Is there a better rookie crop than from 1987?

mygotta · February 28, 2014 12:40AM

I was mulling over this in some scanning pattern, and it seemed to me that 1987 has one the best rookie crops that I can recall. This is the list:

Mark McGwire
Barry Bonds
Will Clark
Barry Larkin
Greg Maddux
Ruben Sierra
Pete Incagvilia
Bo Jackson
Rafael Palmeiro
Kevin Mitchell
Cory Snyder
John Kruk
Mike Greenfield
Devon White
BJ Surhoff

ok maybe some of these guys did not pan out the way we had hopes. But its an impressive rookie class. Is there a better one?

JHS5120 · February 28, 2014 12:43AM

I always liked 1975's rookie class:

George Brett
Robin Yount
Jim Rice
Gary Carter
Keith Hernandez
Fred Lynn

miwlvrn · February 28, 2014 12:52AM

<< I was mulling over this in some scanning pattern, and it seemed to me that 1987 has one the best rookie crops that I can recall. This is the list:

Mark McGwire
Barry Bonds
Will Clark
Barry Larkin
Greg Maddux
Ruben Sierra
Pete Incagvilia
Bo Jackson
Rafael Palmeiro
Kevin Mitchell
Cory Snyder
John Kruk
Mike Greenfield
Devon White
BJ Surhoff

ok maybe some of these guys did not pan out the way we had hopes. But its an impressive rookie class. Is there a better one? >>

Yes there is, but not from baseball. Best rookie crop is 1990 hockey. It is hands down far and away the best rookie card class for one year from one sport as far as total talent goes and highest percentage of HOF. (Some may argue that the 1951 Parkhurst set was bigger w/ RC's but that is a little awkward since the lack of hockey card production in the 1940's meant RC's were all grouped into one set instead of distributed over a number of years, so honorable mention to that set as well I suppose). Unfortunately it is also the most mass-produced and therefore doesn't carry much value.

To name a few:

Martin Brodeur
Curtis Joseph
Mike Richter
Mark Recchi
Jaromir Jagr
Sergei Fedorov
Pavel Bure
Rod Brind'Amour
Kris Draper
Eric Lindros
Rob Blake
Mike Modano
Keith Primeau
Owen Nolan
Peter Nedved
Mats Sundin
Kevin Stevens
Alexander Mogilny
Scott Niedermeyer
Vladimir Konstantinov
Slava Fetisov (sort of a cheater RC since he had several Euro issues before his NHL debut)
Sergei Makarov (sort of a cheater RC since he had several Euro issues before his NHL debut)
Ed Belfour
Jeremy Roenick
Felix Potvin
Peter Bondra
Arturs Irbe
Mike Ricci
Darren Turcotte
Darrien Hatcher
Tie Domi

*Edited to add qualifier to Fetisov and Makarov

Topgun6580 · February 28, 2014 1:18AM

1989

Griffey Jr
Randy Johnson
Craig Biggo
John Smoltz
Omar Vizquel
Sheffield
Sandy Alomar Jr
Tom Gordon
Deion Sanders

1st 5 are all going to be HOFers! only 2 from 87 but those 87 rookies were sure fun to watch!

itzagoner · February 28, 2014 1:25AM

although technically not all inclusive of players from actual rookie years, '86-'87 Fleer Basketball is loaded. now you have an even larger cross-section of professional athletes from that year. throw in a few footballers & hockey players and it was an impressive run.

miwlvrn · February 28, 2014 1:27AM

<< 1989

Griffey Jr
Randy Johnson
Craig Biggo
John Smoltz
Omar Vizquel
Sheffield
Sandy Alomar Jr
Tom Gordon
Deion Sanders

1st 5 are all going to be HOFers! only 2 from 87 but those 87 rookies were sure fun to watch! >>

May as well add Curt Schilling to your 1989 list. Honorable mention to Billy FF Ripken.

orioles93 · February 28, 2014 1:32AM

1957 baseball? 6 hall of famers

Frank Robinson
Brooks Robinson
Don Drysdale
Bill Mazeroski
Jim Bunning
Tony Kubek
Bobby Richardson
Whitey Herzog
Clete Boyer
Rocky Colavito

Dboneesq · February 28, 2014 1:34AM

Fun thread. Here are some other years where there were some pretty good rookies. (Yes, I had to look them up.)

