What is the "Iconic Card" per decade per sport? (list updated 7/15)

scashaggy

I was thinking today about what the iconic card per decade would be. In other words, what would be the one card to get per sport, per decade? I am limited in my decades on this earth but I go back to the 80's and I also know a few others. I thought it might be fun if we compile a list and have this debate. Please forgive me if this has already been done. We can go back as far as we want to current decade.

For this, I would like to keep the list to base cards and not inserts, etc.

I have started the list. All cards are up for debate, we can fine tune as we go.

Please keep in mind, I am updating this list as members make suggestions and we can have the debate to narrow them down after.

1950's
Baseball - 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
Basketball - 1957 Topps Bill Russell
Football - 1957 Topps #138 Johnny Unitas OR 1958 Topps Jim Brown
Hockey - 1951 Parkhurst Gordie Howe OR 1954 Topps Gordie Howe


1960's
Baseball - 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan OR 1961 Topps Roger Marris OR 1963 Topps Pete Rose OR 1960 Topps Carl Yastrzemski OR 1969 Topps Reggie Jackson
Basketball - 1961 Fleer Wilt Chamberlain OR 1969 topps Lew Alcindor
Football - 1965 Topps Joe Namath
Hockey - 1966 Topps Bobby Orr


1970's
Baseball - 1975 Topps George Brett OR 1973 Topps Roberto Clemente OR 1973 Topps Mike Schmidt OR 1971 Topps Thurman Munson
Basketball - 1972 Topps Julius Erving
Football - 1976 Topps Walter Payton
Hockey - 1979/80 OPC Wayne Gretzky


1980's
Baseball - 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr
Basketball - 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan
Football - 1981 Topps Joe Montana
Hockey - 1985 O-Pee-Chee Lemieux


1990's
Baseball - 1993 SP Derek Jeter
Basketball - 1996/97 Topps Chrome Kobe Bryant
Football - 1998 Contenders Peyton Manning
Hockey -


2000's
Baseball - 2001 Bowman Chrome Albert Pujols RC Auto
Basketball - 2003/04 UD Exquisite LeBron James
Football - 2000 Contenders Tom Brady
Hockey -


2010's
Baseball -
Basketball -
Football -
Hockey -

kingbeeswax

This will be tough. 80's Baseball Rickey Henderson 1980 Topps? '82 Ripken Traded? Griffey '89 Upper Deck??

SultanOfSwat

<< <i>I was thinking today about what the iconic card per decade would be. In other words, what would be the one card to get per sport, per decade? I am limited in my decades on this earth but I go back to the 80's and I also know a few others. I thought it might be fun if we compile a list and have this debate. Please forgive me if this has already been done. We can go back as far as we want to current decade.

For this, I would like to keep the list to base cards and not inserts, etc.

I have started the list. All cards are up for debate, we can fine tune as we go.


1950's
Baseball - 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
Basketball -
Football -
Hockey -


1960's
Baseball - 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan
Basketball -
Football - 1965 Topps Joe Namath
Hockey -


1970's
Baseball - 1975 Topps George Brett
Basketball -
Football - 1976 Topps Walter Payton
Hockey - 1979/80 OPC Wayne Gretzky


1980's
Baseball - 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr
Basketball - 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan
Football - 1981 Topps Joe Montana
Hockey -


1990's
Baseball - 1993 SP Derek Jeter
Basketball - 1996/97 Topps Chrome Kobe Bryant
Football - 1998 Contenders Peyton Manning
Hockey -


2000's
Baseball - 2001 Bowman Chrome Albert Pujols RC Auto /500
Basketball - 2003/04 UD Exquisite LeBron James
Football - 2000 Contenders Tom Brady
Hockey -


2010's
Baseball -
Basketball -
Football -
Hockey - >>



I added some to your list. Thanks!

RookieWax

1980s Hockey: 1985 O-Pee-Chee Lemieux ?

gemint

<< <i>I was thinking today about what the iconic card per decade would be. In other words, what would be the one card to get per sport, per decade? I am limited in my decades on this earth but I go back to the 80's and I also know a few others. I thought it might be fun if we compile a list and have this debate. Please forgive me if this has already been done. We can go back as far as we want to current decade.

For this, I would like to keep the list to base cards and not inserts, etc.

I have started the list. All cards are up for debate, we can fine tune as we go.


1950's
Baseball - 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
Basketball -
Football - Johnny U '57 Topps
Hockey -


1960's
Baseball - '61 Maris
Basketball - Wilt Chamberlain 1961 Fleer
Football - 1965 Topps Joe Namath
Hockey -


1970's
Baseball - '73 Clemente
Basketball -
Football - '76 Payton RC
Hockey - 1979/80 OPC Wayne Gretzky


1980's
Baseball - 1989 UD Griffey (not only as a card but as the first high quality printed card)
Basketball - 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan
Football - 1981 Topps Joe Montana
Hockey -


1990's
Baseball - 1993 SP Derek Jeter
Basketball - 1996/97 Topps Chrome Kobe Bryant
Football - 1998 Contenders Peyton Manning
Hockey -


2000's
Baseball -
Basketball - 2003/04 UD Exquisite LeBron James
Football - 2000 Contenders Tom Brady
Hockey -


2010's
Baseball -
Basketball -
Football -
Hockey - >>

Francart

1950s Football -- 1958 Topps Jim Brown

1970s Baseball-- 1973 Topps Mike Schmidt

JBrules

70's basketball = Dr. J. (Julius Erving)

tsalems1

50's Basketball - Bill Russell

slum22

Cool thread. I think I remember sport specific threads for individual decades but not any threads exactly like this one. For my reply, I will put what I think is each sports best is per decade and star the champion.

