Are baseball cards falling behind..

olb31

Soccer is hot, Football is hot, Basketball is hot, baseball has cooled. I am mainly talking about the sports themselves. There just aren't a whole lot of interesting can't fail baseball players right now. maybe the fewest in decades.

Sure fire HOFers:

1) Jeter - his last year
2) Pujols - struggling for the past 2 years
3) Miguel Cabrera - Great player
4) Ichiro - about finished

New guys:
Trout
Kershaw

But overall, other than Jeter, none of these guys have a huge following, they have good followings, but not great.

Football
Peyton, Tom, Luck, Calvin, Adrian, Aaron, Drew - and several more. These guys are big time and just about everyone knows them

Soccer
I am not a fan, but I realize that due do the US demographic changes - this sport is on a huge upswing and will only get better. I don't know the players that well, but the sport seems to have more steam than baseball

Basketball
Steph, Kobe, Lebron, Wade, Carmelo, Davis, Paul, Griffen, Durant, Westbrook - and several more. These guys are way more popular than just abut every baseball player except Jeter.

Only stand to reason that these cards and these sports are more popular than baseball and will shift the purchasing of these items.

akuracy503

I'd love to hear the answers from the CU board.
Perhaps you'll get different answers from the Blowout forum.

Modern collectors are in strong numbers, regardless of sport, this has been my realization over the years.

Everyone has their niche.

WhiteTornado

I'll separate baseball the spectator sport from baseball card collecting. That being said...

NFL football is far and away the #1 spectator sport in the U.S. Soccer is far and away #1 in the world and growing in the U.S. as the rest of the globe exerts more influence here in terms of social customs, leisure activities, etc. Just one small example, NBC Sports network shows a lot of English Premier League games live in the U.S. now, during the day. I still think NBA basketball as a spectator sport is significantly behind MLB, but as far as "star power", remember the NBA in its current form is essentially a star-driven league.

Whether or not the cards of these sports catches up to baseball cards anytime soon remains to be seen. I still see baseball cards being tops for some time to come. Just my 2 cents.

hyperchipper09

I don't think baseball cards will be passed by another sport anytime soon in the collecting game. Having said that, I don't collect very much modern. Unless there's a specific Darryl Strawberry, Andre Tippett, Scott Stevens or Chris Chelios modern that appeals to me, as examples. Maybe a few other guys as well. But as far buying modern boxes, building a modern collection, that's not my niche. For probably five minutes I considered starting a Jason Heyward collection. I still think he has untapped potential and his best is certainly ahead of him. But just the sheer numbers of modern out there now(parallels etc), just compared to when I was really into baseball cards back in 97, 98 is staggering. Just too much product IMO to have fun collecting. It's why I stiay with my vintage guys, retired guys and vintage cards. Save for the occasional one off modern here/there.

Guru

I also think it's all about where you live. Here in Indy it's all Colts and Pacers. Pushing baseball is hard, but there are collectors out there.

miwlvrn

As far as soccer goes, top leagues in the UK, Spain, etc. might be where the money is for salaries, but soccer traditionally sees a popularity spike every four years during the few months leading up to the World Cup when the players suit up for their home nations like we have going on right now.

DanBessette

Bryce Harper a glaring omission from the OP's list. And my 2 cents about collectibility: here in the northeast baseball is far and away the most popular in the cards and memorabilia market, and it's not close. This is not to say baseball is the most popular sport nationwide. Just the one with the most popular cards. Vintage cards and the history of the game are a huge part of this.

Mefer

I hate to say it (as a Giant fan) but Puig too is bringing interest to baseball.

olb31

<< <i>Bryce Harper a glaring omission from the OP's list. And my 2 cents about collectibility: here in the northeast baseball is far and away the most popular in the cards and memorabilia market, and it's not close. This is not to say baseball is the most popular sport nationwide. Just the one with the most popular cards. Vintage cards and the history of the game are a huge part of this. >>



Not arguing the vintage market, it definitely belongs to baseball. But from let's say 1995 forward, there just isn't a ton of baseball players/cards that re driving the market. I went looking for unopened product and for baseball from 1995 forward there just isn't much out there that screams, let's open it. Even baseball from 1986 to 1992 unopened product, while overproduced, just doesn't have wow factor to open any product.