1946
Ewell Blackwell, rhp, Reds - 82-78, 3.30 in 10 seasons

Del Ennis, of, Phillies - .284-288-1,284 in 14 seasons

Ralph Kiner, of, Pirates - .279-369-1,015 in 10 seasons

Bob Lemon, rhp, Indians - 207-128, 3.23 in 13 seasons

Warren Spahn, lhp, Braves - 363-245, 3.09 in 21 seasons

1947
Yogi Berra, c, Yankees - .285-358-1,430 in 19 seasons

Jackie Robinson, 1b, Dodgers - .311-137-734 in 10 seasons

Vic Wertz, of, Tigers - .277-266-1,178 in 17 seasons

1948
Richie Ashburn, of, Phillies - .308-29-586 in 15 seasons

Roy Campanella, c, Dodgers - .276-242-856 in 10 seasons

Larry Doby, of, Indians - .283-253-970 in 13 seasons

Gil Hodges, 1b, Dodgers - .273-370-1,274 in 18 seasons

Robin Roberts, rhp, Phillies - 286-245, 3.41 in 19 seasons

1982
Wade Boggs, 3b, Red Sox - .328-118-1,014 in 18 seasons

Chili Davis, of, Giants - .274-350-1,372 in 19 seasons

Kent Hrbek, 1b, Twins - .282-293-1,086 in 14 seasons

Cal Ripken, ss, Orioles - .276-431-1,695 in 21 seasons

Ryne Sandberg, 2b, Cubs - .285-282-1,061 in 16 seasons

miwlvrn · February 28, 2014 1:39AM

<< Fun thread. Here are some other years where there were some pretty good rookies. (Yes, I had to look them up.)

1946
Ewell Blackwell, rhp, Reds - 82-78, 3.30 in 10 seasons

Del Ennis, of, Phillies - .284-288-1,284 in 14 seasons

Ralph Kiner, of, Pirates - .279-369-1,015 in 10 seasons

Bob Lemon, rhp, Indians - 207-128, 3.23 in 13 seasons

Warren Spahn, lhp, Braves - 363-245, 3.09 in 21 seasons

1947
Yogi Berra, c, Yankees - .285-358-1,430 in 19 seasons

Jackie Robinson, 1b, Dodgers - .311-137-734 in 10 seasons

Vic Wertz, of, Tigers - .277-266-1,178 in 17 seasons

1948
Richie Ashburn, of, Phillies - .308-29-586 in 15 seasons

Roy Campanella, c, Dodgers - .276-242-856 in 10 seasons

Larry Doby, of, Indians - .283-253-970 in 13 seasons

Gil Hodges, 1b, Dodgers - .273-370-1,274 in 18 seasons

Robin Roberts, rhp, Phillies - 286-245, 3.41 in 19 seasons

1982
Wade Boggs, 3b, Red Sox - .328-118-1,014 in 18 seasons

Chili Davis, of, Giants - .274-350-1,372 in 19 seasons

Kent Hrbek, 1b, Twins - .282-293-1,086 in 14 seasons

Cal Ripken, ss, Orioles - .276-431-1,695 in 21 seasons

Ryne Sandberg, 2b, Cubs - .285-282-1,061 in 16 seasons >>

Not sure about the 1982 list here. I guess the question is, was the original intent in the OP to talk best group of rookies from a release year of cards, or from a single year in which it was the first year the players made the pros? That would be where we get Boggs & Sandberg in the same year vs. different year compared to Davis, Hrbek & Ripken.

lawnmowerman · February 28, 2014 1:56AM

Gotta cast my vote for the 1989 NFL class. The first 5 picks of the draft are comprised of 4 HOF players.

1. Troy Aikman
3. Barry Sanders
4. Derrick Thomas
5. Deion Sanders

Also in that year:

Steve At-water
Andre Rison
Eric Metcalf
Daryl Johnston
Pete Stoyanovich

miwlvrn · February 28, 2014 2:09AM

<< Gotta cast my vote for the 1989 NFL class. The first 5 picks of the draft are comprised of 4 HOF players.

