Minor league cards

[bk400]

So at the risk of exposing my multi-million dollar investment strategy, I've been eyeing the first minor league cards of first ballot guys like Albert Pujols, which seem to be much rarer than his MLB cards. I'm assuming, perhaps naively, that over time, all the different variations (chrome, etc.) will start to lose their significance and that people will gravitate toward his true first card.

[packs]

Sometimes they offer a nice alternative to what is otherwise a very common rookie card. I waited out an Elway show appearance for this one. The Rock has a card in the 1994 Bumble Bee Tuna Miami Hurricanes set as Dwayne Johnson, lineman. It's pretty pricey too. I really wish the Macho Man ended up in a minor league set while he was playing in the Cardinals and Reds systems. Scott Boras has a minor league card in the 1977 TCMA set.

[EGreenwood]

There may be a Macho Man postcard. I got this one about 20 years ago in a group of Cardinals Postcards.

https://sites.google.com/view/obcwan...tes?authuser=0

[Brent G.]

Just be sure to get this incredible example of TCMA's quality control in this '82 masterpiece.

[Chris-Counts]

I'll take this 1946 Carmelo Deportivo over a 1952 Topps, Bowman or Berk Ross Minnie Minoso "rookie card." Technically, it's only a second-year "pre-rookie," since there is also a 1945 version with a different pose.

[steve B]

The accepted "definition" of what's a rookie card is a purely arbitrary thing Beckett came up with back when draft pick sets and little sun High school sets came out and there was a lot of confusion.

I've always read it as "a rookie card is one made sort of near the players first season but that exists in big enough quantities that even the most out of touch dealer can get in on the action"

[Balticfox]

Have any of the main card companies - e.g. Topps, Fleer, Donruss, Leaf, Philly/Swell, Score, Pacific, Upper Deck - ever issued a set featuring AAA players? I know Pacific did it for the AHL in 2003-04.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

I'll take this 1946 Carmelo Deportivo over a 1952 Topps, Bowman or Berk Ross Minnie Minoso "rookie card." Technically, it's only a second-year "pre-rookie," since there is also a 1945 version with a different pose.

This is an awesome card. Almost as cool as the Eric Davis with his eyes closed!

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by bk400

So at the risk of exposing my multi-million dollar investment strategy, I've been eyeing the first minor league cards of first ballot guys like Albert Pujols, which seem to be much rarer than his MLB cards. I'm assuming, perhaps naively, that over time, all the different variations (chrome, etc.) will start to lose their significance and that people will gravitate toward his true first card.

I mean who knows LOL, but I wouldn't go there if I were you. Minor league cards have been around a long time and while in much shorter supply the demand is just not there for the most part. To put it bluntly, nobody, or not that many, cares.

Now if you are talking about almost impossible cards to find, like the ones you mentioned, or an Omaha Gibson, then sure.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I mean who knows LOL, but I wouldn't go there if I were you. Minor league cards have been around a long time and while in much shorter supply the demand is just not there for the most part. To put it bluntly, nobody, or not that many, cares.

Yeah, but I guess I just can't figure out why that'd be the case. Here's a Mookie. Betts, not Wilson.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by bk400

Yeah, but I guess I just can't figure out why that'd be the case. Here's a Mookie. Betts, not Wilson.

There isn't a "why" other than because that's what collectors want. They want the official RC. Now prospect cards, especially the relatively scarce autographed ones, can be highly desired too.