Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ Rookie collection - advice needed, Baseball

[ffman]

Looking through my personal collection, I've found that I enjoy my small rookie collection almost as much as my other player collections.

I'm looking to slightly expand my rookie collections, mainly on the lower-end side of things (stars, but nothing high-end). Keep in my that when I say "rookie", I mean established stars, not prospects. Anything from Griffey, Jeter, Bonds, Maddux to Longoria, Crawford, Pujols, Mauer.

Here is a list of what I have (some of these would not be considered "true" rookies but they are what I have), and an initial list of what I would like to get. Please add any other suggestions.

Bold = have

(I have other "small-name/no-name" rookies in a binder that are not listed)

1982 Donruss/Fleer/Topps Cal Ripken Jr. RC ($25-40 BV)
1983 Donruss Ryne Sandberg RC ($10 BV)
1983 Fleer Wade Boggs RC
1983 Topps Tony Gwynn RC
1985 Fleer Kirby Puckett RC
1985 Topps Roger Clemens RC ($15 BV)
1985 Topps OLY Mark McGwire RC
1987 Donruss Greg Maddux RC
1987 Fleer Update Greg Maddux RC
1987 Topps Barry Bonds RC
1987 Topps Glossy Send-Ins Barry Bonds RC
1988 Score Rookie/Traded Craig Biggo XRC ($12 BV)
1988 Score Rookie/Traded Roberto Alomar RC ($10 BV)
1989 Bowman Ken Griffey Jr. RC
1989 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr. RC
1989 Donruss Gary Sheffield RC
1989 Donruss Craig Biggio RC
1989 Donruss/Topps Randy Johnson RC ($2-4 BV)
1989 Topps Gary Sheffield RC
1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. RC ($40 BV)
1990 Leaf Frank Thomas RC
1990 Leaf Sammy Sosa RC
1991 Bowman Jim Thome RC
1991 Bowman Jeff Bagwell RC ($3 BV)
1991 Bowman Ivan Rodriguez RC ($4 BV)
1991 Bowman Chipper Jones RC ($6 BV)
1991 Upper Deck Final Edition Pedro Martinez RC ($8 BV)
1992 Bowman Manny Ramirez #532 RC ($12 BV)
1992 Bowman Mariano Rivera RC ($40 BV)
1992 Bowman Mike Piazza RC ($20 BV)
1992 Upper Deck Manny Ramirez RC
1993 Class 4-sport Power Pick Alex Rodriguez
1993 Topps Derek Jeter (incoming)
1994 Upper Deck Michael Jordan #19
1994 Upper Deck Alex Rodriguez #24
1995 Bowman Vladimir Guerrero RC
1997 Bowman Chrome Roy Halladay RC
1997 Fleer David Arias-Ortiz RC
1998 Bowman Jimmy Rollins RC ($6 BV)
1999 Bowman (or Chrome) Josh Hamilton RC
1999 Bowman (or Chrome) Adam Dunn RC
1999 Bowman (or Chrome) Carl Crawford RC
1999 Topps Traded (or Chrome) Josh Hamilton RC
1999 Topps Traded (or Chrome) Carl Crawford RC
2000 Bowman Carlos Zambrano RC
2000 Topps Traded Miguel Cabrera
2000 Topps Chrome Traded Miguel Cabrera
2001 Bowman Albert Pujols RC ($80 BV)
2001 Topps Ichiro RC ($12 BV)
2001 Topps Jake Peavy RC
2001 Topps Traded Albert Pujols RC ($50 BV)
2001 Topps Chrome Jake Peavy RC
2001 UD Prospect Premiere David Wright XRC
2001 UD Prospect Premiere Ryan Howard XRC
2002 Bowman David Wright RC
2002 Bowman Joe Mauer RC ($12)
2002 Topps Joe Mauer RC ($10)
2002 Bowman Draft Picks Curtis Granderson ($8 BV)
2003 Bowman Draft Picks Ryan Howard RC ($15 BV)
2003 Topps Traded Jeremy Bonderman RC
2003 Topps Traded Brian McCann RC
2003 Topps Chrome Traded Chien-Ming Wang RC
2003 UD Standing "O" Brandon Webb RC
2003 UD Vintage Hideki Matsui RC
2005 Topps Update Ryan Braun FY RC
2005 Topps Update Jacoby Ellsbury FY RC
2005 Topps Update Andrew McCutchen FY RC
2005 Topps Update Colby Rasmus FY RC
2005 Topps Update Ryan Zimmerman FY RC
2005 Topps Update Jay Bruce FY RC
2005 Topps Update Matt Garza FY RC
2005 Topps Chrome Update Ryan Braun FY RC
2005 Topps Chrome Update Jay Bruce FY RC
2005 Topps Chrome Update Jacoby Ellsbury FY RC
2005 Topps Chrome Update Jared Weaver FY RC
2005 Topps Chrome Update Ryan Zimmerman FY RC
2005 Topps Chrome Update Nelson Cruz FY RC
2005 Topps Chrome Update Matt Garza refractor AU FY RC /500
2006 Bowman Chrome Prospects Alex Gordon
2006 Finest X-Fractor Kenji Johjima /250
2006 Finest Green Refractor Kenji Johjima /199
2006 Finest Blue X-fractor Kenji Johjima /150
2006 Flair Showcase WBC Moments Daisuke Matsuzaka
2006 Turkey Red Kenji Johjima RC
2006 Turkey Red White Kenji Johjima RC
2007 Bowman Heritage Prospects Joba Chamberlain
2007 Topps Joba Chamberlain RC
2007 Ultra Troy Tulowitzki L13
2007 Ultra Alex Gordon L13
2007 Upper Deck Tim Lincecum RC
2007 Bowman Evan Longoria AU ($60 BV)
2008 Allen and Ginter Evan Longoria "RC"
2008 Allen and Ginter Jay Bruce "RC"
2008 Upper Deck Kosuke Fukodome RC
2009 SPx Francisco Cervelli AU /99

