What's George Steinbrenner's Rookie Card?

[Tripredacus]

Sure, but what of those guys who got their first cards in the Conlon set in the 90s? I think that the card has to come out when the player is still active to be a rookie card. The Conlon guys wouldn't count. In the end, whatever a rookie card is based on some authority, like a grading company or a price guide company I guess.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by Tripredacus

In the end, whatever a rookie card is based on some authority, like a grading company or a price guide company I guess.

Usually that definition from the price guide / checklist comes with an explanation like it has to has to be a commercially available set nationwide. Even better if pack-inserted. I don't think any of these would qualify as The Boss's rookie card under that definition. The board game to me is the closest since it actually has a picture of him, but then again, it's from a board game. Maybe Rich Klein can make his educated guess which one Beckett would anoint as Steinbrenner's RC based on his experience.

[bcbgcbrcb]

If I were still collecting earliest Hall of Fame items, in this situation, I would opt for the earliest original press photo of Steinbrenner after he joined the Yankees, early-mid 1970's. Obviously not a card but, to me, a better option than a commemorative card produced many years later.

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by Tripredacus

Sure, but what of those guys who got their first cards in the Conlon set in the 90s? I think that the card has to come out when the player is still active to be a rookie card. The Conlon guys wouldn't count.

Yeah, I gotta go with you there.

[Exhibitman]

That PC is a nationally distributed card. And a great image of the heart of the Bronx Zoo.

What about the Negro Leaguers whose earlier cards are the Laughlin Old Time Black Stars sets? I think for those deprived of a chance they should at least have a RC.

[Tripredacus]

Are we talking about Rookie to mean what it means in today's way of thinking... that a "rookie" is someone who is new to MLB. It can be to a specific league, whereas a minor league card can be a rookie card for the player in that league, but not considered a rookie card for MLB. Same could be true of negro league or japanese leagues.

In fact, it is already true for modern cards in hockey and baseball. In hockey a guy who can have played many years comes to the NHL and they get a rookie card (like Artemi Panarin) who is not actually new to professional hockey. Same can be true of any baseball player who starts in Japan and comes to the US like Ichiro Suzuki.

[scotgreb]

The placeholder in my collection . . .

Steinbrenner, George 1992 BB Enquirer38 PSA 10 17295187.jpg