1. Troy Aikman
3. Barry Sanders
4. Derrick Thomas
5. Deion Sanders

Also in that year:

Steve At-water
Andre Rison
Eric Metcalf
Daryl Johnston
Pete Stoyanovich >>

Even if they're not HOF, some other good football pulls from packs I remember being happy to get during 1989 were Thurman Thomas, Mark Rypien, Chris Miller, and Rodney Peete.

My vote is definitely still unwaveringly for 1990 hockey though

DanBessette · February 28, 2014 2:41AM

I've always been partial to '89 baseball (and you're right, Schilling needs to be incl) but after looking at the '75 list that's where my vote goes.

Edited to add: who the hell is Mike Greenfield??

JoeBanzai · February 28, 2014 2:56AM

1955 had three BIG rookies Killebrew, Koufax and Clemente along with Camilo Pasqual, Sandy Amoras, Don Zimmer, Ken Boyer, Dale Long, and Chuck Tanner

vintagefun · February 28, 2014 2:57AM

Didn't 89FB also have Tim Brown and Michael Irvin?

DanBessette · February 28, 2014 2:59AM

Joe, that big 3 plus Boyer is quite a list!

cardcountry · February 28, 2014 3:16AM

Cool thread. The 1951 and 1954 crops were also really good:

1951: Mantle, Mays, Ford, Fox, Irvin, Erskine, Garagiola, Jensen
1954: Aaron, Banks, Kaline, Lasorda, Kuenn, Skowron

Jeff

scooter729 · February 28, 2014 3:20AM

<< 

Edited to add: who the hell is Mike Greenfield?? >>

The Gator, Mike GreenWELL!

jordangretzkyfan · February 28, 2014 3:54AM

My voting order for all-time rookie card sets would be:

#1 - 86/87 Fleer Basketball: Jordan, Barkley, Malone, Olajuwon, Ewing, Wilkins, Drexler, Isiah, Worthy, Mullin, Dumars
#2 - 1989 Score Football: Barry, Aikman, Deion, Derrick Thomas, Thurman Thomas, Rod Woodson, Michael Irvin, Cris Carter, Tim Brown, Bruce Matthews
#3 - 61/62 Fleer Basketball: Chaimberlain, Robertson, West, Baylor, Wilkens, Jones
#4 - 1989 Donruss: Griffey, Johnson, Biggio, Smoltz, Schilling, Sheffield
#5 - 1975 Topps: Brett, Yount, Carter, Rice, Hernandez

Honorable Mentions: 1951 Parkhurst, 05/06 The Cup, 1987 Donruss, 2003 Exquisite Basketball, 1951 Bowman, 1954 Topps

Some of these clearly have the advantage of no other sets produced years prior. Either way, they still reign supreme on a loaded RC crop!! Great thread topic.

ReggieCleveland · February 28, 2014 3:56AM

<< 

<< I was mulling over this in some scanning pattern, and it seemed to me that 1987 has one the best rookie crops that I can recall. This is the list:

Mark McGwire
Barry Bonds
Will Clark
Barry Larkin
Greg Maddux
Ruben Sierra
Pete Incagvilia
Bo Jackson
Rafael Palmeiro
Kevin Mitchell
Cory Snyder
John Kruk
Mike Greenfield
Devon White
BJ Surhoff

ok maybe some of these guys did not pan out the way we had hopes. But its an impressive rookie class. Is there a better one? >>

Yes there is, but not from baseball. Best rookie crop is 1990 hockey. It is hands down far and away the best rookie card class for one year from one sport as far as total talent goes and highest percentage of HOF. (Some may argue that the 1951 Parkhurst set was bigger w/ RC's but that is a little awkward since the lack of hockey card production in the 1940's meant RC's were all grouped into one set instead of distributed over a number of years, so honorable mention to that set as well I suppose). Unfortunately it is also the most mass-produced and therefore doesn't carry much value.

