The Most Valuable One-Off Player Card

[Brianruns10]

So I was pondering this one...what is the most valuable baseball card that also is the only card for that particular player?

For example, take the John Kucab card from the '52 Topps set...he had a short career, and to my knowledge this card is his one and only cardboard appearance, but being a high number 52 he still fetches anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

Can anyone think of others? I'd imagine there are some prewar examples, but it's a fun puzzle to ponder!

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by Brianruns10

So I was pondering this one...what is the most valuable baseball card that also is the only card for that particular player?

For example, take the John Kucab card from the '52 Topps set...he had a short career, and to my knowledge this card is his one and only cardboard appearance, but being a high number 52 he still fetches anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

Can anyone think of others? I'd imagine there are some prewar examples, but it's a fun puzzle to ponder!

Probably one of the multi-player rookie cards like '63 Pete Rose; looks like Ken McMullin was a one-timer. Fun question. I'm guessing these count.

A PSA Gem Mint 10 Rose rookie sold for $86,500 (from PSA).

[Bestdj777]

I'd say you are probably right with one of the high number cards, unless there is something in one of the obscure test issues? Ken McMullen played for 15 years, so I believe he has a number of cards out there.

[rsdill2]

It's certainly not the most valuable but one of note is the 55 Harry Agganis. He's an interesting story - local Boston product, starred in football/baseball at BU, died in '55 at the age of 26 after getting pneumonia, followed by a viral infection, followed by a pulmonary embolism.

[stlcardsfan]

Not real valuable, but I found the '69 Bobby Cox card somewhat hard to come by. It's his only card.

[Rich Klein]

On Cox

69 Topps is only mainstream card during his playing career

He has a 1967 Topps Venezuelan Winter League card which is a bear to obtain

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by Bestdj777

I'd say you are probably right with one of the high number cards, unless there is something in one of the obscure test issues? Ken McMullen played for 15 years, so I believe he has a number of cards out there.

Sorry for my mistake on McMullen; COMC had his name spelled wrong in the description, so on their site it was a one-off. Maybe this one is the answer:


1970 Topps #189 - 1970 Rookie Stars (Thurman Munson, Dave McDonald) [EX*MT]
Courtesy of COMC.com

I think the PSA 10 just sold at auction approaching $15 thousand.

[1963Topps Set]

How about a 1954 Topps Tom Lasorda?

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by 1963Topps Set

How about a 1954 Topps Tom Lasorda?

Depending on what you consider a 'card', Lasorda was also featured on the 1955 Topps Golden Stamps set.

[philliesphan]

Fred McCullen.

Member of the 1919 "Black Sox" team. Has only one baseball card, a 1916 Zeenut card.

Without coupon, it's a $4k card, give or take. With the coupon, worth even more.

Definitely crosses into the pre-war territory, but it takes the noise out of the equation of:
*Players whose card is only valuable because of someone else on the card.
*Players whose card is only valuable because of a third-party grade of the card (i.e. PSA 10 Gem Mint)
*Players whose card is only valuable because it is part of a really rare, esoteric set (i.e. 1955 Felin's Franks John Meyer)

[Zach Wheat]

I suspect one of the early card collecting pioneers choices might qualify. One of Charlie Conlon's favorite sets - the '53 Glendale Meats - might qualify for one of the registry collectors as cards are very condition sensitive.

The 5 players with the rarest cards (Houtteman, Hoeft, Wight, Ginsberg, & Friend) all have other regular issues cards....but one of the other 23 players might qualify. Hal Erickson? or Milt Jordan?

The cards are very condition sensitive...and a higher grade card would qualify.

Z Wheat