Rookie Cards of Baseball Hall of Famers

[pawpawdiv9]

The 34 Zeenut Joe Dimaggio (batting) is RC, year later Zeenut issue one throwing?
Cal Ripken- should it be the Charlotte O's police card (orange/blue varations)?

BTW- glad i ran across this list as i am doing a run of R/C of major Hofers

[1963Topps Set]

In regards to the original list that started this thread. What a great piece of research! You have that skill to be an historian, not an easy skill to come by. Thanks for documenting this important history!

[Compsella]

Originally Posted by pawpawdiv9

The 34 Zeenut Joe Dimaggio (batting) is RC, year later Zeenut issue one throwing?
Cal Ripken- should it be the Charlotte O's police card (orange/blue varations)?

BTW- glad i ran across this list as i am doing a run of R/C of major Hofers

In regards to this comment, I believe the original list is not counting Minor League cards. Hence why the Baltimore Ruth is not listed, the Zeenuts, Chong Modesto Rickey Henderson, etc, etc.

[bcbgcbrcb]

That's correct, the general consensus among rookie card collectors is that minor league cards represent "Pre-Rookie" Cards as opposed to the first Major League "Rookie" Cards.

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

That's correct, the general consensus among rookie card collectors is that minor league cards represent "Pre-Rookie" Cards as opposed to the first Major League "Rookie" Cards.

I thought the only consensus when it comes to what is a "Rookie Card" is that there is no consensus.

[dougscats]

A couple of questions, Phil:

-In a case like McCovey, where there are two cards in the 1960 Topps set, are both cards considered his rookie card?

-In the 1975 set, where there is a mini-size as well as regular-size set, are both sets considered rookie cards?

-What are the rookie cards for the most recent inductees [Griffey, Piazza, any others]?

I collect hall-of-famers, and, inspired by your list, I've started to actively collect their rookie cards of late.

Thanks.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Whilst you are waiting for Phil, clearly only the regular issue McCovey and not the AS is his RC, and both Bretts are his rookie from the separate sets.

Griffey has a 1987 Bellingham Mariners card.

Piazza has a 1989 Salem Dodgers card.

[mechanicalman]

This thread, while incredibly informative, led to the very humbling realization that, contrary to my previous understanding, I have, in fact, no rookie cards.

[dougscats]

Thanks for your reply, Peter, and your qualification, Phil.

May I take it then that:

Maddux RC is 1987?
Pedro Martinez, 1991 or 1992?
Frank Thomas, 1990?

Phil, if it's not too much trouble,
Could you update your opening list to include the past 2-3 years inductees?

I'm counting seven that aren't listed: Maddux, Martinez, Thomas, Smoltz, Glavine, Piazza, Griffey.
Am I missing any?

And good luck, Sam, on your first h-o-f RC--Hope you've got one of the new ones--

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by dougscats

Thanks for your reply, Peter, and your qualification, Phil.

May I take it then that:

Maddux RC is 1987?
Pedro Martinez, 1991?
Frank Thomas, 1990?

Phil, if it's not too much trouble,
Could you update your opening list to include the past 2-3 years inductees?

I'm counting seven that aren't listed: Maddux, Martinez, Thomas, Smoltz, Glavine, Piazza, Griffey.
Am I missing any?

And good luck, Sam, on your first h-o-f RC--Hope you've got one of the new ones--

If you are looking for major league rookie cards and not first cards, then you have all three right. I think there is only one option for Pedro, Upper Deck Final Edition, but there are several options for Thomas and Maddux.

[dougscats]

If Pedro didn't pitch in the major leagues until 1992, then that is his rookie card, no?

My original post stated 1991; sorry.