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MODERN CARDS
1960 - 2015
Often overlooked, this era of cards is known for the "mass production" that occurred in the 1980s and 1990s and thus values of most of these cards is less than other time periods. However, there are some real gems and great players from these decades.
This is the era that I grew up in as a kid and at one point had literally thousands of cards - some of which I should have held on to over the years. It is great to see the hobby reigniting again with a lot of the "kids" from this era now adults. I remember opening packs upon packs and trading cards with friends; this hobby is where I learned about money, negotiation and the importance of patience.
We hope you enjoy the collection and that it brings back some good memories.
 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffery Jr. RookieThis is the key rookie card of one of the best all-around players in baseball history. While Ken Griffey, Jr. was overshadowed by Barry Bonds and hampered by injuries late in his career, he accomplished some amazing feats. This card, one of the most symbolic cards of the modern era, is subject to one hidden flaw. Many Griffey rookies contain a factory wrinkle on the reverse, which can severely diminish the grade (usually no higher than a PSA EX-MT 6 if present) of an otherwise Mint card. |
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 2011 Topps Mike Trout RookieMichael Nelson “Mike” Trout (August 7, 1991-) began his career as a pitcher and a shortstop, but was moved to the outfield in his senior year in high school and hit 18 home runs. Having originally been overlooked by Major League teams, Mike played at East Carolina University until the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim took him with the 25th overall pick of the 2009 MLB Draft. In four minor league seasons at various levels, Trout had a .342 batting average with 382 hits and 134 RBI and became the top MLB prospect in America in 2011. His Major League debut came that season with the Angels as he played 40 games, hitting .220 with five home runs and 16 RBI. The 2012 season was a break out season for Trout as he was a leading contender for the American League Most Valuable Player Award, AL Rookie of the Year and earned his first All-Star Game selection. Mike Trout led the AL in runs scored (129) and stolen bases (49) and easily ran away with the AL Rookie of the Year Award while also winning the Silver Slugger Award for left field. Unfortunately for Trout, he lost out on the 2012 AL MVP Award to the Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera who captured the coveted Triple Crown – the first to accompli |
 Michael Jordan Rookie - 1986 FleerThis is the most recognizable basketball card and the most important modern card from any sport in the entire hobby. It's hard to believe that this NBA legend was actually cut from his high school team as a sophomore, but it's true. Just a few years later, Michael Jordan would make the game-winning basket in the NCAA Finals for North Carolina. The legend of Air Jordan was just beginning. Jordan won six NBA titles, eight scoring titles, five regular-season MVPs, six Finals MVPs, three All-Star Game MVPs and one Defensive Player of the Year award. In fact, Jordan was named to the All-Defensive First Team nine times, a record. This 14-time All-Star and former NBA Rookie of the Year (1985) scored 32,292 points and averaged 30.1 points per game in his career. While Jordan did make a brief comeback as a member of the Washington Wizards, he will always be remembered as the man who led the Chicago Bulls to glory. This card, the most heavily counterfeited card in the hobby, is susceptible to chipping and edge wear due to the multi-colored borders. |
 Gale Sayers - 1966 PhiladelphiaThis is the only recognized rookie card of one of the most dazzling running backs in NFL history. Before there was Walter Payton, a man by the name of Gale Sayers wowed Chicago Bears fans with his electric running game. From his incredible punt returns to his magical moves, Sayers brought excitement to the game. In his first season as a pro, Sayers set rookie records in touchdowns (22) and points (132), making an immediate impact on the sport. This four-time Pro Bowl selection finished with 9,435 combined net yards, 4,956 rushing yards and 336 points scored. In 1969, Sayers was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year after recovering from a serious knee injury. When his career came to an end, Sayers was the all-time leader in kickoff returns, ultimately being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. This card is subject to the typical condition obstacles associated with the issue and is very difficult to find in PSA NM-MT 8 or better condition. |
