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Greg Maddux rookie cards are one of the more overlooked and undervalued cards in the baseball card genre. The Maddux 1987 Leaf rookie card, in particular, is a superior investment over the next 10 to 15 years. STRONG BUY.
BUY GREG MADDUX ROOKIE CARDS NOW ON EBAY
Greg Maddux (04/14/66) is a former pitcher best known for his time with the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs. He won the 1995 World Series with the former and was an eight-time All-Star over three decades (1988-2000).
Here’s everything you need to know about his assortment of rookie cards, a checklist, three popular options, and an investment outlook for the future. We’ve reviewed recent auction data to bring you a trio of the most popular Maddux rookie card options.
Here are the top Greh Maddux rookie card investments to buy now and hold for the long term.
1987 Greg Maddux Leaf RC #36 (OUR TOP PICK)
The 1987 Donruss/Leaf is a special card with black borders that help it to stand out from the crowd. Unfortunately, they also scuff easily, so it’s difficult to find in perfect condition. Even so, a gem mint version can be picked up at auction for under $150, as it wasn’t the rarest option when it was initially released.
Numbered to #36, the reverse quote reads;
“Had standout season at Iowa last year (10-1, 3.02 ERA), earning a late-season call-up to Cubs and figures to win a spot in their ‘87 starting rotation… In ‘85 at Peoria was 13-9 with 3.19 ERA, striking out 125 in 186 innings… He spent the ‘85 season at Pikesville where he was 6-2 with a 2.63 ERA… Is the brother of Phillies’ pitcher Mike Maddux”.
In particular, the Leaf Maddux rookie card is our favorite and will bring the most significant ROI out of all of the Maddux rookie cards going forward (in our opinion).
1987 Greg Maddux Topps Traded Tiffany RC #70T
An eye-catching card with a wood effect border, a PSA 10 version of the 1987 Topps Traded Tiffany sold for $285 at a recent auction. Fitting with the vintage theme, the reverse has basic stats and Maddux’s pitching record, while the quote on the back notes;
“Greg and his brother, Mike, were mound opponents when Cubs played in Philadelphia, 9-29-86.”
1987 Fleer Update Greg Maddux Rookie Card #U-68
Another card that’s hard to find in pristine condition, the 1987 Fleer Update, had centering issues that stemmed from the printing process. The reverse is reasonably low quality, with a few stats and no quote. The image shows Maddux after committing to a strong throw. A PSA 9 recently sold for under $225, so it’s worth a fair amount depending on the final grade.
Greg Maddux Rookie Card Value
The most expensive Greg Maddux rookie card is the 1987 Leaf RC #36… we would love to have this card in a BGS Black Label or SGC Pristine grade (please email us at info@goldcardauctions.com if you have a lead on either option).
Pro-Tip: Do not buy raw cards on eBay with the expectations of getting them graded and receiving high grades (unless it is a Bowman Chrome baseball card, as they hold up very well)
Checklist
- 1987 Donruss Greg Maddux RC #36
- 1987 Donruss Rookies Greg Maddux #36
- 1987 Fleer Update Greg Maddux #U-68
- 1987 Leaf Donruss Rated Rookie Greg Maddux #36
- 1987 Topps Traded Tiffany Greg Maddux #70T
Investment Outlook
Investment Rating: Strong Buy (4.6 out of 5)
Ownership Disclosure: None
Best Greg Maddux Rookie Card: 1987 Leaf RC #36
Maddux a Hall of Famer (2014) with a long and storied career as a pitcher. He earned HoF status at the first time of asking, receiving 97.2 percent of the votes. He’s still gainfully employed as the pitching coach at the University of Nevada, while he broke several feats and records while on the field.
Widely seen as one of the best pitchers of the 1990s, ‘The Professor’ is a friendly, safe bet, with his cards maintaining value with Braves and Cubs fans and collectors interested in his position or era.
Time will only add to the nostalgia, and his card prices are still undervalued, considering his numerous accolades. A lack of an autographed option doesn’t help, but they’re still worth looking at for investment purposes.