To name a few:

Martin Brodeur
Curtis Joseph
Mike Richter
Mark Recchi
Jaromir Jagr
Sergei Fedorov
Pavel Bure
Rod Brind'Amour
Kris Draper
Eric Lindros
Rob Blake
Mike Modano
Keith Primeau
Owen Nolan
Peter Nedved
Mats Sundin
Kevin Stevens
Alexander Mogilny
Scott Niedermeyer
Vladimir Konstantinov
Slava Fetisov (sort of a cheater RC since he had several Euro issues before his NHL debut)
Sergei Makarov (sort of a cheater RC since he had several Euro issues before his NHL debut)
Ed Belfour
Jeremy Roenick
Felix Potvin
Peter Bondra
Arturs Irbe
Mike Ricci
Darren Turcotte
Darrien Hatcher
Tie Domi

*Edited to add qualifier to Fetisov and Makarov >>

I just had some serious Sega Genesis flashbacks.

Largentcollector · February 28, 2014 3:59AM

1984 topps maybe

Elway, Marino, Warner, Dickerson, Long, Stephenson, Tippett, Slater, Jackson, Green, Grimm

Largentcollector · February 28, 2014 4:01AM

<< 1984 topps maybe

Elway, Marino, Warner, Dickerson, Long, Stephenson, Tippett, Slater, Jackson, Green, Grimm >>

Plus UsFL Kelly, Young, White

bziddy · February 28, 2014 4:03AM

<< I just had some serious Sega Genesis flashbacks. >>

Which gave me this flashback:

<< Breakfast, shmreakfast. Look at the score, for Christ's sake. It's only the second period and I'm up 12 to 2. Breakfasts come and go, Rene, but Hartford, "the Whale," they only beat Vancouver once, maybe twice in a lifetime. >>

stevebay · February 28, 2014 4:11AM

I posted this about a year ago, but based purely on stats, the best Team Set (focusing on the 3 rookies in that set) is the 1987 Donruss Chicago Cubs

624 Wins and 569 HR's

mygotta · February 28, 2014 4:15AM

<< 

Not sure about the 1982 list here. I guess the question is, was the original intent in the OP to talk best group of rookies from a release year of cards, or from a single year in which it was the first year the players made the pros? That would be where we get Boggs & Sandberg in the same year vs. different year compared to Davis, Hrbek & Ripken. >>

I thought about this as I was writing. Technically Barry Bonds and Will Clark rookies were in 1986. Even Barry Larkin was 1986.

As cards, they all have their first cards in 1986 which would then include Jose Canseco, but I think of his more as 1986 because his rookie card was in the basic set, not in the traded.

So I guess there is a bit of a grey area, depending on how you look at it.

miwlvrn · February 28, 2014 4:41AM

<< 

<< I just had some serious Sega Genesis flashbacks. >>

Which gave me this flashback:

<< Breakfast, shmreakfast. Look at the score, for Christ's sake. It's only the second period and I'm up 12 to 2. Breakfasts come and go, Rene, but Hartford, "the Whale," they only beat Vancouver once, maybe twice in a lifetime. >>

>>

Gotta love Mallrats & Kevin Smith!

elsnorto · February 28, 2014 4:43AM

<< My voting order for all-time rookie card sets would be:

#1 - 86/87 Fleer Basketball: Jordan, Barkley, Malone, Olajuwon, Ewing, Wilkins, Drexler, Isiah, Worthy, Mullin, Dumars
#2 - 1989 Score Football: Barry, Aikman, Deion, Derrick Thomas, Thurman Thomas, Rod Woodson, Michael Irvin, Cris Carter, Tim Brown, Bruce Matthews
#3 - 61/62 Fleer Basketball: Chaimberlain, Robertson, West, Baylor, Wilkens, Jones
#4 - 1989 Donruss: Griffey, Johnson, Biggio, Smoltz, Schilling, Sheffield
#5 - 1975 Topps: Brett, Yount, Carter, Rice, Hernandez

Honorable Mentions: 1951 Parkhurst, 05/06 The Cup, 1987 Donruss, 2003 Exquisite Basketball, 1951 Bowman, 1954 Topps

Some of these clearly have the advantage of no other sets produced years prior. Either way, they still reign supreme on a loaded RC crop!! Great thread topic. >>

If we're talking sets rather than draft classes, you have to put 1948 Leaf football in the mix:

Sid Luckman (HOF)
Doak Walker (HOF)
Bobby Layne (HOF)
George McAfee (HOF)
Steve Van Buren (HOF)
Bob Waterfield (HOF)
Charley Trippi (HOF)
Sammy Baugh (HOF)
Bill Dudley (HOF)
George Connor (HOF)
Leo Nomellini (HOF)
Chuck Bednarik (HOF)
Pete Pihos (HOF)
Clyde Turner (HOF)
Jackie Jensen (Baseball)
Johnny Lujack
Charlie Justice
Charley Connerly

Much like with 1951 Parkhurst, the 1948 Leaf (and Bowman) set was loaded with rookie cards given there had not been a nationally distributed football set since National Chicle 13 years earlier.

