Coming from a massively overprinted set, every kid had access to these cards at an affordable price. This card is no exception. He was named Northwest League Player of the Week, June 16-22, with 3 HR and 8 RBI.. 10 Rookie Cards That Could Double Your Money, 10 Brilliant Joe Burrow Rookie Card Investments, The Best Time to Buy & Sell Sports Cards (Ultimate Guide), The 20 Best Basketball Cards Of All-Time (Best Investments), 3 Best 2015 Topps Update Rookie Cards To Consider, 10 Best 2023 Topps Series 1 Variations Baseball Cards To Buy, 10 Best 1989 Topps Baseball Cards To Buy Plus Error List, 2022 Topps Heritage Baseball Most Valuable Cards and Checklist, These 10 GOATS Rookie Cards Will Outperform Stocks Over Next 10 Years, Gold Card Auctions | Sports Card Investing, 1989 SCD Baseball Pocket Price Guide Ken Griffey Jr. RC #3, 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. RC #220, 1989 Score Traded Ken Griffey Jr. RC #100T, 1989 Classic Travel Orange Ken Griffey Jr. RC #131, 1989 Classic Travel Purple Ken Griffey Jr. RC #193, 1989 Topps Traded Ken Griffey Jr. RC #41T, 1989 Donruss The Rookies Ken Griffey Jr. RC #3, 1989 Topps Heads Up Test Ken Griffey Jr. RC #5, 1989 Mariners Mothers Ken Griffey Jr. RC #3, 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr./Ken Griffey Sr. #259, 1989 Bowman Ken Griffey Jr./Ken Griffey Sr. RC #259, 1989 Star Baseball Ken Griffey Jr. RC (11-card set), 1989 Pacific Griffey Candy Bar Ken Griffey Jr. (blue, yellow, and white backgrounds), 1989 Score Young Superstars II Ken Griffey Jr. RC #18, 1989 Donruss Diamond Kings Ken Griffey Jr. RC #4, Only purchase high grades such as PSA 10 and BGS 9.5. PSA graded 647 of them, with 19 grading gem mint 10 and 111 grading mint 9. Check out this collectors show and tell of pulling a Griffey Jr. Glossy from the collectors tin the set comes in. The design is a close copy from the 1986 Topps set and features a Photo of Griffey in a catchers stance. Very interesting and informative! While it isnt as rare as the 1989 Star Ken Griffey, Jr. He was injured the year before and hadnt played above Double-A yet. Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Cards - Etsy Check out our ken griffey jr rookie cards selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our sports collectibles shops. Even better, Panini uses the Rated Rookie logo in their modern and popular Donruss Optic sets. If you have any questions or need help buying a Griffey Jr. RC, please email us at info@goldcardauctions.com and title the email Griffey RC Advice, and we will expedite the response if you cite this write-up. Ken Griffey Jr. HOF Signed Autograph Auto 1989 Upper Deck Rookie Card # 1 PSA $499.99 Buy It Now for only: $499.99 Buy It Now Everyone figured that since Upper Deck looked expensive and cost more, it had a lower print run than the Topps junk.right? Proving just how rare they are. I like this card, but I wouldnt overpay for it given it is not a true Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Lets look at how the market values Ken Griffey Jr rookie cards and which ones collectors favor the most. ken griffey jr rookie card Lot. Overall the Update I version has decent eye appeal with thick orange and pink gradient borders. Remember, this set is from the junk wax era and has a massive supply. The 1989 Classic Travel II is less common than the Update I and as a result, also more expensive. 1989 Bowman KEN GRIFFEY JR Seattle Mariners Baseball HOF Rookie Card #259 NM-MT. Griffey was also a 10-time American League Gold Glove Award winner, a seven-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and the 1992 All-Star Game MVP during his tenure in Seattle. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. 1 in June 87 out of Cincinnatis famed Moeller HS, and 17-year-old Ken broke in with .320 and 14 HR at Bellingham that season.. The color scheme makes the card pop, as does the great shot of Griffey taking a massive cut. Baseball Card - Topps All-Star Rookie Brand: Topps 102 ratings $999 See more Near Mint or better condition Comes in a protective top loader for its protection and to display Frequently bought together + Total price: Add both to Cart One of these items ships sooner than the other. PSA, only 410 copies of this card with the highest possible grade exist. . He is one of, Five (5) 1989 Upper Deck PSA 10, One (1) 1989 Upper Deck SGC Pristine, Two (2) 1989 Bowman Tiffany, Two (2) Donruss Rated Rookie, One (1) Topps Traded Tiffany Rookie Card, One (1) 