were beginning to take over the hobby, the hobby hadn’t yet been engulfed with SSP inserts/parallels (i.e. Loved it then and love it now. No mention of the 1987 Topps Bo Jackson “Future Stars” rookie? @ToddHertz: The â92 Fleer set was bold and up-close with huge last names and glossy fronts. Singles were hot as well, not unlike 1991 TSC. 12. Here are our favorite Topps Baseball card sets/hobby boxes ever created. It's easy to make assumptions about your collection based on what is happening today. I believe there is a better way to use cards … Bicycle noise makers !! You might want to break into R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly" when you first see the 1993 Select Derek Jeter rookie card. 1989 Topps Heads Up Ken Griffey Jr. Trying to keep anything in mint condition was nearly impossible.Â, But, really, the Rated Rookies were incredible. @15CK15CK: Honorable mention goes to the mostly hated 1991 Fleer. And making yourself memorable is a key part of gaining hobby notoriety. Many of these products can still be found by the unopened case or, even, pallet. The base set is outstanding in design and content â again, a small checklist helps â and the die-cut insert cards were ahead of their time. The make up of the cards is great. Baseball cards in my little town and at school was huge. Although it may never be made official, Roger Clemens put up Hall of Fame numbers. I asked for your help again, and the response was a bit overwhelming. Furthermore, the cardstock on the Tiffany cards is bright white, as opposed to yellow or grey, making them much more appealing. Ozzie Smith was playful, Tim Rainesâ eyes bore into my soul, Steve Lake ⦠had a bird? No one wanted them they said sell everything that has a baseballl on it. @kgnevMKE: I know you'll be over-saturated with 1989 Upper Deck comments, but I can't talk about any of these sets without first mentioning the 1989 UD classic. The Series II boxes are crazy overpriced right now because everyoneâs Jeter-rookie-drunk, but if you want to open fun packs of cards for a reasonable price, you cannot beat a Series I box.Â, @JoshuaEvers5: Loved â93 Upper Deck! That summer, my mother forced me to go back-to-school clothes shopping, I dreaded it. Also, Classic was only released as a complete game. Earlier this week, I asked my Twitter family to help me choose the worst sets of the Junk Wax Era, which Iâm loosely defining as 1987-1993. @nathanphifer: When youâre 10 years old, opening a pack of cards is almost a spiritual experience. I mean come on, EVERYONE still wants the Griffey RC. Like the late â80s Mustang it wasnât really special, but there was enough nostalgia to remember it fondly. @lampert_jake: I was a Topps kid and turned 10 during the 86-87 offseason so the 87 Topps set was right in my wheelhouse. Even still, 1986 Topps Traded has one of his greatest cards. What put this set above all others was the card back. â were amazing and everything about this set is outstanding.Â. Really liked the facts on the back, that gave more information about the players than just the normal stats. Helped that Upper Deck made smart rookie choices, eh? Oh, and the small checklist (220) makes an impact here, too â I opened a pack this week that had Frank Thomas, Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr. and Cal Ripken Jr. Yeah. I was never so excited to shop for clothes in my life, and $150 later I was in the car clutching 3 packs of cards. Iâm down to my last eight or nine packs of the box I have and Iâm already scouting my next one. The photography was over the top (Nolan pitching in a tux!) 2. Usually, printing errors don't generate a lot of long-term excited. Mariano Rivera is the exception. Piazza and Rivera stick out in my mind from that set, especially Mo because of the "senior picture" quality of the photography Topps utilized with some prospects. 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. @15CK15CK: I recently picked up a near-complete set, but only because it came in a binder and pages, and was cheaper than buying the binder and pages on their own! https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/sporting_news/47/8c/1987-fleer-041620-ftr-snjpg_1ts6e3u00orxx1kcg0i8hscgzj.jpg?t=-2005203791&w=500&quality=80, Why this set was the best: Look, maybe itâs just me, but these cards were kind of sacred. 1987 Venezuelan Stickers Greg Maddux 29. 17. But still, I couldnât help but think that little kid Ryan would be disappointed with all the mean things that adult Ryan wrote about those baseball cards (even if they were objectively true).Â, MORE: Ranking the top 15 baseball card sets of the '80s and '90s, So I started another project, one that would make little kid Ryan proud of adult Ryan. @kuchemJ: BEST. The Best Topps Baseball Rookie Card from Each Year â 1952-2020. It is definitely on a hot streak now. ~Baseball Card Prices~ Home Page â Baseball card prices on popular baseball card singles, sets and unopened materials. The foil auto on the card was a nice tough, too. Iâve found a couple in boxes in the past year and, let me tell you, the thrill has not dissipated. adidas slides come in a variety of colors and features. His career may not have finished as strongly as it started, but Mattingly is still a Yankees icon. If the bulk of your collection dates anywhere from the mid-1980s through the early 90s, you may have to simply sell them at a garage sale and take what you