 Johnny Bench - Rookie 1968 ToppsDuring the 1960s, Topps started to produce rookie cards that featured more than one player. Some of the biggest names in baseball history had to share the limelight with at least one other person when they made their hobby debut. Bench was one of them. In 1968, Bench is featured on a horizontal Topps card along with teammate and pitcher Ron Tompkins. Tompkins never reached stardom, but his batterymate earned enough accolades for both of them. The Bench rookie card (#247) is certainly not considered a condition rarity, but it is the Bench issue that generates the most attention from collectors. For those seeking PSA Mint 9s or higher, keep in mind that the centering does vary on this card, and the pattern along the edges and corners can mask wear. Furthermore, the solid orange/yellow backs are susceptible to chipping. A very young Bench is pictured with his cap on backwards, something catchers often did prior to the universal use of the plastic helmet. Along with a debut single of Nolan Ryan, this Bench card is one of two key rookies in the popular 598-card set. |
 Ernie Banks - 1966 ToppsErnie Banks finished his career with 2,583 hits, 1,305 runs scored, 512 home runs, 1,636 RBI and a .274 batting average in 2,528 games. He will forever be remembered at Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field with his retired #14 flag waving on the outfield foul pole and a statue erected outside the ballpark. He was named the 1967 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award winner as the Major League Baseball player who best exhibits the character and integrity of Lou Gehrig, both on and off the field and in 1977, "Ernest "Ernie" Banks was elected on the first ballot to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. |
 Karl Malone - Rookie - 1986 FleerKarl was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history in 1996. Hall of Famers Karl Malone and John Stockton, with the help of All-Stars Jeff Hornacek, Antoine Carr and Greg Ostertag, led the Jazz to repeated Western Conference championships and two NBA Finals against the Chicago Bulls in 1997 and 1998. Though the Jazz played brilliantly during both Finals appearances, they were no match for the stifling defense of Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, nor the effortless and dominating shooting of Michael Jordan. Despite coming up short in the Finals, Karl was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 1997 and again in 1999. In the years that followed, Utah continued to make the playoffs, but injuries and aging kept the team from making another Finals run. After his contract was up in 2003, rather than retire, Malone joined the Los Angeles Lakers, three-peat winners from 2000-2002, to try to capture that elusive championship, but the attempt was thwarted by the Detroit Pistons losing 4-1. Recovering from knee surgery in the off-season and into the 2004-05 season, Malone was sought after by numerous teams, but opted to retire in February of 2005. Karl finished his career after 19 se |
 1983 Topps Tony Gwynn - RookieThis is the key rookie card of one of baseball's most consistent hitters. Tony Gwynn, the San Diego Padre favorite, is considered by many to be the best pure hitter of the last 30 years, and his numbers certainly support that belief. Gwynn won a total of eight NL batting titles (only Ty Cobb won more) and finished with a career batting average of .338. This 15-time All-Star made a run at .400 in 1994, but the season was cut short by a strike, leaving Gwynn and his fans wondering if he would have made it. In addition to his excellence with the bat, Gwynn was an outstanding baserunner with 319 stolen bases (he had a career-high of 56 in 1987) and fielder with five Gold Gloves for his work in right field. Gwynn was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame along with Cal Ripken, Jr. in 2007 and, like Ripken, Gwynn played his entire career with one team, a rarity in the modern era. While Gwynn does have other rookie cards in the Donruss and Fleer sets, this Topps issue is his most desirable. It is also rather difficult to find well-centered. |
 Greg Maddux - Rookie - 1987 DonrussThis is the most popular rookie card of the man who won more games in the 1990s than any pitcher in baseball. Greg Maddux did not possess the overpowering stuff that defined Sandy Koufax or Roger Clemens, but his ability to outthink hitters coupled with pinpoint control made him a star. In the beginning, Maddux did not appear to be a star in the making, going 6-14 with an ERA of 5.61 for the Chicago Cubs, but he was determined to show the world that he belonged. This eight-time All-Star won 18 Gold Gloves, an all-time record, which surpassed Brooks Robinson (17) and Jim Kaat (17) for the most at any position. When it comes to this rookie card, there are a couple of things to note. First, keep in mind there are two different versions, the wax pack and factory set cards. The factory set examples are slightly smaller than the wax pack version and are often found with blunt corners due to the cellophane wrapping they were tightly packaged in. Both versions are subject to chipping and edge wear along the black borders. |