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Autograph Upper Deck RC #1. Of the 15,000 sets made, 3,441 have made their way into PSA for grading. Ken Griffey Jr Baseball has a total of 49 sports cards auctions ending over the next 3 days with an average current price of $332. To top it off, finding one that is centered is a big challenge. Because this set was unpopular upon release, many dealers did not order the product. Which is why the PSA 10 population is so low on these. factory-sealed packs sell on eBay for $20. Baseball Cards Listings 1 - 100 of 8,670 1998 Bowman Chrome - [Base] - Golden Anniversary #33 Ken Griffey Jr. [PSA 10 GEM MT] #/50 $6,631.10 1988 Cal League California League All-Stars - [Base] #26 Ken Griffey Jr. [PSA 10 GEM MT] $6,075.60 1988 Cal League California League - [Base] #34.1 PSA graded 46 of the Griffey #1 Prospect cards. Because Topps made limited print runs, collectors will pay big money to own them. Post contains affiliate links. Beckett has graded this card a 10 more than 100 times and PSA has awarded more than 4,000 top grades. Griffey poses in the standard baseball card stance with the bat over his shoulder and smiling for the camera. PSA graded Less than 3,000 of the Griffey Score Superstars with 822 grading gem mint 10. $10 to $20; $20 to $40; $40 to $60; over $60; Advertisement. Rookie Card Estimated PSA 10 Value: $400 Check Prices On: Amazon The hype surrounding Griffey in 1989 was incredible and everyone was after this and his other rookie cards of the day. The collection features a Warren Spahn puzzle and the outstanding rookies of the 1989 season, including Griffey, Sheffield, Johnson, and Deion Sanders. The card is a throwback to the classic 1989 Topps Traded Baseball RC #41T and shows Griffey Jr. with the bat hung over his left shoulder while mean-mugging for the camera. One of Griffeys rookie cards that fly off the radar of most collectors is his 1989 Scored Traded rookie. Fun Fact: Junior expressed a desire to move back to his hometown of Cincinnati in the fall of 1999. Griffey signed a nine-year, $112.5 million deal with the Reds. The 1989 Griffey Jr. We credit that partly to the white borders and glossy finish. How popular is the card with collectors and investors. And the red borders allow this card to pop out at you. This leaves the supply low and forces the price up. So they are not rare by any means. Consider buying a PSA 10 example on eBay to save time and money. More impressively, Griffey played the game correctly with dignity and honor. We typically only invest in PSA 10, PSA 9, BGS 9.5, and SGC Gold 100. Ken Griffey Jr. Over the course of his career, he hit 630 home runs, 1,836 RBIs, and a career batting average of .284. By far, the most valuable of Griffey Jr. rookies, this card comes from a premium set dubbed Tiffany by collectors in homage to the luxury jewelry store. The 1988 San Bernardino Spirit Griffey Jr. prospect cards are extremely rare and as a result, very expensive. The 89 UD KG Jr. rookie card seems to do very well in times of distress as it rose in value while the S&P 500 tanked via the COVID-19 outbreak. Many young sports fans growing up in the 90s idolized Ken Griffey Jr. and his legacy endures today. 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Card RC #1 PSA 3 . 1989 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr. Baseball's Best #192 ( Buy on eBay) The Donruss Baseball's Best Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is the highest priced 1989 Donruss card on this list and also the most rare. On that note, investing in a player of Griffeys credentials and caliber is wise. It reads, No. Are you wondering which Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards to buy? If you were the smart investor from 1989, you just turned your $1.00 into over $1,000. Check out as guest. Browse our section of Ken Griffey Jr. signed and unsigned Trading Cards at www.sportsmemorabilia.com. Griffey made a name for himself by crushing booming home runs. baseball card you wont find any flashy graphics or other eye candy. Even the PSA 9 population is low, with 639; however, the value is not there. However, with the introduction of third-party grading and population reports, collectors can see just how many of these cards were printed. If youre looking to buy an affordable yet, iconic Ken Griffey Jr rookie card, look no further than his Topps Traded rookie. This was Bowmans first year of production since 1955, the year Topps bought it to eliminate competition. The complete list of cards and PSA population count are below: The 1989 Baseball Cards Magazine Ken Griffey Jr. is among the most rare 1989 Griffey Jr. cards and as a result, also among the most expensive. The card features the classic Donruss Rated Rookie logo which increases the appeal for many collectors and investors. As of May 2021, there are ~12,250 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Topps Traded rookie cards and the card value is ~$230, but price has been fluctuating a lot recently. The enduring popularity and demand for Ken Griffey Jr. baseball cards will ensure a continued market for his cards. 