Choosing Rookie Cards from each year 1957-2008

artistlost · August 9, 2008 1:00PM

Hello. I am going to start trying to focus my collection into strictly a rookie card collection with picking one RC per year from 1957 to present. I have compiled a list below (or atleast started it) and was looking for suggestions on what card you would pick. I have found some years very easy but a lot of the more recent years kind of tricky.

The card doesn't have to be a true RC (as I did take Ripken Jrs Topps Traded card over his real topps rc). I am going for the card that should be the best to hold it's value/or the rarest. Well have a look and let me know what you think. Thanks!

57 Frank Robinson
58 Roger Maris
59 Bob Gibson
60 Carl Yastrzemski
61 Juan Marichal
62 Lou Brock
63 Pete Rose
64 Phil Niekro
65 Steve Carlton
66 Jim Palmer
67 Tom Seaver
68 Nolan Ryan
69 Reggie Jackson
70 Thurman Munson
71 Steve Garvey
72 Carlton Fisk
73 Mike Schmidt
74 Dave Winfield
75 George Brett
76 Dennis Eckersley
77 Andre Dawson
78 Eddie Murray
79 Ozzie Smith
80 Rickey Henderson

all of the above are the regular Topps issues

81 Tim Raines Topps Traded
82 Cal Ripken Jr Topps Traded
83 Tony Gywnn Topps
84 Roger Clemens Fleer Update
85 Mark McGwire Topps Tiffany
86 Barry Bonds Topps Traded Tiffany
87 Greg Maddux Topps Traded Tiffany
88 Tom Glavine Score Glossy
89 Ken Griffey Jr Bowman Tiffany
90 Frank Thomas Topps NNOF or Tiffany
91 Chipper Jones Topps Tiffany
92 Manny Ramirez Bowman
93 Derek Jeter SP
94 Alex Rodrigues SP
95 Vladimir Guererro Bowman's Best Refractor
96 STRIKE YEAR (for me at least)

From this point on I am trying to focus on autographed rookie cards

97 David Ortiz Donruss Signature Certified Autograph
98 Magglio Ordonez Donruss Signature Certified Autograph
99 Alfonso Soriano Topps Traded Auto
00 Miguel Cabrera's Topps Traded Auto

now just to add some confusion...I already have a collection of Bowman Chrome cards from 2001 to present so I am looking to add a RC from these years that is not from Bowman Chrome

01 Albert Pujols SPX auto
02 Prince Fielder Prospect Premieres auto
03 Nick Markakis Bowman Chrome
04 Carlos Quentin Topps Chrome Auto Refractor
05 Jay Bruce Topps Update Chrome auto
06 Ian Kinsler Ultimate Auto
07
08

Well let me know if you have any ideas on holes in my list or if you think I should pick someone else for a year and why.

Thanks and hope this turns into a fun thread and a great collection when I'm done.

mathew

Blackborder · August 9, 2008 1:09PM

Steve Garvey on the 71.

Leiascards · August 9, 2008 1:29PM

86 Donruss Canseco or McGriff

2006 Bowman Chrome Chris Davis

JeffD27177 · August 9, 2008 1:32PM

I think Steve Garvey and Bert Blyleven both have rookie cards in 1971.

And I don't see how you don't go with Pujols for 2001. There are a couple of options besides the pricey Bowman Chrome AU that also have autos.

For 2005 I would go with Ryan Braun. Much nicer on-card auto with the Bowman Chrome Draft card (I hate the shiny stickers on the Topps Chrome Update) and he was the Rookie of the Year. Seems like a better choice, imo.

dontippet · August 9, 2008 1:33PM

How about 86 Bonds? I know this won't be a popular answer, but it may be the best. In the regular Topps set, I think maybe Teddy Higuera may be the top rookie.

TJMAC · August 9, 2008 2:30PM

1971 Topps Steve Garvey - 6 200 hit season, best player on 70's Dodgers Teams, 74 MVP, Popular player despite moral transgressions.

1984 Roger Clemens Fleer Update - Steriods or not he is still an all time great pitcher.

1986 Topps Traded Tiffany Bonds - See Roger Clemens just insert hitter for pitcher.

1988 Score Glossy Glavine - Glavine is a 300 game winner, Cy Young Winner and W.S. Champion. Biggio or Alomar have only 1 of those 3 accomplishments each.

1993 I can't argue with Derek Jeter. Though Ichiro's Japanese rookie is intriguing.

1996 - Good luck - Raul Ibanez, AJ Pierzynski, Matt Morris - Ouch. Maybe you should insert a card for a player that debuted. I recommend putting Derek Jeter's 1993 SP here and getting the Ichiro. I know it is cheating, but it is better than picking one of those guys.