 Ryne Sandberg - Rookie - 1983 ToppsRyne Dee Sandberg (September 18, 1959-) won his first of nine consecutive Gold Glove awards when he was moved to the second base position in 1983, where he would remain for the duration of his career. Ryno became a fan favorite and rightfully so with his defensive skill at second and the much-needed pop in his bat for which the Cubs were searching. Ryne’s .989 career fielding percentage remains a record for a second baseman. Sandberg had a breakout year in 1984 as he collected 200 hits, scored 114 runs, added a league leading 19 triples and another 19 home runs while batting .314 and driving in 84 runs. He was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player after the 1984 season. Ryne was a ten-time All-Star selection, nine-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time Silver Slugger winner. Sandberg played virtually his entire career with the hapless Chicago Cubs (1982-1994, 1996-1997) appearing in the postseason only twice in his career and joining Ernie Banks and Billy Williams as Cubs Hall of Famers to never reach the World Series. Ryne Sandberg retired with 2,386 hits, 1,318 runs scored, 1,061 RBI 282 home runs, 344 stolen bases and a career .285 batting average. Ryne Dee Sandberg wa |
 Mark McGwire - Rookie - 1985 ToppsMark David McGwire (October 1, 1963-) holds the record for hitting the fewest triples of any player with 5,000 or more at-bats and had the lowest at-bats per home run ratio in history with 10.61 with Babe Ruth in second (11.76). The Oakland Athletics selected Mark with the tenth overall pick of the 1984 MLB June Amateur Draft out of the University of Southern California. Mark burst in the Major Leagues belting 33 home runs by the All-Star break in his rookie season and a league leading 49 by seasons’ end, as well as a rookie record, earning the 1987 American League Rookie of the Year Award by unanimous decision. In his rookie season he earned his first of 12 All-Star Game appearances and his 49 home runs surpassed the previous record shared by Wally Berger and Hall of Famer Frank Robinson. |
 Bobby Hull - 1979 ToppsRobert Marvin “Bobby” Hull (January 3, 1939-) left his mark on not only the NHL, but the game of hockey as one of the first players to curve his stick, improving the effectiveness of the wrist shot and making his already powerful slapshot a much more lethal weapon. Hull grew up on a farm in Ontario where he developed a powerful physique and incredible strength, both in his upper body and legs. “The Golden Jet”, named for his speed, skill and cloned hair, burst into the NHL scoring 47 points in his first season, finishing second in Calder Trophy voting behind fellow Hall of Famer Frank Mahovlich. His numbers continued to improve each season, as he became one of the league’s elite snipers leading the NHL seven times in goals from 1959-1969. Bobby Hull’s slapshot is said to have been timed at 120 mph., approximately 15 mph. over the current “Hardest Shot” as measured in the annual NHL Skills Competition. In 1960-61, Hull and Mikita led Chicago to the Stanley Cup Championship, their first in 23 years. He would appear in three more Stanley Cup Finals until he left the Hawks to join the Winnipeg Jets of the WHA. In 1966, Bobby became the first player in NHL history to score more than 50 |
 Michael Jordan - 1988 FleerJordan’s 1988 Fleer card is another great card that is flooded with the Chicago Bulls team colors. This is a classic Jordan card that most collectors that collected in the ’80s era probably have in their collection. |
 Barry Sanders Rookie - 1989 ScoreThis is a key rookie card featuring the most dominant running back of the 1990s. Barry Sanders, despite a shocking retirement from the game in 1999, had a 10-year run of epic proportions with the Detroit Lions. For 10 straight seasons, Sanders rushed for at least 1,000 yards (the first man to accomplish the feat), proving that he was not only quick and powerful, but durable as well. Keep in mind that Sanders kept that streak alive despite missing five games in 1993. Sanders would also become the third player in NFL history to rush for at least 2,000 yards when he finished with 2,053 yards in 1997 on 6.1 yards per carry. Sanders was awarded the NFL MVP that same year. His career rushing total of 15,269 yards currently ranks third behind Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton, but Sanders had a better yards per carry average than either of them at 5.1. He also scored 99 touchdowns in his career. This 10-time Pro Bowl selection and former Heisman Trophy winner was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004. This card, like the aforementioned Jerry Rice rookie, is susceptible to chipping along the green borders. |
