5 Underrated 1981 Donruss Baseball Cards. Raines showed the world that Rickey Henderson wasn't the only guy who could light up the basepaths as he led the Majors with 71 stolen bases while slashing .304/.391.438. Boggs reached 3,000 hits during his career and became the 23rd player to do so. This is a rare Topps card from 1981 containing his signature. The 1980 season turned out to be historic for George Brett as he won the only MVP of his legendary career and fell just short of batting .400 on the year with an eye-popping .390 average. Card Number: #418. Reggie Jackson played five seasons as a member of the New York Yankees from 1977 to 1981, and the 1980 season turned out to be his best in pinstripes. 206 Mike Schmidt Record Breaker - Phillies. Ungraded & graded values for all '81 Fleer Baseball Cards. At 41 years of age, it seemed time had finally caught up to Boston Red Sox designated hitter/first baseman Carl Yastrzemski in 1981. Top 10 Most Valuable: 1981 Topps Basketball. The NL Rookie of the Year Award was close, with Raines receiving 85 vote points to Valenzuela's 107, but the Expos and all of baseball knew that Raines was something special. He was named Rolaids Relief Man of the Year four times and led the major leagues in saves three times. Rookie Cards were so valuable to collectors in 1989, that if Oprah had been involved in baseball cards, she would have been saying . 30 Wicked Nolan Ryan Baseball Card Investments In 2023 - Gold Card Auctions Who doesnt enjoy looking through their packs of cards whenever they find themselves in a fabled card shop. This Nolan Ryan card is another fantastic example of Topps capturing the style and vibe of the 1980s. Tune in as Mrs. Wax Pack Gods reads about 1981 Topps Baseball Cards.When 1981 Topps baseball cards hit store shelves that spring, they were playing in a brav. List by Card #, You own: 0 / 865 items 5 Cal Ripken Jr. #183. Raw: $20 PSA 9: $100 PSA 10: $900 One of the most popular players of his era, Vladimir Guerrero was the No. Premium: He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. After a complete-game victory in Game 1, Ryan allowed three runs (two earned) in six innings in the deciding Game 5. The three-time MVP would smash 548 home runs over his career as he led the league in that category an amazing 8 times. You are looking at a 1981 Topps Rookie Card hand-signed by George Riley. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 by Old Sports Cards, LLC. Many times, though, he'd fail to connect on those swings and would up earning himself a spot as the career leader in strikeouts with 2,597. In 1981, Donruss and Fleer gave Topps some much-needed competition. This card is worth $45 but could go higher. 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle #135. The 10 Most Valuable Basketball Cards from the 1980s. Brett's career batting average of .305 wasn't quite as good, but he did put up the better single-season effort when he batted. 1981 Reggie Jackson Topps Project 70 Card, 10. That effort would place him sixth in MVP voting and solidify his reputation for similar, consistent production over the rest of his Hall of Fame career. However, during early 2021, PSA 9 examples of this card frequently sold for $4,000 - $5,000 or more. 1981 Topps Baseball Card Checklist. The current value of this baseball card is $199.99, it has the signature of Tim Raines. If so, then please fill out the form below and I'll be in touch right away. During his career, Rose was known for his all-around ability and enthusiasm. Most Expensive, Boggs was a perennial contender for American League batting titles during the 1980s and 1990s. Price: $299.99. Here are the top 15 Most Expensive Nolan Ryan Cards: #15 1978 Topps Nolan Ryan #400 Recent sale: $898 . Rookie Cards: Options . 1981 Pete Rose Baseball Card. Shortcuts: Most Expensive, Cheapest, List by Card # It didn't happen and Jackson played the 1981 campaign as a free agent. SEE THE CARD HERE! Contact him at [emailprotected]. Rookies - 1981 Topps Baseball | Trading Card Database Only Tony Gwynn had come closer to batting .400 or better since Ted Williams last did it in 1941 when Gwynn batted .394 in 110 games during the strike-shortened 1994 season. He also finished fourth in the NL with a .316 batting average, narrowly missing out on a Triple Crown. During Dawson's first year with the Cubs in 1987, he would lead the league in home runs (49) and RBI (137) to win MVP honors, and the fans at Wrigley instantly fell in love with "the Hawk.". Ryan went 1-1 in two starts with a 1.80 ERA in the team's five-game NLDS loss to the Dodgers, striking out 14 batters in 15 innings while walking just three. After the 1981 season, however, Ainge decided to call it quits with baseball. Donruss would take the experience with this set and continue to churn out many improved and memorable sets for years to come. But, I'm a big fan of this set regardless. However, the turf at Olympic Stadium didn't do Dawson any favors resulting in knee problems that would hamper his speed later in his career. $260. Read our methodology. Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. I love both of these cards not so much because it's Reggie Jackson we're talking about, but because of all the 1980's awesomeness on display. Prices are updated daily based upon 1981 Topps listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. Ozzie Smith was given the name Wizard of Oz After an amazing record for the most assists at shortstop thus establishing a new record in that era. Jackson slumped out of the gates in 1981, prompting Steinbrenner to invoke a clause in his contract that forced him to undergo a full physical examination. 10 Bo Jackson #600. 725 Steve Rogers. Incredibly consistent and productive during his 21 years in the Big Leagues, Murray ended his Hall of Fame career with 3,255 hits, 504 home runs, 1,917 RBI and set the all-time record for sacrifice flies with 128. He is ranked 33rd on the all-time list of career leaders for batting average among Major League Baseball players with at least 1,000 appearances at-bat. . Since most collectors in this hobby tend to draw the line on the "vintage era" at 1980, many consider the Rickey Henderson rookie card to be the last big-name vintage rookie. He played most of his career with the St Louis Cardinals and New York Mets. 1981 Topps Traded Expos Tim Raines Card, 4. Most valuable baseball cards of the 1980s When collectors think back to the junk wax era, one of the first sets to jump into minds is 1987 Topps Baseball. One thing I always found a bit strange about Yount's career was that he was a two-time MVP but appeared in just three All-Star games, the lowest amount of any Hall of Famer since the game's inception. Murray was one of the greatest first basemen to ever play the game but his cards seem to be a bit overlooked at times. Pictured as a member of the New York Yankees, Jackson was actually traded to the California Angels for the 1982 season where he'd play for five seasons before heading back to Oakland for one final season. Donruss wasted no time breaking into the hobby as they spent huge marketing dollars, targeted key dealers across the nation, and filled their checklist with some of the game's biggest names to grab collector attention. Let's be clear:most of the cards from this set do not have any value these days. For example, his .693 OPS was the worst of his career by nearly 40 points (.721, 1961), and it was almost 150 points less than his career mark of .841. His 94 runs scored and 111 RBI were also high marks for Jackson during his time in the Bronx, and by season's end, he would collect his first of two career Silver Slugger awards and finished second in MVP voting. 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente RC. Jackson found a groove in the team's ALDS victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, hitting .300 with a .933 OPS, two home runs, and four RBI. You can almost feel the tension in this card as he's poised and just waiting for the perfect moment to break for second. February 20, 2023; Super Bowl Delivers . And some of those players appeared on multiple cards. The most valuable baseball card from the 1980s is Rickey Henderson's 1980 Topps rookie card. It was a fitting punctuation mark for one of Ryan's best seasons on the . Smith earned the first of those Gold Gloves during the 1980 season when he also set the single-season record for most assists by a shortstop with an astronomical total of 621. He earned four varsity letters, two for college and two for the major leagues. *TIM RAINES* 1981 Topps Traded #816 *CGS 9* RC Rookie Card. Value: $300-325. The Boston Celtics drafted Ainge in the 1981 NBA Draft and bought his contract from the Blue Jays and the rest was history. No More Secrets Puzzle Game, Ungraded Top 10 Rickey Henderson Baseball Cards - The Cardboard Connection Aurelio Alejandro Lpez Rios was a Mexican professional baseball player. Ultimately, the Padres and Cardinals would complete a multi-player trade before the 1982 season that sent Templeton to San Diego and Smith to St. Louis, where he would play the next fifteen years and become a Cardinals icon. "I've learned to stay within myself, not be afraid to fail.". The 1980 season would be Winfield's last with the Padres as the Yankees signed him to a ten-year, $23 million contract making him the game's highest-paid player at the time. So, for the cards on this list to be worth much, they'll have to be graded by PSA to be in perfect, gem mint condition. Although Riley wasnt very popular, he was a Major League Baseball pitcher. 