Baseball Cards

[Dmiles23]

I haven't collected baseball cards in years, but have been getting the urge to buy and break open a box. What is the best kind these days? I guess I would like some excitement in the box (autos, game used, etc). Any suggestions?

[Invader3K]

A couple years ago I was really into the Allen & Ginter sets, which are really novel and have a "painted" look to them. Almost every pack is going to have something weird or different in them.

[Bikeage77]

A lot of collectors of modern seem to enjoy Topps Heritage.

[chadomac]

I have felt the itch for years but just feel totally out of touch and overwhelmed at this point. Is it really just Bowman and Topps at this point?

 

Also, it seems like you get way fewer cards in a pack than when I was growing up in the 80's... but maybe I'm wrong about that.

[JimH5]

After not buying cards for years, I picked up 2 hobby boxes of Topps Heritage, and have really enjoyed opening up a pack or two each day.

 

I'm still not that interested in refractors and special insert cards, and all the gems that seem to interest modern collectors. I like building base sets, and this is a fun group of cards to open.

 

There are 9 cards per pack, and they sell for $3.00 to $3.50 a pack. I bought two boxes for $150, and that should satisfy me until next year's Heritage set comes out.

[chadomac]

Where do you even buy baseball cards nowadays? Online? What are some reputable sites?

 

I see them at Target and that's about the only place I ever notice them. I don't think card shops exist anymore.

[JimH5]

I bought some packs at Target, and some packs at Jeff's Sportscards on Capitol Drive in Brookfield. Then I bought my two hobby boxes from an eBay dealer, when Jeff's was sold out.

 

The boxes made specifically for hobby dealers will provide more of the special cards than you'll get from boxes made for retail dealers (Target, WalMart, etc.).

[chadomac]

Thanks, I may pick up a Hobby Box of Topps Heritage and see what happens. It's cool that you get an autograph per box.

 

Do I have it correct that Topps/Bowman still is the only company to have the MLB team name/logo rights? So basically it's just different versions of Topps and Bowman cards as of right now?

[Bikeage77]

Topps/Bowman are the only cards that have MLB rights, correct. Donruss just came out with a new set, and it's REALLY difficult for me to get past all the logos brushed out. Though I do really like the layout otherwise. Just not enough for me to wanna buy any packs.

 

http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/panini-brings-back-donruss-name-2014-baseball-set/

 

I bought a few boxes of 2013 Topps last year and built a base set which I enjoyed a lot. Each box came with a relic card or a signature. I got jersey relics of Strasburg's first start and Weaver's no hitter, only to find out that both cards don't represent any given game and aren't worth more than a few bucks each. For the entertainment value it was worth it to buy a couple boxes, but you need to probably bust a case of cards to really hit on anything big.

 

For roughly the same price you can get a box of 84 Topps and enjoy ripping that for the nostalgia value.

[rwa12]

www.dacardworld.com and www.charmcitycards.com are both reputable sites that I have dealt with in the past. I collected as a kid, and then got back into it around 2004. Collected for about 6 years, and just burned out. Stuff is expensive. The "hit" cards in the boxes, for the most part, have very little value. Additionally, I really liked Upper Deck, and wasn't thrilled when they were bumped out. I've pulled some cool stuff over the years. Now, when I want something, I just hit ebay and buy the specific card. Lose the thrill, but hang onto the money!

 

For any value in cards, really the last frontier is hockey cards. The rookies are valuable, even when unsigned. Also, the insert cards that are worthless in baseball, have value for top teams/players. I think Canada keeps the secondary market afloat.

[logan82]

You can find individual cards on Ebay for a decent price. Even jersey cards. So I wouldn't recommend getting into them expecting any money back.

[jjkoestler]

I had a blast busting Allen & Ginter and Bowman. It's almost like playing the lotto at this point though.

 

I wouldn't buy anything retail due to the lack of "hits" and the packs being searched. Buy from a reputable online seller (I like Blow Out Cards) or your local hobby shop.

[JackNicholson1974]

buy the cheapest cards you can find. I have bought Topps Opening Day for $0.99 a pack and my kids love them. They will all be worthless no matter what you buy and with them being so cheap when my kids use them as paper airplanes I dont get upset!

[Invader3K]

Thanks, I may pick up a Hobby Box of Topps Heritage and see what happens. It's cool that you get an autograph per box.

 

Do I have it correct that Topps/Bowman still is the only company to have the MLB team name/logo rights? So basically it's just different versions of Topps and Bowman cards as of right now?

 

Yes. MLB realized the baseball card market was ridiculously over-saturated, so they sold exclusive rights to Topps (which owns Bowman, Allen & Ginter, etc).

 

I think I read there were something like 50 different Albert Pujols rookie cards, which shows how insane it was getting. Compare that to there only being one real Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card just about 20 years earlier.

[rwa12]

I have 4 different Ken Griffey Jr RC, what do you consider the true one? Topps Traded? The card that launched the Upper Deck empire?

[Invader3K]

I have 4 different Ken Griffey Jr RC, what do you consider the true one? Topps Traded? The card that launched the Upper Deck empire?

 

I was referring to the Upper Deck one. I have the Donruss Rated Rookie one, but let's face it...people consider the Upper Deck '89 card the "real" Griffey rookie card.

[rwa12]

I would consider that his major RC as well. Pujols had quite a few RC, but only a few are really recognized. His Bowman Auto is the pinnacle, but his UD, Topps, and maybe Fleer Platinum (I believe) were the other majors.