 Scottie Pippen Rookie - 1988 FleerThis is Pippen's only recognized mainstream rookie card and it's the key rookie card in the 1988 Fleer set that features rookies of other stars of the day in John Stockton, Reggie Miller, Dennis Rodman, Horace Grant and Mark Price. |
 Dennis Rodman Rookie - 1988 FleerAlthough he remains a controversial figure, Dennis Rodman helped the Chicago Bulls win multiple titles based on his rebounding ability. Over time, collectors developed a fondness for the feisty forward, making Dennis Rodman cards popular options among the retired basketball players. This early basketball card marks a much more low-key existence for Dennis Rodman. Although he was drafted in 1986, Rodman did not get his first rookie card until 1988-89 Fleer Basketball. The design is very plain and centering issues are a problem. |
 Reggie Miller Rookie - 1988 FleerIn an area of free-agency, "Reggie" Miller was a rare example of team and fan loyalty as he played his entire 18-year career for the Indiana Pacers. The 2012 HoF inductee with an exceptional talent for hitting 3-pointers, Miller retired with the most career 3-point FGs (ranks #2 now), five All-Star game appearances; led the league in free throw % five seasons and won a gold medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics. In honor of his contributions, the Pacers retired his jersey #31 in 2006. |
 Ron Santo Rookie - 1961 ToppsWhen it comes to vintage cards, the pattern is usually consistent. In most cases, a player’s debut card stands alone. At worst, it might share the limelight with one other card made during the same year. In the case of Santo, the opposite is true. During his rookie era, several cards were made of the slugging third baseman. The card that garners most of the attention, however, is his mainstream Topps rookie card (#35). Santo shares the rookie limelight with fellow Hall of Famer and former teammate Billy Williams, in addition to Juan Marichal. The 587-card set is not known to be a condition-sensitive issue, but finding well-centered copies absent print defects can be challenging. The Santo card is one of the most affordable Hall of Fame rookies of the period, which is partially a result of the time it took for him to enter Cooperstown. Regardless, of all the Santo cards produced during his playing career, this is the one most collectors pursue. |
 Magic Johnson and Larry Bird Rookie - 1980 ToppsThis is the key rookie card of the two most popular players of the 1980s. Larry Bird, a forward, and Magic Johnson, a point guard, had a competitive fire between them that started at the college level. After Bird led Indiana State to the NCAA Finals during the 1978-79 season, Magic and Michigan State ruined Bird's dream season by defeating Indiana for the title. From that point forward, the rivalry began. Bird would lead the Boston Celtics to three titles while Magic would lead the Los Angeles Lakers to five. Bird, a former NBA Rookie of the Year (1980), won three MVP Awards and was named to 12 All-Star teams in his career. Magic, whose career shared many similarities to Bird's, was to the NBA All-Star team and was the league's MVP an equal number of times. Both men, of course, were inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, Bird in 1998 and Magic in 2002. Beyond their numbers and accomplishments, these two men were able to take the NBA to a new level of popularity. This three-player card, one that also includes Julius Erving, is notorious for having black print defects scattered across the front and is fairly difficult to find perfectly centered. |
 Dan Marino Rookie - 1984 ToppsThis is the only recognized rookie card of one of the NFL's most prolific passers. Dan Marino made his presence felt immediately in the NFL. In his first season, Marino led the AFC in passing and started the Pro Bowl en route to being named the NFL Rookie of the Year. In his second year, Marino left football fans in awe and was named NFL MVP. He finished with 362 completions, 5,084 yards, 48 touchdown passes and led the Miami Dolphins to the Super Bowl. Despite losing the game, Marino set Super Bowl records for attempts and completions. When it was all said and done, Marino shattered numerous career passing records. At the time of his retirement, Marino was the most prolific passer in NFL history. He finished with 4,967 completions in 8,358 attempts, 61,361 yards passing and 420 touchdowns. One of Marino's most remarkable accomplishments might be the fact that he passed for at least 300 yards in a game on 63 different occasions. This nine-time Pro Bowl selection was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005. This card, one that has been heavily counterfeited like the Elway rookie card from the same set, suffers from similar condition obstacles, making PSA Gem Mint 10's el |
