Buy Roger Clemens Rookie Cards on eBay
Roger Clemens is one of the best (and most controversial) pitchers in Major League Baseball history. His best weapon was his 98-mile-per-hour fastball. Hence, he earned the nickname “Rocket.”
Clemens was born on 8/4/62 in Dayton, Ohio. At Spring Woods High School in Houston, TX, he was a three-sport star (baseball, football, and basketball). He then attended the University of Texas, helping the Longhorns win the 1983 College World Series.
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The Boston Red Sox selected Clemens 19th overall in the 1983 MLB Draft. He spent the first 13 years of his pro career in Boston. During that span, he recorded three seasons with at least 20 wins.
His best year was 1986 when he went an astonishing 24-4. Thus, Clemens earned the first of his 11 All-Star berths and the first of his seven Cy Young Awards that year. He also won the 1986 American League MVP award.
Clemens also took the mound for the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and Houston Astros. He earned both World Series rings (1999 and 2000) with the Yankees. In 24 MLB seasons, Clemens amassed a 354-184 win-loss record with a 3.12 ERA in 4,916.2 innings pitched.
Clemens’ other accolades include the Triple Crown (1997 and 1998), the MLB All-Century Team, and the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame.
Let’s check out the best Roger Clemens rookie cards for investment purposes.
1985 Roger Clemens Topps Tiffany RC #181
Here is the best Clemens rookie for ROI purposes, but is going to cost some monster dollars at high grades.
Numbered #181 the card shows Roger posing for the camera with a smug-ass smile. His name is in the bottom right-hand corner, and the Boston Red Sox is in the bottom right-hand corner.
1984 Roger Clemens Fleer Update RC #U27
This is the second most popular Roger Clemens rookie card on the market. Clemens left the minor leagues for Boston on May 15, 1984. He was one of the players included in the 1984 Fleer Update set (which featured players who got the call from the minors that season).
The front of the card shows a young, beaming Clemens wearing his Red Sox uniform.
The back of the card reads, “Won 3 letters as a football defensive end and two more as basketball center at Spring Woods High School (Houston), even had pro offers from Seattle Seahawks and the Boston Celtics…Was Red Sox the first pick in the 1980 June draft….He was the winning pitcher in the final game of the College World Series ’83, as Texas beat Alabama for the NCAA title….His 1983 pro record, including the Eastern League playoffs, was 9-2, 1.19 with 66 hits in 98 IP, 13 ER, 14 BB, and 108 strikeouts.”
1985 Roger Clemens Fleer RC #155
The front of the card features a business-like Clemens staring down the opposing batter. This is a great option for Clemens fans who want to reminisce about his unhittable fastballs.
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The back of the card reads, “Won roster spot with Red Sox in just second year of pro ball in ’84, winning nine games…Was winning pitcher in the clinching game of College World Series for Texas Longhorns in 1983.”
1985 Roger Clemens Topps RC #181
This card shows a smiling Roger Clemens on the front, presumably relishing another win. The back of the card reads, “Roger refused basketball offers from Seattle SuperSonics & Boston Celtics to sign with Red Sox.”
Truly, basketball’s loss is baseball’s gain.
1985 Roger Clemens Donruss RC #273
The last card on our list is the 1985 Donruss Roger Clemens RC. Another solid option for moderate investors.
Numbered #273, the card shows Roger winding up to blow one past the helpless batter. His name is centered at the bottom with a black border wrapping up the card. The Boston Red Sox Logo is placed in the bottom right-hand corner.
Checklist
- 1984 Roger Clemens Fleer Update RC #U27
- 1985 Leaf RC #99
- 1985 Roger Clemens Fleer RC #155
- 1985 Roger Clemens Donruss RC #273
- 1985 Topps RC #181
- 1985 Roger Clemens Topps Tiffany RC #181
Value(s)
The most expensive Clemens rookie card is the 1985 Topps Tiffany Roger Clemens Card. If you would like an estimated value of a Roger Clemens RC, please email us at least two photos to value@goldcardauctions.com.
Investment Report
Investment Rating: Pass (2.9 out of 5)
Ownership Disclosure: None
Best Roger Clemens Rookie Card: 1985 Topps Tiffany RC #181
There’s no denying The Rocket enjoyed a stellar baseball career. Unfortunately, it was tainted with several controversies (particularly involving performance-enhancing drugs).
Thus, he has had the Baseball Hall of Fame door shut in his face time and again. Had he become a Hall of Famer, his market value would have skyrocketed. Unless Clemens enters the HOF, it’s hard to imagine his cards gaining serious traction in the next few years (plus, the guy is kind of a jerk).