Rookie Cards of Baseball Hall of Famers

[Yoda]

Phil, the Board owes you a debt for what I would consider the definite, go-to reference on HOFer's RC. I have already printed and embedded it in my file on the subject. Many thanks. John

[dougscats]

I am a long-time fan of Phil's list, which is the one I use for my H-o-F RC collection.

"If anyone would like an updated entry to be made to my original list, I would be happy to do this." [Phil]

As no one has done this, I'll submit this update for discussion and ultimately Phil's approval.

I've only done the players' RC's, though I've included the entire list of H-o-F inductees for those who are interested.

According to Phil's rules as I understand them, the RC is the card issued in the player's first year in mlb or, as the case may be, the Negro Leagues. If no card was issued in the player's first year, the RC is the first card printed thereafter. Where there is a conflict or a question or I'm uncertain, I've indicated a question mark and tried to list all alternatives.

H-o-F Inductees since 2017:

Year Name Rookie Year Rookie Card

2022 Bud Fowler 1858-1913 ?

2022 Gil Hodges 1943/47 ?1947 Bond Bread, 1947-56 Exhibit, 1949 Bowman

2022 Jim Kaat 1959 1960 Topps

2022 Minnie Minoso 1946/49 ?1946/47 Caramelo Deportivos [sic], 1947-66 Exhibit? 1952 Topps, Bowman?

2022 Buck O'Neil 1937

2022 Tony Oliva 1962 1963 Topps

2020 Derek Jeter 1995 1995 Topps, etc.

2020 Marvin Miller 1917-2012

2020 Ted Simmons 1968 1971 Topps

2020 Larry Walker 1989 1989 ML card, 1990 Topps, etc.

2019 Harold Baines 1980 1981 Topps, etc.

2019 Roy Halladay 1998 1998 Bowman, Topps

2019 Edgar Martinez 1987 1987 ML card? 1988 Fleer, Donruss

2019 Mike Mussina 1991 1991 UD, Score, Leaf

2019 Mariano Rivera 1995 1995 bowman, Topps

2019 Lee Smith 1980 1982 Topps, etc.

2018 Vladimir Guerrero 1996 1996 Topps

2018 Trevor Hoffman 1993 1993 Topps, etc.

2018 Chipper Jones 1993 1993 Topps, etc.

2018 Jack Morris 1977 1978 Topps

2018 Jim Thome 1991 1991 Bowman, Upper Deck,

2018 Alan Trammell 1977 1978 Topps

2017 Jeff Bagwell 1991 1991 UD, etc.

2017 Tim Raines 1979 1981 Topps

2017 Ivan Rodriguez 1991 1991 Topps, UD,

2017 John Schuerholz 1940-Living

2017 Bud Selig 1934-Living

[rats60]

Derek Jeter 1993 Topps, Bowman, Score, Select, Pinnacle, Upper Deck, SP
Roy Halladay 1997 Bowman, Bowman Chrome, Bowman's Best
Mariano Rivera 1992 Bowman
Trevor Hoffman 1992 Bowman
Vladmir Guerrero 1995 Bowman, Bowman's Best
Chipper Jones 1991 Topps, Bowman, Score, Upper Deck


Carl Yastrzemski didn't play in the majors until 1961, but his rookie card is 1960 Topps, not 1961 Topps. Why would 2nd or 3rd year cards for these be rookie cards instead of their first year MLB cards?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Marvin Miller. 1994 issue from Ken Burns baseball set.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by rats60

Derek Jeter 1993 Topps, Bowman, Score, Select, Pinnacle, Upper Deck, SP
Roy Halladay 1997 Bowman, Bowman Chrome, Bowman's Best
Mariano Rivera 1992 Bowman
Trevor Hoffman 1992 Bowman
Vladmir Guerrero 1995 Bowman, Bowman's Best
Chipper Jones 1991 Topps, Bowman, Score, Upper Deck


Carl Yastrzemski didn't play in the majors until 1961, but his rookie card is 1960 Topps, not 1961 Topps. Why would 2nd or 3rd year cards for these be rookie cards instead of their first year MLB cards?

The hobby consensus is clearly that the cards identified by rats are rookie cards, not the one's on Doug's list. The rule applicable at the time was first appearance with base card in major league set, irrespective of whether in the major leagues yet.

[G1911]

I don't think I've ever before seen 1995 cards stated as Jeter's rookies instead of his 1993's. Except by people who have 1995 Jeter's for sale

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by G1911

I don't think I've ever before seen 1995 cards stated as Jeter's rookies instead of his 1993's. Except by people who have 1995 Jeter's for sale

PWCC used to do it for all Jeter cards 92-96. It was ridiculous. I've posted about it here.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

PWCC used to do it for all Jeter cards 92-96. It was ridiculous. I've posted about it here.

I think PWCC falls under my exception - people with 95 Jeter's for sale. Or in this case, a fraud ring with 95 Jeter's for sale.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by rats60

Derek Jeter 1993 Topps, Bowman, Score, Select, Pinnacle, Upper Deck, SP
Roy Halladay 1997 Bowman, Bowman Chrome, Bowman's Best
Mariano Rivera 1992 Bowman
Trevor Hoffman 1992 Bowman
Vladmir Guerrero 1995 Bowman, Bowman's Best
Chipper Jones 1991 Topps, Bowman, Score, Upper Deck


Carl Yastrzemski didn't play in the majors until 1961, but his rookie card is 1960 Topps, not 1961 Topps. Why would 2nd or 3rd year cards for these be rookie cards instead of their first year MLB cards?

Not in the hall, but 85T McGwire is clearly his RC even though he wasn't in the bigs yet.