1984 Topps (including USFL) have 13 HOF RCs combined, 1952 Bowman football is no slouch with 11 HOF RC, and 1989 Score boasts 10 if you include the Supplemental set.

Snorto~

JoeBanzai · February 28, 2014 4:59AM

<< Joe, that big 3 plus Boyer is quite a list! >>

Three STUDS for sure!

Take a look at Pasqual's stats, he had a nice run. I think he led the league three years in a row in strikeouts. From 1959-64 he was damn good!!

Couple of pretty good managers there as well!

Joe

lawnmowerman · February 28, 2014 5:07AM

<< Didn't 89FB also have Tim Brown and Michael Irvin? >>

Yes it did but both of those players were drafted in 1988.

olb31 · February 28, 2014 5:45AM

<< 1984 topps maybe

Elway, Marino, Warner, Dickerson, Long, Stephenson, Tippett, Slater, Jackson, Green, Grimm >>

This is the best set ever. Elway and Marino 2 of top 5 Qb's ever, if not 2 of the top 3.

Black00SS · February 28, 2014 5:56AM

1983 NFL Draft Hofers:
John Elway
Eric Dickerson
Bruce Matthews
Jim Kelly
Dan Marino
Darrell Green
Richard Dent

Other Notable but not HOF players:
Roger Craig
Curt Warner
Henry Ellard
Willie Gault
Dave Duerson
Jim Covert
Ken O'Brien
Mark Clayton

Pretty decent crop there.

EchoCanyon · February 28, 2014 6:00AM

<< 1989

Griffey Jr
Randy Johnson
Craig Biggo
John Smoltz
Omar Vizquel
Sheffield
Sandy Alomar Jr
Tom Gordon
Deion Sanders

1st 5 are all going to be HOFers! only 2 from 87 but those 87 rookies were sure fun to watch! >>

You forgot Gregg Jeffries

Topgun6580 · February 28, 2014 6:12AM

I've always been partial to '89 baseball (and you're right, Schilling needs to be incl) but after looking at the '75 list that's where my vote goes.

Edited to add: who the hell is Mike Greenfield??

Think he meant Mike Greenwell

MiniDuff · February 28, 2014 6:36AM

Not to make a case for it, but coincidently I just broke a 90 Topps rack case...it was an interesting blast from the past:

Frank Thomas
Sammy Sosa
Larry Walker
Juan Gonzalez
Joey Belle
Bernie Williams
Deion Sanders
Delino Deshields
Marquis Grissom
Ben McDonald

mygotta · February 28, 2014 6:44AM

<< I've always been partial to '89 baseball (and you're right, Schilling needs to be incl) but after looking at the '75 list that's where my vote goes.

Edited to add: who the hell is Mike Greenfield??

Think he meant Mike Greenwell >>

haha yeah....Greenwell. Its been a while since I committed his name in writing.

If we are talking sets...I would perhaps give the edge to 1987 Donruss:

Greg Maddux
Mark McGwire
Ruben Sierra
Barry Larkin
Barry Bonds
Will Clark
Bo Jackson
Randy Myers
Wally Joyner
John Kruk
Devon White
Cory Snyder
Kevin Brown (am I reaching?)
David Cone
Raphael Palmeiro
Mike Greenwell
Matt Williams
Dave Magadan
B. J. Surfhoff
Bobby Witt
Pete Incavigllia
Greg Swindell
Chuck Finley

Now most of these are in Topps and Fleer as well. But the real glaring omission in both those sets if Greg Maddux.

