1909 T206 Sherry Magee (Error) Price: $660,000. Houston went just 28-29 in the first half but won the NL West's second half at 33-20. Get my weekly newsletter with the latest hobby updates delivered straight to your inbox! 1981 Topps Kirk Gibson RC #315. . Topps has dominated the baseball card scene for the past six decades, issuing a set in every year . #7. 1981 Topps Kellen Winslow Rookie Card (#150) Winslow took the big-bodied, good-hands tight end model that Newsome brought to the fore and ran with it (after the catch!). You can almost feel the tension in this card as he's poised and just waiting for the perfect moment to break for second. When collectors think back to the junk wax era, one of the first sets to jump into minds is 1987 Topps Baseball. He also paced the Majors in ERA+ (195) and hits per 9 innings (6.0). When it comes to Rookie Cards, 1981 Topps is one . After Wilson dodged a wild pitch from Boston's Bob Stanley, Kevin Mitchell scored from third to tie the game. Heres an amazing baseball card that in my opinion should be worth more than it currently is. During the rush to market, they also ended up with many errors and variations in their debut set, but that was to be expected. Coming off a 1980 season in which he finished runner-up for the AL MVP award, New York Yankees right fielder Reggie Jackson looked to keep the momentum going in 1981. Top 10 Most Valuable: 1981 Topps Basketball. While George Brett lit up the AL in 1980, Mike Schmidt was doing the same in the NL and would take home his first of three career MVP Awards for his efforts. 1981 Pete Rose Baseball Card. During this era, the Montreal Expos had yet to move south to become . Ozzie was always one of my favorite players to watch as a kid as his acrobatic defensive play left fans in awe time after time as he went on to collect 13 Gold Glove awards. The 1961 Topps All-Star Mays falls in line with the others in the semi-high-number subset. Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. While they both made their MLB debuts in 1961, Brock would retire after the 1979 season with 3,023 hits while Yaz would stick around until 1983 and finished with 3,419 hits. In the process, Schmidt led the league and set career highs in home runs (48), RBI (121) and total bases (342). Ryan dazzled on that fall afternoon in Houston, striking out eleven and walking just three. To commemorate Brett's 1980 MVP Award, Donruss basically changed the borders from green to red on his base card and slapped the "MVP" logo at the bottom while removing the team name and position. He is the younger brother of Vicente Romo, who also pitched in the majors. 5 Cal Ripken Jr. 1982 Topps Traded #98T: Everybody wants to make such a big fuss about a 2,632-game playing streak when the real awe lies with the steadiness of this card's value. But, I'm a big fan of this set regardless. The 1981 Canadian version of the 1981 Nolan Ryan Topps baseball card came from O-Pee-Chee at a time when there were two Canadian teams registered in MLB. Shortcuts: Most Expensive, Cheapest, List by Card # Within it, there were also several different subsets, including: For those collectors on the lookout for great Hall of Famers of the era or just a large checklist to complete, this set has it all. Currently, this 1981 Topps card is worth $79. Gary Carter, nicknamed Kid and The Kid, was a professional baseball player whose 19-year career in Major League Baseball was spent primarily with the Montreal Expos and New York Mets. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 by Old Sports Cards, LLC. Boggs reached 3,000 hits during his career and became the 23rd player to do so. He helped to redefine the value of relievers within baseball and ushered in the modern closer role. And he struck fear into opposing pitchers at the plate, especially when Joe Morgan and Pete Rose got on base ahead of him, as he was an RBI machine, leading the league three times. Instead, he was more of a craftsman on the mound and outsmarted hitters to allow a career-low 6.5 hits per nine innings. And he was still very much a respectable pitcher during his time in Cincinnati from 1977 to 1982 as he'd win around 15 games regularly, made two All-Star teams and even finished second in the Cy Young vote for the 1981 season. Somehow during all that success with college basketball, he also found the time to play for the Blue Jays from 1979 to 1981. That season set the tone for a reputation that Dawson would carve out as a player with an incredible mix of speed and power as he was seemingly always a lock for 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases throughout his time in Montreal. With the 22-year-old star setting the table, the As earned a playoff spot with a 37-23 first-half record and finished with the American Leagues best overall record at 