1983 Donruss. 1981 Donruss. When Bench managed to stay healthy enough to be in the lineup, he was quite productive. , Dodgers Future Star [Perconte, Scioscia, Valenzuela] #302, Expos Future Stars [T. Raines, R. Ramos, B. This card has been signed by him and is currently worth $49. 35th Anniversary: Five Underrated 1981 Donruss Baseball Cards He is the younger brother of Vicente Romo, who also pitched in the majors. And, in this guide, we look at the 25 most valuable. Mattingly's Donruss rookie was produced in smaller quantities than his Topps rookie, so it's worth more. 1981 Topps Baseball 2nd Year Card Rickey Henderson, 1981 Topps Expos Future Card Tim Haines Auto, 1981 Topps Project 70 Card Wade Boggs by Efdot FOIL, 1981 Topps Coke Team Sets Aurelio Lopez Autographed, 1981 Reggie Jackson Topps Project 70 Card, Tim Raines & Ramos Autographed 1981 Topps Rookie Card, George Riley Autographed 1981 Topps Rookie Card, 1981 Topps Enrique Romo Signed Pittsburgh Pirates, Ted Simmons St. Louis Cardinals 1981 Topps, Rod Carew Autographed 1981 Topps Squirt Card, 29 Most Valuable 1989 Donruss Baseball Cards In The World, 25 Most Valuable Joe Montana Cards Worth Thousands, 29 Most Valuable 1980 Topps Baseball Cards In the World, 19 Most Valuable 1981 Topps Baseball Cards Price List, 1. Over his long and storied career, Henderson broke many records and helped transform the lead-off position. Perhaps Wilson's finest point of his career came during one of the most memorable at-bats in baseball history that lasted ten pitches, sent Mets fans soaring, and broke Red Sox fans' hearts. Still, as one of the game's greatest leadoff hitters and baserunners, he was overdue to get in anyway. PSA 9 examples have sold for upwards of $6,000. Let's be honest, it didn't matter what jersey Ryan wore or what style it was, he was going throw major heat regardless. He was a two-sport star in baseball and basketball for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, so it wasn't too shocking that the Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Utah Stars (ABA) and San Diego Padres (MLB) each drafted him. Within the set were also several different subsets, including: The colorful design and decent photography give this set an overall great look and feel, with many cards having fantastic eye appeal. Rose collected 140 hits in 1981, slashing .325/.391/.390 in his third year with the Philadelphia Phillies. #10. Immediately afterward, the price of his 1982 Topps rookie card in PSA 10 condition shot through the roof. Prices for 1982 Topps Baseball Cards 1982 Topps card list & price guide. The right card could make you rich. However, his relationship with the San Diego Padres ownership continued to sour and by season's end, both were looking to move on from each other. In fact, between June 2021 and May 2022, this Ripken collectible in a PSA 10 sold for under $4,000 just once. 202 Steve Carlton Record Breaker - Phillies. Heres an amazing baseball card that in my opinion should be worth more than it currently is. They were the fourteenth and fifteenth players to achieve the incredible milestone. These are the result of decades of collecting and dealing for many companies, dealers, and collectors across America. 1981 Topps Baseball 2nd Year Card Rickey Henderson. Ryan dazzled on that fall afternoon in Houston, striking out eleven and walking just three. His career was far from over at that point, but Schmidt's play showed the baseball world that they were already witnessing the greatest third baseman of all-time in the making. The 1990 American League Most Valuable Player, Henderson also was the lead-off hitter for two World Series championship teams, the 1989 Oakland Athletics and the 1993 Toronto Blue Jays. On the other hand, Ozzie's bat did nothing but improve and combined with the amazing glove he already had, he'd deliver Hall of Fame-caliber play for years in St. Louis. Grade: PSA 10. Shortcuts: buy stuff after clicking links on our site The nerve! He was even the first player to collect 100 hits from both sides of the plate. "I had hit .300 before, but I couldn't hold it," he said. The subsets in the 1981 Topps baseball cards include the league leaders (1-8), record breakers (201-208), and team cards with checklists on the back (661-686).The key rookie cards from this set include #315 Kirk Gibson, #347 Harold Baines, and #302 Fernando Valenzuela. On September 26, 1981, Houston Astros ace Nolan Ryan passed Sandy Koufax with a record fifth no-hitter on national television against Koufax's old team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. We may earn an affiliate commission if you In 2004 he was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame; in 2005 he was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. And, over the next twenty-two years, he would develop into one of the greatest players of his era with twelve All-Star selections, seven Gold Gloves and six Silver Sluggers to his name. