What is the best rookie card, any sport, 1952 to now?
Ltlbvr
Posts: 60 ✭✭✭
One of the projects I'm working on is the best rookie card, any sport, from 1952 until now. The more recent years are giving me a fit. Who would you select for 2016? And 2021?
And yes, I know Mays or Mantle should be 51 and Matthews at 52 . . . I'm working on it . . .
Opinions on alternative / different cards in any year welcome.
3
Comments
At first thought, Pele clearly beats Jimmy Brown for 1958. But, while the 1958 cards are considered to be Pele RCs, he does have a much more elusive 1957 one too. So, you could put Pele in at 1957 or 1958 and probably be ok bumping out either of the Unitas or Brown ones you have there. But, assuming you go with 1958 for Pele, I think Bill Russell is ahead of Unitas for 1957.
Also, 2004 is definitely Lionel Messi. I'd put CR7 in there for 2002 if it were my list. Maradona instead of Largent. 2014 is trending towards being Draisaitl, though I do like seeing you having included athletes beyond the major 4 sports (i.e., boxing, etc.).
For the purpose of your experiment here, you have T.Woods in 2001, but is that only because you didn't put him in 1996 b/c of Kobe?
All due respect to Yaz, but 1960 is Cassius Clay.
2016 is probably a tossup between Auston Matthews and Kylian Mbappe at this point, but at least based on this season I'd lean towards Matthews.
Russell for 57 and Clay for 60 are definitely on the upgrade list. Thought I had 58 right - but cannot argue with Pele. I will add Messi next - great recommendation!
1996 is Kobe for me for sure. Tiger “rookie” in 2001 is a stretch. I wanted some diversification and Tiger fit - but maybe not well. Others I think are debatable are 65 (Namath), 14 (like Tiger, Alverez not really a rookie) and 20 (not sure about Blaze Jordan).
Nice way to do this
nice collection
1948-76 Topps FB Sets
FB & BB HOF Player sets
1948-1993 NY Yankee Team Sets
Wow, great idea for a collection. Looks great!
I agree with the "upgrades" expressed above.
Yes, agreed Kobe over Tiger for 1996. If deciding Tiger does not qualify for 2001, then some to consider are Ichiro, Pujols, Brees (as a player to watch, my clear favorite for that year would be Datsyuk but he'd get out-voted by the general population in favor of one of those other 3).
Depending on how deeply you are willing to go into misc. sports, take a look at the 1992 STX/Nastasi Gary Gait card. The rookie card of the man widely considered the best to ever pick up a lacrosse stick.
ETA - Fascinating way to collect rookie cards. I don't believe I've ever seen a similar collection. I like it!
Jordan's rookie year was 1984, so a Star #101 would be the choice for me.
Interesting concept and some solid choices there! Impressive!
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
This is not my card, and I don't have any special love for the player, but this is one of the most beautiful cards I have ever seen.
Didn't Duren throw ~100 miles an hour but was really wild?
And that opens up 86 for Jerry Rice.
Great recommendation. Thank you! Personally, I like as many sports represented as possible.
Best? How it that quantified? By value? By visual preference? By scarcity? Player performance? Player Celebrity? Other metrics?
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
Best is subjective. Like Hulk over Ripken. Most disagree. But, Hulk was amazing on Saturday growing up. Palmer over Namath - I love the artwork of the Palmer card. Of course value, scarcity and player is a factor. So, given all of these factors. Who’s your pick. For each year. It’s an art. Not a science.
If you're really up for representing more sports, then look into one of the options for 1973 VFL Leigh Matthews.
1979 Stallone Rookie meet Rocky
Terry Bradshaw was AMAZING!!
Ignore list -Basebal21
Looks fantastic! Great cards for sure. I am undoubtedly biased but I'd put Fiddy in the 77 slot.
It just doesn't matter that Largent had 10x the career, I just love that Bird card. You made the correct call though.
For 2016 I'd say Vlad Bowman Chrome Refractor Auto.
After this past season, I’d give Ovechkin the nod over Crosby for best 2005 rookie.
Still voting for Maradona for '77; but, as a Michigan life-timer, I love seeing the Bird brought into the conversation.
Note that the NHLPA players poll voted for Crosby for the best overall complete player in the league this season, even ahead of P.Bergeron.
I'm still working on my "Best Rookie" collection. 52 - 22. After a bunch of your feedback, here is the most recent picture of the group. I did upgrade 57 from Unitas to Russell - the card is not here yet.
Would love feedback, but here is where I think things could improve:
Eddie Matthews at 52 (we all know Mays rookie is 51)
Michael Jordan Star at 84, opening up 86 for Jerry Rice
Maybe Overchkin at 2005?
Then, I need HELP for 2021!
Opinions are very welcome.
Soccer?
The title said any SPORT.
Shane
I love seeing that you included Mbappe on there! But his RC is 2016, not 2018.
The 2016 Panini w/ Corentin Jean? Is that considered his Mbappe's rookie? Thanks for the reply.
Yes, that's the one. There are a whole lot of card options made in 2017, but that 2016 card is the RC.
The 2018 ones are often labeled as RC in auction item titles by people referring to it as a rookie due to it being his first World Cup tournament, but that is not a correct word choice in that case.
1982 topps shooty babbitt. an all-time great!!!
Not Unitas or Russell in stature but in terms of “best” cards (obviously subjective), I’d go with this one for 1957. I hope to own one someday.
Sandberg has said in interviews his parents named him after Ryne Duren. It was a more of a liked the name thing than that they were huge fans, but saw the name because if Duren. If I remember correctly they were Phillies fans.
I think 1970 should be Pistol Pete. Put Jordan in 1984 and Mike Tyson in 1986? I want to get Iron Mike in there but Jerry Rice might be the Goat of his sport.
I would swap the 84 FU Clemens for Puckett
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
dupe post
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
For 1993; the SP Jeter?
It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
boy, is that ever a nice Jeter!!
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.