Post your alternative rookies!
We’re all collectors with various tastes and interests. Through these boards, my hobby knowledge has grown exponentially. There’s so much great material out there and sometimes all it takes is someone to shine a light on an item and then, most times, our fellow board members here seem to confirm what you already knew:
”Whoa, that’s awesome.”
So I thought a dedicated thread to some of the off the beaten path rookies from all walks of sport might be educational and fun for the eyes!
1979-80 Boston Celtics Team Issue - Larry Bird
A really cool item from his first season, these photos and stats sheets often littered the scorers table’s of the NBA in the pre digital days.
1947 Brooklyn Dodgers American Legion “Welcome Legionnaires” Premium - Jackie Robinson
There was a very well documented convention that year and the American Legion reserved an enormous section of Ebbets Field for the game; attendees received this souvenir featuring a very young Jackie.
1954 All Star Photo Pack - Ernie Banks
A beautiful shot of the baby faced face of the Cubs, the entirety of the set is star studded and also features an Al Kaline rookie, but Banks shot might be the best one.
1946 Propagandas Montiel - Stan Musial
It’s pretty amazing that a player of this caliber doesn’t have a conventional rookie until his fifth season (1948 Bowman) but this Cuban card predates it by two seasons. A very tough card to find, they even used a shot from his rookie season, as Stan became known for wearing the number 6.
1951 Wheaties Premium Photos - Mickey Mantle
The 1952 Topps is the most valuable and the 1951 Bowman is the first issued card but the title of lowest population rookie card, by far, belongs to this rare, beautiful 5x7 cereal premium.
Remember, any sport and any item is welcomed so let’s see the goods!!!
Curious about the rare, mysterious and beautiful 1951 Wheaties Premium Photos?
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/987963/1951-wheaties-premium-photos-set-registry#latest
Comments
Great topic. With the over production of cards in the 1980s, I have always been surprised that minor league rookies have not been given more love. Compared to their MLB counterparts, they are significantly more limited and offer a challenge in top condition. Here are examples of a few of my favorites…Gwynn, Clemens, Maddux and Griffey.
looking for 1988 Fournier estrellas stickers , 1985 Prism Jewel stickers , anything Jesse Owens .
Couldn't resist. Please forgive me.
>
I understand and I forgive you. Reminds me of one of my favorite movies…
Curious about the rare, mysterious and beautiful 1951 Wheaties Premium Photos?
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/987963/1951-wheaties-premium-photos-set-registry#latest
I have this hanging in my card room. It was a much cheaper alternative.
Compared to the Ruth rookies, this works for me.
I have these Hockey Cards showcased in my registry:
https://psacard.com/psasetregistry/showcase/2022-my-top-10-hockey-cards/hockey-hof-first-cards-non-topps-opc-rcs/imagegallery/20511
Those Concepcion's are FANTASTIC! How unreal would that '70 be really sharp and clean!?! I realize that ain't happening but it's beautiful.
"You've gotta be a man to play this game...but you'd better have a lot of little boy in you, too"--Roy Campanella
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Man, that IS super nice!
The first James Worthy rookie
Join the Rookie stars on top PSA registry today:
1980-1989 Cello Packs - Rookies
I dont have a pic of it, but Mike Schmidt has a 1972 Venezuelan pre rookie as well
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
there are also the 1978 burger king topps individual cards of Morris and Trammell.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
I love the Whitaker card from '78 BK. The color on all the BK issues is fabulous.
"You've gotta be a man to play this game...but you'd better have a lot of little boy in you, too"--Roy Campanella
Looks like it’s a Puerto Rican league card:
https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/mike-schmidt-remains-popular-collectors/
SteveGarveyFan…
I like the 1960s pre-Major League Venezuelan Concepcion! Big Red Machine fan…
1977 Eddie Murray Orioles postcards
Puerto Rico sticker I believe for 1972. But maybe he has a Venezuelan sticker too.