 Joe Montana - Rookie - 1981 ToppsThis is the only recognized rookie card of quarterback legend Joe Montana. Montana did not possess the greatest arm strength or the quickest feet, but what he did possess was extreme intelligence and poise, leading the San Francisco 49ers to countless victories during the 1980s. When Montana and the 49ers were at their best, they didn't simply defeat their opponents, they destroyed them. During 14 seasons with San Francisco, Montana led his team to 10 postseason berths, eight division championships and four Super Bowl victories. Montana was also named Super Bowl MVP on three different occasions. In fact, Montana set many passing records, including several in the postseason. He finished his career with 40,551 yards passing, 273 touchdown passes and an astonishing quarterback rating of 92.3. This eight-time Pro Bowl Selection was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. This card, which is not too difficult to find in high-grade, does suffer from condition obstacles such as poor centering and print defects. |
 Nolan Ryan Rookie - 1968 ToppsThis is the only recognized rookie card of baseball's strikeout king. Nolan Ryan was a physical marvel. Still able to throw in the mid-90s well into his 40s, Ryan baffled hitters for four decades. In 1993, his pitching arm finally gave out when he suffered a sudden elbow tear, ending his career. Ryan finished with 324 wins, a 3.19 ERA, 5,714 strikeouts and seven no-hitters. His strikeout total is one of those records that seems unbreakable. Consider this. If you struck out 250 batters for 20 consecutive seasons, that would get you to 5,000. You then would have to add another 714 strikeouts to tie Ryan. It defies logic! This humble cowboy from Texas never had the chance to pitch for a great team, resulting in an unspectacular won/loss record of 324-292. This eight-time All-Star and owner of dozens of MLB records was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999. This card, one that also pictures another fine pitcher in Jerry Koosman, is not overly tough to find in PSA NM-MT 8 condition, but collectors should look for well-centered copies and be aware of chipping along the colored reverse. In addition, due to the print design along the borders, corner wear may be hard to detect at |
 Reggie Jackson - 1970 ToppsSecond year card. Reginald Martinez “Reggie” Jackson (May 18, 1946-) leads Major League Baseball in career strikeouts with 2,597 despite hitting 563 home runs and winning five World Series titles. He played 21 seasons with the Kansas City/Oakland A’s (1967-1975, 1987), Baltimore Orioles (1976), New York Yankees (1977-1981) and the California Angels (1982-1986). Reggie earned the title “Mr. October” after Game Six of the 1977 World Series when he enjoyed a three-homer night capping off the Yankees series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Reggie Jackson retired with 2,584 hits, 1,551 runs scored, 1,702 RBI 563 home runs and 228 stolen bases while batting .262 over his 21-year career. Reginald Martinez “Reggie” Jackson was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993. |
 Wayne Gretzky Rookie - 1979 O-Pee-CheeThis is the key rookie card of hockey's greatest player. When people talk about the greatest athletes in sports, you often hear names like Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan, but one could make a great argument that none of them dominated their sport the way Wayne Gretzky dominated hockey. At the time of this writing, Gretzky held more than 60, that's 60, NHL records from regular season, playoff and All-Star play. Some of the remarkable accomplishments from Gretzky's career include: finishing with 894 goals and 1,963 assist (2,857 points), 15 NHL All-Star selections (8 First Team and 7 Second Team squads), nine Hart Trophies as the league's best player, 10 Art Ross Trophies, two Conn Smythe Trophies and five Byng Trophies. Wow! Gretzky was also part of four Stanley Cup Championship teams with the Edmonton Oilers. His regular season records of 92 goals, 163 assists and 215 total points seem unreachable. In fact, he is the only player in history to reach 200 points in a season and he did it four times. He was, naturally, inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999. This card, which is tougher than its Topps counterpart, has to contend with a few major condition obstacles in |