Some players are somewhat biased as I was around when they were on the cusp to greatness.....

miwlvrn · February 28, 2014 6:58AM

<< 

<< 1989

Griffey Jr
Randy Johnson
Craig Biggo
John Smoltz
Omar Vizquel
Sheffield
Sandy Alomar Jr
Tom Gordon
Deion Sanders

1st 5 are all going to be HOFers! only 2 from 87 but those 87 rookies were sure fun to watch! >>

You forgot Gregg Jeffries >>

The Jeffries RC's were 1988 (Topps was a year late to the game on that one).

LarkinCollector · February 28, 2014 7:04AM

Perhaps this should be a different thread, but are there any worse than 86 Topps BB (as I bust my first of 10 vending boxes) and not including Traded of that year?

Darren Daulton
Len Dykstra
Cecil Fielder
Mickey Tettleton
?

mygotta · February 28, 2014 7:12AM

<< Perhaps this should be a different thread, but are there any worse than 86 Topps BB (as I bust my first of 10 vending boxes) and not including Traded of that year?

Darren Daulton
Len Dykstra
Cecil Fielder
Mickey Tettleton
? >>

If you want to include Vince Coleman who's previous rookie was in the 1985 Topps traded (one of the worst traded sets in that era).

Topgun6580 · February 28, 2014 7:49AM

With Mariano Duncan...................terrible set!!

Tabe · February 28, 2014 8:56AM

That 1990 hockey list is ridiculous. I'd forgotten how good that class was. I'm sure Kris Draper would be flattered to be included on any list that includes dudes like Brodeur, Fedorov, Jagr, JR, Lindros, et al.

Cokin75 · February 28, 2014 9:17AM

How about '65 Topps baseball?

HOFs

Tony Perez
Jim Hunter
Joe Morgan
Steve Carlton

Others that come to mind:

Blue Moon Odom
Paul Blair
Davey Johnson
Cleon Jones
Tommy Agee
Tug McGraw
Denny McLain
Jim Northrup
Rico Petrocelli

eagles33 · February 28, 2014 10:29AM

I know football better than baseball.. So I can throw a few suggestions from the 80s

1984 football
Marino
Elway
Long
Dickerson
Green
Jackson
Grimm
Kelly USfl
Young USfl
Walker USfl
White USfl

1989
Troy Aikman
Derrick Thomas
Thurman Thomas
Barry sanders
Dion Sanders
Rod Woodson
Michael Irvin
Chris Carter
Tim brown
Eric Allen
Sterling sharpe
Dirmontti Dawson

MrKnowthanx · February 28, 2014 10:34AM

<< 

<< I was mulling over this in some scanning pattern, and it seemed to me that 1987 has one the best rookie crops that I can recall. This is the list:

Mark McGwire
Barry Bonds
Will Clark
Barry Larkin
Greg Maddux
Ruben Sierra
Pete Incagvilia
Bo Jackson
Rafael Palmeiro
Kevin Mitchell
Cory Snyder
John Kruk
Mike Greenfield
Devon White
BJ Surhoff

ok maybe some of these guys did not pan out the way we had hopes. But its an impressive rookie class. Is there a better one? >>

Yes there is, but not from baseball. Best rookie crop is 1990 hockey. It is hands down far and away the best rookie card class for one year from one sport as far as total talent goes and highest percentage of HOF. (Some may argue that the 1951 Parkhurst set was bigger w/ RC's but that is a little awkward since the lack of hockey card production in the 1940's meant RC's were all grouped into one set instead of distributed over a number of years, so honorable mention to that set as well I suppose). Unfortunately it is also the most mass-produced and therefore doesn't carry much value.

To name a few:

Martin Brodeur
Curtis Joseph
Mike Richter
Mark Recchi
Jaromir Jagr
Sergei Fedorov
Pavel Bure
Rod Brind'Amour
Kris Draper
Eric Lindros
Rob Blake
Mike Modano
Keith Primeau
Owen Nolan
Peter Nedved
Mats Sundin
Kevin Stevens
Alexander Mogilny
Scott Niedermeyer
Vladimir Konstantinov
Slava Fetisov (sort of a cheater RC since he had several Euro issues before his NHL debut)
Sergei Makarov (sort of a cheater RC since he had several Euro issues before his NHL debut)
Ed Belfour
Jeremy Roenick
Felix Potvin
Peter Bondra
Arturs Irbe
Mike Ricci
Darren Turcotte
Darrien Hatcher
Tie Domi

>>

Wish they were all in the OPC Premier or Upper Deck set. Amazing rookie class!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jmmiller777 · February 28, 2014 11:13AM

So, going with the original question, it will be hard to beat that 87 list, almost a complete team for each position too! With history to reflect on, I'll take that 87 team.