can getâ¦even if itâs only a few dollars. Holy schnikes. Shop for the latest chokers, pop culture merchandise, gifts & collectibles at Hot Topic! But we are still talking $3 or more for a pack. The smirk, the swag, The Thrill. When we reached JC Penny, my eyes bulged out of my head. @LUISPERRO21: Without a doubt, my favorite set from this era is the 1993 Upper Deck. During 1987, Donruss released opening day baseball cards at the time only through sets and not packs at the start of the year. Yet another great card from the classic set, Ramirez's popularity peaked early in his run with Boston. But I also gave you a sneak peek at what I thought of the 1990 set. @crcyclone6: I love this set because it changed the card game and forced others the raise the bar on their cards. I also liked the "Future Stars" and the trophy for the Rated Rookie. The end result is several versions. 1992 Score Franchise Mus./Mant./Yaz. And the 1992 Bowman set was different from the 1989-91 offerings. Topps Baseball Cards 1952 (buy on eBay) 407 cards in total measuring 2.625 x 3.750. When collecting baseball cards, even as a kid, there is a tendency to look into the crystal ball and wonder if the rookie card of that up and coming player will be worth something. Note the Desert Shield logo right under the #1 Draft Pick graphic. Memorable sets also have that "x-factor" that comes in the form of a classic rookie card or something in the content that leaves a lasting impression. In fact, this shot of a contemplative legend tossing a baseball against a backdrop of the Pittsburgh faithful, all swaddled in that 1972 powder blue and accentuated by the âPIRATESâ starburst usually scores high on âbest card of all-timeâ lists. The Nolan Ryan card is iconic (Dave Stewartâs in the same getup, too). @ExtraInningsUK: My beloved Donruss 1991, the first complete set I ever received and my prize possession, came with a sealed pack of 1991 Studio, which when opened revealed the most expensive-looking cards I'd ever held in my hand. The full-card photo was a revolution, and the folks at Topps did a great job making sure that star players had stunning photos. Jason Varitek put together a solid career. Best Match. However, the baseball card collecting world can present a lot of surprises too. Now you can play baseball and football every day, all year round with Strat-O-Matic Baseball 365 and Football 365! It makes me happy to do it. Tips on Spotting a Fake 1949 Leaf Stan Musial Baseball Card. Unaffectionately referred to as the “Junk Wax Era," the period of 1984 to 1993 was a time of burgeoning gluttony, the ramifications of which are still being felt today. But itâs more than that. Theyâve existed in various forms for a millennium, having been invented in the Far East. Oh, the rookies. Below are some of our most desired baseball card sets and the price we will pay to buy them from you. When I have found some, they want like $5 or more dollars for a “Double Pack” of cards. Packs of my favorite set (spoiler alert) were everywhere, but Fleer was harder to find in 1987, and when I did see them at card shops, they were either 75 cents or a buck per pack. In 1991, Topps issued a special version of its 792-card set with a foil Desert Shield logo for distribution to … Of all the brands and products released during that time period, only one regular card has carried a consistent raw value of $100 or more and that's the 1993 SP Derek Jeter rookie. Does this apply to every card collected from that era? They looked and felt high-end, but they were Topps, so they were still something the average person could relate to. It won't lead to Cooperstown, but he was a key member of one of baseball's best franchises. Unfortunately, they won’t likely be worth much (unless you’ve got some very specific sets like 1986-87 Fleer Basketball). Supply is plentiful but the notoriety keeps this card in demand. Best Match Time: ending soonest Time: ... 1,200 results for strat o matic baseball card sets. However, despite the overwhelming amount of material from this period, there are several cards that should be included in any baseball card collection. They were so fancy; from the super glossy, high quality photos to the gold trim at the bottom. I splurged and spent $3 for the pack and got the card I wanted. The Griffey Jr. card is awesome. 1986 Topps Tiffany Bo Jackson. That Piazza rookie card was listed at like $5-6 bucks, without the FDP. You had to splurge for Fleer, and I respected that. Includes such manufacturers as Topps, Donruss, Fleer, Score, Upper Deck, plus many more. Within the set were also several subsets to enjoy, including: @JoshuaEvers5: Also loved the simplicity of the 1992 Stadium Club design (especially with the gold lettering on the Members Only set â made it feel so important). @cardboardicons: This brand really underwhelmed in its debut in 1991, but (Fleer) Ultra got a major overhaul in 1992 with premium glossy stock coupled with a progressive design that at times mimicked stone. At the time, Beckett, I'm not sure knew how to price the FDP cards, so it was something like 20-25 times the value of the normal card. Also, my dad got me the Royals team set from â93 Upper Deck, so that probably helps my affection for it.Â. 27. Besides being the best Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card, it helped usher in a new era in the hobby that included glossy card stock and premium production values. I had thoughts on each set, and then included my favorite contributions from the Twitter family.