Counting Down The 10 Most Iconic Sports Cards of Alltime Video - Thoughts

[parkplace33]

This video came out about 10 months ago, but I missed it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TczUC9u-fMc

Chris rattles off his 10 most iconic cards, with some honorables mentioned. For those not wanting to watch the video (22 minutes, ), here is the list:

10. 1980-81 Topps basketball Bird/Johnson
9. 1979-80 OPC Gretzky
8. 1933 Goudey Ruth (Yellow)
7. 2003-4 Topps Chrome L. James
6. 2000 Playoff Contenders Brady
5. 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson
4. 1989 UD Griffey
3. 1909 T206 Wagner
2. 1986 Fleer Jordan
1. 1952 Topps Mantle


Some initial thoughts.

1. I was surprised that there are only around 1600 graded Yellow Ruths (PSA SGC and BVG). I would have thought there was more.
2. There are 135,000 graded UD Griffeys…. What?!?!?
3. I am okay with the list for the most part. Maybe take out one card and add in the 1965 Topps Namath.

What are your thoughts?

[raulus]

Seems like a little bit of recency bias to me. Maybe some of that is due to the explosion in available items over the last 30-35 years.

I remember a listing of the 100 greatest moments in baseball that came out a few years ago, and most of them were in the last 20 years. At the time, I remember thinking that a lot of older history was ignored simply because it had faded from the popular imagination. But that shouldn't make it any less important!

[Peter_Spaeth]

Given the demographic of the hobby a recency bias is probably appropriate. I am surprised 11 Update Trout is not on there.

[Rad_Hazard]

I don't really disagree with any of those if we are only using the word "iconic", as in, people who don't collect recognize them.

I don't necessarily agree with the Brady since there were about 1 million different Brady RC's, same with Lebron.

If it were me I'd swap one of those with the 1984 Donruss Mattingly. That one was hot molten lava when it came out and really changed the hobby.

[cardsagain74]

I agree with the Johnson/Bird card being 10th (as far as how the hobby sees it), but I've always thought it was a shame that it's below anything but the Mantle and Wagner.

Magic and Bird turned the NBA from a third sport afterthought in America into the beginning of a worldwide behemoth, paving the way for Jordan and LeBron to become much bigger megastars than they likely would have otherwise.

And the fact that they're both on the same rookie card, and that no other multi-player rc is even close to that kind of superstar power, just makes it that much more memorable and one of a kind.

[todeen]

That's a list without any surprises. I was interested in the honorable mentions, and for baseball I would argue that they missed the mark. I was expecting to see T206 Cobb, or 1933/34 Goudey Lou Gehrig, a Walter Johnson or even Joe Jackson. Anyone from that initial 1939 HOF induction ceremony could certainly have been on this list before either Derek Jeter or Nolan Ryan.

Here is the list of Honorable mentions:
1951 Mantle
1951 Mays
1954 Aaron
1916 Sporting News Babe Ruth
1968 Topps Nolan Ryan
1993 SP Derek Jeter
1935 Bronco Nagurski
1958 Topps Jim Brown
1986 Topps Jerry Rice
Rookies of Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul Jabbar
1996 Topps Chrome Kobe Bryant
2003 Exquisite Lebron James
1951 Parkhurst Gordie Howe
1966 Topps Bobby Orr

[Ben Yourg]

Am I not correct,if I put a "34" Joe DiMaggio Zeenut card above
a few others listed
Does he not qualify?

[rats60]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

This video came out about 10 months ago, but I missed it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TczUC9u-fMc

Chris rattles off his 10 most iconic cards, with some honorables mentioned. For those not wanting to watch the video (22 minutes, ), here is the list:

10. 1980-81 Topps basketball Bird/Johnson
9. 1979-80 OPC Gretzky
8. 1933 Goudey Ruth (Yellow)
7. 2003-4 Topps Chrome L. James
6. 2000 Playoff Contenders Brady
5. 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson
4. 1989 UD Griffey
3. 1909 T206 Wagner
2. 1986 Fleer Jordan
1. 1952 Topps Mantle


Some initial thoughts.

1. I was surprised that there are only around 1600 graded Yellow Ruths (PSA SGC and BVG). I would have thought there was more.
2. There are 135,000 graded UD Griffeys…. What?!?!?
3. I am okay with the list for the most part. Maybe take out one card and add in the 1965 Topps Namath.

What are your thoughts?

I would disagree with most of his list.

