Posted By:
RichardI am not a Zeenut expert, but weren't all Zeenuts of minor leaguers? and all Obaks as well?
The 1992 Bowman set that Hal refers to is a Major League baseball set - licensed by the MLB. It depicts players in the major leagues and players soon to be in the major leagues. I think that is the difference. If Zeenuts and Obaks also depicted current major leaguers, then I think people would feel differently about the rookies from those sets.
Sets which were distributed as strictly minor league sets over the past few decades have never been considered rookie cards. Best, Upper Deck Minors, Classic, etc.
A side note - the 1992 Bowman Manny Ramirez is considered his rookie, but Chipper Jones appeared in the 1991 Bowman product so his 1992 Bowman is his 2nd year card.
Also, since everyone is so hung up about appearing in a major league uniform, what would you consider a W600 Mathewson in street clothes? Does that qualify as his rookie? or only the "in uniform" version? Makes no sense to me.