A rookie card is a trading card that is the first to feature a player after that player has participated in the highest level of competition within their sport .
A rookie card is not always produced during a player’s rookie season. As is the case with Minor League Baseball, there could have been cards that fit the definition printed in previous years.
It is generally agreed that to be a true rookie card, the card must be part of a product’s base set (see also “Most Valuable Derek Jeter Rookie Cards“).
The cards usually feature the player’s name, team logo, uniform number, career statistics, and signature.
In the early 1900s, baseball cards were called “rookies” because they were given to new players. Today, these cards are highly valuable and collectors pay hundreds of dollars for them (see also “Most Valuable Mike Trout Cards“).
Rookie cards are often sold at auction for thousands of dollars. If you want to get into collecting, you should start with a starter pack. These packs contain 100 cards, and you can easily add to it by buying additional packs.
In this article, we will be discussing what a rookie card is and everything that surrounds it.
What is a True Rookie Card?
A true rookie card is one that was printed before the player had even made his first appearance on an official roster. This means that the player has never been signed to a contract with any major league club.
The most famous example of a true rookie card is Hank Aaron’s 1961 Topps card (see also “1981 Topps Joe Montana Rookie Card & It’s Worth“). It was the very first rookie card ever released.
Another example would be Joe DiMaggio’s 1952 Bowman set. He was traded from the New York Yankees to the San Francisco Seals just weeks before he debuted in the majors.
Other examples include:
- 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
- 1953 Topps Willie McCovey
- 1954 Topps Bob Gibson
- 1955 Topps Ernie Banks
- 1956 Topps Frank Robinson
- 1957 Topps Don Zimmer
- 1958 Topps Yogi Berra
- 1959 Topps Eddie Mathews
- 1960 Topps Ken Boyer
- 1962 Topps Hank Aaron
- 1963 Topps Al Kaline
- 1964 Topps Jim Palmer
- 1965 Topps Roberto Clemente
- 1966 Topps Ron Santo
- 1967 Topps Ted Williams
- 1968 Topps Mike Schmidt
- 1969 Topps Gaylord Perry
- 1970 Topps Pete Rose
- 1971 Topps Reggie Jackson
- 1972 Topps Joe Morgan
- 1973 Topps Robin Yount
- 1974 Topps Dave Concepcion
- 1975 Topps Steve Carlton
- 1976 Topps Jerry Koosman
- 1977 Topps Nolan Ryan
- 1978 Topps Dwight Evans
- 1979 Topps Alan Trammell
- 1980 Topps Tony Perez
- 1981 Topps Boog Powell
- 1982 Topps Kirk Gibson
- 1983 Topps Jose Canseco
- 1984 Topps Mark McGwire
- 1985 Topps Ozzie Smith
- 1986 Topps Jack Morris
- 1987 Topps George Bell
- 1988 Topps Bill Buckner
- 1989 Topps Gary Carter
- 1990 Topps Tom Glavine
- 1991 Topps Jeff Bagwell
- 1992 Topps John Kruk
- 1993 Topps Barry Larkin
- 1994 Topps Sammy Sosa
- 1995 Topps Ken Griffey Jr.
- 1996 Topps Nomar Garciaparra
- 1997 Topps Edgar Renteria
- 1998 Topps Larry Walker
- 1999 Topps Albert Belle
- 2000 Topps Alex Rodriguez
- 2001 Topps Tim Raines
- 2002 Topps Kenny Lofton
- 2003 Topps Ichiro Suzuki
- 2004 Topps Todd Helton
- 2005 Topps Manny Ramirez
- 2006 Topps Miguel Cabrera
- 2007 Topps Adam Dunn
- 2008 Topps Chase Utley
- 2009 Topps Buster Posey
- 2010 Topps Cliff Lee
- 2011 Topps Prince Fielder
- 2012 Topps Bryce Harper
- 2013 Topps Justin Upton
- 2014 Topps Anthony Rendon
- 2015 Topps Carlos Correa
- 2016 Topps Kris Bryant
- 2017 Topps Christian Yelich
- 2018 Topps Cody Bellinger
- 2019 Topps Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- 2020 Topps Fernando Tatis Jr.
How Do I Get My Hands on a Rookie Card?
The best way to get your hands on a rookie card is to buy a starter pack. Starter packs usually come in boxes containing 100 cards. You can then buy more packs as you go along.
If you don’t have the money right now to buy a starter pack, there are other ways to get your hands on some rookies. For instance, you could try eBay or Craigslist. They often appear on Etsy too.
There are also many online sites where you can sell your own collection for a profit.
Rookie Cards in Baseball History
Baseball cards were originally produced by companies like Fleer and Topps. These companies started producing baseball cards in the 1950s.
In the early days of baseball cards, players who were not yet ready to make it into the major leagues were known as “rookies.” This name stuck with the sport until the 1990s, when Major League Baseball decided that they wanted to use the term “prospect” instead.
Today, the term “rookie” has been replaced by the term “prospective player.” Prospective players are young players who haven’t made it into the big leagues yet, but are expected to do so soon.
What are the Different Types of Rookies
Let’s take a look at the different types of rookies:
Prospects
Players who are still very young and have yet to be drafted by an MLB team. They may be called prospects because they are considered to be future stars.
Free Agents
Players who aren’t under contract with any team. Some free agents sign contracts with teams, while others wait around hoping to find a new home.
Draft Picks
Players who are selected in the amateur draft. Most teams will pick one player from each college or university.
International Free Agents
Players who play internationally before signing with an MLB team.
Minor Leaguers
Players who have played in the minor leagues for several years. Minor leaguers often start their careers in the minors and work their way up through the system.
Minor League All-Stars
Players who have won awards in the minor leagues.
All-Star Game Participants
Players who participate in the annual All-Star game.
The Best Rookie Cards Ever Made
The following are the top 10 rookie cards ever made.
1) Willie Mays (1951 Topps)
2) Mickey Mantle (1956 Bowman)
3) Ted Williams (1952 Bowman)
4) Joe DiMaggio (1954 Topps)
5) Hank Aaron (1957 Topps)
6) Roberto Clemente (1960 Topps)
7) Reggie Jackson (1978 Donruss)
8) Albert Pujols (2001 Panini)
9) Ken Griffey Jr. (1990 Upper Deck)
10) Barry Bonds (1992 Leaf)
Conclusion
We hope you have enjoyed this guide on rookie cards, and enjoyed learning about the different types and their history.
If you are eager to learn more about the best rookie cards ever made, or the history of the rookie, there are places to do a deep dive, one of the best resources is beckett.
He bought me my first baseball mitt, and taught me everything I know about baseball. When he came over one day with my first ever baseball card, I was absolutely elated. We started collecting them together, and getting excited whenever we went somewhere that sold them.
Here, I hope you find all of the information that you need to build your own amazing baseball card collection with friends, family and loved ones, and you too can find happiness in getting all of your favorite cards!
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