and lost to the Rangers in the ALCS in six. With so many greats, how do you choose between them? While Sale was still working on controlling his pitch mix and hitting corners consistently (his 3.4 BB/9 is the second-worst of his career so far), he still showcased elite stuff. Remarkably, he still only finished fifth in the MVP race! Or, as most believe, was it because he didnt want to be involved in promoting tobacco use to children? #4 Most Valuable Baseball Cards 2000s - Topps Finest For The Record #3B Ken Griffey Jr. Price for PSA 9 featured with Alex Rodriguez: $100 Price for PSA 10 Gem: $1,500 Player's History 13 times All-Star Ken is the son of Ken Griffey Sr, a famous baseball player and coach during his era. The Best Baseball Cards to Buy in 2023 - MoneyMade The most valuable baseball cards in the hobby can easily fetch six and seven figure price levels these days. Prices are updated daily based upon 2006 Topps listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. If so, then please fill out the form below and I'll be in touch right away. Like Jose Altuve, J.D. 20 Most Valuable 1990 Topps Baseball Cards - Old Sports Cards That story is enough to make any collector cringe. Although kind of normal for Gehrig, his offensive production was extraordinary in 1934. It would fetch much more than that today. 1986 Topps Reggie Jackson Card 8. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. 1991 Chipper Jones Topps Desert Shield RC #333 Buy on eBay So named because his dad saw him as a "chip off the old block", Chipper Jones has an RC which is the most valuable card from the 1991 Topps set. So why would one of his cards be so expensive? When these cards come up for auction, really take note. Nothing against Bourjos, but many Angels fans had been eagerly awaiting a chance to see Trout since many considered him the number-one prospect heading into the 2011 season. Many collectors are happy to just be able to own one of these legendary cards in the first place, though. I remember seeing one of these in abaseball card shop near where I grew up and I would just stare in awe. It just goes to show that scarcity and condition can have just as much of an impact on the value of a card as the player who is on it. In PSA 8 condition, this card would likely sell for $1 million or more. Like all Bowman cards, the eye appeal of this card is amazing as a the artwork of the young Mick is simply stunning. 1986 Topps Nolan Ryan Card 5. Jackie Robinson, Mike Piazza, Hideo Nomo and, you guessed it, Fernando Valenzuela each took the league by storm as soon as they stepped on the field. The question is: where do you start on this list? Wander Franco 2022 Topps Heritage Chrome Gold Refractor RC Rookie /5 (sold for $1,400) Wander Franco 2022 Wander Franco Heritage Real One Auto Red Ink (sold for $1375) Because of its position on the print sheet and the fact that many kids wrapped rubber bands around their stacks of cards (this one on the top), finding Pafko centered and in good shape is very tough. Cracker Jacks cards are wildly popular and the serious-looking Cobb is one of the keys to this set. In the deciding Game 5, Halladay squared off with his former Toronto Blue Jays teammate and close friend Chris Carpenter. He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. That tells you how much the prices of Clementes rookie card have increased. Average ungraded base card value (excludes parallels) for 2020 Topps Jones was able to return for Opening Day in 2011, but the 39-year-old third baseman was still dealing with plenty of aches and pains daily. Read our methodology. In four starts against Lincecum, Kershaw went 4-0 with a minuscule 0.30 ERA in 30.1 innings pitched. The sale smashed the record for most valuable baseball card at the time, beating the then-highest sale of a Honus Wagner T206 White Border card at $3.1 million. That is a fact not likely to end any time soon. This is the other, less expensive, version of this card in the 1938 Goudey set. This still ranks among the most popular baseball cards of all-time. 10 Most Valuable Baseball Cards 2000s - Best Investments for Baseball Fans This card is a prime example of an instance where neither being a star nor an error card can bring in big bucks. Cobb is pictured is his Detroit Tigers uniform leaning on his bat atop a multi-colored background. Most Valuable Cards in 2022 Topps Series Two With nearly a month since it was released, let's take a look at some of the most valuable 2022 Series 2 cards that have been pulled to date, according to eBay. The 97-win Yankees eventually fell well short of their championship aspirations with a five-game ALDS loss to the Detroit Tigers. By 2008, Altuve moved from Venezuela to Tennessee to play for the Greeneville Astros, who were the Houston Astros' Rookie-level Appalachian League affiliate until 2017. By 2014, Rizzo had settled into his role as the Chicago Cubs' everyday first baseman and earned his first trip to the All-Star Game that season. inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971. Most Expensive 2006 Topps card list & price guide. The E106 cards feature identical artwork on their fronts as the E90-1 and E92 caramel issues but differ by the advertising on their backs. This is the first Topps card to feature Willie Mays, putting it high on Mays collectors wish lists and making it a key card in the hobby overall. Most players on this list only have one recognized rookie card to their name. Kimbrel led all NL relievers with 46 saves, pitching to a 2.10 ERA with 127 strikeouts in 77.0 innings. A mixture of bad timing, poor communication, and an always-controversial roster rule kept Albert Pujols out of the 2011 MLB All-Star Game, ending his streak of consecutive Midsummer Classics at eight. But, there are two major glaring differences overall between Mathewsons cards. Martinez turned out to be the big winners from 2011 Topps Update. And