1950's
1952 Mantle**
1957 Bill Russell
1958 Jim Brown
1951 Parkhurst Gordie Howe

1968 Ryan
1961 Wilt**
1965 Namath
1966 Orr

1975 Brett
1972 Erving
1976 Payton
1979 Gretzky**

1980 Henderson
1986 Jordan**
1981 Montana
1985 Lemieux

1993 SP Jeter**
1996 Topps Chrome Kobe
1998 Manning (not sure of brands)

2001 Pujols
2003 Topps Chrome Lebron**
2000 Tom Brady (not sure of brand)
2005 Crosby (not sure of brand)

2011 Bowman Chrome Mike Trout, this could become 2012 Bowman Chrome Harper
2012 Prizm Anthony Davis
2012 Topps Chrome Andrew Luck**
2015 Connor McDavid

Tough calls for me between Wilt and Orr in the 60's, Payton and Gretzky in the 70's and Andrew Luck over Anthony Davis.

kingbeeswax

60's Baseball 1963 Pete Rose

kingbeeswax

70's Baseball 1971 Topps Thurman Munson! or '75 Brett

Bliggity

Let's go old-school. (For baseball, anyway.)

1940s: 1949 Leaf and Bowman Jackie Robinson RCs. Honorable Mention: 1941 Playball DiMaggio & Ted Williams, 1948 Bowman Musial RC.
1930s: 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth (any of the four).
1920s: 1921 E121 American Caramel Ruth? (must be something better, but nothing comes to mind at the moment...)
1910s: 1914 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson. Tie/Runner Up: 1916 M101-4/5 Sporting News Ruth RC.
1900s: 1909 T206 Honus Wagner.
1890s: ??? An Old Judge, perhaps?
1880s: 1887 N28 Allen & Ginter Cap Anson?
1870s: ??? A trade card, maybe?
1860s: 1869 Peck & Snyder Red Stockings

My apologies to Ty Cobb.

DanBessette

My list, for the decades I care about. Can't believe nobody listed Alcindor!

1950's
Baseball - 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
Basketball - 1957 Topps Bill Russell
Football - 1958 Topps Jim Brown
Hockey - 1951 Parkhurst Gordie Howe


1960's
Baseball - 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan is my #1, but I would also put the 60T Yaz and 69T Reggie Jackson ahead of the Maris or Rose you suggested.
Basketball - 1969 topps Lew Alcindor
Football - 1965 Topps Joe Namath
Hockey - 1966 Topps Bobby Orr


1970's
Baseball - 1975 Topps George Brett
Basketball - 1972 Topps Julius Erving
Football - 1976 Topps Walter Payton
Hockey - 1979/80 OPC Wayne Gretzky


1980's
Baseball - 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr
Basketball - 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan
Football - 1981 Topps Joe Montana
Hockey - 1985 O-Pee-Chee Lemieux

wrestlingcardking

Wrestling
1950s 1955 Parkhurst Bronko Nagurski
1960s TBD
1970s 1974 Yamakatsu #29 Andre the Giant
1980s 1982 Wrestling All Star Hulk Hogan
1990s TBD

begsu1013

for the 80's i would have to include the 89 fleer billy ripken ff error for too many reasons!

miwlvrn

<< <i>I was thinking today about what the iconic card per decade would be. In other words, what would be the one card to get per sport, per decade? I am limited in my decades on this earth but I go back to the 80's and I also know a few others. I thought it might be fun if we compile a list and have this debate. Please forgive me if this has already been done. We can go back as far as we want to current decade.

For this, I would like to keep the list to base cards and not inserts, etc.

I have started the list. All cards are up for debate, we can fine tune as we go.



1950's
Baseball - 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
Basketball - 1957 Topps Bill Russell
Football - 1957 Topps #138 Johnny Unitas OR 1958 Topps Jim Brown
Hockey - 1951 Parkhurst Gordie Howe

>>




Value aside, the iconic hockey card of the 1950's is the 1954 Topps Gordie Howe, not the 1951 Parkhurst Gordie Howe.