2d 17h. Buy from many sellers and get your cards all in one shipment! The card features Griffey Jr. in a blue Mariners batting helmet superimposed on a red, white, and blue background. According to PSA, only 410 copies of this card with the highest possible grade exist. This is the best Bowman Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie card on the market. is one of the most famous baseball card brands during Griffeys era. Unlike the first series, which was available both as a boxed set and insert, Series Two was only available as a factory-sealed set. Sports Card in Search (200) || Avg Price: $5312.02 All Auctions (108) || Avg Price: $309.3 Required fields are marked *. Rookie Card #11, its still valuable. . This set came as factory-sealed sets. To answer the Tiffany edition that Topps started issuing in 1984, Fleer began offering the Glossy version of its sets in 1987. Due to the lower population count compared to the Donruss Rated Rookie card, I like this card for the current price point. If you collected baseball cards in the 90s, you had this Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card in your collection. Little wonder Junior was a 13-time All-Star, the 1997 American League MVP, and a National Baseball Hall of Fame member. The Seattle Mariners drafted Ken Griffey Jr. (11/21/1969) with the 1st pick in the 1987 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Archbishop Moeller HS (Cincinnati, OH). RARE KEN Griffey Jr. Cards including rookies! It is always best to buy cards graded and authenticated by a third-party grading company such as PSA, BGS, or SGC. Moreover, there are 14,482 graded PSA 9. 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck Rookie Card #1 RC HOF Mariners. Glossy cards are exactly like regular Fleer cards, with two exceptions. Debut card #46 (PSA 9 Mint). 13 bids - Price: $166.50 - Watchers: 86. 1989 was the first year Topps revived the Bowman brand, They originally purchased it in the 1950s and never used the intellectual property. Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Baseball Cards Best Selling Topps 2022 Clearly Authentic Box - 1 Card (2) $78.88 New 2022 Topps Finest Baseball Hobby Box Factory $199.99 New 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary Baseball Mega Box Blue factory $83.84 New Donruss 1991 Series 1 Baseball Box - 36 Cards (4) $24.99 New $4.00 Used You have less than a .09% chance of landing a gem mint 10 grade if submitting one yourself. The card almost looks like a work of art and is one of my personal favorites, especially given the price. A blue version PSA 10 sold for $4,494 in 2019, and a PSA 9 blue recently sold for $222. 1990 Topps #336 Ken Griffey Jr. Topps designed the set to resemble the 1953 Bowman Color set. PSA 9s sell for $40, while PSA 10s sell for over $300. Subscribe to get exclusive tips and news in the Sports Card Research Newsletter. This lot contains 4 graded cards, 4 metal card sets (factory sealed), the Mother's cookie rookie card, 22kt and 23kt gold cards, 2 $62 phone card and more! He played high school baseball for two years, hitting .478 and 17 home runs during that span. As of May 2021, there are ~20 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Cal League prospect cards and the card value is ~$2,500. While PSA received around 1,800 copies of this card for grading, only over 300 copies received the elusive Gem Mint rating. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. When we talk about Griffey, were talking about a multi-dimensional player. There have only been 156 cards that have earned the top mint PSA 10 grade. On the other hand, the former commands a heftier price on the market. 