he pitched with a tenacious on-mound presence in the toughest of game situations. Posey suffered torn ligaments in his left ankle and a fractured fibula in a violent collision that reverberated for years. Error cards like Joe Doyles that make it into circulation usually end up being very popular with collectors and this one is no exception. Many in the hobby feel this card is overlooked in importance but what no one can deny is just how rare it is. The last of the legendary quartet of 1933 Goudey Ruth cards on our list is the #144 Full Body Ruth. His aggressive play on the field and his generous ways off the field made him a special individual. Although it features identical imagery as his 1914 Cracker Jack issue, most high-end examples of these two issues are of the 1915. And like Altuve, Martinez started with the Greeneville Astros and worked his way up to the Class AA Corpus Christi Hooks. Like the 1997 Bowman, Donruss, Fleer, Leaf, Score and Upper Deck sets, large print runs saturated the market with these cards, driving down their values. Hoyer had originally drafted Rizzo in the sixth round of the 2007 MLB Draft while he was an assistant general manager for the Boston Red Sox and knew that Rizzo's performance in San Diego didn't reflect his true talent and abilities. And then, his season came to a screeching halt with a play that changed the game of baseball forever. 30. totaled an incredible 511 wins over his career. This incredibly important card is beautiful in design, depicting nice artwork of Mantle ready at the bat. His .250 batting average reflected the lack of discipline and experience but his .474 slugging percentage hinted at the kind of power he could bring to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Most Valuable Baseball Cards [2023 Update] - Genius Celebs The 1911 George Close Candy (E94) baseball card set may not be as popular as others of the pre-WWI era but it is still iconic in the hobby. In his fourth year with the club, Miguel Cabrera helped Detroit silence those laughs. He ultimately fell short of the incredible feat but still finished the season batting .317 with 35 home runs and 115 RBIs. If you asked collectors, most would probably say they prefer the portrait poses with the green portrait more preferred to the red due to its scarcity. #1: 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle An SGC 9.5 Example Sold in August 2022 for $12,600,000 Dimensions: 2-5/8" x 3-3/4" The most important post-war card in the hobby, price movements of the 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle baseball card are often seen as an indicator of the health of the sports card market overall. As the reigning NL Central champs sputtered to a 79-83 record and failed to make the playoffs, Chapman worked out the kinks in his delivery in 53 relief appearances. After hitting .363 with 49 home runs and 166 RBI he would go on to win the Triple Crown. 1909 T-206 Honus Wagner: $7.25 million 3. He also posted what many believe to be the greatest single season for a pitcher in 1913 after going 36-7 with a 1.14 ERA. 1952 Topps Willie Mays RC #261 #5. We may earn an affiliate commission if you Trout didn't exactly raise any eyebrows in his first game, finishing 0-3 at the plate. Wagner, Ruth, Cobb, Mantle and Mays are just several of the baseball greats that reside on this list of cardboard rarities. Over the first seven games of his MLB career, Altuve had at least one hit, tying him with Russ Johnson for the club record for most consecutive games with a hit to begin a career. Several player variations exist, some with as many as 12, so the series boasts well over 3,000 different cards in total. Given all of the variations, parallels, inserts, autograph, and memorabilia cards included in the set, developing a definitive "most valuable" list can be quite difficult. By Ryan Cracknell. Most Expensive 2023 Topps Baseball Cards Most Expensive 2023 Topps card list & price guide. Prices continue to climb on them, so keep your eye out for these baseball cards! Altuve was hitting an incredible .423 at that point but eventually cooled to finish with a .276/.297/.357 slash line. Interestingly, the same image is used on both cards. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle: $12.6 million 2. The 1932 U.S. Caramel set is one of the most desirable and challenging prewar sets in the hobby. So, if you can get your hands on one of these cards in high grade then you are looking at some big bucks. Ungraded & graded values for all '05 Topps Baseball Cards. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The 1915 version was part of a redemption program, however, thus better preserving their condition. One of the most popular 1930s sets, the 1933 Sport Kings R333 set consists of 48 cards in total. It is by far the most important of allHank Aaron baseball cards. #15 1966 Topps Ferguson Jenkins (RC) #254 Sold for $8,988 1966 Topps Ferguson Jenkins rookie card on eBay The Astros had seen enough and quickly called up Altuve, bypassing AAA entirely, to make his first Major League at-bat on July 20, 2011, against the Washington Nationals. After winning the NL Cy Young Award in 2010 and leading the Philadelphia Phillies to within two games of a third-straight World Series appearance, Roy Halladay was a man on a mission in 2011. Each of the 30 unnumbered cards in the set feature an artist rendering of players atop colored backgrounds. People are spending as much on old pieces of cardboard as most people spend on a house. Who knows what a high grade example of this card would go for? Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. A high number card, Mathews rookie is extra tough to collect since it was positioned at the bottom corner of print sheets and usually is found off-center as a result. He ended the year with a 2.79 ERA, striking out 79 batters in 71.0 innings pitched. Some collectors go for the base set.