Greg Maddux’s 1987 Donruss Rookie Card - Graded Gem (PSA 10)

Greg Maddux is a sure fire Hall of Famer.  347 wins in 22 years played (through 2007.)  Lifetime 3.11 ERA in 4814.3 innings pitched and 35 career shutouts (through 2007.)  His statistics are amazing. 

 His 1987 Donruss rookie card in gem condition is a collectible which will be sought out by Cubs and Braves fans alike.  Checking this baseball card value currently, we can see that the lowest sell value on thepit.com is $48.50, while this card also recently went in auction on eBay for as much as $65 in gem condition. 

He WILL go into the Hall of Fame.  When he does, you’ll want to own this card.   

Todd Helton’s 1993 Topps Traded Rookie - Graded Gem (PSA 10)

Todd Helton, the former Tennessee Volunteer backup quarterback (to Peyton Manning,) has established himself in the elite category for MLB first basemen.  A lifetime Colorado Rockie, he has racked up a .332 lifetime batting average, to go along with a .430 on-base percentage, through his first 11 seasons in the majors.

If Helton remains a Rockie for the rest of his career, this card will hold even more value.   His batting has dropped off just a tad from his banner year in 2000, when hit a whopping .372.   Still, the only year he has ever hit under .300 was his rookie campaign in 1997, when he only got up to bat 93 times, and still came out with a highly respectable .280 average for that shortened season.

 This 1993 Topps Traded card is a unique card in that it is a Team USA card of Todd Helton, and he did not officially become a rookie until the 1997 season.  This card sold for as much as $26 and as little as $14.81, both in the same condition (PSA 10,) on eBay.   The card can be found on thepit.com with a sell listing of $31.45.  It is a good opportunity to pick this card up now at a fairly affordable price.

Look for Helton to keep up his quality batting, and look for this card to retain it’s quality vote from collector’s and investors, as indicated in its’ value.

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Craig Biggio’s 1988 Score Traded Rookie - Graded Gem (PSA or BGS)

Like Cal Ripken, Craig Biggio only played for one major league team during his professional baseball career.  As a lifetime Houston Astro, Biggio’s name, when called by the Baseball Hall of Fame for induction, will be music to an Astro fans ears.  Recently retired, Craig Biggio should be inducted to the Hall of Fame five years from now. 

Over twenty major league seasons, Biggio averaged .281 at the plate, with 291 homers, 414 base swipes, 1,844 runs and a .364 on-base percentage.   A seven-time all-star, Biggio was known for his versatility and durability, playing significant time at catcher, second base and outfield positions. 

His 1988 Score Traded Rookie Card, in a gem graded condition is a fine addition to the collection of any baseball card collector or Houston Astro collector.  Even if the baseball writers overlook Biggio for the Hall of Fame, which would be a real shame, this card should increase in value due to it’s quality and the one-team collector factor.

This card recently sold on eBay for the mere sum of $185 in a graded gem condition.

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 Rickey Henderson’s 1980 Topps Rookie Card

A .279 batting average over twenty-five seasons played in the major leagues doesn’t usually guarantee someone a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Couple that with 1,406 stolen bases, and well, that’s a different story. 

In 2009, Rickey Henderson will be eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame.  He’s getting in on the first ballot.  Mark it down.  He is baseball’s all-time leader in stolen bases by a very wide margin (Lou Brock is second all-time with 938.) 

Rickey Henderson’s 1980 Topps Rookie Card in a mint condition, ungraded, is valued at about $20 to $50 in a recent Beckett issue.  Now, if you can find that same card in a graded condition…..well, that’s a different story. 

 A recent search of eBay, showed some pretty interesting numbers.  A recent auction of this card graded by GAI to be a 9.5 went for an astounding $482.77.   (Coincidentally, this card is number 482 in the 1980 Topps set.)  Same card, graded as a 96 by SGC came in a $303.33. 

The key here would be to find this card in an gem/mt. condition ungraded and then have it graded.  Tough to do though.  Outside of that, if you find the card in an auction for a better than average price, you’ve done well for yourself.  Once Rickey gets his plaque in Cooperstown in 2009, the card will increase in value.   

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