1997 - I like Big Papi over Halladay and Berkman. Big Papi may never make the HOF, but he will always be very collectible and will be the Roger Maris of this generation since he helped bring Boston's first title in 70+ years.

1998 - Magglio Ordonez and Jimmy Rollins would be good choice, but I would go with the 1998 Leaf Rookie and Stars Carlos Lee. It is not autographed, but I think it is his best rookie. Lee is still relatively young 32 and is putting up nice numbers. Jimmy Rollins at age 29 and having a nice career thus far would be my other alternative.

2000 - I would go with Cabrera.

2001 - Pujols is the class of this crop. THough, I am not educated on what cards of his are available.

2002 - I like Fielder, but a Cole Hamels rookie would be good here too.

2004 - I am not sure here. Maybe Carlos Quentin (I may have spelled wrong).

2005 - I like Ryan Braun a lot here.

2006 - Clayton Kershaw. I think he is the real deal.

TJMAC · August 9, 2008 2:31PM

I just wanted to add, that I think this is a neat project and you made some great choices. Good luck on deciding the rest.

JohnnyD · August 9, 2008 2:42PM

Brooks Robinson for the 1957

bobbybakeriv · August 9, 2008 2:47PM

I acknowledge that Dawson is the best pick for 77 overall. But, I would prefer to have the Fidrych, a card that I consider to be one of the best All-Star cards ever.

EAsports · August 10, 2008 12:24AM

For 1996, I would suggest Darin Erstad's 1996 SP...

12 year vet, starting CF and leader for a few playoff teams over 10 years in Anaheim....

Also a challenging card to find in top grade.

Tough year!

ETA: 2 time all-star, as well.

shagrotn77 · August 10, 2008 2:05AM

For '71 you have to go with Blyleven. He'll be in the HOF within 2-3 years. Garvey is not going to make it.

Goot · August 10, 2008 2:12AM

2006 Evan Longoria Bowman chrome auto

edit: I know that he has a base chrome in 2007, but David Price's Chrome auto in 2008 Bowman is the clear choice for '08 at this point in time. Plus, you might want to go ahead and pick one up since we'll probably be calling him up to the bigs within a month. I also like Braun for 2005 more than Bruce.

Bosox1976 · August 10, 2008 2:28AM

2001 I'd consider Ichiro too
1986 If you hate Bonds - Bo Jackson
1971 Blyleven

Downtown1974 · August 10, 2008 4:26AM

84 Donruss Mattingly

artistlost · August 10, 2008 11:53PM

Thanks for all the suggestions to date...

I have given some thought and have come up with the last few questions.

1971 Blyleven or Garvey
1984 Roger Clemens Fleer Update or Kirby Puckett Fleer Update or Don Mattingly Donruss
1998 Magglio Ordonez Donruss Signature Auto or Carlos Lee Bowman Chrome Int Refractor or Jimmy Rollins Bowman Chrome Int Refractor
2004 Hunter Pence Sp Prospect Auto or Carlos Quentin Topps Chrome Auto

So let me know what you think about the above and why.

As a side...

I went with Frank instead of Brooks in 57 because I am just a bigger fan of offense than D

I am going to change up Roberto Alomar to Tom Glavine Score Glossy in 1988 (I completely forgot about Glavine for some reason)

I am switching Halladay to Ortiz Donruss Signature Auto in 97 (as I am a blue jay fan I will just end up buying the Halladay anyway)

In 2001 I am going to go with the Pujols SPX auto

1996 will be my strike year for now

and I am going to play the waiting game on 2006-2008 to see

nam812 · August 10, 2008 11:58PM

<< ........I am going for the card that should be the best to hold it's value/or the rarest. ........... >>

If that is the case, then 1990 should be Frank Thomas Topps NNOF instead of the Bowman tiffany.

Morgoth · August 10, 2008 11:58PM

For 1958 why not Orlando Cepeda? He is actually a HOFer and Maris will never get in.

Also, I have a 1987 TT Tiffany Maddux PSA 9 for sale if you need one.

artistlost · August 10, 2008 11:58PM

Oh...also forgot to mention all the talk about bowman chrome (ie Braun) from 2001 to present.

