With the first card in the checklist, Topps paid tribute to both Lou Brock and Carl Yastrzemski crossing the 3,000 career hits mark that would put them in exclusive baseball company forever. So, for the cards on this list to be worth much, they'll have to be graded by PSA to be in perfect, gem mint condition. On the other hand, Ozzie's bat did nothing but improve and combined with the amazing glove he already had, he'd deliver Hall of Fame-caliber play for years in St. Louis. And he struck fear into opposing pitchers at the plate, especially when Joe Morgan and Pete Rose got on base ahead of him, as he was an RBI machine, leading the league three times. Read our methodology. And, over the next twenty-two years, he would develop into one of the greatest players of his era with twelve All-Star selections, seven Gold Gloves and six Silver Sluggers to his name. The reverse of this card is just one of the many quirks found inside Donruss's debut set. $12.95. List by Card #, You own: 0 / 865 items After a decades-long stranglehold on the market, Topps lost a key court battle with Fleer that allowed other companies to produce sets of their own. The greatest catcher of all time, Johnny Bench played in seventeen seasons with the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983, and in 2011 the team erected a statue in his honor at Great American Ballpark. That just shows you what kind of effect being a Hall of Famer can have on baseball card prices. Murphy was outstanding during the 1980s as he racked up two MVPs, seven All-Star selections, five Gold Gloves, and four Silver Sluggers on his way to becoming one of the most popular players in baseball. Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. Fans and media began to take note of his incredible defensive talent, giving him the nickname "The Wizard.". 1980 Topps #482 Rickey Henderson Rookie Card. His combination of speed and power was simply some of the greatest the game has ever seen. For his regular-season efforts, Rose earned the only Silver Slugger Award of his career, his 15th All-Star selection, and a tenth-place finish on the NL MVP ballot. Recently, the price of a PSA 9 has continued to steadily fall to around $2,000 or less. On our list is an ungraded card featuring the 1981 Boston Red Sox, it was probably signed by the manager for the team, it is currently worth $72. Thats why everyone is constantly asking the question: What are the most valuable 1981 Topps baseball cards?. Carew's career batting average ended up at .328, while his best single-season average was .388 in 1977. While it may not be one of the most popular sets of the era, the 1982 Topps baseball card set packed plenty of star power and two key Hall of Fame rookie cards. One of the most beloved New York Mets in franchise history, Mookie Wilson finished seventh in the 1981 NL Rookie of the Year race and went on to a very successful career until he retired in 1991. A right-hander, he threw and batted right-handed. Brett's career batting average of .305 wasn't quite as good, but he did put up the better single-season effort when he batted. The course of Seaver's career would take a significant turn at the trading deadline in 1977, though, when he was involved in "the Midnight Massacre" that sent him to the Reds. 1981 Topps Traded 816 Tim Raines Montreal Expos Rookie Card. Heck, he even dated "Miss New York" Debra Sue Maurice from the Miss USA Beauty Pageant. Roland Glen Fingers was an American right-handed relief pitcher who played for three teams between 1968 and 1985. . Most Valuable Baseball Cards of All Time . Rating: 7.5 (174 votes) Click here to Rate. The player who played the most games at first base in major league history was Eddie Murray, who amassed 2,413-lifetime games at the position along with nearly 600 more as a designated hitter. There are only 7 examples of this card in circulation at the time of this writing that have achieved that gradeso they're very scarce. After his release by the Brewers, he was offered a contract by Pete Rose to play for the Cincinnati Reds in 1986. Ryan dazzled on that fall afternoon in Houston, striking out eleven and walking just three. #8. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. Most of Tom Seaver's pitching brilliance occurred during his first eleven seasons in the Majors with the New York Mets as he was named 1967 Rookie of the Year and won three Cy Youngs (1969, 1973, and 1975) during that time. Because of his career accomplishments and his overpowering style, Ryan remains one of the game's most popular players to ever play and you'll see his name in just about every set's log of key cards. It's no wonder why, considering how Henderson's a beloved figure in the sport whose '81 campaign included a .319 batting average, a league-leading 56 stolen bases and a second-place MVP . However, once they got there, the Oakland Athletics promptly swept them in the ALDS as Brett went just 2-for-12 (.167) in the three games. If you do the math on those 2,416 strikeouts he accumulated during his time with the Angels, that meant he averaged302 strikeouts per season, a mark many pitchers would be lucky to reach even once during their careers. Value: $300-325. Shortcuts: While this set may be slightly overlooked in the history of the hobby, it still delivers a great checklist. These are the result of decades of collecting and dealing for many companies, dealers, and collectors across America. Accolades aside, Schmidt felt his best accomplishment was in one of the few offensive categories in which he didn't pace the Majors: batting average. Smith continued his outstanding defensive work in 1981 by leading the National League in assists for the third straight year to pick up his second straight Gold Glove. A remarkable all-around . And ever since his induction into the Hall of Fame, his 1981 Donruss rookie card has enjoyed a nice bump in value. Grade: PSA 10. 5 Underrated 1981 Donruss Baseball Cards. As you can see, some of the game's biggest legends of all time can be found within the 726-card checklist. Though it may be light on key rookie cards, this set is certainly not light on stars and Hall of Famers. Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. Prices for 1982 Topps Baseball Cards 1982 Topps card list & price guide. Baseballs hit king, Pete Rose, led all of baseball in total hits on seven different occasions. In the teams first game back following the players strike, the 40-year-old recorded hit number 3,631, passing Stan Musial as the National Leagues all-time hits leader. Like the 1982 Donruss and Fleer sets, large print runs saturated the market with these cards, driving down their values. Tune in as Mrs. Wax Pack Gods reads 1982 Topps Baseball Cards - 17 Most Valuable . Tim Raines was one of the most successful stealers in baseball history and can be seen on the far left of the card. 1981 Topps Traded MLB Baseball Trading Cards Pick From List #727-#858. Cal Ripken Jr. Seaver would play one more year for the Reds in 1982 when he posted a 5-13 record before heading back to the New York Mets the following year. Rose collected 140 hits in 1981, slashing .325/.391/.390 in his third year with the Philadelphia Phillies. From there you can also add a Card to your collection or wishlist. They were the fourteenth and fifteenth players to achieve the incredible milestone. At least he was voted Rookie of the Year. Incredibly consistent and productive during his 21 years in the Big Leagues, Murray ended his Hall of Fame career with 3,255 hits, 504 home runs, 1,917 RBI and set the all-time record for sacrifice flies with 128. On May 29th against the San Francisco Giants, Bench slid into second base, attempting to break up a double play but fractured his left ankle in the process. Jackson slumped out of the gates in 1981, prompting Steinbrenner to invoke a clause in his contract that forced him to undergo a full physical examination. Ryan went 1-1 in two starts with a 1.80 ERA in the team's five-game NLDS loss to the Dodgers, striking out 14 batters in 15 innings while walking just three. Murray appeared in his second All-Star Game that season and finished things off with a fifth-place finish in the MVP vote, one of six times he finished in the top five in his storied career. #7. $9.99. Unfortunately, they failed to make the playoffs during his first year in Philadelphia, but things changed for the better as the Phillies outlasted George Brett and the Kansas City Royals in six games to win the 1980 World Series. Reggie Jackson was one of the game's greatest power hitters and was known for taking huge rips at the ball on his way to racking up 563 career home runs. The most valuable baseball card from the 1980s is Rickey Henderson's 1980 Topps rookie card. And he was still very much a respectable pitcher during his time in Cincinnati from 1977 to 1982 as he'd win around 15 games regularly, made two All-Star teams and even finished second in the Cy Young vote for the 1981 season. 203 Bill Gullickson Record Breaker - Expos. In 2004 he was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame; in 2005 he was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. When graded gem mint 10 by PSA, the value has gone as high as $180,000. "I've learned to stay within myself, not be afraid to fail.". Rose hit .300 (6-for-20) with two RBI and a run scored in the losing effort. Rodney Cline Carew is a former Panamanian baseball player who played first baseman and second baseman in the MLB from 1967 to 1985, primarily for the California Angels. 