89 Upper Deck Griffeys- Economists?

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Hey, if you are patient you will find that card at your price, but it is the 1980's version of the most iconic card. If Don Mattingly had ended up with an HOF career the 1984 Donruss card would be right up there with the Griffey. Certain cards just have an aura about them and those are two of them.

Rich

There's a few like that. If it weren't for controversies, steroids, injury and other assorted downfalls. Griffey, despite his injury issues, seems to be the last man standing from the 80's, well he rickey and cal(in terms of iconic, or once iconic, cards that somewhat held their ground).

Off the top of my head, these are probably the only ones that I would've considered Iconic a one point or another.

1980 Topps Hendeson
1982 Topps Traded Ripken
1983 Topps Traded Strawberry
1984 Donruss Mattingly(The Joe Carter is still a favorite, but I don't think ever reached iconic status at it's peak)
1984 Fleer Update Clemens and Gooden(note:I never considered the pucket card iconic, I think a lot of his value is attached to the set I'm also not 100% positive that the gooden was ever really iconic.)
1985 Topps McGwire
1986 Donruss Canseco
1987 Fleer Bonds(1986 issues possibly)
1987 Classic Green Bo Jackson
1989 UD Griffey

I agree that the Griffey was probably the only one to be popular even outside the hobby. Possibly the McGwire.

The 90's had a smaller bunch
1990 Leaf Thomas and Sosa
1991 Desert Shield Chipper(despite the scarcity of the set carrying most of the value)
not sure, but I think the 1992 traded Garciaparra was once a HUGE card.
1992 Bowman Ramirez, probably Rivera too.
1992 Fleer Update Piazza
1993 SP Jeter
1994 SP A Rod
1995 Bowman's best Vlad(Possibly Andruw Jones)

there were a few others that probably got close, or could've, but by the time the players peaked, the card market was already in a downfall. I don't think the current state of the hobby will ever again accomodate another "standard" card reaching iconic status.

Honestly, since '95, I don't think there's been many "iconic" type standard cards produced, with exception of maybe the '01 Bowman Chrome Pujols. but even that has the insert type stigma, being autographed and a refractor.