64-45. After the 1981 season, however, Ainge decided to call it quits with baseball. Although the 1980 season would mark the first of a nine-year stint for Nolan Ryan with the Houston Astros, Topps still had to show him as a member of the California Angels because of the timing of their print run for their 1980 Topps set. $12.95. Prices are updated daily based upon 1981 Fleer listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. The 1981 Topps baseball card set consist of 726 standard size cards that measure 2" by 3". Along with those of Wade Boggs and Ryne Sandberg, the 1983 Topps Tony Gwynn rookie card is one of the most important and iconic baseball cards of the 1980's.. Sure, Gwynn was one of the greatest hitters who ever played with 8 batting titles to his name, but why are collectors willing to pay so much for this card . Heres a rare rainbow foil card in mint condition by Risk Foil. The card features St. Louise Cardinals Batter Ted Simmons and is worth $49.45. . And he was still very much a respectable pitcher during his time in Cincinnati from 1977 to 1982 as he'd win around 15 games regularly, made . 10 Bo Jackson #600. Since most collectors in this hobby tend to draw the line on the "vintage era" at 1980, many consider the Rickey Henderson rookie card to be the last big-name vintage rookie.. And while its value pales in comparison to other big-name vintage rookies like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Roberto Clemente, to . Several of the game's biggest stars of the day appeared on two cards in this set, but I think Pete Rose was one of only two guys, along with Reggie Jackson, who appeared on three. Every collector knows that theres some serious money to be made off certain cards. Given how consistently great Murray was for so many years, it just seems unimaginable that he didn't lead in one of those two categories at least one other time. You are looking at a 1981 Topps Rookie Card hand-signed by George Riley. Cincinnati finished second in both halves of the 1981 split-season but ended the year with the best overall record in the National League. The reverse of this card is just one of the many quirks found inside Donruss's debut set. I remember several years ago you could find this card in a PSA 9 holder quite easily for $400 or so, which made it undervalued even back then. Ozzie Smith was given the name Wizard of Oz After an amazing record for the most assists at shortstop thus establishing a new record in that era. Murphy struggled a bit during the 1981 split season as his batting average fell to a paltry .247 and his slugging percentage plunged to .390 from .510 the year before. Before Danny Ainge found success at the professional level in basketball as a player, coach and executive, he made his professional sports debut for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1979while he was still in college. . Throughout his career, Carter was known for his hitting and excellent defense, as well as his ability to handle pitchers. By the time these Hall of Famers retired, Brett had three batting titles and Carew had an eye-popping seven. He was a two-sport star in baseball and basketball for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, so it wasn't too shocking that the Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Utah Stars (ABA) and San Diego Padres (MLB) each drafted him. While it may not be one of the most popular sets of the era, the 1982 Topps baseball card set packed plenty of star power and two key Hall of Fame rookie cards. 725 Steve Rogers. He also led all of baseball with 89 runs scored and led the American League in stolen bases (56) and hits (135). Or, feel free to call/text me at 305-684-6680! "I've learned to stay within myself, not be afraid to fail.". Bench is somewhat of an anomaly on this list, showing up with only one 1981 Fleer card, and all. The wrist band, the glasses.and that awesome stache You just don't see that kind of stuff in today's game so this card perfectly captures the style of the era and that's the great thing about baseball cards in general. In 1981, Schmidt became the eighth player in MLB history to do just that. We are user supported. 1. A remarkable all-around . Like Roger Clemens, Kirby Puckett has a 1984 Fleer Update XRC. Most Expensive The 1984 Topps Football set is THE landmark football card set of the 1980s. Murphy was outstanding during the 1980s as he racked up two MVPs, seven All-Star selections, five Gold Gloves, and four Silver Sluggers on his way to becoming one of the most popular players in baseball. Unlike Smith, Cal Ripken's chances at the Hall of Fame were never in doubt. Mattingly's Donruss rookie was produced in smaller quantities than his Topps rookie, so it's worth more. The right card could make you rich. 6. Baseballs hit king, Pete Rose, led all of baseball in total hits on seven different occasions. Donruss wasted no time breaking into the hobby as they spent huge marketing dollars, targeted key dealers across the nation, and filled their checklist with some of the game's biggest names to grab collector attention. JB's 1981 Fleer card is a $5 (or so) buy in PSA 9 condition. 