1981 Donruss. 722 Joe Niekro. Reggie Jackson played five seasons as a member of the New York Yankees from 1977 to 1981, and the 1980 season turned out to be his best in pinstripes. He was named Rolaids Relief Man of the Year four times and led the major leagues in saves three times. 1 1980 Batting Leaders - George Brett / Bill Buckner 2 1980 Home Run Leaders - Reggie Jackson / Ben Oglivie / Mike Schmidt . Brock crossed the mark with a single on August 13, 1979 while Yaz hit a single of his own on September 12, 1979 to join the club. He also led all of baseball with 89 runs scored and led the American League in stolen bases (56) and hits (135). Unlike Smith, Cal Ripken's chances at the Hall of Fame were never in doubt. 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron RC. The Atlanta Braves had used Dale Murphy at first base and catcher during his early years in the 1970s, but in 1980 they moved him to the outfield. At the time, two Major League Baseball clubs, the Montreal Expos, and the Toronto Blue Jays played in Canada, where . However, during early 2021, PSA 9 examples of this card frequently sold for $4,000 - $5,000 or more. #5. If so, then please fill out the form below and I'll be in touch right away. Although his best days were clearly behind him, he still played well enough to earn a trip to the 1982 All-Star game. Had Los Angeles's Fernando Valenzuela's not been so dominant in 1981, dousing the baseball world in "Fernandomania," Seaver would have earned his fourth Cy Young as he finished runner-up. Just look at that awesome retro Astros jersey in all its striped glory! I remember several years ago you could find this card in a PSA 9 holder quite easily for $400 or so, which made it undervalued even back then. In 1980, Kansas City Royals third baseman George Brett graduated from All-Star to crossover superstar. He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. The Padres also had some great retro jerseys during the 1980s but Ozzie really topped things off with those sideburns. He also holds the schools record for most strikeouts in both a single season and total career strikeouts with 309 in 305 innings pitched. Wade Boggs is an American former baseball player who retired as a third baseman after 18 seasons of Major League Baseball. After Wilson dodged a wild pitch from Boston's Bob Stanley, Kevin Mitchell scored from third to tie the game. Currently, this 1981 Topps card is worth $79. 1981 Pete Rose Baseball Card. I used to collect baseball cards as a kid and loved pulling out a pack of 1981 Topps Coca Cola cardstheir design was so much better than the regular issue and their limited print run made them seem much more valuable. Reggie was furious and blasted The Boss in the media. Here we see Yaz staring off into the distance almost as if he's thinking back on his careeror maybe he's just watching a teammate take batting practice. Donruss would take the experience with this set and continue to churn out many improved and memorable sets for years to come. $15.00. During the 1977 season, Andre Dawson batted .282 with 19 home runs and 65 RBI, which earned him NL Rookie of the Year honors. Considered by many to be the best defensive shortstop of all time, Smith won an incredible thirteen Gold Gloves over nineteen seasons in Major League Baseball. One thing I always found a bit strange about Yount's career was that he was a two-time MVP but appeared in just three All-Star games, the lowest amount of any Hall of Famer since the game's inception. For example, in November, 2018 you could find one in PSA 10 grade for around $100 but after he was voted into the Hall they started selling for north of $600 and continue to climb today. Despite this seemingly unjustified absence from more "Midsummer Classics," Yount is considered to be the greatest Milwaukee Brewer in the franchise's history. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This card is worth $45 but could go higher. Each 1-13/16" by 3-1/4" card featured a small full-color portrait of the player with his name printed below his image on the left side of the card. He struggled in 1980 (by his terms) with a career-worst 3.64 ERA and a career-low ten wins. Their scarcity is a result of several situations that can apply to baseball card collecting. No. Estimated PSA 9 Value: $1,800. He was a member of the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, and Detroit Tigers. That means the card needs to be flawless. The card features famous baseball player Reggie Jackson and is worth $75. However, regardless of what you might think of his legacy, it's surprising that this particular card isn't worth a little more. Ken Griffey Jr. This card features the professional baseball player Danny Ainge. . 