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. Boston missed the playoffs by 1.5 games in the second-half AL East race. Canadian baseball cards printed in the French language are uncommon, which shows on this baseball card as it is bi-lingual. Struggling through back issues and other accumulated aches and pains, Yastrzemski had the worst offensive season of his 21-year career thus far. Ozzie was always one of my favorite players to watch as a kid as his acrobatic defensive play left fans in awe time after time as he went on to collect 13 Gold Glove awards. Need help buying or selling cards or have a general question about the hobby? This on-card autograph card is much rarer than the typically signed cards of this all-time great as it has been likely inscribed with an 81 HRC inscription commemorating this player being tied as the 1981 American League home run champion! Murray's first three seasons in the Majors were incredibly productive, but he kicked things up a notch in 1980 as he batted .300, belted 32 home runs, scored 100 runs and drove in another 116. During the 1977 season, Andre Dawson batted .282 with 19 home runs and 65 RBI, which earned him NL Rookie of the Year honors. The 1981 season was the seventh and final time. And in this guide, I'll run through the ten most valuable. Top 20 Sports Cards of 2018 - Beckett News 25 Most Valuable 1980 Topps Baseball Cards - Old Sports Cards Rodney Cline Carew is a former Panamanian baseball player who played first baseman and second baseman in the MLB from 1967 to 1985, primarily for the California Angels. The course of Seaver's career would take a significant turn at the trading deadline in 1977, though, when he was involved in "the Midnight Massacre" that sent him to the Reds. Ungraded & graded values for all '81 Topps Baseball Cards. When graded gem mint 10 by PSA, the value has gone as high as $180,000. 1981 Topps Traded Fernando Valenzuela, 16. With the first card in the checklist, Topps paid tribute to both Lou Brock and Carl Yastrzemski crossing the 3,000 career hits mark that would put them in exclusive baseball company forever. Heck, he even dated "Miss New York" Debra Sue Maurice from the Miss USA Beauty Pageant. 204 Ron LeFlore / Rodney Scott Record Breaker - Expos. It is also (by a slight margin) the most valuable card in the 1984 Topps Football set. Despite missing the call to the Hall, Murphy was a hero to many kids who collected during his brilliant run in the 1980s, and today those kids are adult collectors with money to spare, keeping his cards in decent demand. 1981 Topps Baseball Cards - Set Info and Best Cards - Sports Cards Rock Like the 1981 Fleer and Topps sets, large print runs saturated the market with these cards, driving down their values. During the first part of his career, Tom Seaver was absolutely dominant on the mound as he racked up 20-win seasons, Cy Young Awards, ERA Titles and Strikeout Titles like it was nothing. Valenzuela won both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards, and the Dodgers made it all the way to the World Series. In his first full season in the big leagues in 1981, Tim Haines batted .304 with 71 stolen bases in a strike-shortened seasonmaking an instant impression on fans with his ability to make players look foolish on the base paths. To be fair, though, his innings pitched totals in Houston weren't as steep as those during his time in California, and his 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings in 1987 was the highest mark of his career. Most Watched 2022 Baseball Rookie Cards on eBay; Bowman Chrome Cards; Wander Franco Cards; . However, what raised eyebrows was that the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the 17th round of the NFL Draft despite having never played college football. Download Price List, SportsCardsPro 2019-2023 He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. In this guide, I will cover the 25 most valuable in the set. Rickey Henderson, an American retired professional baseball player who played his entire 24-year career in Major League Baseball, helped break the sports color barrier. He was nicknamed Mex because his name suggested that he was of Mexican descent. In 25 postseason plate appearances (22 at-bats), Henderson hit .273 with two doubles, one triple, one RBI, three runs scored, and four stolen bases. 2. 1. 0% 724 Lou Piniella. Having earned the right to produce baseball cards in a court case with Topps, the 1981 Donruss set became the company's first baseball offering. 1981 Fleer Rickey Henderson #351, #574. 