For iconic hockey card of the 1990's, if you mean during the 1990's and not necessarily today, it would probably be either the 1990 Score Lindros or the 1990 7th Inning Sketch Lindros (yes, I know he had 1989 7th Inning Sketch cards too). There are obviously better hockey cards from the 1990's, but not sure about the iconic label for others. You might make a list of several that come into the discussion below these two Lindros items. Fast forward to present day and maybe there is another choice besides the Lindros ones, but there are too many decent ones on equal ground and not a clear winner any more IMO.

dytch2220

This card has to make it into the 90's. Hobby-wise, it's a pretty iconic card. Maybe it can get the Multi-Sport nomination?

rcmb3220

It's really hard to pick a 70s baseball card for this list, as evidenced by all the "ors" you listed. none of the ones listed really stick out to me but I can't think of a better one. Maybe 79 Ozzie but that kind of falls in the same category.

rtimmer

For the 1980s basketball I would put the Bird/Magic rookie ahead of the Jordan and easily the 1992 upper deck Shaq ahead of the 96 Kobe. There was so much hype over the top draft pick Shaq rookies. Upperdeck needing to make a trade card in comparison to the Kobe at the time who was only drafted 13th and in that draft by the hype was allon Iverson and the other top 6 picks.

MrNearMint

I noticed you (the op) put 1961 topps roger Maris as a possibility. I'm wondering what's the significance with this card?

SultanOfSwat

<< <i>This card has to make it into the 90's. Hobby-wise, it's a pretty iconic card. Maybe it can get the Multi-Sport nomination?

>>



The BO card sure was hot back then. I recall busting rack after rack trying to pull one. It's one of those cards that isn't worth much money wise these days, but the memories it brings back is priceless! I love that one.

Two other big ones from the 90's were the 1990 Leaf Frank Thomas and the 1992 Donruss Elite Frank Thomas. I recall that Elite Thomas bringing $400 back in the day when a $25 card was good money. It was huge!

CollectorAtWork

Nice idea. Here are some other suggestions in addition to the ones others have listed:

1880s: 1887 N172 Old Judge Cap Anson in Uniform
1890s: 1893 Just So Cy Young
1900s: T206 Honus Wagner
1910s: Cracker Jack Ty Cobb or 1910 T210 Joe Jackson or M101-5/4 Babe Ruth
1920s: 1921 E121 Babe Ruth or 1925 Exhibits Lou Gehrig
1930s: 1933 Goudey #106 Nap Lajoie
...

1940's
Basketball: 1948 Bowman George Mikan

1970's
Basketball: 1972 Comspec Pete Maravich

1980's:
Baseball: 1984 Donruss Don Mattingly

SDSportsFan

For 2000's Hockey, I'd pick the Sidney Crosby rookie. Don't know which one's the best, but it has to be a Crosby.

Also, I'd add for the 1940's

Baseball - 1941 Playball Joe DiMaggio (or possibly 1949 Bowman or Leaf Jackie Robinson)
Basketball - 1948 Bowman George Mikan
Football - 1948 Leaf Chuck Bednarik
Hockey - ?

Also, for 1910s Hockey - 1911-12 C55 Georges Vezina


Steve

scashaggy

"I noticed you (the op) put 1961 topps roger Maris as a possibility. I'm wondering what's the significance with this card?"

Not me, another member brought this card up. This is why I added multiple cards, we can narrow the list down. If someone thinks a particular card is iconic, I would like to see what others think.

PM770

How about for 1990s hockey the 1994-95 Pinnacle Sylvain Turgeon with Patrick Kane as a little boy? Obviously not iconic in its own time, but it is now one of my favorite hockey cards.

Warriors8

1910's baseball: Babe Ruth M101-4 rookie
1980's baseball: 1980 Rickey Henderson rookie

80sOPC

For 2000's hockey it's 2005-06 The Cup Crosby ARP:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-06-The-Cup-180-Sidney-Crosby-Rookie-RC-2-Color-Patch-Auto-12-99-/331546154318?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d31b0d54e

For 1990's the first card that comes to mind is 1990 Score Canadian Eric Lindros Future Superstar. Honorable mentions to OPC Premier Jagr and UD French Fedorov.

slum22

<< <i>How about for 1990s hockey the 1994-95 Pinnacle Sylvain Turgeon with Patrick Kane as a little boy? Obviously not iconic in its own time, but it is now one of my favorite hockey cards. >>



I didn't know about this card and I hadn't seen it until today. When and where did this story come out that the kid pictured is Kane? That is a pretty cool card.

charrigan

(not mine - but cool)

charrigan

My pick for 90s hockey is 1990 OPC Premier Jaromir Jagr.

2000s hockey, I would agree with 2005 UD The Cup Sidney Crosby RPA.

miwlvrn

<< <i>

<< <i>How about for 1990s hockey the 1994-95 Pinnacle Sylvain Turgeon with Patrick Kane as a little boy? Obviously not iconic in its own time, but it is now one of my favorite hockey cards. >>



I didn't know about this card and I hadn't seen it until today. When and where did this story come out that the kid pictured is Kane? That is a pretty cool card. >>



Not sure when that story came out, but it has been relatively well-known and well-publicized for a while now. If I remember right without looking it up, I believe his family had season tickets and it was easily confirmed that it was him based on the tix to back up the story.

PM770

<< <i>I didn't know about this card and I hadn't seen it until today. When and where did this story come out that the kid pictured is Kane? That is a pretty cool card. >>



I first heard about it during a Blackhawks-Sabres game from Kane's rookie season (I think). It was the Buffalo broadcast on Center Ice and during one of the intermissions they were talking to Kane's father and he showed the card.