26 Jul 1998: Outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. #24 of the Seattle Mariners in action during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at the Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. The 1988 Star Ad Cards are relatively rare, but less expensive than many 1988 Griffey Jr. prospect cards on this list. The card features Griffey Jr in a white jersey and blue hat framed by white boarder. C $41.00. As of May 2021, there are less than 5 PSA 10 cards per card variation and a PSA 10 Silver Edition #4 sold for ~$620 in October 2020. According to PSAs official website, only 156 copies of the Ge Mint version exist. Price Range / Sale. PSA 10 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck rookie cards are a top-rated investment as they destroyed the S&P 500 in a head-to-head match-up over the last three years! But is that the case for this Griffey card? On September 14 that year, they hit consecutive home runs in the first inning against the California Angels. . Rare Ken Griffey Jr. Cards including rookies!. This is the best Bowman Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie card on the market. As of May 2021, there are ~3,900 PSA 10 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck Star rookie cards and the card value is ~$2,200. The popularity of the card has kept prices high despite the fact that there are more than 12,000 PSA 10 graded cards. Of the 484 cards in the set, only 46 are rookie cards. Buy Ken Griffey Jr. baseball trading cards from Baseball Card Stars, the player collector's supersite. Father and son played in a total of 51 games for the Mariners from 1990 to 1991. According to PSAs population report, there are 15 copies of the 1989 Fleer Ken Griffey Jr. at a PSA 10 grade. As of May 2021, there are ~2,000 PSA 10 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. The answer is yes. I meant 1989. 1988 Star (Nova Edition) cards have 500 sets and 40 promo cards for each player. This card is no exception. A tasteless technique we continue to see in the hobby today. The image of Griffey Jr. is boarded by a neon green and black boarder and includes the Ms logo on the top-right of the card. Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card values range from $10 to $20,000+. Because of this, a PSA 10 will set you back more than Griffey's other non-UD rookie cards. The Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie card from this set is one of the most sought-after early parallels in hobby history and is often found off-center. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. He is one of baseballs all-time greats who profoundly impacts fans years after retirement. Making a rare card even rarer being in perfect condition. No Interest if paid in full in 6 mo on $99+* Buy It Now. Furthermore, they were never considered his most valuable upon their release. RARE Ken Griffey Jr. 1989 Donruss ERROR Rookie Card #33 $52.00 Ken Griffey Jr Signed Slabbed Seattle Mariners 1989 Donruss #33 Rookie Card BAS $359.99 Ken Griffey Jr Signed Slabbed Seattle Mariners 1989 Bowman #220 Rookie Card BAS $359.99 More Info Browse more collecting info for Ken Griffey Jr. in our detailed guides and articles: PSA 9 mint examples sell between $800 $1,000. Ken Griffey Jr . PSA graded 1,778 of the Update II Griffey cards. The price has fluctuated quite a bit lately with a PSA 10 selling for ~$700 in March and then the price dropping to ~$185 in April. Thousands of sports card collectors and investors are asking themselves the same question. PSA 10 values have steadily increased over the years because these cards bring so much nostalgia to collectors and are so difficult to grade. He was the 1987 U.S. High School Baseball Player of the Year. The card features Griffey Jr. in a white San Bernardino Spirit jersey catching a baseball in the outfield. In the number one spot for the most valuable Ken Griffey Jr Rookie card is the 1989 Upper Deck RC, from probably the most well-known Griffey card set. Ken Griffey Jr Card Prices Your search for Ken Griffey Jr returned too many results. The graded cards are as follows: (2)1990 Topps Traded #41T Rookie (PSA 8 and 9),1989 Fleer #548 Rookie (10 Gem Mint/WCG) and 1989 Topps M.L. As you can see, the card has gained roughly 45% since 1/1/2017, while the S&P 500 is at 9.39%. In the same month, a PSA 10 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card sold for $2,225, 20x the price! FOR SALE! Again, Beckett has awarded no 10s. Due to the rarity, its safe to say these are some of Ken Griffey Jr.s rarest and most valuable rookie cards. The 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss RC wont put a dent in your wallet thats the good news the bad is the ROI wont be a juicy vs the next few cards on this list.. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. As of May 2021, there are 250 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Classic Travel Update II rookie cards and the card value is ~$185. It reads, , out of Moeller High School in Cincinnati, famed for its football stars.The first pro hit was a triple.He batted .339 and hit 11 HRs in 1989, his 2. Like the Tiffany editions, this premium version of its standard card has a glossy finish and higher quality card stock. 1) 1989 Upper Deck Rookie RC #1. Today, demand remains high and the value of this card has steadily risen in recent years. And I am sharing my work with you. bat. Like the base set rookie, it can be found in both the standard set and the more valuable Tiffany version (running in the low-$200 range lately.). C $4.99 shipping. The latters Gem Mint versions sell for roughly $25. PSA graded 1,945 of the Fleer Glossy Griffey rookie cards. Despite hundreds of Juniors rookie cards on the market, the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey, Jr. #1 Rookie Card emerged on top this not only is our favorite Griffey Jr. rookie card and is also on our shortlist for our best long-term baseball card investment you cant get much better than this card, especially for collectors/investors in their 30s and 40s. Of those submitted, 12 graded gem mint 10 and 20 graded mint 9. The value of Ken Griffey Jr.s rookie cards, particularly the 1989 Upper Deck rookie card, has exploded within the last few months. Rookie Cards (2021). It is also one of the most affordable Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards and is a good option around the $120 price point. Resulting in most cards getting that dreaded (OC) off-center qualifier. That was a typo! A PSA 9 sells for $200, while a PSA 10 will set you back at least $2,000. Showing only 100 cards. The back of the card reads, Ken made his professional baseball debut at Bellingham in 1987. Good catch, thanks. Like most baseball cards from the junk wax era, the Topps Traded set was mass printed. Wrappers & Empty Card Boxes; Price Guides & Publications; Storage & Display Supplies; . Rankings are based on the Beckett Baseball online price guide. The 89 Fleer set is home to the famous Bill Ripken vulgarity and Randy Johnson Marlboro ad cards. The Bowman Tiffany set is a limited print run and its cards are worth at least 10x the regular Bowman set. Of those cards in the set, his #1 Prospect card sells for the most, and for a good reason. Moreover, the centering is an issue as well. Only 118 have been graded a PSA 10. He played at San Bernardino and Vermont in 1988.. 1 pick of Seattle in 1987.I signedout of Moeller High School in Cincinnati, famed for its football stars.The first pro hit was a triple.He batted .339 and hit 11 HRs in 1989, his 2nd pro season.Dad played in Majors for Reds, Yankees, and Braves.. The final price for this card, #790, was $13,200. The only notable card in the set is the #26 Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. All that said, Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards prices have already risen significantly in 2020 and 2021 and as a result, I have a hard time imagining his card prices will continue to increase dramatically. Theyre also much more common. A No. Griffey was 19 years old. One of Ken Griffey Jr.s early baseball cards can be found in the Vermont Mariners minor league set. The 1989 Classic Travel Update I is among the more common Griffey Jr. rookie cards and as a result, is also relatively affordable. This Ken Griffey Jr. You cant go wrong with a Hall of Famer who, More impressively, Griffey played the game correctly with dignity and honor. It depends on the same factors outline above: The best way to find how much your Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards are worth is to look up historical prices for that card. It was the object of affection for the golden age of baseball, and serious collectors rank it similar to the iconic T206 Honus Wagner and 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle baseball cards. The value of an ungraded 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card eventually climbed over $100. The card does land a higher value than his other Score issues on this list. I like the card and it is a relatively safe buy given the popularity among collectors and investors. Players minor league cards arent considered rookies but are often the first card ever issued, which gives them unique collector appeal. There