1985 and back Baseball - not doubt
1986 and forward football and basketball may be in more demand.

mattyc_collection

Ask a thousand people and you'll get a thousand different responses to this issue. I don't know a few of the football names and know nothing of soccer. I do know more than enough people are attending and watching baseball games for the sport to thrive. A salient point here is also that MLB and NFL seasons aren't really cannibalizing each other. In fact I'm sure many people follow multiple sports avidly, without cost to any one in particular. I don't know how one would go about quantifying or proving a statement such as one sport is hot or another is cooling. I also don't know how to quantify popularity. To say Chris Paul or Steph or Melo is more popular than Mike Trout is a pretty tough assertion to prove. People love their sports. All sports. I think it's a real problem in society, the persistent need to rank and have things compete among each other. The sports themselves are competition. Now we have to pit one sport against the others?

And as to cards and their values: there's enough moneyed collectors to go around. A 1952 Mantle with eye appeal will be selling for a ton for a long time. As will a T206 Wags. As will a Ruth RC. And so will some super shiny patch auto 1/1 card of Lebron, if that is one's cup of tea. And so will an AFA Graded R2D2 or G1 Soundwave. Or a first edition rare book. Or a painting. Or a bottle of wine. High end collectibles of all sports and all sorts will have their fans and see their prices sustained for quite some time.

3BoyzTrading

MLB Stars

Verlander, Kershaw, Lincecum*, King Felix

Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Yasiel Puig*,McCutchen,Buster Posey

DanBessette

Perfect list if you add Jeter. And modern sets are still producing tons of cards of the guys who were big 8-10 years ago, like Griffey, Ryan and Ripken.

olb31

<< <i>MLB Stars

Verlander, Kershaw, Lincecum*, King Felix

Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Yasiel Puig*,McCutchen,Buster Posey >>



Does the average sports fan know who King Felix or Andrew Mccutchen are or do they know Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan, jay Cutler, Russell Westbrook? I just don't think that most baseball players are that notable right now. Just for example my wife, my mom and my father can tell who all the QB's play for, but they couldn't tell you one thing about the above list of baseball players are or who they play for.

I know that's just 3 people in my life, but probably somewhat representative of most casual/less than casual sports fans in the US. Probably the northeast would know the yankee players and red sox players, but more people throughout the U.S. know Tom Brady more so than Big Papi.

Jeter and AROD are the exceptions, in my opinion.

grote15

I don't believe the average sports fan knows more football player names today than baseball, though I do think football is the more popular aport, due primarily to gambling and fantasy football.

SidePocket

I don't see any evidence of either soccer or basketball being hot here in Northern California. Football is red hot though. Soccer has HUGE holes in the US in terms of a geographic presence and I think it always will, at least in terms of professional teams. Most people here couldn't name a non US soccer player other than Pele. It ranks right up there with tennis.

ndleo

Football cards don't have the same historical push of baseball cards. Even now most people not in the hobby still refer to it as "baseball cards" whenever they come across collectors.

Modern Football cards are close to being on-par with modern baseball. I go to shows whenever I travel and football only dealers are starting to become more prevalant. The strong 2011-2013 rookie classes have helped.

I know everyone hates 2013 because the QBs aren't as good, but I still think the depth at RB and WR will make it more popular as those players start making the playoffs.

olb31

<< <i>I don't see any evidence of either soccer or basketball being hot here in Northern California. Football is red hot though. Soccer has HUGE holes in the US in terms of a geographic presence and I think it always will, at least in terms of professional teams. Most people here couldn't name a non US soccer player other than Pele. It ranks right up there with tennis. >>



chris paul, blake griffen, kobe byrant, steph curry - all in california. I bet their rookie cards are selling pretty well.

kershaw, posey, pujols, trout - all in california. if you could have the best rookies of each group, which would it be. I would think it would be a close call.