Comments and suggestions are appreciated.

[aceecards]

I think your list is just fine..

Id avoid prospecting also unless they are pack pulled!

One aspect I always consider when acquiring rookie cards is condition!

Its fine to say you have one, but High book is based on excellent to Mint condition! All to often traders think Well i got one so its worth $XX.XX but in reality it may only be worth $x.xx or even $.XX. This is especially true of the 60's, 70's and 80's rookies or anything with dark borders

if they want high book then I expect it to be gradeable condition!

[ffman]

I think your list is just fine..

Id avoid prospecting also unless they are pack pulled!

One aspect I always consider when acquiring rookie cards is condition!

Its fine to say you have one, but High book is based on excellent to Mint condition! All to often traders think Well i got one so its worth $XX.XX but in reality it may only be worth $x.xx or even $.XX. This is especially true of the 60's, 70's and 80's rookies or anything with dark borders

if they want high book then I expect it to be gradeable condition!

Good advice.

I broke the condition rule myself today (traded a duplicate), but I would rather the other trader receive the better of the two.

[dodgerblue38501]

Rookie cards are the way to go for long term investment opportunity and from a historical perspective. It is fun to look at rookie cards and think back 15-20 years when a guy's career is over and remember all the highlights he provided to us as fans. Incidentally, I have almost all the non bold cards on your list if you want to do some dealing.

[2006BowmanDraftFan]

Don't forget John Smoltz. A probably HOF player, and his rookie cards are very affordable.

[NYStateOfMind1976]

I think that is a great collection you are working on and a great idea. Something to be said for having a nice group of Rc cards of some nice players past and present. I have a collection also, I wouldn't call mine a PC but I have a bunch of great players, at least in my mind.

Of course I am partial Cody but I wouldn't rule out Donny Baseball....

Mattingly Rcs are not expensive

Topps 84 15.00
Donruss 84 25.00
Fleer 84 20.00

All can be had for less than that always...

just my biased opion of course

[ffman]

As an update, here is an almost-complete list of the major rookies I have. Note that many of the newer cards are not true "rookies", but I included them on the list regardless.

If you see any affordable (trade-wise) holes you think I should fill, let me know. A few are evident, such as a low-end Ichiro and Pujols rookie.

