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Topps Rookie Cup Autographs

yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

Around seven years ago I had the idea to collect all the autographs of catchers who have won the Topps Rookie Cup award on their Topps Rookie Cup cards. Topps didn't put the Cup on the cards at all from 1979 through 1986 and there are a few cards over the years since the first set of them in 1960 that the Cup is simply missing for whatever reason. As I started collecting the catchers I took a look at all the other winners over the years and decided to expand the chase to all the Rookie Cup winner autographs. Most players had a card issued the year after they won the Rookie Cup award but a few didn't. Notably Danny Ainge and Charles Johnson (another mystery of the chase - Johnson was the winner for catcher in the year 1995 but didn't have a Topps card issued in a MLB uniform until 1999 at which time he'd already moved to the Dodgers). Another few over the years have had Cups appear on their cards though Topps doesn't list them as winners of the award - I'm familiar with Jose Tabata (2011 Topps Heritage), Tony Saunders (1998 Topps) and Robby Hammock (2004 Topps). If anyone else has run across others I'd love to hear about them.

As I started collecting I started really appreciating the history of baseball and the Topps Company's part in its growth over the years.

I'm now down to around 20 cards left of all the winners since 1960 on their cards and thought I'd start a post on this board to highlight the collection and track the hopeful progress towards completion.

Who are the 20 you ask? Not the star studded names you might think. Names like Tsuyoshi Shinjo, Kazuhiro Sasaki, Mike Aviles... these are the players that I've searched for over seven years through many Ebay saved searches and websites perusing but have yet to even see an example of them.

Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
www.questfortherookiecup.com
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Comments

  • picklepetepicklepete Posts: 414 ✭✭✭✭

    So why don't you post your want list ?
    Never know, we can't offer if we don't have list.. Lol

  • ringerringer Posts: 342 ✭✭✭

    What a collection!

  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    @picklepete said:
    So why don't you post your want list ?
    Never know, we can't offer if we don't have list.. Lol

    :)
    Thanks. Here's the want list:

    1995 Topps Manny Ramirez (currently got on in a consignment in the DR)
    2001 Topps Kazuhiro Sasaki
    2002 Topps Tsuyoshi Shinjo
    2007 Topps Melky Cabrera - took a flier on him TTM not long ago but not hopeful
    2008 Topps Chris Young (Diamondbacks)
    2009 Topps Mike Aviles
    2011 Topps Jaime Garcia
    2011 Topps Starlin Castro
    2011 Topps Stephen Strasburg
    2014 Topps Jose Iglesias
    2016 Topps Roberto Osuna (currently got one at a private signing)
    2016 Topps Addison Russell
    2017 Topps Trea Turner (have a Chrome but need a regular base Topps)
    2017 Topps Kenta Maeda
    2017 Topps Corey Seager (have a Chrome but need a regular base Topps)
    2019 Topps Shohei Ohtani
    2020 Topps Pete Alonso
    2020 Topps Keston Hiura
    2020 Topps Victor Robles
    2021 Topps Jake Cronenworth
    2021 Topps Kyle Lewis (have the Opening Day but need the base)
    2021 Topps Kwang Hyun Kim

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • DBesse27DBesse27 Posts: 3,015 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nathan, you know I love this project! I was just trying to explain it to my wife tonight, and then I log into CU and see you started this thread. Amazing stuff!

    Yaz Master Set
    #1 Gino Cappelletti master set
    #1 John Hannah master set

    Also collecting Andre Tippett, Patriots Greats' RCs, 1964 Venezuelan Topps, 1974 Topps Red Sox

  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    Picked up a couple this week. The Pete Alonso is the second of the "buyback" Archives original Rookie Cup cards I've bought. The other was a Todd Helton.

    I have also started collecting the Heritage Rookie Cup autos as well. Not as far along with those as the base cards but eventually I'd like to complete both. The Bohm is from the signing at the Philly Show recently.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • maddux69maddux69 Posts: 2,130 ✭✭✭✭✭
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    Here's a super toughie. Ebay pickup from a very difficult signer. Still on the lookout for the elusive base auto on this one.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    A couple more Ebay pickups this week from the Heritage side.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    Some more Heritage pickups from Ebay this week.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    Got my first one of the newest winners in this week. I love the action shot on this card.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,044 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Love the project! You have some very, very tough ones! Thurman Munson? Yowzers!

    Shane

  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    Thanks Shane! I came home from the Braves game last night to find this package in the mail. During the winter, Isaias Franco on SCN organized a consignment for some Dominican players and was fortunate for him to get Manny and this sweet Gary Sanchez Heritage card signed.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    Picked up a few Heritage additions this week.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • Very nice collection

  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    Thanks for the kind words all. This has been a blast of a project and has been a really focused way to collect. A few more pickups this week on the Heritage front. The Mazara was a consignment in person auto and the others Ebay pickups. The Naquin, as a few over the years, doesn't have the Cup but it's his Rookie Cup card.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • NGS428NGS428 Posts: 2,255 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Interesting project! Keep it up!