The Orioles postcards are stunning. Those orange jerseys were the BOMB in the late 70's!
"You've gotta be a man to play this game...but you'd better have a lot of little boy in you, too"--Roy Campanella
that is probably the first murray card i have seen that he actually smiles in. great card.
This thread definitely needed some alternative MJ rookies...
Eric
Erikthredd’s MJ Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/publishedset/395035
Erikthredd’s Nike Air Jordan Collection: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/basketball/key-card-sets/nike-poster-cards-michael-jordan-1985-1992/alltimeset/408486
Here are a few off the beaten path Jr rookies. Cookies to candy we got it all.
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
Hey! Somebody like his KG Jr! That BB Magazine card really pops.
Kid, how about showing some unusual Gary Carter stuff? If you have some time...
"You've gotta be a man to play this game...but you'd better have a lot of little boy in you, too"--Roy Campanella
Sure, thanks for asking, not a lot of rookie year or pre-rookie stuff but here are a few of my favorites:
I'm a big fan of publications, here's one of Gary's early covers
This is the award Gary was given for making the 1975 NL All Star team
I think this postcard is from 1974 but could be earlier
Last but not least is Gary's first contract with Topps, dated 1972 and signed by both Gary and his father
Hiya Tim
Fun topic buddy.
I collect a lot of non-card stuff.
Hostess did some sets in the 70s - 1975 being one of them.
1975 Hostess King Dons Robin Yount RC.
These were backfilled with poster board and shrink wrapped.
I really enjoyed looking at all the cards.
Some may not consider this exhibit Graham's RC?
1993 Classic Jeter RC
Great thread. Seeing a lot of new cardboard that I never knew existed.. Here is a 1979 Magic Johnson 7-Up sticker.
looking for 1988 Fournier estrellas stickers , 1985 Prism Jewel stickers , anything Jesse Owens .
Thanks! I spared you guys the Star Cards. Nobody needs to see those.
Nic
Guides Authored - Graded Card Scanning Guide PDF | History of the PSA Label PDF
I have always been a fan of the 1979 Sportscaster Gretzky RC as an alternative…
While on the topic of G.O.A.Ts, this 1986 McDonald’s Jerry Rice RC is often overlooked too…
And the Rice comes in 4 colors too.
Yaz Master Set
#1 Gino Cappelletti master set
#1 John Hannah master set
Also collecting Andre Tippett, Patriots Greats' RCs, Dwight Evans, 1964 Venezuelan Topps, 1974 Topps Red Sox
Agreed! That McDonald's Rice is definitely overlooked!
1978 Hostess Eddie Murray rookie in complete box form.
1975 Hostess George Brett. Technically a promo card as it was never distributed to the public. This is part of a promo sheet/board. There is also a pre production individual three card panel with Brett.
Hostess cards are awesome. Nice clean looking design, packed with star power, and scarce especially in panel or box form. The Brett promo stuff is extremely tough.
85/86 and 86/87 Canadiens Postcards were issued with Patrick Roy in the sets. Also, 86/87 Kraft Drawings.
Main collecting focus is Patrick Roy playing days 85/86-02/03, expect 1/1, National/All-Star stamped cards.PC Completion: 2,548/2,952; 86.31% My Patrick Roy PC Website:https://proy33collector.weebly.com
Your Hostess stuff is terrific!
Cal Ripken Jr. original grade school class photo (obtained from a classmate):
IMF
Cal sportin' a tie, dead centered. Classic.
I hear had a perfect attendance record..
On topic, I will try to upload my 66 Coca Cola Bernie Parent.
Oh, my GOODNESS! Where can I find one of those!?!
"You've gotta be a man to play this game...but you'd better have a lot of little boy in you, too"--Roy Campanella
Great stuff of "The Kid"
"You've gotta be a man to play this game...but you'd better have a lot of little boy in you, too"--Roy Campanella