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Here we will break down 10 baseball cards we are looking to buy in 2022 to receive crazy ridiculous returns.
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#1. 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck RC #1
Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards are the holy grail of baseball investments. He and Barry Bonds are the best hitters in the game from their respective eras. In contrast to Bonds, Griffey never took any PEDs and his reputation remains pristine.
His value has skyrocketed recently, which is great for baseball card collectors. The picture is a classic and it genuinely became iconic in the baseball card-collecting world.
Even though this card has no parallels or deluxe, limited-edition versions and has many wrinkle-ridden cards on the reverse that prevent it from earning a high grade, it somehow does. It reached the price point of a PSA 10 grade without being so, and it continues to increase steadily. If you’re patient, you can see dividends grow in numbers with time.
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#2. 1992 Mariano Rivera Bowman RC #302
Here’s a wallet-friendly card that is a top-of-the-line piece to pick. The number #302 card features Mariano in his prime wearing casual clothes after inking a deal of $2,000 with the Yankees. This makes it one of a kind because most baseball cards feature players in their uniforms. It’s such a unique card that it’s a must-have collector’s item.
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His name is in the bottom right corner while the Bowman B Logo sits in the upper left. The graphics are not the finest, but the photo is. This Hall of Famer dressed in streetwear deserves a place in your coveted collection.
#3. 1993 Derek Jeter SP Foil RC #279
This is perhaps one of the best baseball cards for us since Nolan Ryan. He’s a currently famous player and his name’s synonymous with baseball. In terms of pervasiveness and blue-chip status, only Griffey can compete with him.
Most would agree that the Derek Jeter Rookie RC is unparalleled because it was so far ahead of its time—from its high quality to its grand design compared to other baseball cards at the time. The SPG very rarely comes in gem mint conditions. The PSA 10 makes it significant and shouldn’t be overlooked or undervalued. Derek Jeter’s game history gives this card a reason to go up in price value. Overall, this card is a crucial investment piece we barely see.
#4. 1956 Roberto Clemente Topps #33
Roberto Clemente’s card is one of the most iconic and prized possessions from 1956. It’s scarce and it’s incredibly high-grade from a historical player who played for the Pirates. This card is the next best thing next to his rookie 1955 card.
The 1956 Topps card features a grey back and the design has a unique dual feature of his photo smiling and a piece of artwork based on an original photograph of him catching the ball. They even drew the shoe polish advert in the background, which is a cool addition to all the detail.
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#5. 2011 Mike Trout Topps Update RC #US175
If you’re looking for affordable baseball card investment pieces, look no further than this card. Collectors fans of Topps cards know that this Topps update will deliver crazy returns in the long run.
It features Trout about to hit the ball with his bat and his autographed signature with colored refractors. Unlike smiling, the action shot element makes this a must-have in every collector’s itinerary.
2011 Bowman Chrome Parallels: Refractors, Blue Refractors (/150), Gold Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5)
#6. 1909 1911 Ty Cobb T206 HOF Red or Green Portrait, Polar Bear Back
For collectors, Ty Cobb is probably the holy grail of baseball cards. People are willing to pay a lot for this card since it will make a lot more in the future. If you want to make a bank, do yourself a favor and add any of these cards to your collection.
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#7. 2000 Miguel Cabrera Topps Traded #TTA40
During the turn of the century, Miguel Cabrera was among the best baseball players. He started as an MLB in 2003 and is still going strong as of 2021. As the years went on, fluctuating numbers might be why some collectors passed on his card. However, he’s a four-time AL batting champion, a two-time MVP, and most importantly, a World Series Winner.
The Topps Traded Miggy Card features him smiling while holding a bat and his signature, which raises the price range. He’s a good investment pick as he will likely join the Hall of Fame during his retirement. People will surely remember how great he was in his early years in the game.
#8. 1986 Barry Bonds Topps Traded Tiffany #11T
Barry Bonds received seven NL MVP awards, eight Gold Glove awards, 12 Silver Slugger awards, and 14 All-Star selections. Hence, the hefty price of his card. Allegations of him taking steroids have tremendously hindered his legacy. Due to that, many collectors shy away from the Bond RC from ’86 card despite it being a high-quality, limited-edition Tiffany version.
This card is a stellar choice, considering that over a decade ago, it sold for $400. Think about what it would sell for five or ten years from now? Once again, this is a solid investment that’s guaranteed to provide insanely great returns.
#9. 1959 Bob Gibson Topps RC #514
Bob Gibson indeed represents a never-before-seen attitude towards the game. His brand is undervalued. This rookie card is uncirculated, gem-mint, and high-grade.
A well-preserved blue-chip card is a rare treasure. It’s a PSA 5 and can be running for a PSA 10 candidate due to its excellent quality. This card is a vibrant card that is unseen in other high-grade cards.
#10. 2019 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Topps Chrome RC #201
This Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 2019 Topps Chrome Rookie card is a hot commodity. The key player is on fire in this card, hitting the baseball while looking up, which makes it a historical action shot. As Vladimir rises in the charts, so does his card. This card is the cream of the crop regarding baseball card investing.
Bonus Pick: 2017 Ronald Acuna Jr. Bowman Chrome RC
The best Ronald Acuna rookie card is this very reasonably priced card. It features Acuna in a Braves Spring Training uniform while running the bases. If you purchase the refractor version, you will surely make some bank as it’s a great long-term investment piece.
2017 Bowman Chrome Parallels
- Refractor
- Purple Refractor
- Blue Refractor
- Blue Wave Refractor
- Green Refractor
- Black Refractor – Jumbo Box Hot Packs only
- Blue Bowman 70th Logo Refractor
- Gold Refractor
- Gold Wave Refractor
- Orange Refractor – Jumbo only
- Red Refractor
- Black Wave Refractor
- Super Tractor
His name is placed in the bottom left-hand corner as the Braves logo is staged in the bottom right. The Bowman first logo is featured in the top right-hand corner. Always opt for PSA 10 or BGS 9.5 +.
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