Cards recently sold at auction or private sale circa Nov/Dec 1999

[bbcard1]

Investing in active players has always been a crap shoot. I would have bet the house the Dale Murphy would be a Hall of Famer. Griffey needed a couple more Griffey-like seasons to be a true upper echelon HOFer instead of just the best of his generation. Still, I am tempted to pick up a couple of nice Mike Trout rookies. Only my extreme caution on pitchers keeps me away from a Kershaw. Honestly, I am not sure that some of the regular rookies of guys like Donaldson, Arrietta, Sale, Cabrera, Staunton, etc. may not be good long term investments (meaning returning 4 to 10 times your money). They don't make them by the millions any more. Of course whether anyone will ever get back to caring about the non-auto jersey numbered to 25 cards is anybody's guess. And for every one you hit, you'll end up with some Joey Hamiltons.

[CMIZ5290]

Originally Posted by bbcard1

Investing in active players has always been a crap shoot. I would have bet the house the Dale Murphy would be a Hall of Famer. Griffey needed a couple more Griffey-like seasons to be a true upper echelon HOFer instead of just the best of his generation. Still, I am tempted to pick up a couple of nice Mike Trout rookies. Only my extreme caution on pitchers keeps me away from a Kershaw. Honestly, I am not sure that some of the regular rookies of guys like Donaldson, Arrietta, Sale, Cabrera, Staunton, etc. may not be good long term investments (meaning returning 4 to 10 times your money). They don't make them by the millions any more. Of course whether anyone will ever get back to caring about the non-auto jersey numbered to 25 cards is anybody's guess. And for every one you hit, you'll end up with some Joey Hamiltons.

Todd- What killed Griffey's values were the feel in 1999-2000 he was definitely going to break Aaron's home run record. Keep in mind, this was also because most people did not put him in the category of a cheater (steroids, etc...) Had injuries not plagued that guy, I really believe he would have broke the record, and his cards would have gone even higher. I was hoping that his voting percentage in the HOF would have brought back a little value in his rookies, not sure it has though...

[bbcard1]

Originally Posted by CMIZ5290

Todd- What killed Griffey's values were the feel in 1999-2000 he was definitely going to break Aaron's home run record. Keep in mind, this was also because most people did not put him in the category of a cheater (steroids, etc...) Had injuries not plagued that guy, I really believe he would have broke the record, and his cards would have gone even higher. I was hoping that his voting percentage in the HOF would have brought back a little value in his rookies, not sure it has though...

He was also a rookie during and era when producers literally could not have printed more cards, the Dutch Tulip Bulb era of baseball cards. I agree he was a special player, nearly flawless while at the top of his game.

[Rich Klein]

Griffey may hold his value longer than you think as he was the "hobby poster boy" in the 1990's and most collectors have fond memories of him.

And the HOF induction without any steroid taint helps him as well. No, he is not going to be Mantle, but he was the closest thing to Willie Mays I ever saw.

And, those collectors from the 1990's who do return, will go after Griffey so I would not be surprised to see a bit of a renaissance in his prices. The three players since 1980 I would keep long term are Ripken, Griffey and Jeter

Regards
Rich

[dzolot]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Griffey may hold his value longer than you think as he was the "hobby poster boy" in the 1990's and most collectors have fond memories of him.

And the HOF induction without any steroid taint helps him as well. No, he is not going to be Mantle, but he was the closest thing to Willie Mays I ever saw.

And, those collectors from the 1990's who do return, will go after Griffey so I would not be surprised to see a bit of a renaissance in his prices. The three players since 1980 I would keep long term are Ripken, Griffey and Jeter

Regards
Rich

How about Cabrera? Career numbers thus far plus triple crown put him in high standing imo.