1. T206 Honus Wagner
2. Baltimore News Babe Ruth
3. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
4. 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan
5. M101/4-5 Babe Ruth
6. T206 Ty Cobb/Cobb Back
7. T206 Eddie Plank
8. 1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie
9. 2003/4 Exquisite LeBron James
10. 2000 Contenders Tom Brady

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Ben Yourg

Am I not correct,if I put a "34" Joe DiMaggio Zeenut card above
a few others listed
Does he not qualify?

Italians need not apply.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by rats60

I would disagree with most of his list.

1. T206 Honus Wagner
2. Baltimore News Babe Ruth
3. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
4. 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan
5. M101/4-5 Babe Ruth
6. T206 Ty Cobb/Cobb Back
7. T206 Eddie Plank
8. 1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie
9. 2003/4 Exquisite LeBron James
10. 2000 Contenders Tom Brady

It depends what you mean by iconic. The common definition is widely recognized and well known.

[todeen]

Originally Posted by rats60

I would disagree with most of his list.

1. T206 Honus Wagner
2. Baltimore News Babe Ruth
3. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
4. 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan
5. M101/4-5 Babe Ruth
6. T206 Ty Cobb/Cobb Back
7. T206 Eddie Plank
8. 1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie
9. 2003/4 Exquisite LeBron James
10. 2000 Contenders Tom Brady

I think the problem with some of your choices is that multiple cards you list are known only to true hobby enthusiasts. Whereas Iconic would reach people with less knowledge. None of my friends would know who Eddie Plank or Nap Lajoie are. But some of my friends would recognize the Goudey Ruth.

[todeen]

Originally Posted by Ben Yourg

Am I not correct,if I put a "34" Joe DiMaggio Zeenut card above
a few others listed
Does he not qualify?

None of my friends have ever heard of Zeenut as a card brand. That would be difficult to call Iconic. And while it's desirable due to being an early professional image, I think my favorite card of his is the National Chicle R313 hitting pose.

[Johnny630]

People Who Know Zero About Sports Know who Ruth, Jackie, Mickey, Jordan, Brady, and Lebrone are...that’s why I feel these names are on the YouTube Gentleman's Top 10 Iconic List.

[RCMcKenzie]

Merriam-Webster online defines iconic as "widely recognized and well-established."

T206 Wagner
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
Goudey Babe Ruth 144
T206 Cobb Red
1972 Topps FB #338 IA Steve Spurrier
1952 Topps Robinson
1951 Bowman Willie Mays
1953 Topps Satchel Paige
Luca Doncic rookies
Tom Brady's in Leland's

[rats60]

Originally Posted by todeen

I think the problem with some of your choices is that multiple cards you list are known only to true hobby enthusiasts. Whereas Iconic would reach people with less knowledge. None of my friends would know who Eddie Plank or Nap Lajoie are. But some of my friends would recognize the Goudey Ruth.

If that is your definition, then none of the cards on his list after the top 3 belong. People without knowledge of the hobby have no clue what those cards are. They know Tom Brady or LeBron James but would never recognize their RCs. Same for cards like the Bird-Magic or the Leaf Robinson. His list is just a bunch of random cards.

Iconic is something that stands the test of time. Plank and Lajoie were iconic to the hobby founders in the 1930s. They were iconic to collectors in the 70s and 80s as 2 of the 3 most valuable cards in the hobby. If newer collectors don't bother to educate themselves about all segments of the hobby and its history, that is their problem, not the Hobby's. If you are making a top 10 list, all segments should be represented.

I bet if you showed people pictures of 4 or 5 Ruth cards and asked them which was the Goudey, most would have no clue. When a Goudey Ruth sells, it gets no publicity. The last time the BN Ruth sold, it set the record for the most expensive sale of a sports card. If that isn't iconic, then I don't know what is.

[Yoda]

I doubt the modern card mob would know much about the E107 Matty; its elegance and beauty and historical significance as his RC.
My friend Kevin Struss sold me one many moons ago and I still rue the day I decided to part with it.

[jingram058]

Opinion, opinion, opinion...and if my opinion differs, it just doesn't matter.

[Peter_Spaeth]

If the list is confined to knowledge and stature within the hobby, I don't see how the Griffey can be left off. That card was and is HUGE. Likewise the 11 Trout.

[BobbyStrawberry]

I'm curious about the Ruth on the list - does anyone know why the yellow one would be considered more iconic than #144?

[Carter08]

Billy Ripken f face might be close.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Carter08

Billy Ripken f face might be close.

Opinions vary greatly but I wouldn't consider anyone without the iconic Bill Ripken F Face card in their collection an advanced collector.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Opinions vary greatly but I wouldn't consider anyone without the iconic Bill Ripken F Face card in their collection an advanced collector.

Advanced collector lol. Perhaps the hobby term I hate the most, but that's another matter.

