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Darryl Strawberry (03/12/62) is a former right fielder who played for the New York Mets, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the San Francisco Giants, and the New York Yankees, with a decorated 17-season career.
Darryl Strawberry Rookie Year Stats: 122 games | 26 homers | .257 avg | 74 RBIs | 19 stolen bases | Rookie of the Year
A four-time World Series champion, he made eight consecutive All-Star appearances between 1984 and ‘91.
Here’s everything you need to know about five top Darryl Strawberry cards and an investment outlook for the next few years.
Shop Darryl Strawberry Baseball Rookie Cards on eBay
Strawberry made his MLB debut in 1983 while playing for the Mets. His RC is first up on our list. Any questions regarding this article can be directed to the Gold Card Auctions FB Page.
1983 Darryl Strawberry Topps Traded RC #108T
The 1983 Topps Traded is Strawberry’s definitive RC, and it isn’t easy to find more valuable cards if you’re looking at his earlier options.
It has a classic Topps design, with a red line at the top and a blue segment at the bottom that includes a smaller profile picture. The main action shot takes up most of the card, showing Strawberry’s impressive swing. Topps Traded cards are always more valuable than the norm, and this is no exception.
1984 Darryl Strawberry Fleer RC #599
Strawberry’s 1984 Fleer is another great card, with gem mint versions typically retailing in the low three-figure range. It has a solid posed photo showing a smiling Strawberry as he props one arm up with his bat.
I prefer the Fleer to the Topps Traded discussed above, but there is a significant difference in value between the two cards. This is arguably a better entry-level investment option.
1985 Darryl Strawberry Mets Police #6
Part of a joint effort by the Mets and the local police department, this 1985 set features some of the best players that the franchise had at the time. Strawberry is shown in a solid action shot, with a bat held ready in both hands.
It has a large, thick, white border, with simple black text at the bottom to list his name and position. The reverse notes that ‘showing a friend you care can prevent them from becoming involved with drugs.’
2020 Darryl Strawberry Topps Definitive /50 #DARC-DS
Moving on to more recent releases, the 2020 Topps Definitive set has an SSP Strawberry card, which also comes with a relic and an on-card auto. It’s numbered to just 50 copies and already seeing considerable interest at auction.
As a 2020 card, prices are still reasonable, while it’ll be easier to find in gem mint condition.
2020 Darryl Strawberry Museum Collection /199 #AA-DST
The next option is also from a 2020 Topps set. As an ‘Archival Autograph,’ it’s no surprise that the on-card auto has been given pride of place in the middle of the card alongside a vintage player image.
It’s a robust landscape design, while finding better-signed cards from Strawberry is tough. There are 199 copies overall, so it’s not rare by modern standards, but there is potential for a good ROI.
1991 Darryl Strawberry Score Traded #16T
Just a great-looking card and not all that common, especially at high grades. The 1991 Darryl Strawberry Score Traded baseball card is a great buy for collectors looking for a rare card and who don’t want to fork over a boatload of cash even at high grades.
Checklist
- 1983 Topps Traded RC #108T
- 1984 Topps Tiffany RC #182
- 1984 Topps RC #182
- 1984 Fleer RC #599
- 1984 Donruss RC #64
Darryl Strawberry Baseball Card Value
The most expensive Darryl Strawberry baseball card is the 1984 Topps Tiffany Darryl Strawberry RC #182, which recently sold via eBay auctions for $862 on 2/15/2021. Please email us at advice@goldcardauctions.com if you want help purchasing a Darryl Strawberry baseball card.
Investment Outlook
Strawberry left the Mets at 28 as a former Rookie of the Year who had made seven All-Star Game appearances up to that point. His focus began to unravel soon afterward, with drug addiction and injuries taking their toll during the latter stages of his career.
Investment Rating: Soft Buy (3.4 out of 5)
Ownership Disclosure: None
Best Card: 1983 Darryl Strawberry Topps Traded Rookie Card #108T
For example, he has been suspended three times for cocaine use by the league, leaving many analysts to wonder if he would have been able to keep up his form for longer if he hadn’t been battling personal demons at the time.
His cards aren’t costly, possibly because of issues in later years and the fact that most were released during the ‘junk wax era’. He also hasn’t made it into the Hall of Fame, which affects his perceived legacy.
Strawberry’s earlier cards are all reasonably plentiful, but they have no parallels or unique versions as they were released in the mid-’80s.
Only gem mint versions are worth a significant fee, with the 1983 Topps Traded having doubled in price over the last few years. Several signed cards from later years are also attractive and worth watching.