 Wilt Chamberlain - Rookie - 1961 FleerThis is the only recognized rookie card of the most dominant basketball player to ever play the game. Who is the best player in basketball history? Well, some might say Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson but statistics don't lie. If you want pure dominance, dominance of "Ruthian" proportions, your choice has to be Wilt Chamberlain. At 7'1", 275 pounds, he simply dominated the smaller opposition. No one could stop him. Chamberlain was the only player in history to score 4,000 points in a season. He averaged 50.4 points per game during the 1961-62 season, holds the record for points in a single game with 100, the record for rebounds in a single game with 55 and he led the league in scoring for seven straight seasons. Furthermore, he led the league in rebounding in 11 of his 14 seasons and holds numerous other offensive records. This former NBA Rookie of the Year (1959-1960) was a four-time league MVP, and he led his team to six NBA Finals, winning two. Chamberlain was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978. This card is seen more often in high-grade than some of the other key rookies in the set, but it still falls subject to the same condition obstacles common to the issue. |
 Walter Payton - Rookie - 1976 ToppsThis is the only recognized rookie card of the running back they called Sweetness. Don't be fooled by the smile on his face. Walter Payton was a fierce competitor who only smiled after running over defenders on his way to the goal line. Walter Payton ran with grace, power and made it all seem effortless. During his 13 years with the Chicago Bears, Payton would set multiple rushing records. He finished his career as the all-time rushing leader with 16,726 yards, 3,838 carries and 110 rushing touchdowns. He also held the highest single game mark of 275 yards rushing. As a receiver, he caught 15 more touchdown passes, had 492 total receptions and 4,538 yards. Payton's combined net yards (21,803) made him the all-time leader in that category as well. This nine-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time NFL MVP (1977 and 1985) was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. In a show of amazing durability, Payton only missed one game his entire career, playing in 186 consecutive games after missing one during his rookie year. Payton's life ended way too soon as he died at the young age of 45 in 1999. This card, while not overly difficult in high-grade, Is tough to find perfectly cent |
 Julius Erving - Rookie - 1972 ToppsThis is the only recognized rookie card of one of basketball's most exciting players. Dr. J. was able to leap to incredible heights, dunking with power and grace long before the likes of Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins came along. After a short time in the ABA, Julius Erving was lured away to the NBA. In 16 total seasons (ABA and NBA combined), Erving scored 30,026 points, which was third on the career-scoring list at the time of his retirement. In fact, he was one of only five players in history to reach 30,000 points at the time of this writing. He was also named to the NBA All-Star team in each of his eleven seasons in the league. Twice named MVP of the ABA (1974 and 1976), Erving was named NBA MVP in 1981. After winning two ABA titles with the New York Knicks, Erving won his sole NBA title as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers in 1983. Erving was inducted into the basketball Hall of Fame in 1993. Due to the white borders and yellow background, this card has to contend with print defects more often than not. Keep in mind that there is a very common print dot that resides next to Erving's left elbow and its presence should not affect the overall grade of the card. |
 Pete Rose Rookie - 1963 ToppsThis is the only recognized rookie card of baseball's all-time Hit King. While this set also contains a great rookie card of Pittsburgh slugger Willie Stargell, the Pete Rose rookie is clearly the key to the colorful set. Despite being banned from baseball and precluded from Hall of Fame consideration, what Rose accomplished on the field has never been questioned. Rose, while clearly not the most physically-gifted player of his era, showed unrivaled heart and determination to reach unthinkable heights. Just imagine what it would take to reach 4,256 hits, his career total. During his career, Rose would hit .300 or better in 14 different seasons and reach or surpass 200 hits 10 times. After being named NL Rookie of the Year in 1963, Rose would win the NL MVP in 1973 as part of Cincinnati's Big Red Machine. In 1978, Rose would hit in 44 consecutive games, resulting in the second longest hitting streak in baseball history. Rose was named to 17 All-Star teams in his career at five different positions, a career that continued until 1986 when he made his final appearance. This card, which is often found with print defects and poor centering, has a blue colored border along the top that is |
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