WhiteTornado

DM23HOF, you had a really good post there, plenty of food for thought.

grote15, I also think a big factor for the NFL is that it's one game per week for each team. Lots of hype and buildup for each week. Contrast with baseball where they play 5-6 games a week. Missed game 1 of a 3-game baseball series? There are always games 2 and 3. Missed that football game? Wait another week.

ClockworkAngel

<< <i>I don't believe the average sports fan knows more football player names today than baseball, though I do think football is the more popular aport, due primarily to gambling and fantasy football. >>



I disagree with the first half and strongly agree with the last half. I have met very few big football fans that don't either gamble on them or play FF. That being said, ask your average sports fan about Peyton Manning, and they wlll know a lot. Ask about Miguel Cabrera-not so much

coachnip13

<< <i>

<< <i>I don't see any evidence of either soccer or basketball being hot here in Northern California. Football is red hot though. Soccer has HUGE holes in the US in terms of a geographic presence and I think it always will, at least in terms of professional teams. Most people here couldn't name a non US soccer player other than Pele. It ranks right up there with tennis. >>



chris paul, blake griffen, kobe byrant, steph curry - all in california. I bet their rookie cards are selling pretty well.

kershaw, posey, pujols, trout - all in california. if you could have the best rookies of each group, which would it be. I would think it would be a close call. >>



eBay sales (approximate) after searching for each name:

Clayton Kershaw - 4,500
Buster Posey - 4,100
Yasiel Puig - 11,000
Mike Trout - 12,500


Blake Griffin - 2,500
Chris Paul - 1,900
Kobe Bryant - 14,200
Stephen Curry - 2,500

Other than Kobe, the others don't stack up at all with their baseball counterparts.

coachnip13

<< <i>

<< <i>MLB Stars

Verlander, Kershaw, Lincecum*, King Felix

Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Yasiel Puig*,McCutchen,Buster Posey >>



Does the average sports fan know who King Felix or Andrew Mccutchen are or do they know Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan, jay Cutler, Russell Westbrook? I just don't think that most baseball players are that notable right now. Just for example my wife, my mom and my father can tell who all the QB's play for, but they couldn't tell you one thing about the above list of baseball players are or who they play for.

I know that's just 3 people in my life, but probably somewhat representative of most casual/less than casual sports fans in the US. Probably the northeast would know the yankee players and red sox players, but more people throughout the U.S. know Tom Brady more so than Big Papi. >>



Andrew McCutchen - 3,500
Felix Hernandez - 2,100

Russell Wilson is the only one of those five names who has more sales than McCutchen or Hernandez.

ClockworkAngel

This is an interesting topic. One big reason is the steroid era. It ruined baseball for a lot of fans. AROD, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire all had a huge following and fan base and we know how that turned out. I think baseball has lost the trust of a lot of people.

I also think it has a lot to do with personality. Guys like Miguel Cabrera, Adrian Gonzales, Albert Pujols, Andrew McCutchen just don't bring in a following and are just kinda boring. I think the sport desperately needs another Mark Fidyrich, or Bill "Spaceman" Lee, or Al Hrabosky. Personalities. Or even guys like Reggie Jackson, Ozzie Smith and Rickey Henderson. that larger than life star power intangible that's hard to find.

