Players whose cards were considered for this post include: Brooks Robinson, Mike Schmidt, George Brett, Wade Boggs and David Wright. A-Rod and Jackie Robinson were not considered, because they played significant time at other positions (unlike Albert Pujols, who is listed as a third baseman on his best rookie card, but we all know is really a first baseman.)
I really wanted to list this dual auto card as the best, especially because it has the autos of arguably the two best third basemen ever, but I decided to go a more traditional way.
As I mentioned before, I’m a fan of the multi-player photo rookie card. (For some reason, I really don’t know why, the Jim Rice rookie card really appeals to me.) So, when it really came down to the choice between a Brooks Robinson and Mike Schmidt card (sorry Brett and Boggs fans), the choice became clear as the 1973 Mike Schmidt rookie card.
What a cool card, right? The 1973 Topps set, with those white backgrounds, really makes the pictures of the players pop. Check out the picture of Mike. That stare! Looks like he’s ready to hit a home run right there. Those ’70s sideburns are pretty sweet too. Throw in the fact that another top notch third baseman, Ron Cey, is included on this baseball card and it tips the scale.
(photo courtesy of Vintage Card Prices)
