Let's talk about rookie cards
Sports card collectors can't seem to agree on rookie card definitions. What do you consider a rookie card?
Sports card collectors can't seem to agree on rookie card definitions. What do you consider a rookie card?
1996 Score #240
1996 Score #240
Derek Jeter has a unique rookie card scenario. Jeter qualified as a rookie in both 1995 and 1996, with Jeter winning Rookie of the Year in 1996. However, the hobby views his 1993 cards as his rookie cards. Given that rookie cards can't span multiple seasons, either his 1993 cards qualify or his 1995 cards. His 1996 cards are not eligible to be rookie cards under any conditions, even though he was the 1996 ROY.
1951 Bowman #253
1951 Bowman #253
Mickey Mantle's 1951 Bowman card is his true rookie card. However, Mantle's iconic 1952 Topps card often gets viewed as the holy grail of post-war sports cards leading some industry insiders to mislabel the card. Regular media coverage of significant 1952 Topps Mantle sales perpetuates this label to the general public.
1961 Topps #287
1961 Topps #287
1961 was Carl Yastrzemski's rookie year, and his 1961 Topps card says "1961 Rookie" similar to other rookie cards in the set. However, the 1960 Topps Carl Yastrzemski is widely regarded as his rookie card. If a card must be printed on or after a player's rookie season to count as a rookie card, the 1961 Topps card would become a rookie card.
2022 Topps Series 2 #659
2022 Topps Series 2 #659
Julio Rodriguez is a 2022 rookie. Like Wander Franco, Rodriguez has a 2021 Bowman's Best card that should have been labeled "prospect." Rodriguez's 2022 Topps Series 2 card is a short-printed variation of card #659. This card meets all of the common criteria to be a rookie card so its status depends on 2021 Bowman's Best.