Regarding cards, Baseball will always be king IMO. One big reason is that the 1970's and 1980's football cards were really pretty awful. No logos and for the most part really plain and boring. It's as if Topps looked at football cards as a complete afterthought. Just looking at the low POP Big name Football RC's from that era and the price tag can't touch the Baseball HOF's.

coachnip13

<< <i>

I also think it has a lot to do with personality. Guys like Miguel Cabrera, Adrian Gonzales, Albert Pujols, Andrew McCutchen just don't bring in a following and are just kinda boring. I think the sport desperately needs another Mark Fidyrich, or Bill "Spaceman" Lee, or Al Hrabosky. Personalities. Or even guys like Reggie Jackson, Ozzie Smith and Rickey Henderson. that larger than life star power intangible that's hard to find. >>



I really think it has more to do with today's "I want it now" society along with the gambling/fantasy football craze. Regarding the first point, your average sports fan doesn't have the attention span to follow a baseball game. Regarding the second, the average football fan watches football because he is pulling for his running back to get a hundred yards and two TDs, not because he loves the sport.

coachnip13

<< <i>
Soccer
I am not a fan, but I realize that due do the US demographic changes - this sport is on a huge upswing and will only get better. I don't know the players that well, but the sport seems to have more steam than baseball

>>



I've been hearing this for twenty years. Still waiting to see proof. Soccer's popularity is among uncoordinated kids who can avoid being singled out and embarrassed in an at bat or crushed by a linebacker. Grown ups don't watch it. MLS averaged 18,000 fans per game in 2012. MLB averaged 30,000. And that's with soccer having the overwhelming majority of its games on Saturdays.

Since you're into comparisons, try these groups on your average sports fan:
Mike Trout, Andrew McCutchen, Derek Jeter, Justin Verlander
Aurelian Collin, Patrice Bernier, Will Johnson, Mike Magee

akuracy503

<< <i>

<< <i>


>>



Soccer's popularity is among uncoordinated kids who can avoid being singled out and embarrassed in an at bat or crushed by a linebacker. >>



I love the analogy, soccer is favored amongst the moms and liberal hippies here in Oregon.

grote15

<< <i>

<< <i>I don't believe the average sports fan knows more football player names today than baseball, though I do think football is the more popular aport, due primarily to gambling and fantasy football. >>



I disagree with the first half and strongly agree with the last half. I have met very few big football fans that don't either gamble on them or play FF. That being said, ask your average sports fan about Peyton Manning, and they wlll know a lot. Ask about Miguel Cabrera-not so much >>



Todd, the amount of wagering on NFL games per week is astounding and dwarfs all other sports combined. Do you ever even hear anyone mention "the spread" in baseball? The vast majority of sports fans don't even know how to interpret a baseball line but everyone knows what a 7-point spread means.

soundgard

Anyone remember how popular tennis was in the 70's? 35 million people played tennis in the U.S. and was more popular than golf. Today its no where near as popular.

vols1

I think the fan support starts at the lower level, and in the past 20 years college basketball and football have exploded. Each conference now has it's own network and it's championship game ratings are now higher then the world series. And these are american kids that people start to follow in there local high school with recruiting while baseball is 30% foreigners now.

VitoCo1972

Remember that 1/3 of the population of the country lives in the Northeast corridor (Virginia to Maine and west to Ohio/Michigan). That's where baseball is still thriving. It's hurting rurally elsewhere. But if you go to suburban Philly, New York, Boston, Detroit etc. people still like baseball. By the way, that's why the National never travels south of Baltimore or (usually) West of Chicago.

NickM

<< <i>

<< <i>
Soccer
I am not a fan, but I realize that due do the US demographic changes - this sport is on a huge upswing and will only get better. I don't know the players that well, but the sport seems to have more steam than baseball

>>



I've been hearing this for twenty years. Still waiting to see proof. Soccer's popularity is among uncoordinated kids who can avoid being singled out and embarrassed in an at bat or crushed by a linebacker. Grown ups don't watch it. MLS averaged 18,000 fans per game in 2012. MLB averaged 30,000. And that's with soccer having the overwhelming majority of its games on Saturdays.

Since you're into comparisons, try these groups on your average sports fan:
Mike Trout, Andrew McCutchen, Derek Jeter, Justin Verlander
Aurelian Collin, Patrice Bernier, Will Johnson, Mike Magee >>



I LOLed at your comparison choices.
If I wanted a fair MLB comparison for those 4 MLS players, I'd have gone with Edwin Encarnacion, Pablo Sandoval, Chase Utley, and Michael Cuddyer.