BASEBALL ROOKIE COLLECTION
1983 Topps #498 Wade Boggs RC
1984 Topps #8 Don Mattingly RC
1985 Fleer #286 Kirby Puckett RC
1987 Donruss #36 Greg Maddux RC
1987 Donruss #361 Barry Bonds RC
1987 Fleer Update #68 Greg Maddux RC
1987 Topps #320 Barry Bonds RC
1987 Topps All-Star send-in #30 Barry Bonds RC
1988 Topps #779 Tom Glavine RC
1989 Bowman #220 Ken Griffey Jr RC
1989 Fleer #548 Ken Griffey Jr RC
1989 Donruss #561 Craig Biggo RC
1989 Donruss #635 Curt Schilling RC
1989 Donruss #31 Gary Sheffield RC
1989 Donruss #33 Ken Griffey Jr RC
1989 Topps #343 Gary Sheffield RC
1989 Upper Deck #17 John Smoltz RC
1990 Classic Yellow #T93 Frank Thomas RC
1990 Leaf #300 Frank Thomas RC
1990 Score #663 Frank Thomas RC
1991 Bowman #68 Jim Thome RC
1991 Ultra #4 Mike Mussina RC
1992 Upper Deck #63 Manny Ramirez RC
1993 Classic Four-Sport Power Pick Alex Rodriguez /10000 RC
1993 Topps #701 Piazza/Delgado RC
1993 Topps Gold #701 Piazza/Delgado RC
1993 Topps #98 Derek Jeter RC
1994 Pinnacle #438 Derrek Lee RC
1994 Upper Deck #24 Alex Rodriguez RC
1994 Upper Deck #19 Michael Jordan RC
1995 Bowman #83 Chris Carpenter RC
1995 Collector's Choice #5 Rookie Class Alex Rodriguez
1995 Collector's Choice #5 silver signature Rookie Class Alex Rodriguez
1997 Bowman's Best #114 Miguel Tejada RC
1997 Fleer #512 David Arias (David Ortiz) RC
1998 Bowman's Best #178 Magglio Ordonez RC
1999 Upper Deck #14 Alfonso Soriano RC
2000 Bowman #303 Carlos Zambrano RC
2000 Crown Royale #97 Alfonso Soriano RC
2000 Topps #449 Hamilton/Myers RC
2000 Topps #446 Riley/Mulder/Sabathia RC
2000 Topps Traded #40 Miguel Cabrera RC
2000 Topps Tek #38-19 Josh Hamilton RC
2000 Upper Deck #43 Jimmy Rollins RC
2001 Stadium Club #151 Adrian Gonzalez RC
2001 Topps #598 Jake Peavy RC
2001 Topps Chrome #598 Jake Peavy RC
2002 Bowman Draft Picks #17 Cole Hamels RC
2003 Bowman Chrome #179 Brandon Webb RC
2003 Donruss Elite Extra Edition #2 Brandon Webb RC /900
2003 UD Ovation #86 Brandon Webb RC
2003 Topps Traded #186 Jeremy Bonderman RC
2003 Topps Traded #209 Brian McCan RC
2003 Topps Chrome Traded #245 Chien-Ming Wang RC
2003 UD Vintage #288 Hideki Matsui RC
2004 Bowman #268 Lastings Milledge RC
2004 Bowman Draft Picks Gold #150 Felix Hernandez RC
2005 Topps Update #320 Colby Rasmus FY RC
2005 Topps Update #329 Andrew McCutchen FY RC
2005 Topps Update #313 Ryan Braun FY RC
2005 Topps Update #317 Jacoby Ellsbury FY RC
2005 Topps Update #323 Ryan Zimmerman FY RC
2005 Topps Update #325 Jay Bruce FY RC
2005 Topps Chrome Update #197 Jered Weaver FY RC
2005 Topps Chrome Update #183 Carlos Gonzalez FY RC
2005 Topps Chrome Update #201 Ryan Zimmerman FY RC
2005 Topps Chrome Update #210 Nelson Cruzy FY RC
2005 Topps Chrome Update #227 Matt Garza refractor autograph FY RC /500
2006 Bowman #204 Hanley Ramirez RC
2006 Flair Showcase WBC Moments Daisuke Matsuzaka RC
2006 Turkey Red #606 Ryan Zimmerman RC
2006 Turkey Red #608 Jonathan Papelbon RC
2007 Bowman Draft Picks #11 Tim Lincecum RC
2007 Bowman Heritage Prospects #60 Joba Chamberlain RC
2007 Topps Update #43 Ubaldo Jimenez RC
2007 Topps Update #312 Joba Chamberlain RC
2007 Ultra #242 Lucky 13 Gold Troy Tulowitzki RC
2007 Upper Deck #918 Tim Lincecum RC
2008 Allen and Ginter #273 Jay Bruce RC
2008 Allen and Ginter #177 Evan Longoria RC
2008 Bowman #204 Joey Votto RC
2008 UD X #22 Kosuke Fukodome RC
2008 UD X #94 Evan Longoria RC
2008 Upper Deck #349 Joey Votto RC
2008 Upper Deck #708 Kosuke Fukudome RC
2009 Allen and Ginter #225 David Price RC
2009 Topps Chrome #214 Gordon Beckham RC
2009 Topps Chrome #200 Rick Porcello refractor RC
2010 Allen and Ginter #53 Jason Heyward RC
2010 Bowman Prospects #1 Stephen Strasburg RC
2010 Bowman #200 Jason Heyward RC
2010 Bowman #208 Buster Posey RC
2010 Bowman Gold #208 Buster Posey RC
2010 Bowman Prospects Blue #28 Jason Christian RC /520
2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects #109 Jaff Decker refractor /777
2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects #42 Rashun Dixon refractor /777
2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects #4 Tyler Henley purple refractor /999
2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects #28 Jason Christian purple refractor /999
2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects #93 Brett Jackson purple refractor /999
2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects #52 Sheng-An Kuo purple refractor /999
2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects #39 Edinson Rincon purple refractor /999
2010 Bowman Platinum #1 Stephen Strasburg RC
2010 Topps #2 Buster Posey RC
2010 Topps Wal-Mart Black #2 Buster Posey RC
2010 Topps Tales of the Game Stephen Strasburg RC
2010 Topps Chrome #212 Stephen Strasburg RC