MrNearMint · February 28, 2014 11:18AM

Surprised nobody mentioned 96-97 basketball;
Kobe Bryant
Allen iverson
Steve Nash
Ray Allen
Jermaine oneil
Stephon marbury

mattinglymint23 · February 28, 2014 2:00PM

Canseco was 86 traded not regular

miwlvrn · March 1, 2014 4:16AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

Yes there is, but not from baseball. Best rookie crop is 1990 hockey. It is hands down far and away the best rookie card class for one year from one sport as far as total talent goes and highest percentage of HOF. (Some may argue that the 1951 Parkhurst set was bigger w/ RC's but that is a little awkward since the lack of hockey card production in the 1940's meant RC's were all grouped into one set instead of distributed over a number of years, so honorable mention to that set as well I suppose). Unfortunately it is also the most mass-produced and therefore doesn't carry much value.

To name a few:

Martin Brodeur
Curtis Joseph
Mike Richter
Mark Recchi
Jaromir Jagr
Sergei Fedorov
Pavel Bure
Rod Brind'Amour
Kris Draper
Eric Lindros
Rob Blake
Mike Modano
Keith Primeau
Owen Nolan
Peter Nedved
Mats Sundin
Kevin Stevens
Alexander Mogilny
Scott Niedermeyer
Vladimir Konstantinov
Slava Fetisov (sort of a cheater RC since he had several Euro issues before his NHL debut)
Sergei Makarov (sort of a cheater RC since he had several Euro issues before his NHL debut)
Ed Belfour
Jeremy Roenick
Felix Potvin
Peter Bondra
Arturs Irbe
Mike Ricci
Darren Turcotte
Darrien Hatcher
Tie Domi

>>

Wish they were all in the OPC Premier or Upper Deck set. Amazing rookie class!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >>

I agree. UD comes the closest of all the 1990 sets, only missing Brodeur, Konstantinov, Irbe, & Domi. However, the Lindros is not quite the same, being a group card w/ "Canada's Captains" instead of just him alone like w/ Score.

corncobb · March 2, 2014 7:18PM

1972 Topps Football is King for me.

Roger Staubach
John Riggins
Jim Plunkett
Gene Upshaw
Rayfield Wright
Ted Hendricks
Steve Spurrier
Arching Manning
Larry Little
Phil Vilapiano
John Brockington
John Niland
Lyle Alzado
George Atkinson
Dan Pastorini
Mel Gray
Harold Jackson
Ron Yary
Willie Ellison
Emmitt Thomas
Randy Vataha
Im sure i missed a few

dontippet · March 2, 2014 10:31PM

While the 87 baseball rookies had the most hype that I've ever seen, it appears to me that the 89 baseball rookies ended up outperforming and is probably the best rookie crop.

I also agree with another poster that 86 is the worst, especially Topps which didn't include Fielder. It's a nice set, but absolutely no rookies.

cree · March 2, 2014 11:42PM

For the 1989 Rookie group I feel that everyone overlooked Steve Avery. I think this is an awesome looking Rookie card.

[URL=http://s1364.photobucket.com/user/Cree213/media/1989ToppsTiffanySteveAvery784PSA100001_zps1507743c.jpg.html]

[/URL]

miwlvrn · March 3, 2014 1:21AM

<< While the 87 baseball rookies had the most hype that I've ever seen, it appears to me that the 89 baseball rookies ended up outperforming and is probably the best rookie crop.

I also agree with another poster that 86 is the worst, especially Topps which didn't include Fielder. It's a nice set, but absolutely no rookies. >>

Um, not sure what you mean there about Fielder. Not my card, but I do believe this was from Topps (and not update either since the updates aren't really in the same discussion):

CNote · March 3, 2014 1:32AM

Didn't that Fleer basketball set everyone was talking about this weekend have a couple rookies?

Is there a better rookie crop than from 1987?

Comments