I am a HUGE bowman chrome fan (insert laugh and sigh here) and started in 2001 to collect 2 of what I feel are the best players found in Bowman Chrome and have the following in my collection already

2001 Jose Reyes and Ichiro refractors (I would love the Pujols someday)
2002 David Wright and Joe Mauer autos
2003 Hanley Ramirez and Brian McCann autos
2004 Felix Hernandez auto (still waiting on a second star to come from this set)
2005 Ryan Braun and Ryan Zimmerman autos
2006 Evan Longoria and Clayton Kershaw autos
2007 Tim Lincecum auto (and am just waiting on either Joba to really take off or someone else to come from this year)
2008 Pavid Price auto (as Goot says below he had a card in 2007 that wasn't autographed and did have a 2007 bowman sterling auto but this is his first on card auto and is a beauty)

mathew

Tvac897 · August 11, 2008 12:09AM

58 roger marris

artistlost · August 11, 2008 12:27AM

<< For 1958 why not Orlando Cepeda? He is actually a HOFer and Maris will never get in. >>

I know that Maris will never be in the Hall but to me his card is more significant that the Cepeda

thanks.

artistlost · August 11, 2008 12:28AM

<< 

<< ........I am going for the card that should be the best to hold it's value/or the rarest. ........... >>

If that is the case, then 1990 should be Frank Thomas Topps NNOF instead of the Bowman tiffany. >>

I would LOVE to have this card and might actually try and get one...do you know what it generally sells for?

m.

vintagechris · August 11, 2008 12:59AM

I like Concepcion for '71.

DavidPuddy · August 11, 2008 1:13AM

Great list.

My thoughts on the 71 card
Garvey has NO shot at the HOF, so I'd go with Bert Blyleven first and then I'd look at Ted Simmons. Simmons already has better numbers than several catchers that are in the HOF, and will get strong consideration from the veterans committee in 2012.
Concepcion was a great fielder and played on some great teams, but he will never make the hall. JMO

Goot · August 11, 2008 1:24AM

I'd say that you're very well covered on the Bowman Chrome autos.

artistlost · August 11, 2008 1:33AM

<< I'd say that you're very well covered on the Bowman Chrome autos. >>

Thanks...I have always liked the on card autos that bowman chrome offers. Great cards.

mathew

oh...and DARN!!! Longoria is amazing and will be glad to see him in the line-up again on Tuesday.

TJMAC · August 11, 2008 2:17AM

Though, I was born in the 70's, I started watching baseball in the mid to late 80's. Garvey was a top player on one of the most popular teams in baseball. Blyleven may make the HOF, but I don't think he will ever be as collectable as Garvey. If you are basing the rookie cards on HOFers then I would give the edge to Blyleven, if you are basing it on who was the better player in their prime and is more collectable then I would go with Garvey. Like I stated previously, MVP, 5 W.S. appearances, good post season performer, 6 - 200 hits season.

The case for Blyleven is pretty good too. 2 World Series Appearances and he pitched well. Finished top 5 in the CY Young 3 times. 270 Wins and 3700 strikeouts. However, he only won 20 games once when winning 20 was not as big of a deal as today. I don't put much weight in All-Star Appearance, but 3 seems pretty weak to me.

When it comes down to it, I just don't remember Blyleven being that big of a deal growing up. He just seemed pretty good to me. Garvey was always considered one of the bigger stars of baseball.

larryallen73 · August 11, 2008 2:23AM

Garvey.

tombo · August 11, 2008 5:58AM

Garvey has NO shot at the HOF

That is certainly apparent by the voting results over the past 10+ years. However, what is the big problem with Garvey? First of all, I did not like him as a ballplayer (I'm a Cubs fan and I can still see the popeye'd forearm being raised in the '84 playoffs) However, what he did on the field for about a 10 -12 year period (1974 - 1985) was very impressive - he hit well in all situations (regular season, All Star game, playoffs and World Series). He could hit for some power, was always regarded as one of the best clutch hitters in the game, and won several gold gloves in the field. He was a big part of 5 NL Championship teams and 1 World Series winner).

Is it his off field controversies that lost him votes?

Sorry to go off thread, really just curious about Garvey

artistlost · August 12, 2008 11:36AM

<< Thanks for all the suggestions to date...

I have given some thought and have come up with the last few questions.

1971 Blyleven or Garvey
1984 Roger Clemens Fleer Update or Kirby Puckett Fleer Update or Don Mattingly Donruss
1998 Magglio Ordonez Donruss Signature Auto or Carlos Lee Bowman Chrome Int Refractor or Jimmy Rollins Bowman Chrome Int Refractor
2004 Hunter Pence Sp Prospect Auto or Carlos Quentin Topps Chrome Auto >>

Well...I have made the final picks sort of (as I have not decided on 2004 yet)

I will be going with Garvey for 71, Clemens for 84 and Magglio for 98

The 98 was tough between Lee and Magglio...there numbers are almost identical so in the end I just went for the guy who had an auto that year.

Thanks for everyones help...now onto buying cards!

mathew

Choosing Rookie Cards from each year 1957-2008

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