6 HOF RCs in one year

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

You're right, no 1986 either, although I suspect McGriff and/or Bonds eventually will make it.

I just don't see how you can call a 1985 Puckett a rookie when he has a nationally distributed card from a top three brand in 1984, but whatever.

Calling a set that most card shops didn't order and was never available at retail a "national" distribution is a stretch. Michael Jordan's RC is universally recognized as the 1986 Fleer and not the Star issues that had similar distribution problems and were the only NBA license at the time.

1986 Topps Traded was the first set of its kind to have any type of wide spread distribution. That would be differentiating point to me. Sets that are restricted from the collecting public intentionally by manufacturers don't meet the RC definition. A RC should be widely available to the hobby, not just to a select few.

[ALR-bishop]

I collected all Topps, Fleer and original Bowman sets. A lot of folks do not think you need the Traded/Update sets to be complete. I do but have no idea how many set collectors have the 84 Fleer Traded set. I would bet however that every Kirby Puckett master collector has his 84 Fleer card

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by rats60

Calling a set that most card shops didn't order and was never available at retail a "national" distribution is a stretch. Michael Jordan's RC is universally recognized as the 1986 Fleer and not the Star issues that had similar distribution problems and were the only NBA license at the time.

1986 Topps Traded was the first set of its kind to have any type of wide spread distribution. That would be differentiating point to me. Sets that are restricted from the collecting public intentionally by manufacturers don't meet the RC definition. A RC should be widely available to the hobby, not just to a select few.

It won't come as any surprise that I view the 101 as Jordan's true rookie.

I'll go with first officially licensed card in a major league set. I think that works across the board for me but maybe there are exceptions. Qualities such as "readily available" are too subjective for me.

How do you feel btw about cards in Topps Tiffany and Fleer Glossy sets? Those were intentionally restricted, yes?

[shagrotn77]

It’s pretty simple: rookie card = first card. That’s the whole draw of rookie cards, to have the player’s first card. And, of course, I’m not including minor league issues since they’re a whole different ballgame. The whole XRC thing is and always was nonsense. If you really think 1985 is the year for rookie cards for Kirby Puckett, Roger Clemens, Dwight Gooden, etc., then you just don’t get it.

[wdwfan]

Originally Posted by shagrotn77

It’s pretty simple: rookie card = first card. That’s the whole draw of rookie cards, to have the player’s first card. And, of course, I’m not including minor league issues since they’re a whole different ballgame. The whole XRC thing is and always was nonsense. If you really think 1985 is the year for rookie cards for Kirby Puckett, Roger Clemens, Dwight Gooden, etc., then you just don’t get it.

So with that mindset, is the 2009 Bowman Chrome Trout considered his RC? Or is it 2011? I've always though of 2011 as his rookie year and not 2009. Same way I think 1985 is Puckett's rookie year and not 1984.

[todeen]

Originally Posted by wdwfan

So with that mindset, is the 2009 Bowman Chrome Trout considered his RC? Or is it 2011? I've always though of 2011 as his rookie year and not 2009. Same way I think 1985 is Puckett's rookie year and not 1984.

The 2011 cards are his RC, first year in the majors. The Bowman 1st cards have become popular, but those players are in the minors, and those sets are correctly labeled as Draft Pick, etc, and should be viewed as a minor league card. But, first cards have been and remain popular. Derek Jeter in 1992, Joey Votto in 2002, and Mike Trout in 2009.

And then there was MLB and Topps decision to create the official RC stamp that creates further confusion about 1990 RCs.

Because Topps Traded in the 1980s are generally recognized as RC, I consider any 1980s Traded set to be a RC. I disagree with XRC labels.

Note: this argument is meant solely for modern 1980 - present.

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[Exhibitman]

1954 Topps was pretty spectacular in terms of quality: Aaron, Banks, Kaline. All are top-tier HOFers.

1975 Topps had a pretty good run too: Brett, Yount, Rice, Carter.

[packs]

The 1949 Bowman set has a lot more rookies than I remembered too:

Campy
Early Wynn
Robin Roberts
Richie Ashburn
Duke Snider
Bob Lemon

And could break the tie at 6 if Hodges ever gets in.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

1954 Topps was pretty spectacular in terms of quality: Aaron, Banks, Kaline. All are top-tier HOFers.

1975 Topps had a pretty good run too: Brett, Yount, Rice, Carter.

1955 -- Koufax, Killebrew and Clemente.