What's your favorite card that's not worth a whole lot?

jrdolan

We all love our Mantles and Namaths, Jordans and Gretzkys. But we also love our not-so-valuable cards that are wonderful, quirky, or meaningful in some way. It doesn't matter if they will never be worth very much money. One of my favorites is the one below. What's yours?

One of my all-time favorite Reds cards. Get pumped, Big Klu! He looks like a cross between Henry Rollins and Huey Lewis.

BackwardsMan

mine is probably my 1933-34 Canadian Chewing gum "Ace" Bailey rookie in poor condition. I'm Glad to own it even if it doesn't have any corners, has multiple crease, and can barely make out the picture. I wish I could post a picture but alas i don't have a scanner.

nojo

I'll always have a soft spot for the vintage cards that I picked up as a kid in the late 80s/early 90s. That includes the following in beat-up condition: 66 Killebrew, 69 Brock, 70 Ted Williams MGR, 72 Brock, 75 Nolan Highlights...

I also have a soft spot for my first G/U card that I pulled out of the first box purchased when I came back in the hobby in 2001, UD MVP Bernie Williams/Paul O'Neill dual bat card. Not worth too much now, but that doesn't matter.

boggs301012

My Mastercard

I had to say that when I first joined I ask that question and did I get off the wall responses. I would say my Wade Boggs 2001 Topps Gold My daughter In person ask Wade to Sign it for me.

jrinck

One of my favorities is that "Big Klu" card, also.

Unfortunately my card isn't as nice as the 7 you have. Mine is an unfortunate 2, and the story behind it is actually quite poignant. A few years ago I tried what many of us have at one time or another--and that is to intentionally spell player names wrong in the hopes that most casual searches would miss them, thus leading to a nice bargain.

Well, I decided to pick Kluszewski, and tried various incarnations, and got a hit on "Kluzsewski". It turned out to be a raw 1957 Topps that looked in pretty darn nice shape--possibly a 7. So I bid on it and won it. I forget for how much, but it was between $10 and $20 including shipping. I waited patiently for it to arrive, and when it did, I was pretty excited--four sharp corners and decent centering! It had a bit of a rough cut, but other than that it was fine.

I included the card in my PSA membership submissions and eagerly awaited my 7 (or even higher?). When the box arrived at the house, I ripped open the box and was horrified to see that it received a 2! I was certain the PSA goofed, but before I complained I gave it a more thorough examination than what I had done before. In holding it up to some light and rotating it a bit the reason for the two was as plain as day. There were numerous surface creases all over the front that were not visible from a straight look over.

But I maintain that it is perhaps the best looking 2 out there. So I have that going for me, which is nice!

MrMoo

My Steve "Mongo" McMichael RC card. 1986 Topps, or somewhere around there.

jrdolan

jrinck, I like the story behind your Klu card. I think it's got plenty of character for a 2! You could say that Klu himself had lots of surface ripples.

Lothar52

mine is the big klu card as well!!!! I GOT A 7 like yours....however mine was NOT CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how much did you pay for yours???


Loth

paleocards

This is one of my favorites because of an apparently unintended optical illusion: look at the bat barrels and tell me how many bats Yaz is holding? Now what's your answer when you look at the bat handles?!?

1962 Topps #425 Carl Yastrzemski

Stone193

Mine is a 92F Rookie Sensations Scott Leius #20 valued at 25 cents! I was stationed at Ft. Gordon, Ga and had to drive 90 miles to Jackson where I knew they had the cello packs. While driving home, my 9 yr. old son was starting to open packs when he went totally ballistic! He pulled his first sensation out! I never saw anyone that excited. I still have the card and will be getting it framed. Between coaching my son's teams to trips to the baseball card shop, flea market, MickyD's...life didn't get any better!!!!!



(this is not the Leius)
Mike

gregmadduxfan

It looks like there are only 2 bats in the Yaz picture but if you look hard enough you can see one of the bats hidden behind the other.

ChrisStufflestreet

Without hesitation, my favorite is the 1979 Topps card #310 of Thurman Munson. I still have the one I pulled from a wax pack on August 5, 1979. It's a long story why it's special to me (sorry BKAH), but if anybody would like me to share it, I'll be happy to tell it.