2022 Topps Heritage Baseball Most Valuable Cards and Checklist; These 10 GOATS . Donovan Mitchell was one of the standouts in a loaded 2017-18 NBA rookie class. While some of the game's big names struggled with the split-season, Schmidt held things together all year to lead the Majors in home runs (31), RBI (91), OBP (.435), slugging percentage (.644), OPS (1.080), OPS + (198), and total bases (228). #9. 725 Steve Rogers. There were tons of errors, collation inside boxes was hit and miss (mostly miss) and the . Tim Raines first became eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2008 but wasn't elected until 2017 when he received a convincing 86% of the vote. On the field, Jackson had his worst offensive season since his sophomore campaign as he slashed a modest .237/.330/.428 with 15 home runs and 54 RBI. Canadian baseball cards printed in the French language are uncommon, which shows on this baseball card as it is bi-lingual. This Baseball card is in very good condition, with sharp corners and slight wear on the lower right corner. George Riley Autographed 1981 Topps Rookie Card, 14. The defending AL champions were a mess early, though. 1981 Topps Expos Future Card Tim Haines Auto, 6. During his first year with the Angels, Jackson proved he still had plenty left in the tank and led the Majors with 39 home runs and finished sixth in the MVP vote. But rather than hanging them up after the season, Yastrzemski got to work. In other years, Seaver used his overpowering stuff to outduel hitters but in 1981, he wasn't quite the fireballer as he struck out only 4.7 batters per nine innings, the second-lowest rate of his career. Jackson found a groove in the team's ALDS victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, hitting .300 with a .933 OPS, two home runs, and four RBI. . 1981 Topps card list & price guide. His struggles didn't last long, though, and maybe it was seeing Mike Schmidt win back-to-back MVPs in 1980 and 1981 because, by the following year, Murphy's production skyrocketed as he'd go on to win back-to-back MVPs of his own in 1982 and 1983. Shortcuts: Most Expensive, Cheapest, List by Card # A rare 1980/81 baseball card. In 1981, Schmidt became the eighth player in MLB history to do just that. In 1981, the Boston Red Sox played 108 games during the regular season and won 59 of those games, losing 49. Grade. buy stuff after clicking links on our site 6. Many thought his career was slowly but surely coming to an end. Many times, though, he'd fail to connect on those swings and would up earning himself a spot as the career leader in strikeouts with 2,597. One year removed from his Rookie of the Year-winning season, this Ripken card is still a hobby favorite because it shows the Orioles third baseman's timeless swing and a close-up of his youthful mug all on one important card. But he is more famous for the accusations of gambling that led Major League Baseball to ban him from the sport in 1989. The card is currently worth $189.99. At Eastern Michigan he had a 29-9 career win-loss record with a 2.15 ERA. This card features Tim Maines, Roberto Ramos and Bobby Pate, all the players listed were stars in their prime. The most expensive baseball card in history just sold for $12.6 million By Zoe Sottile, . In twin history, he is regarded as one the greatest contact hitters. Card Number: #418. That season set the tone for a reputation that Dawson would carve out as a player with an incredible mix of speed and power as he was seemingly always a lock for 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases throughout his time in Montreal. 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle #135. 721 Toby Harrah. Perhaps Wilson's finest point of his career came during one of the most memorable at-bats in baseball history that lasted ten pitches, sent Mets fans soaring, and broke Red Sox fans' hearts. The card features Pete Rose. Year sold: 2018. . The 1981 O-Pee-Chee features the Canadian version of the 1981 Topps set, where it is uncommon to see French on an MLB card. And the reason it's worth so much in PSA 10 condition? Seaver was great in Cincinnati, but he just wasn'tas greatas he was with the Mets up to that point. After all, Rickey Henderson is the greatest lead-off hitter of all time, whose records for runs scored (2,295) and stolen bases (1,406) may very well never be broken. SportsCardsPro Index: 1982 Topps. Now that we got that out of the way, let's take a look at the list: Lee Smith was one of the greatest relief pitchers to ever step on the mound and is currently a distant number three on the all-time saves list with 478 behind Mariano Rivera (652) and Trevor Hoffman (601). 