[nwobhm]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

If the list is confined to knowledge and stature within the hobby, I don't see how the Griffey can be left off. That card was and is HUGE. Likewise the 11 Trout.

I can’t see how a player that didn’t even play 1 WS game could be included on any iconic list. At least a guy like Lebron, who lost more than he won, actually won something.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by nwobhm

I can’t see how a player that didn’t even play 1 WS game could be included on any iconic list. At least a guy like Lebron, who lost more than he won, actually won something.

The 89 UD Griffey ushered in and is the symbol of the modern high end card.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

The 89 UD Griffey ushered in and is the symbol of the modern high end card.

For people who collected in 1989-1994. The Exquisite LeBron made it an after thought. It is the symbol of modern high end now.

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by rats60

For people who collected in 1989-1994. The Exquisite LeBron made it an after thought. It is the symbol of modern high end now.

I was too young for the 84 Mattingly and too old for the Lebron rookie. The UD Griffey was my generation’s key card and there wasn’t anything remotely close.

[Wanaselja]

Originally Posted by nwobhm

I can’t see how a player that didn’t even play 1 WS game could be included on any iconic list. At least a guy like Lebron, who lost more than he won, actually won something.

Scratching head out of confusion emoji.

[Rhotchkiss]

I think the list tends too modern, but I concede that many of the cards I would put on a top 10 list likely aren’t proper for an all time iconic, defining iconic as most widely recognized (definition 2 of Websters).

Here is my LAYMAN most iconic list

52 Topps Mantle
T206 Wagner
1987 Fleer Jordan
1989 UD Griffey
T206 red/green Cobb (Horner image)
1933 Goudey Ruth Batting
1980 Topps Bird-Magic
1954 Aaron
1914 CJ Joe Jackson
1979 OPC Gretzky

My Baseball card collector most iconic

T206 Wagner
BN Ruth
1952 Topps Mantle
M101-4/5 Ruth
T210 Jackson
T206 red/green Cobb
1914 CJ Mathewson
T206 Plank
1933 Goudey Lajoie
1914 CJ Jackson

Honorable mention
1933 Goudey yellow Ruth
1948/9 Leaf Paige
1948/9 Robinson
1963 Rose
1968 Ryan

[robw1959]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

This video came out about 10 months ago, but I missed it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TczUC9u-fMc

Chris rattles off his 10 most iconic cards, with some honorables mentioned. For those not wanting to watch the video (22 minutes, ), here is the list:

10. 1980-81 Topps basketball Bird/Johnson
9. 1979-80 OPC Gretzky
8. 1933 Goudey Ruth (Yellow)
7. 2003-4 Topps Chrome L. James
6. 2000 Playoff Contenders Brady
5. 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson
4. 1989 UD Griffey
3. 1909 T206 Wagner
2. 1986 Fleer Jordan
1. 1952 Topps Mantle


Some initial thoughts.

1. I was surprised that there are only around 1600 graded Yellow Ruths (PSA SGC and BVG). I would have thought there was more.
2. There are 135,000 graded UD Griffeys…. What?!?!?
3. I am okay with the list for the most part. Maybe take out one card and add in the 1965 Topps Namath.

What are your thoughts?

My immediate thoughts are that Namath is probably the most overrated sports figure of all time. He had more interceptions than touchdowns.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Look who's 1.

https://www.cnbc.com/2010/06/03/The-...-All-Time.html

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by rats60

For people who collected in 1989-1994. The Exquisite LeBron made it an after thought. It is the symbol of modern high end now.

I don't think Griffey has been supplanted at all.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by robw1959

My immediate thoughts are that Namath is probably the most overrated sports figure of all time. He had more interceptions than touchdowns.

But in his unique case, that's beside the point.

[Kutcher55]

The 89 Topps Update Randy Kutcher deserves at least an honorable mention.

[RCMcKenzie]

Rovell's list was from 2010. I think it was less random than the list in the 1st post of this thread. To me 'iconic' focuses on eras.

The 52T Mantle is the golden era, 1950's icon for cards. Wagner is tobacco era. Griffey is that card for the junk wax era collectors. I did not collect in college and so the Griffey doesn't ring any bells for me. I do recognize what it is, like a Gretsky rookie, or 1981 Topps Harold Baines.

Modern is really a different hobby to me. I don't really recognize any cards made after 2000, so I don't really know what symbolizes that era, other than refractors of the stars like Kobe, Brady, LeBron, and Messi, and Justin Herbert, and so on.