  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    It's getting tougher and tougher on the original base autos so picking up a new one is a real thrill these days. I got this one from a consignment with a local grapher in the DC area. Both he and I were shocked he was able to get it done. Robles is a notoriously tough signer.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,044 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Believe me.... I know how it is when you have a non star or no super star player that is a super tough signer when you have been looking for a long time.

    Congrats on the project! Kepe them coming!

    Shane

  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    It was a good week for the new group.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    I was able to get these in person today. Mr. Jennings is a solid guy.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • bobbybakerivbobbybakeriv Posts: 2,186 ✭✭✭✭

    Terrific!!!!!!!

  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,044 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice haul!

    Shane

  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    I got this one in the mail today from a consignment in Cooperstown last weekend. I had three folks from SCN trying to get Chris Young for me and had one who was able to get it done. Been looking for this one for a long while. As I've told folks before it's amazing the cards you never see that make the search so enjoyable. This is the first Chris Young signed 2008 Rookie Cup card I've seen in the seven years of going after these.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    Nice mail day today.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    Another of the "new crop".

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    Got a couple of Heritage adds in this week. The Grichuk care of the Rockies Foundation and the Robles an in person consignment from a DC grapher.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    I was able to find another Rookie Cup from the Archives release (and can't get more recent for an Archive than this one) and another return from the Rockies Foundation.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    Picked up a Melky Cabrera off Ebay this week but the big add of the week was a custom made by board member Jeffrey (alifaxwa2). Loving the Shinjo! It turned out great!!

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    Here's a few additions from recent private signings.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    The first back of many private signings I have out right now.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    This beauty came in today.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    Another one bites the dust. From a recent private signing. The first one (batting) is the base Rookie Cup card and the second is a team card issued with the Rookie Cup logo.

    This gets me down to 16 total Rookie Cup autos needed going back to 1960 before the new 2023 cards get released. Got several out for consignment at Spring Training for this year so hoping to pair that down.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • lahmejoonlahmejoon Posts: 1,666 ✭✭✭

    Wow, awesome project!!

  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    Got these two back from a recent signing. They replace the certified versions I had of each. When I get a chance to pick up a personally for me signed one I'll always try and update. I guess I'm OCD that way but got a feeling that may be part of the collector gene.

    Thanks for looking!!

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,044 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I take it that you are on SCN and participate in private signings posted there? I have started doing that. Within the last 12 months I have participated in 9 private signings including Albert Pujols, Mark McGwire, Ozzie Smith, and a few more.

    Love your progress!

    Shane

  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    @frankhardy said:
    I take it that you are on SCN and participate in private signings posted there? I have started doing that. Within the last 12 months I have participated in 9 private signings including Albert Pujols, Mark McGwire, Ozzie Smith, and a few more.

    Love your progress!

    Thanks Shane! Yes a lot of my cards have been through SCN. Been doing private signings through there for around 8 years. Great group of folks.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    Another one down. On a bit of a hot streak the last few weeks. A consignment from the Cardinals FanFest.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭
    edited January 28, 2023 2:47PM

    I've had this card "surrounded" for a long time. The original chase has and will always be the original base Topps card for each Rookie Cup winner. For Addison Russell, I first was able to pick up the Opening Day version of his card, then the Chrome but was never able to find the original base. I've had a couple of consignments for him in the Mexican leagues but they were never able to get him for me. There was a recent private signing with Addison and was able to get the base Topps and Heritage card signed finally. His is also one of a few over the years that inexplicably doesn't have the Rookie Cup Trophy on the card.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,044 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That Carlson card is a Topps Cardinals auto I don't have. My Topps Cardinals Autograph Collection stops at 2019....or at least, I haven't pursued past 2019.

    Shane

  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    A nice Dee Gordon Heritage was this week's only add.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    These kind of moments are what has made this so fun for me. I sent out a TTM request almost a year ago c/o the Cubs that I honestly had forgotten about. I sent a letter explaining the chase for the Rookie Cup autographs and got these back yesterday. I've gotten a few current players TTM (very few) but the ones I do are prized to be sure.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    First of the new crop in the house!

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • DBesse27DBesse27 Posts: 3,015 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Awesome, those are 3 studs, especially Harris!

    Yaz Master Set
    #1 Gino Cappelletti master set
    #1 John Hannah master set

    Also collecting Andre Tippett, Patriots Greats' RCs, 1964 Venezuelan Topps, 1974 Topps Red Sox

  • JolleyWrencherJolleyWrencher Posts: 605 ✭✭✭

    So many interesting collections. Seems like each unique collection could qualify as a Guinness Book of World Record. You obviously win in the 🏆 autograph cards.

    Keep up the collection and hopefully it lives long into the future.

  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭

    Thanks! Yeah I'm really digging the photo they used on the base Harris rookie. One of my favorite Rookie Cup cards of all time.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • yankeesmanyankeesman Posts: 940 ✭✭✭✭
    edited April 22, 2023 9:10AM

    Another of the new batch from ebay. I really think Topps nailed it with some of the action photography this year.

    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • That Munson is special.

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