Nick

3BoyzTrading

<< <i>I also think it has a lot to do with personality. I think the sport desperately needs another Mark Fidyrich, or Bill "Spaceman" Lee, or Al Hrabosky. Personalities. Or even guys like Reggie Jackson, Ozzie Smith and Rickey Henderson. that larger than life star power intangible that's hard to find. >>



Just like Yasiel Puig! ....although he seemed to have a negative attitude his last outing.

When I posted my baseball young star list, it wasn't to compare the two sports. Just to post a list of popular Sub 30 young stars. Overall....

Baseball has time on it's side when compared to football and it always will. I've always said, baseball is America's Pastime and football is America's Game. I've seen passionate fans but none as much as football fans. I'd like to include college in this debate too. I've actually met people that only follow college football.

As for comparing young stars in football and baseball......simply, you can't see the players faces very well with those darn helmets on and they are on 90 percent of the time. Baseball, not so much. IOT, baseball players are more recognizable.

WhiteTornado

<< <i>Soccer's popularity is among uncoordinated kids who can avoid being singled out and embarrassed in an at bat or crushed by a linebacker. Grown ups don't watch it. MLS averaged 18,000 fans per game in 2012. MLB averaged 30,000. And that's with soccer having the overwhelming majority of its games on Saturdays.

Since you're into comparisons, try these groups on your average sports fan:
Mike Trout, Andrew McCutchen, Derek Jeter, Justin Verlander
Aurelian Collin, Patrice Bernier, Will Johnson, Mike Magee >>



Complete disagree with your "uncoordinated kids" line. There are many talented kid athletes who choose to play soccer. My son has played all three sports you mention. He could hold his own at bat, is fleet of foot and could outrun defenders in football, yet he chooses to play soccer.

As far as pro soccer in the U.S, yes, it's nowhere near the major 4 team sports in terms of popularity and attendance.

coachnip13

<< <i>

I LOLed at your comparison choices.
If I wanted a fair MLB comparison for those 4 MLS players, I'd have gone with Edwin Encarnacion, Pablo Sandoval, Chase Utley, and Michael Cuddyer. >>




That's actually proof of my point. There is so little knowledge of MLS players that it's just a list of random names. No one can separate the stars from the commons. People in those cities know those baseball players.

coachnip13

<< <i>

Complete disagree with your "uncoordinated kids" line. There are many talented kid athletes who choose to play soccer. My son has played all three sports you mention. He could hold his own at bat, is fleet of foot and could outrun defenders in football, yet he chooses to play soccer.

As far as pro soccer in the U.S, yes, it's nowhere near the major 4 team sports in terms of popularity and attendance. >>



That's a generalization that doesn't include all kids, and there is no disrespect intended for the superb high school athletes who play soccer. But I think you know that my point has some validity. Soccer is the sport where any kid can join a team and never feel left out. If the ball comes your way just kick it. It requires 1/50th of the coordination of baseball and about the same toughness of football. Yes, it gets weeded out as kids become teenagers. But youth soccer, which people point to when claiming the "explosion" of soccer's popularity, is a way for moms to get their kids in a sport without the pressure of the other sports. Can't be making any kids feel bad. If it was truly that popular, kids would continue to watch it when they grow up. They don't.

RyanAdmirer

I like this thread. Everybody's got an opinion and there are many good points made. I think that overall the sport of baseball had been in decline until the last couple of years. Steroid use damaged the love of the game for a lot of people, and just like the strike damaged it in 1994 it's taken some time for people to come back to it. The lack of personalities in the players hasn't helped that. But I think a nice crop of young talent over the last few years has helped. A player with some personality such as Puig (love it or hate it) always gets some people's attention as well. I think you'll see the popularity of the game increase a little at a time over the next few years. As for the other sports, there's no denying football is currently King and has been for some time. FF has helped greatly with this, as well as the Pro game itself changing to one in which it's so much more of a passing game than it used to be. It adds excitement. I'm not so sure pro basketball is all that popular in Ohio. Most people I know seem to love the college game but despise the pro game. I haven't really been into the Pro game since MJ was a Bull (although KD may be helping to change that a little) so I'm not sure I can give that good of an opinion on it. And as far as soccer my opinion is worthless because I know nothing of it.