I just realized I don't own any of the top 10 cards in the hobby from post 1. I used to own a Leaf Robinson when I was a kid that my Dad bought me for $45. I may have a Bird rookie from a pack in a box in storage somewhere.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by RCMcKenzie

Rovell's list was from 2010. I think it was less random than the list in the 1st post of this thread. To me 'iconic' focuses on eras.

The 52T Mantle is the golden era, 1950's icon for cards. Wagner is tobacco era. Griffey is that card for the junk wax era collectors. I did not collect in college and so the Griffey doesn't ring any bells for me. I do recognize what it is, like a Gretsky rookie, or 1981 Topps Harold Baines.

Modern is really a different hobby to me. I don't really recognize any cards made after 2000, so I don't really know what symbolizes that era, other than refractors of the stars like Kobe, Brady, LeBron, and Messi, and Justin Herbert, and so on.

I just realized I don't own any of the top 10 cards in the hobby from post 1. I used to own a Leaf Robinson when I was a kid that my Dad bought me for $45. I may have a Bird rookie from a pack in a box in storage somewhere.

The Fleer Michael Jordan RC is the card for the junk wax era.

[RCMcKenzie]

Originally Posted by rats60

The Fleer Michael Jordan RC is the card for the junk wax era.

I was still in high school when those Fleer basketball cards came to market. My recollection is that there were tons of them, and they were not popular.

After college, I turned to pre-war and never looked back. I appreciate Jordan as a basketball star, but his Fleer card took off in popularity after I essentially left that hobby behind.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

I think the list tends too modern, but I concede that many of the cards I would put on a top 10 list likely aren’t proper for an all time iconic, defining iconic as most widely recognized (definition 2 of Websters).

Here is my LAYMAN most iconic list

52 Topps Mantle
T206 Wagner
1987 Fleer Jordan
1989 UD Griffey
T206 red/green Cobb (Horner image)
1933 Goudey Ruth Batting
1980 Topps Bird-Magic
1954 Aaron
1914 CJ Joe Jackson
1979 OPC Gretzky

My Baseball card collector most iconic

T206 Wagner
BN Ruth
1952 Topps Mantle
M101-4/5 Ruth
T210 Jackson
T206 red/green Cobb
1914 CJ Mathewson
T206 Plank
1933 Goudey Lajoie
1914 CJ Jackson

Honorable mention
1933 Goudey yellow Ruth
1948/9 Leaf Paige
1948/9 Robinson
1963 Rose
1968 Ryan

Our lists are pretty close. I included 1 junk wax era card and two modern cards being the difference.

8 of the cards on my list have been in general media news stories over the last ~5 years. Many times due to selling for record or near record prices. These cards should be the most known cards both in and outside the hobby. For the first ~60 years of the hobby there was a big 3. I could not ignore cards that were so important to our hobby for so long, and still are.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by RCMcKenzie

I was still in high school when those Fleer basketball cards came to market. My recollection is that there were tons of them, and they were not popular.

After college, I turned to pre-war and never looked back. I appreciate Jordan as a basketball star, but his Fleer card took off in popularity after I essentially left that hobby behind.

But that was before the UD Griffey card even existed. The Jordan card started taking off after the Bulls playoff run in 1988 and was soon second to the Donruss Canseco RC before eventually leaving Jose in the dust. At no time ever was Griffey bigger than Jordan.

[RCMcKenzie]

Originally Posted by rats60

But that was before the UD Griffey card even existed. The Jordan card started taking off after the Bulls playoff run in 1988 and was soon second to the Donruss Canseco RC before eventually leaving Jose in the dust. At no time ever was Griffey bigger than Jordan.

Good points, I'll let you and Peter debate it out. My baseball card knowledge takes a sharp decline after around 1986. I do remember the Mark McGwire USA Topps card being the pie'ce de re'sistance at card shows in the late 90's.

[Rhotchkiss]

Off topic, but why not

My Top 10 baseball cards from the 1980s

1989 UD Griffey
1985 Topps USA McGwire
1984 Donruss Mattingly
1986 Topps Traded Bonds
1982 Topps Traded Ripken
1983 Topps Boggs
1980 Topps Henderson
1985 Topps Goodin
1987 Donruss Maddux
1989 Fleer Ripken FF

Other cool ones
1984 Topps Strawberry
1983 Topps Gwynn
1985 Topps USA Conseco

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Off topic, but why not

My Top 10 baseball cards from the 1980s

1989 UD Griffey
1985 Topps USA McGwire
1984 Donruss Mattingly
1986 Topps Traded Bonds
1982 Topps Traded Ripken
1983 Topps Boggs
1980 Topps Henderson
1985 Topps Goodin
1987 Donruss Maddux
1989 Fleer Ripken FF

Other cool ones
1984 Topps Strawberry
1983 Topps Gwynn
1985 Topps USA Conseco

84 FU Clemens and 86TT Tiffany Bonds have to be there for me, PEDs or no PEDs.

[Rhotchkiss]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

84 FU Clemens and 86TT Tiffany Bonds have to be there for me, PEDs or no PEDs.

Crap! I totally forgot about Clemens (1984 FU and 1985 Topps) and Puckett! Clemens is 100% a top 10. The 1985 Topps set is (or was) one of the most loaded sets - Goodin, Clemens, Puckett, USA McGuire and Canseco, Eric Davis

[Rich Falvo]

Hard to argue too much, but I'd drop the Brady and replace it with the 2011 Update Mike Trout.