9 of the Most Valuable Baseball Cards in History - HISTORY Had Los Angeles's Fernando Valenzuela's not been so dominant in 1981, dousing the baseball world in "Fernandomania," Seaver would have earned his fourth Cy Young as he finished runner-up. Things weren't always rocky during Jackson's time in New York, though, as they did win back-to-back World Series titles in 1977 and 1978. In the team's NLDS loss to the Expos, Schmidt hit .250 (4-for-16) with one home run, two RBI, and four walks. Contact him at [emailprotected]. Along with those of Wade Boggs and Ryne Sandberg, the 1983 Topps Tony Gwynn rookie card is one of the most important and iconic baseball cards of the 1980's.. Sure, Gwynn was one of the greatest hitters who ever played with 8 batting titles to his name, but why are collectors willing to pay so much for this card . So, for the cards on this list to be worth much, they'll have to be graded by PSA to be in perfect, gem mint condition. While Brett would undoubtedly be on this list anyway, this is an example of where a special season for a player can make his card stand out even more than it may have otherwise. Average . That just shows you what kind of effect being a Hall of Famer can have on baseball card prices. 1981 Topps Card Prices | PSA & Ungraded Values - SportsCardsPro 203 Bill Gullickson Record Breaker - Expos. Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $2,000. 3. That means the card needs to be flawless. Most Valuable Rookie Card in Every Topps Baseball Set, 1952-2020 Ryan dazzled on that fall afternoon in Houston, striking out eleven and walking just three. Ted Simmons St. Louis Cardinals 1981 Topps, 17. 723 Bruce Bochte. Donovan Mitchell was one of the standouts in a loaded 2017-18 NBA rookie class. It has been certified authentic by Beckett Authentication (BAS) and comes encapsulated in their tamper-proof holder. Baseball; Sets; 1981; Overview; 1981 Topps. 1981 Topps card list & price guide. On the right side were four rows of six . 6. 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson RC #482. In his seventh season in the Majors, Yount broke out in a big way in 1980 as he led the league in doubles (49) while scoring 121 runs, driving in 87 RBI, and hitting 23 home runs to earn his first trip to the All-Star Game. Track your collection for free. And they delivered a great set with many stars and Hall of Famersand one of the biggest rookie cards of the 1980s. However, due to market conditions, values fluctuate. 50 Most Valuable Baseball Cards of All Time | Stadium Talk Even more impressive, his 1982 Topps issue wasn't his last card as he also made it into the 1983 Topps set. But, you'll remember that by 1982, Topps was no longer the only major company producing baseball cards as both Donruss and Fleer had joined the scene the year prior. 1981 Topps Expos Future Card Tim Haines Auto. The offense stagnated, and the Astros fell 4-0. On the field, Jackson had his worst offensive season since his sophomore campaign as he slashed a modest .237/.330/.428 with 15 home runs and 54 RBI. I used to collect baseball cards as a kid and loved pulling out a pack of 1981 Topps Coca Cola cardstheir design was so much better than the regular issue and their limited print run made them seem much more valuable. Getting hands on a card like this is pretty difficult. $9.99. This bad boy sold for $18,500 on eBay auctions in May 2021. Coming off a 1980 season in which he finished runner-up for the AL MVP award, New York Yankees right fielder Reggie Jackson looked to keep the momentum going in 1981. Greatest Topps Baseball Cards of All-Time. Because of his career accomplishments and his overpowering style, Ryan remains one of the game's most popular players to ever play and you'll see his name in just about every set's log of key cards. And while its value pales in comparison to other big-name vintage rookies like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Roberto Clemente, to name a few, its price soared dramatically during the recent sports card boom. Contact him at [emailprotected]. Yes, the checklist is quite messy at times with the errors and variations. Although his best days were clearly behind him, he still played well enough to earn a trip to the 1982 All-Star game. 25 Most Valuable 1981 Topps Baseball Cards - Old Sports Cards 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron RC. The imagery on this card is some of the best on this list and in the set in general, as Topps perfectly captured Jackson taking a massive swing. Every collector knows that theres some serious money to be made off certain cards. 