6) 1981 Topps Traded Rollie Fingers (#761) This may be the most iconic 1981 baseball card of all, thanks to 1) Fingers signature mustache, 2) the old-school kneeling pose, 3) the Cy Young-MVP twofer Rollie pulled off in 1981, and the 1982 Topps Kmart set that immortalized the entire card in miniature. Not bad for an 11th round pick (#250 overall) in the 1975 MLB Draft. Prices are updated daily based upon 1981 Topps listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. 20 Most Valuable Topps Baseball Rookie Cards Of The 1970s. 50. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. Now that we got that out of the way, let's take a look at the list: The 1981 American League MVP race came down to two men, Oakland Athletics left fielder Rickey Henderson and former As closer Rollie Fingers. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993. 1 Rickey Henderson #119. PSA 6. Contact him at [emailprotected]. After rookie Fernando Valenzuela pitched a shutout on opening day, starting the craze that came to be known as Fernandomania, the 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers finished the season with a flourish. Card Number: #595. Rookie Cards: Options . It has been certified authentic by Beckett Authentication (BAS) and comes encapsulated in their tamper-proof holder. The legal system would clear the way for Donruss and Fleer to enter the market in 1981, sparking a ramp-up in competition that led to an overheated decade of baseball card production. The move worked as the Royals responded by winning 20 of their last 33 to make the playoffs. The wrist band, the glasses.and that awesome stache You just don't see that kind of stuff in today's game so this card perfectly captures the style of the era and that's the great thing about baseball cards in general. That means the card needs to be flawless. In 25 postseason plate appearances (22 at-bats), Henderson hit .273 with two doubles, one triple, one RBI, three runs scored, and four stolen bases. Prices are updated daily based upon 1981 Fleer listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. The 1981 season stands out for Eddie Murray in a unique way: somehow, it was the only season where he managed to lead the American League in home runs (22) and RBI (78). Read our methodology. It has full gloss and is slightly askew. His career was far from over at that point, but Schmidt's play showed the baseball world that they were already witnessing the greatest third baseman of all-time in the making. 1961 Topps Willie Mays All-Star (#579) Here is a case where card scarcity and an immortal of the game conspire to generate a value anomaly an All-Star card worth more than the base card of the same player. During the first part of his career, Tom Seaver was absolutely dominant on the mound as he racked up 20-win seasons, Cy Young Awards, ERA Titles and Strikeout Titles like it was nothing. That effort would place him sixth in MVP voting and solidify his reputation for similar, consistent production over the rest of his Hall of Fame career. With ten Gold Gloves to show for it, Bench was a monster on defense with a rifle for an arm and an ability to throw out would-be base stealers with extreme precision. An Enrique Romo Signed Baseball card that has been authenticated by a grading service is pretty hard to find. Not only is it fun, but its good quality material for a future family reunion. And none of his Rookie Cards is bigger than . 1955 Topps Sandy Koufax #123. 4. Along with those of Wade Boggs and Ryne Sandberg, the 1983 Topps Tony Gwynn rookie card is one of the most important and iconic baseball cards of the 1980's.. Sure, Gwynn was one of the greatest hitters who ever played with 8 batting titles to his name, but why are collectors willing to pay so much for this card . The three-time MVP would smash 548 home runs over his career as he led the league in that category an amazing 8 times. Need help buying or selling cards or have a general question about the hobby? I love both of these cards not so much because it's Reggie Jackson we're talking about, but because of all the 1980's awesomeness on display. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. On September 26, 1981, Houston Astros ace Nolan Ryan passed Sandy Koufax with a record fifth no-hitter on national television against Koufax's old team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. We are user supported. There are no scratches, bends, or folds. He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. So, for the cards on this list to be worth much, they'll have to be graded by PSA to be in perfect, gem mint condition. Now anchoring the back of the Brewers bullpen, Fingers won by a mere eleven points. In 379 plate appearances (347 at-bats), Brett slashed .314/.364/.484 with 24 home runs and 118 RBI to make his sixth-straight All-Star Game and finish 27th in the AL MVP race. February 20, 2023; Super Bowl Delivers . The problem was that the 33-year-old Bench simply wasn't healthy. SEE THE CARD HERE! PriceIt Game | Like the 1981 Fleer and Topps sets, large print runs saturated the market with these cards, driving down their values. Are you selling sports cards that were produced from 1868 - 1975? Rod Carew Autographed 1981 Topps Squirt Card, 19. Read our methodology. The last sale's most valuable Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card is the 1974 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card number #20. Despite missing the call to the Hall, Murphy was a hero to many kids who collected during his brilliant run in the 1980s, and today those kids are adult collectors with money to spare, keeping his cards in decent demand. He played parts of four seasons in the MLB between 1979 and 1986, with the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, and Montreal Expos. While this is considered one of his rookie cards, it doesn't command quite the price premium as his 1982 Topps Tradedrookie card which can sell for north of $5,000 in top condition. Keith was a baseball first baseman. The Reds put him at first base for the first time as he dealt with nagging injuries. 1981 Topps Baseball Card Checklist. Instead, he was more of a craftsman on the mound and outsmarted hitters to allow a career-low 6.5 hits per nine innings. But what Bench lacks in cardboard variations, he more than makes up for in NL MVP awards, Big Red Machine savvy, and greatest-catcher-ever swagger. However, Schmidt led baseball in multiple offensive categories, including home runs (31), RBI (91), OBP (.435), slugging percentage (.644), OPS (1.080), OPS+ (198), and total bases (228). At that point, Murphy looked like he was on a surefire trajectory to Cooperstown. Prices are updated daily based upon 1981 Topps listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. $195. Jackson green-lighted the eventual signing but expected Steinbrenner to offer him a new deal as well. 1981 Topps Baseball Set Checklist. And they didn't know it at the time, but they also missed out on producing big-name rookie cards for Fernando Valenzuela, Harold Baines, and Kirk Gibson. Contents hide. This on-card autograph card is much rarer than the typically signed cards of this all-time great as it has been likely inscribed with an 81 HRC inscription commemorating this player being tied as the 1981 American League home run champion! The 2-time MVP, 19-time All-Star and record holder for most consecutive games played easily goes down in history as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, shortstops to play the game. Let's be clear:most of the cards from this set do not have any value these days. Throughout his career, Carter was known for his hitting and excellent defense, as well as his ability to handle pitchers. Known as the Man of Steal, he is widely considered to have been baseballs greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner. For 15 seasons from 1982 to 1996, Smith was a key cog in the Cardinals lineup as he went on to win 11 more Gold Gloves and appear in 14 more All-Star Games. 1983 Donruss. During Dawson's first year with the Cubs in 1987, he would lead the league in home runs (49) and RBI (137) to win MVP honors, and the fans at Wrigley instantly fell in love with "the Hawk.". Immediately afterward, the price of his 1982 Topps rookie card in PSA 10 condition shot through the roof. But, I'm a big fan of this set regardless. It was the only time in his career where he batted .300, and he also led the league in home runs with 41 round-trippers. The Boston Celtics drafted Ainge in the 1981 NBA Draft and bought his contract from the Blue Jays and the rest was history. 2. Murphy was often heralded as a five-tool superstar, but unfortunately, many felt his dominant play didn't last long enough to give him the type of resume worthy of Hall of Fame recognition. The continued adoption of Sabermetrics no doubt helped push him across the finish line and into Cooperstown. Ungraded & graded values for all '81 Topps Baseball Cards. Things screeched to a halt, though, when Jackson injured his calf running the bases in Game 2 of the ALCS against Oakland. Over 22 seasons in Major League Baseball, Harold Baines appeared in six All-Star games, hit 384 home runs, tallied 1,628 RBI, and scored another 1,299 runs. After fifteen-straight All-Star appearances from 1965-79, Yastrzemski was left out of the Midsummer Classic for the second year in a row in 1981. Sure, the 1981 Topps set has the Montana rookie card, .
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