are 331 Topps Tiffany Griffey rookies that have received PSA 10 grades so far. The lack of value on this card is because it looks like a base second-year card, and it is the Score brand. I have a Ken Griffey Junior rookie card in a clear plastic case I was just wondering what it is worth its an upper deck can you get me any numbers on what it might be worth, Your email address will not be published. Here's a list of his true rookie options; 1) 1989 Bowman #220 2) 1989 Bowman #259 3) 1989 Bowman Tiffany #220 4) 1989 Bowman Tiffany #229 5) 1989 Classic Travel Orange #131 6) 1989 Classic Travel Purple #193 The most valuable Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is his 198 Bowman Tiffany #220. Featuring Griffey in action after a hit, this is one of best action shots of any Griffey rookie card. Tiffany Factory Sets (15,000 sets produced). 8 Best Baseball Cards to Collect in 2022 Hall of Fame Potential, Best Chipper Jones rookie card & baseball card list. Quite a few cards in this set hold value when found in perfect conditions. Back in 1955, Bowman designed a set of cards with players filling a TV screen. Not only can he hit a baseball a mile away, but he can also frustrate the opposition with his defense. Youll see a photo of Junior holding a bat on the front of the card. So, how many are graded? 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Topps Traded Tiffany RC #41T. 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. Topps printed roughly 6,000 of these sets, which is tremendously lower than the standard Bowman sets. The front of the card shows a photo of Junior holding a bat with simple gray and white graphics in the background, The back of the card shows Griffeys minor league stats and some trivia. Ken Griffey Jr.'s biggest 7-day price movers are 2020 Topps Project by Keith Shore, 2020 Topps Project by Jacob Rochester and 1989 Donruss Baseball's Best. PSA graded 3,520 of the Update I, also known as Travel Orange, Ken Griffy Jr. rookies. -A Vermont in 1988 was cut short by a back injury. The front of the 1989 Topps Tiffany Ken Griffey, Jr. As of May 2021, there are ~100 PSA graded cards with only three PSA 9 and eight PSA 8. Surprisingly, this masterpiece isnt even his most valuable rookie card. Although his rise in baseball and hobby accompanied the era of mass production, Griffey Jr. is still an important piece in the mind of so many collectors. Notables include Ken Griffey, Jr., Gary Sheffield, Tino Martinez, and John Smoltz. 1 in June 87 out of Cincinnatis famed Moeller HS, and 17-year-old Ken broke in with. The 1988 PROCARDS Ken Griffey Jr. prospect card is the only card on this list with Griffey Jr. in a Vermont Mariners uniform and is extremely rare. 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck PSA 10 vs S&P 500. With an action shot, but lackluster design, $85-95 is a good average for Score Rookie & Traded #100T. (see chart below). Rookie cards, autographs and more. I like to reserve medium or high risk designations for players who have yet to prove themselves, are unlikely to be collectible long-term, and / or are struggling severely. This lack of compatibility with standard storage supplies hurt sales of the product. The card design varies, but the Platinum rookie card features Griffey Jr. in a white San Bernardino Spirit jersey and black hat. Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card values range from $10 to $20,000+. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Find Guaranteed Authentic Ken Griffey Jr. Trading Cards at SportsMemorabilia.com Online Store. The grade with the most supply is PSA 9s with 1,807. Another rookie card features a photo of Junior without his most fearsome asset his bat. It's one of a very few Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards to feature artwork of the rising start. His 1989 Upper Deck rookie is the crown jewel of Upper Decks groundbreaking inaugural baseball set. It shows him kneeling with a business-like look on his face. Everything comes together. Even Griffey Jr. himself reportedly owns more than 100 of this iconic card, which helps define the modern era of collecting. Making Griffey Jr. the first card in the set took foresight (and a little luck). Plus, the Topps Traded version has a glossier surface. Little wonder Junior was a 13-time All-Star, the 1997 American League MVP, and a National Baseball Hall of Fame member. Rookie card has two versions: a paper card and a glossy Tiffany card. Blue versions are said to have at most 5,000.