MorrellMan

I'ma always Laika dis one:

helionaut

God, too many. I've got a little box of cheap but cool cards, among them:
1992 Topps Traded Team USA Charles Johnson
1995 (?) UD Run Producers insert card (the one cut shaped like home plate with the front that feels like rubber)
1994 UD Minor League Motorboat Jones (which I am positive was one of the Michael Jordan pseudonyms from that Johnny Kilroy Nike commercial)
1994 UD Johnny Kilroy card
1994 UD Minor League Michael Jordan gold card 1 of 15,000 (I was at the shop when the first case arrived, and I opened the first pack from the first box and pulled that card. I like to think I was possibly the first one in the world to pull it.)
2003 Yankee Signature Steve Balboni autograph (the first time I saw him play was a DH at Yankee Stadium in 1990, he was so huge compared to everyone else, he hit a home run on the first pitch he saw)
1995 David Hulses from various sets (stats showing his 1 home run in 1994 because I caught the ball)
Loads of non-sports including a Highlander TV series Sandra Bernhardt autograph

BigKidAtHeart

<< <i>It's a long story why it's special to me (sorry BKAH), but if anybody would like me to share it, I'll be happy to tell it. >>

Why are you telling me your are sorry?

what is the story behind That??

BigKidAtHeart

mine is a rookie that I pulled in 1990
of CHRIS HAMMOND who I have mentioned
many times before that I grew up with.
Having known someone since you were little
makes having someone's baseball card even cooler!
(not to mention, auto balls, gu bats, signed caps, etc!)

achtey

Mine is the reggie white card posted below. I pulled it with my very first pack and they were inserted 1:7200 packs. Did I mention that he's my favorite player. I sure wish there were other die hard reggie collectors. Someone to compete against in the player set. oh well, I just like to add cards.

Josh

nearmint

Pete Banaszak's rookie card, 1969 Topps #30. Pete is from my hometown, Crivitz, WI (pop. 996!), and I delivered papers to his parents. When I started buying cards, I was looking for this one.

Vargha

I don't own one of these any more, but this was my favorite as a kid:

ChrisStufflestreet

<< <i>

<< <i>It's a long story why it's special to me (sorry BKAH), but if anybody would like me to share it, I'll be happy to tell it. >>

Why are you telling me your are sorry?

what is the story behind That??

>>




BKAH...last week I linked to a story I wrote about how I learned about reprinted cards (the hard way), and got a response from you that it was really long...all I'm saying is that I have a similar (though not quite so long) story to share about why my '79 Munson is special to me. That is, if it's okay for a new guy like me to share it here.

No disrespect intended...I'm a native New Yorker and prone to sarcasm. Plus, I love a good-natured ribbing when I see that I can give one. The sooner I let everybody know about that, the better.

jrdolan

Oops, I guess I should have looked up Klu's SMR before saying "not worth a whole lot." Or used a raggedy raw one to illustrate. Not worth a lot compared to other graded '57s then!



<< <i>mine is the big klu card as well!!!! I GOT A 7 like yours....however mine was NOT CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how much did you pay for yours???


Loth >>

Tipem

I havwe always liked the Chicken cards from the early 80's(81,82,or 83) Donruss sets.There are two different cards.


Vic

iamthegreatcornholio

The card in my sig.

Brian

hojodojonono

These two guys are cool.

Scumbi

Hojo,

I think you win with your cards. They are keepers. Thanks for the laugh.

S.

pandrews

d__k shiner = pole polisher?

A761506

My favorite inexpensive cards...



The Colavito was my first ever vintage card, I just had to get it graded to make sure nothing would ever happen to it. The Joe Louis is just cool, the Bomber looks tough & determined on the card. Amazingly, it really doesn't have much value... until Tyson puts boxing back on the map again with his comeback.

goodriddance189

my Major Applewhite and Kelly Johnson (Braves SS prospect) cards. i know both guys in real life

yankeefan741939

I like all yankee cards, my favorite is a topps tribute lasting impressions card of gehrig (05/39) & an ozzie smith card i had personally autographed at a local show(was surprised i was taller than him)i am a long time yankee fan & also a cardinal fan

larryallen73

I believe it's the '76 Topps traded Oscar Gamble with the HUGE 'fro!? It's just funny. Beyond that, just about any Fisk or Munson card as they have lots of action. Good question!

CuseSteve

1979 Roger Staubach Police Set card given away by the Dallas Police Dept to kids ....it is in crappy shape, but it was my FIRST card and I still remember stopping football practice in the 3rd grade to have to policeman give us each a card....sappy I know, but it was my first!

ZodiacMindwarp

My father was not a big baseball card collector as a kid but he did have a few, mostly in very poor shape. He had this one signedas a kid going to school near Yankee stadium and it's always been one of my favorites.

gemint

My favorite "cheap" cards include the 1976 Steve Yeager and 1974 Dick Green among others. I've also always liked the Tommy John cards, I guess because he was the first veteran player that I managed to collect every mainstream Topps card of.

cspeier1

I have a SGC 98 Terrell Davis Select Certified RC, a PSA 10 TD Select Certified RC, PSA 10 Action Packed TD RC, PSA 10 SP TD RC, they're all worth $4.00.. SUCKS

Chad

RepublicaninMass

1952 Topps Gus Zernail, I just love the balls!