I'm just glad I own one. Two if I can count the Topps Gretzky instead of OPC.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Crap! I totally forgot about Clemens (1984 FU and 1985 Topps) and Puckett! Clemens is 100% a top 10. The 1985 Topps set is (or was) one of the most loaded sets - Goodin, Clemens, Puckett, USA McGuire and Canseco, Eric Davis

Canseco does not appear until 86 Donruss and Topps Traded.

As for a great set, 89 Donruss is pretty strong with Griffey, Randy Johnson and Schilling. Also Sheffield.

[Rhotchkiss]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Canseco does not appear until 86 Donruss and Topps Traded.

Man, I am outing my own 1980’s rust. That was my time when I fell in love with cards 1982–1987 (dissolutioned with cards in 1989-90 with UD, Bowman, Sportflicks, etc). I do remember buying boxes of 1986 Topps (crappy year) and cutting the cards out of the box bottoms.

Sorry to hijack thread. I will drop the 80s

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Man, I am outing my own 1980’s rust. That was my time when I fell in love with cards 1982–1987 (dissolutioned with cards in 1989-90 with UD, Bowman, Sportflicks, etc). I do remember buying boxes of 1986 Topps (crappy year) and cutting the cards out of the box bottoms.

Sorry to hijack thread. I will drop the 80s

It's a great decade overproduction or not IMO. Still low tech which is good.

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by rats60

But that was before the UD Griffey card even existed. The Jordan card started taking off after the Bulls playoff run in 1988 and was soon second to the Donruss Canseco RC before eventually leaving Jose in the dust. At no time ever was Griffey bigger than Jordan.

Jordan was bigger than Griffey on the court/field but especially in that era baseball card collecting ruled the day.

[todeen]

Originally Posted by rats60

If that is your definition, then none of the cards on his list after the top 3 belong. People without knowledge of the hobby have no clue what those cards are. They know Tom Brady or LeBron James but would never recognize their RCs. Same for cards like the Bird-Magic or the Leaf Robinson. His list is just a bunch of random cards.



Iconic is something that stands the test of time. Plank and Lajoie were iconic to the hobby founders in the 1930s. They were iconic to collectors in the 70s and 80s as 2 of the 3 most valuable cards in the hobby. If newer collectors don't bother to educate themselves about all segments of the hobby and its history, that is their problem, not the Hobby's. If you are making a top 10 list, all segments should be represented.



I bet if you showed people pictures of 4 or 5 Ruth cards and asked them which was the Goudey, most would have no clue. When a Goudey Ruth sells, it gets no publicity. The last time the BN Ruth sold, it set the record for the most expensive sale of a sports card. If that isn't iconic, then I don't know what is.

When I think of iconic, I think of the crappy collecting books I could get at scholastic book fairs in the early 90s. The cards there were not B&W. They all had color. Goudey Ruth was chosen, and Wheaties Gehrig, and T206 Wagner, and 1952 Mantle. It also had Cracker Jack. But it did not have strip cards. I'm not even sure Turkey Red was included. When I started getting Beckett, pre-1948 was not included. I didn't learn about E90 until much later, after college perhaps. I also didn't know about strip cards.

So when I think of iconic for those "not in the know," I believe there are many other millennials who saw those crappy intro to collecting books and could identify some important cards even if they couldn't name them. And if they had to choose B&W or color, they would choose color because that's what those scholastic books had.

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[Tabe]

Originally Posted by raulus

Seems like a little bit of recency bias to me.

I wouldn't say 2 cards under 30 years old is a recency bias at all.

I might quibble with the list here and there but overall I think it's correct.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Tabe

I wouldn't say 2 cards under 30 years old is a recency bias at all.

I might quibble with the list here and there but overall I think it's correct.

I mean… 6 of 10 are younger than I am, and I’m not that old.

Not sure where the magic of 30 years comes from, but I would probably cast a wider net when it comes to recency when discussing a hobby that is at/approaching 150 years old now.