2 prospect in baseball at the start of the 1997 season after hitting . Things weren't all rosy for Smith, however, as his relationship with Padres owner Ray Kroc and his wife Joan became publicly sour. SportsCardsPro Index: 1982 Topps. It has been certified authentic by Beckett Authentication (BAS) and comes encapsulated in their tamper-proof holder. Rating: 7.5 (174 votes) Click here to Rate. Roland Glen Fingers was an American right-handed relief pitcher who played for three teams between 1968 and 1985. So for our purpose, the most expensive Nolan Ryan rookie card is the 1969 Topps RC which is valued at $20,000, give or take a thousand. Prices are updated daily based upon 1981 Topps listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. Card Number: #418. It has full gloss and is slightly askew. Set Links - Overview - Checklist - Teams - Errors / Variations - Hall of Famers - Rookies . Unlike George Brett's MVP card, Schmidt's featured an altogether different image than that of his base card. In the second half, they finished 1.5 games behind the Astros to miss the playoffs entirely. In a similar theme, Larry Bird is featured in a card from the 1981 Topps set. 723 Bruce Bochte. The Reds put him at first base for the first time as he dealt with nagging injuries. Only Tony Gwynn had come closer to batting .400 or better since Ted Williams last did it in 1941 when Gwynn batted .394 in 110 games during the strike-shortened 1994 season. In Game 4 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, he'd return with New York holding a 2-1 advantage to try and help the team across the finish line. Raines showed the world that Rickey Henderson wasn't the only guy who could light up the basepaths as he led the Majors with 71 stolen bases while slashing .304/.391.438. In 1981, the 6'5 monster recorded his second straight 1000-yard season and led all of football with 88 catches. But, this will always be the set that got their foot into the red-hot market of the 1980s. Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $2,700. I know the game is played differently these days but even if it weren't, I'd be stunned if anyone in the future ever meets or bests his 130 stolen bases in a season. Murphy was often heralded as a five-tool superstar, but unfortunately, many felt his dominant play didn't last long enough to give him the type of resume worthy of Hall of Fame recognition. Still, his popularity continues today, and his cards remain in high demand by kids now turned adults who grew up idolizing him. Star power: Robinson, a Hall of Famer, broke the MLB color barrier in 1947, becoming a social justice icon in the process. This article breaks down the top 19 most valuable 1981 Topps Baseball Cards In the World, as well as how much each card is worth. Despite this seemingly unjustified absence from more "Midsummer Classics," Yount is considered to be the greatest Milwaukee Brewer in the franchise's history. The reverse of the card mentions that over the last nine seasons dating back to 1972, Brett (2) and Carew (6) had combined to win eight batting titles. The 1981 O-Pee-Chee features the Canadian version of the 1981 Topps set, where it is uncommon to see French on an MLB card. Here we see Yaz staring off into the distance almost as if he's thinking back on his careeror maybe he's just watching a teammate take batting practice. He played parts of four seasons in the MLB between 1979 and 1986, with the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, and Montreal Expos. Mookie came up big for the Mets again in Game 7, going 1 for 3 with a run scored to help the Mets beat the Red Sox 8-5 to win the title. 724 Lou Piniella. The defending AL champions were a mess early, though. The 1980 season would be Winfield's last with the Padres as the Yankees signed him to a ten-year, $23 million contract making him the game's highest-paid player at the time. He also holds the schools record for most strikeouts in both a single season and total career strikeouts with 309 in 305 innings pitched. And none of his Rookie Cards is bigger than . Not only is it fun, but its good quality material for a future family reunion. He also finished fourth in the NL with a .316 batting average, narrowly missing out on a Triple Crown. Getting hands on a card like this is pretty difficult. Smith earned the first of those Gold Gloves during the 1980 season when he also set the single-season record for most assists by a shortstop with an astronomical total of 621. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 by Old Sports Cards, LLC. In 25 postseason plate appearances (22 at-bats), Henderson hit .273 with two doubles, one triple, one RBI, three runs scored, and four stolen bases. Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $2,000. 1981 Topps Traded Expos Tim Raines Card, 4. Year-by-year ranking of the most valuable Topps Baseball Rookie Cards from 1952 to 2020. For his regular-season efforts, Rose earned the only Silver Slugger Award of his career, his 15th All-Star selection, and a tenth-place finish on the NL MVP ballot. Shortcuts: Most Expensive, Cheapest, List by Card # And the reason it's worth so much in PSA 10 condition? 1981 Topps Traded Tim Raines Rookie Baseball Card #816 NM-MT FREE SHIPPING. In this guide, I will cover the 25 most valuable in the set. An Enrique Romo Signed Baseball card that has been authenticated by a grading service is pretty hard to find. At the time, everyone thought the Padres were getting the better end of the deal as Templeton was a much better hitter. 1961 Topps Willie Mays All-Star (#579) Here is a case where card scarcity and an immortal of the game conspire to generate a value anomaly an All-Star card worth more than the base card of the same player. 1981 Topps Project 70 Card Wade Boggs by Efdot FOIL, 8. After the Royals split their first twenty games of the second half, he was fired, and former Yankees manager Dick Howser took the reins. Clocking in at 605 cards in total, this set made history when it first debuted. Shortcuts: Most Expensive, Cheapest, List by Card # You own: 0 / 1202 items 0% Track your collection for free. Henderson posted a brilliant 1.144 OPS against New York, but the rest of the Oakland lineup went dead silent. He was even the first player to collect 100 hits from both sides of the plate. Unfortunately, they failed to make the playoffs during his first year in Philadelphia, but things changed for the better as the Phillies outlasted George Brett and the Kansas City Royals in six games to win the 1980 World Series. The Atlanta Braves had used Dale Murphy at first base and catcher during his early years in the 1970s, but in 1980 they moved him to the outfield. One of the most interesting things about Dave Winfield, and a sign of his incredible athletic ability, was that four professional teams across three different sports drafted him. Jackson green-lighted the eventual signing but expected Steinbrenner to offer him a new deal as well. This card is super tough to find in high grade, hence the huge price tag that might shock you. On his 1982 Topps card, Ripken is sandwiched between Bob Bonner and Jeff Schneider as part of the "Future Stars" subset with the Baltimore Orioles. Most Watched 2022 Baseball Rookie Cards on eBay; Bowman Chrome Cards; Wander Franco Cards; . Enrique Romo Navarro is a former professional baseball relief pitcher. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For example, in November, 2018 you could find one in PSA 10 grade for around $100 but after he was voted into the Hall they started selling for north of $600 and continue to climb today. The 1980 season turned out to be historic for George Brett as he won the only MVP of his legendary career and fell just short of batting .400 on the year with an eye-popping .390 average. Pate] #479. Accolades aside, Schmidt felt his best accomplishment was in one of the few offensive categories in which he didn't pace the Majors: batting average. Despite missing the call to the Hall, Murphy was a hero to many kids who collected during his brilliant run in the 1980s, and today those kids are adult collectors with money to spare, keeping his cards in decent demand. The last sale's most valuable Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card is the 1974 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card number #20. #8. For 15 seasons from 1982 to 1996, Smith was a key cog in the Cardinals lineup as he went on to win 11 more Gold Gloves and appear in 14 more All-Star Games. Most Expensive of All-Time. Yet, Bench's lousy injury luck was the real story. Let's be clear:most of the cards from this set do not have any value these days. PSA Price Guide for 1982 Donruss Baseball Card Values - Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) & PSA/DNA Authentication Services Services To top it all off, he earned his sixth All-Star selection, sixth Gold Glove, and second Silver Slugger award. Sure, the 1981 Topps set has the Montana rookie card, . Ted Simmons St. Louis Cardinals 1981 Topps, 17. Baseball; Sets; 1981; Overview; 1981 Topps. 10. One year removed from his Rookie of the Year-winning season, this Ripken card is still a hobby favorite because it shows the Orioles third baseman's timeless swing and a close-up of his youthful mug all on one important card.