Â, (Ryan Fagan/SN) Lots of fun information on the back!Â. That was a classic! 1986 Donruss HL Bo Jackson White Var. For real I remember all the trouble I was in when I used my brothers cards. His only rookie card is part of the last Topps Traded box sets to come with USA Baseball players. All cards have the same orientation, making it pleasant to look at in an album. Simple design good pics and great cards. Save this search. Certainly not. Why this set was the best: If you were a fan of rookies, this is your dream set. In general, the 528-card set may seem somewhat overlooked compared to the Topps, Fleer, Donruss and Upper Deck sets of the same year. The first baseline on the right side and the glossy feel are fantastic, not to mention Griffey Jr's rookie being the #1 card in the set. Â, (Ryan Fagan/SN) The overwhelming supply and eventually fleeting demand created a perfect storm for the crash that followed. Each colored set variation was released at different times during the year with updated player information and updated rookies. https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/sporting_news/63/8d/1993-upperdeck-041620-ftr-snjpg_11lwmqfkmlcn810bb6mm0mqe31.jpg?t=-2004918663&w=500&quality=80, Why this set was the best: Weâll start with one of my personal favorites, for two reasons. I will get my Grandkids involved soon, but we aren’t going to be buying those $100 -$200 – $300+ hobby boxes hoping to hit a crappy squiggly line supposedly of an autograph of the player on a sticker, stuck to a card. Among the most bland cards ever produced. Although not the most valuable, his 1993 Bowman rookie is still popular. https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/sporting_news/a2/c5/1993-studio-041620-ftr-snjpg_1d6e8kjoqt7od110zr344wcbtf.jpg?t=-2004944887&w=500&quality=80, Why this set was the best: Yeah, maybe this is way too high for this set. However, there is still plenty to love as it's packed with all the big names of the era and some great rookie cards. The 1991 Topps Desert Shield cards were distributed to US Troops in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm by Topps as a special thank you to the troops. I have created all kinds of ways to use them- I cant even give them away on ebay. He said the 1987 Fleer design, and I quote, âlooks like a Smurf threw up.â That amused me. Â, @BabbSports: Before â87, there wasnât a lot of color to cards' designs, but this Fleer brought it with the blue border, and for me, helped the player âpopâ a little more than in the past. From there, they came West with trading, and in the 1400s the French solidified the 52-card deck and the four suits â spades, clubs, hearts, and diamonds â that we use today. The list was based on a number of high-end cards of value in the set, rarity, and card design (i.e. Itâs a peace offering to my former self, a look at the best sets of the Junk Wax Era. Just like the Clemens from the box set, the 1984 Fleer Update Kirby Puckett is a giant in part to being the late Hall of Famer's only MLB card from 1984 and its general rarity. @JoeySMU: Growing up in rural Iowa, we mainly had access to the basic card lines, so my picks are different than most. (Just for fun, watch me and SN baseball editor Jason Foster open a box of 1990 Leaf. The Bo Jackson card where heâs wearing football shoulder pads and holding a baseball bat just might be the most iconic card of the 1990s. The blue cards were crisp. https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/sporting_news/7d/b7/1990-leaf-041620-ftr-snjpg_65q5ma4oxn8919bhwikx7ldza.jpg?t=-2005126151&w=500&quality=80, Why this set was the best: The best day of my card-collecting life included finding a Frank Thomas rookie card in a pack of 1990 Leaf at a giant card convention in downtown St. Louis when I was a kid. I still have all of those cards. 1991 Pacific Nolan Ryan Holograms I love a set thatâs driven by players, not chase cards.Â. For years, the real story behind the 1989 Fleer Billy Ripken was a mystery. 1992 Fleer Update Mike Piazza Just remember, Sy Berger was saying the same thing in the early 60s when he had to many 1952 topps high series leftover. I screamed. In his first AB, vs. Nolan Ryan, he goes deep. Even if I can find some to sell I will continue to give the older ones away. Johnny Damon had a colorful career. 1993 Finest Nolan Ryan Promo Refractor 21. I don’t buy the expensive ones, just my favorite teams like the Twins and some of my old favorite players from back in the day. 1985 Topps Tiffany Rodger Clemens @jeffmelaragno: The die cut cards blew my mind when I saw them. Happy Red Sox fan! Not to mention, it damages the Hobby as a whole when kids are only interested in “Hitting” a BIG card. 9. It was a fun project, with lots of great input from my fellow baseball-card fans. Many of us spend countless hours in the pursuit of completion. But finally finishing the puzzle of the greatest Cardinal ever was worth every penny. Even if you don't collect baseball cards, you've probably heard of the 1989 Fleer Billy Ripken with its profanity-laden bat knob. Numbers don't lie. Checklist is littered with rookies of MLB stars and serviceable veterans. Please go to eBay and look the card up. The 1985 Topps Mark McGwire rookie card has seen its share of ups and downs. 1990 Topps George Bush USA1 Glossy