Best baseball card to gift nephew for high school graduation?

[drcy]

The Senella Ruth is a nice first card-- interesting, being a German card in German and all, and nice looking.

[oldjudge]

How about a nice Willie Stargell rookie

[iwantitiwinit]

Both a Paul and Lloyd Waner 1933 Goudey in PSA 4 you can probably get both for $200 and it introduces him to a great set with reasonably conditioned cards that he can use to complete a mid-level graded set.

[ValKehl]

I would pass on Ruth since your nephew already has a Ruth Goudey. I suggest you find out who his favorite post-War Pirate is and get him the nicest looking card (in your opinion) of that player that fits within your budget.

[mark evans]

1954 Topps Willie Mays in PSA 4. A beautiful card of maybe best player after Ruth.

[Fred]

It sounds like your nephew doesn't have a collection yet. Perhaps you should check with him and ask him honestly how he feels about the hobby. I know a few people that show an interest in hobby when I talk about it because they see how much I enjoy it. However, if I asked them if they wanted to start a collection they'd probably pass.

If the nephew does like the idea then why not start him off with the players he may be familiar with and has followed. Note that you shouldn't be surprised if he likes McCutchen and Cole in lieu of Dave Parker and Roberto Clemente.

Find out how far back his interest goes. If he goes back to the 79 Pirates team then look for cards of players that played on that team. If he really seems interested in Pirates history then why not include a couple of HOF Pirates. For example, the Waner bros are relatively inexpensive. See if old Pirates players piques his curiosity more. If he's a true nut case like the rest of us on this board then he'll dive in deep and quickly.

Note, I was a collecting fool until I graduated from high school. Then there was the four years of education where I just put collecting aside because drinking beer, chicks and other things got in the way of collecting (and the collecting budget).

After I graduated and got a "real job" it was "game on" and I bought all kinds of stuff, but then again, I was a collecting fool well before I got out of high school.

Sad to say, my kids know I enjoy these little pieces of cardboard but they have no interest in this stuff, AT ALL. Perhaps your nephew is different. If so, count your blessings and get him moving in the right direction and enjoy that connection with him.

[bauce]

Which baseball movies have you seen with him. Maybe match one from there and then both of you see the movie again so he would see something he might have not noticed before.

[CurtisFlood]

A nice Bob Gibson Rookie. Has room for growth, tough to find nice.

[MR RAREBACK]

How about a t206 Pittsburgh player with a harder back

[mechanicalman]

Agree with Orlando. 56 Clemente is not only a beautiful card, but as a humanitarian, he also makes a great model for a graduating senior to emulate.

Of the options presented the Clemente no doubt

[ronniehatesjazz]

I’ll go against the grain here and vote for a PSA 10 Bonds Topps Traded rookie. You’d still have some funds left over and you could probably buy one of the Waner Goudey’s that one of the other posters mentioned or snag a mid career clemente in low to mid grade. That way you hit a couple generations and keep it fun with the Bonds because it could have a bunch of upside down the road IMO.

[TheSandlot]

Good thoughts as well! Thanks!!!

[orly57]

Sadly, the Stargell rookie is a floating head with 3 other players like the Pete Rose. Not the most aesthetically pleasing card.

[TheSandlot]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

How about a nice Willie Stargell rookie

Willie Stargell Rookie is always a good option as well!!