I'm kind of a mix as far as collecting. I collect mainly vintage baseball but also modern football. I think it's because my tastes have changed. As a child I could tell you current batting averages of every major player in the middle of the season because I followed it so close. But now I probably visit a ballpark more than I watch it on TV (and that's only 1/2 times a year). Football is what I'm into now and it's today's players that I collect. It doesn't hurt that Topps Chrome puts out such a strong NFL product. I would probably collect basketball if Chrome was still also able to put out an NBA card.

strat4454

Since you're into comparisons, try these groups on your average sports fan:
Mike Trout, Andrew McCutchen, Derek Jeter, Justin Verlander
Aurelian Collin, Patrice Bernier, Will Johnson, Mike Magee

To be fair you should of chosen
Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Kyle Beckerman or Robbie Keane

LarkinCollector

<< <i>Since you're into comparisons, try these groups on your average sports fan:
Mike Trout, Andrew McCutchen, Derek Jeter, Justin Verlander
Aurelian Collin, Patrice Bernier, Will Johnson, Mike Magee

To be fair you should of chosen
Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Kyle Beckerman or Robbie Keane >>


No matter how it's spun, I don't recognize a single soccer name outside of Beckham and Pele. I don't watch NASCAR, but probably recognize most of those names.

miwlvrn

<< <i>I don't see any evidence of either soccer or basketball being hot here in Northern California. Football is red hot though. Soccer has HUGE holes in the US in terms of a geographic presence and I think it always will, at least in terms of professional teams. Most people here couldn't name a non US soccer player other than Pele. It ranks right up there with tennis. >>



I think more people here in the US could probably name more foreign soccer players than they could US players. Seems like you have to be a bigger fan to come up with the local guys since their names aren't in as much news as guys like Messi, Ronaldo, etc. Exceptions would be that if you asked the general public four years ago, Landon Donovan was probably the first name they'd have mentioned. In 1994, almost everyone would have said Alexi Lalas. However, on any other given day, foreign players have the bigger names in soccer.

miwlvrn

Relevant or not, as a side note, out of curiosity here is the Forbes list for top earning athletes. Interestingly enough, the first baseball player doesn't make the list until #18. Worth analyzing is the relative contributing portions of earnings from salary vs. endorsements.

miwlvrn

<< <i>Remember that 1/3 of the population of the country lives in the Northeast corridor (Virginia to Maine and west to Ohio/Michigan). That's where baseball is still thriving. It's hurting rurally elsewhere. But if you go to suburban Philly, New York, Boston, Detroit etc. people still like baseball. By the way, that's why the National never travels south of Baltimore or (usually) West of Chicago. >>



Baseball is still thriving as a spectator sport in those areas for sure. However, from a youth participation level, in the regions you mention more kids grow up playing lacrosse than baseball for their spring sport any more, even though they are not disillusioned with hopes and dreams of playing pro, since after college ball, pro lacrosse is just a hobby where you barely earn enough to pay for your dinner. This is a separate issue from supporting your local team though. Pro baseball has a huge fan base with people who never played the game.

olb31

I think (for what ever reason) the threat have a player being PED user (ryan braun, etc), really effects me on heavily speculating. Pitchers are very very high risk. Halladay just retired and I thought he was a sure fire HOFer and right now I would say he is very iffy.