1955 Topps Sandy Koufax #123. Since most collectors in this hobby tend to draw the line on the "vintage era" at 1980, many consider the Rickey Henderson rookie card to be the last big-name vintage rookie.. And while its value pales in comparison to other big-name vintage rookies like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Roberto Clemente, to . Murphy was often heralded as a five-tool superstar, but unfortunately, many felt his dominant play didn't last long enough to give him the type of resume worthy of Hall of Fame recognition. Card Number: #595. 10 Most Valuable 1981 Donruss Baseball Cards - Sports Card Investor 1983 Topps #482 Tony Gwynn Rookie Card. The card from 1981 features three outstanding baseball players who were kings in their lanes. Not only is it fun, but its good quality material for a future family reunion. Sandwiched in between the "normal", if limp 1979 issue, and that 1981 set is another oddity. Within it, there were also several different subsets, including: For those collectors on the lookout for great Hall of Famers of the era or just a large checklist to complete, this set has it all. 1980 Topps #482 Rickey Henderson Rookie Card. Roberto Ramos in the middle who was an amazing catcher during his prime and the beloved Bobby Pate who commanded respect in the outfield. #6. They finished the season with a .546 winning percentage in front of 1,060,379 fans who saw them play. 1981 Topps card list & price guide. Considered by many to be the best defensive shortstop of all time, Smith won an incredible thirteen Gold Gloves over nineteen seasons in Major League Baseball. Cal Ripken Jr. For the longest time it seemed like Smith would not quite garner enough votes to earn a trip to the Hall of Fame. The wrist band, the glasses.and that awesome stache You just don't see that kind of stuff in today's game so this card perfectly captures the style of the era and that's the great thing about baseball cards in general. He played in Major League Baseball between 1977 and 1982 for the Seattle Mariners and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 1981 Topps #347 Harold Baines Rookie Card. Carew's career batting average ended up at .328, while his best single-season average was .388 in 1977. Ungraded & graded values for all '81 Topps Baseball Cards. While they both made their MLB debuts in 1961, Brock would retire after the 1979 season with 3,023 hits while Yaz would stick around until 1983 and finished with 3,419 hits. 205 Pete Rose Record Breaker - Phillies. Keith was a baseball first baseman. . And finally, we're down to none other than Rickey Henderson, one of the greatest baseball icons of the 1980s and the game's greatest speedster to ever play. 1981 Topps Gary Carter Autograph Card, 25 Most Valuable 1981 Fleer Baseball Cards In The World, 19 Most Valuable 1976 Topps Baseball Cards In The World, 25 Most Valuable 1987 Topps Baseball Cards In The World, 29 Most Valuable 1991 Topps Baseball Cards In the World, 25 Most Valuable 1988 Topps Baseball Cards In The World, 29 Most Valuable 1989 Topps Baseball Cards In the World, 25 Rarest and Most Valuable Quarters Worth Money, 24 Rarest and Most Valuable State Quarters Worth Money, 25 Rare 50 Dollar Bills: Value And Price Chart, 26 Rarest And Most Valuable Pennies Worth Money, 15 Rarest and Most Valuable Sacagawea Coins Worth Money, Rarest and Most Valuable Charizard Pokemon Cards, 29 Most Valuable Shaq Rookie Cards Ever Sold, 29 Most Valuable Frank Thomas Cards Youd Find On eBay, 29 Most Valuable 1992 Topps Baseball Cards, 29 Most Valuable 1992 Leaf Baseball Cards in the World, 29 Most Valuable 1991 Upper Deck Baseball Cards Worth Money, 29 Most Valuable 1991 Skybox Basketball Cards For Collectors. And, like Clemens, that might cut into the value and prestige of his 1985 Fleer Rookie Card to a . This card once was worth upwards of $50, and until Jose Canseco came along, it was the most valuable regular-issue 1980s card in the book. When it comes to Rookie Cards, 1981 Topps is one . 1981 Topps Coke Team Sets Aurelio Lopez Autographed, 9. In 493 plate appearances (423 at-bats), Henderson posted a robust .319/.408/.437 slash line with nine home runs and 53 RBI while winning his first of three Silver Sluggers. Even though the image is kind of ghostly (see his right shoulder) on this card, it's my favorite of his three cards in this set given its an action shot. In Game 4 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, he'd return with New York holding a 2-1 advantage to try and help the team across the finish line. PSA/DNA Certified. The greatest catcher of all time, Johnny Bench played in seventeen seasons with the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983, and in 2011 the team erected a statue in his honor at Great American Ballpark. But, for the 1982 season, Smith would never actually suit up for the Padres as he was traded to St. Louis for another highly-regarded shortstop in Garry Templeton.