Pretty easy to put your money on brees, brady, peyton, Rodgers, big ben, eli, peterson

nba garnett, pierce, allen, LeBron, wade, dirk, nash - seem like sure fire hofers

other than jeter and pujols is their a sure fire hofer out there right now. maybe big papi

akuracy503

Yes, Ichiro will be in the hall of fame.

mtcards

I would say a lot of the soccer/nascar and to some extent, is local market driven. Look at ebay and see what Nascar is selling for...next to nothing...go to a nascar market and stuff sells easily. Soccer, being a world sport has draws from outside the US, but essentially, I have yet to go to a show/store in my area that actually HAS any soccer stuff. Baseball will always be king of the cards, so to speak. Football/Basketball will ebb, although for the most part, basketball pretty much is dead outside of the vintage and 90's inserts and of course, some Jordans.

coachnip13

<< <i>Since you're into comparisons, try these groups on your average sports fan:
Mike Trout, Andrew McCutchen, Derek Jeter, Justin Verlander
Aurelian Collin, Patrice Bernier, Will Johnson, Mike Magee

To be fair you should of chosen
Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Kyle Beckerman or Robbie Keane >>



I've heard of exactly one of those. And I am a lifelong sports guy.

olb31

The Soccer comment originally probably has little to nothing to do with most of us on this board. I was talking more about the changing demographics of the United States. The Mexican population is exploding and their number 1 sport is soccer and their number 2 sport is soccer. Cards will follow, maybe a little slowly, but have to picking up steam.

BLUEJAYWAY

Through the last 25 years of collecting the only phrase which I heard very often at card shows/shops was always" I wish My Mom never threw out my BASEBALL cards". Never once did I hear that phrase pertaining to the other sports cards. So it seems BB cards still rate the highest.

Wondo

From the PSA population page:

Baseball cards - 10.2 million
Football cards - 3.1 million
Basketball cards - 1.5 million

Just a rough guideline, but by this measure baseball cards are not falling behind.

Dpeck100

<< <i>From the PSA population page:

Baseball cards - 10.2 million
Football cards - 3.1 million
Basketball cards - 1.5 million

Just a rough guideline, but by this measure baseball cards are not falling behind. >>




Good stats. Thanks for posting.

olb31

2009 - 2014 there are 3,200 more baseball cards listed on ebay graded by psa than football cards (although I didn't examine BGS and they have a large market on the 2009 - 2014 cards)

1975 alone there are more than 4,000 graded baseball than football.

vintage 1985 and back definitely belongs to baseball from 1986 and forward I think it starts getting a lot closer. Also, there was probably a 10 to 1 difference in the number of cards printed by topps in favor of baseball.

NickM

<< <i>

<< <i>Since you're into comparisons, try these groups on your average sports fan:
Mike Trout, Andrew McCutchen, Derek Jeter, Justin Verlander
Aurelian Collin, Patrice Bernier, Will Johnson, Mike Magee

To be fair you should of chosen
Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Kyle Beckerman or Robbie Keane >>



I've heard of exactly one of those. And I am a lifelong sports guy. >>



I call BS.

You named 4 second-tier stars, 2 of whom are on small-market expansion teams, and only one of whom had a notable year last year, tried to compare them with 4 of MLB's biggest stars, argued that being called out for a loaded comparison proved your point, and then claimed no knowledge whatsoever of 3 of soccer's biggest stars - and 2 of them (Donovan and Dempsey) have appeared in non-soccer card sets from UD.

And making an attendance comparison is another joke, as you know that lots of MLS games are played on Saturdays (a very odd bit of knowledge from someone who has never heard of the league's biggest stars) but compare attendance at games played in 20k seat stadia to attendance at games played in 45k seat stadia. I guess the NBA and NHL, with similar capacity arenas, wouldn't allow the same biased comparison.

You're either trolling or a soccer hater who knows quite a bit about the sport.

Nick

coachnip13

I hope you're not serious. I went to the MLS page and picked four random names from last year's all star game. I also found attendance stats and schedules quite easily. I was forced to do that because no self respecting US sports fan actually knows that stuff.