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.
1993 Upper Deck SP Foil #279
1993 Upper Deck SP Foil #279
Derek Jeter's 1993 rookie cards have very little debate surrounding them. They predate the rookie logo and prospect card rule from 2006. Card collectors view these pre-rookie year cards as his rookie cards, even though his MLB debut was in 1995, with many other prospects from that era receiving the same treatment. Jeter has a handful of 1993 cards, but Upper Deck SP foil rookie card is his most desirable.
2011 Topps Update #US175
2011 Topps Update #US175
The 2011 Topps Update Mike Trout is Trout's most well-known rookie card. However, some collectors don't consider Update Series cards eligible to be true rookie cards. When that's the case, this card becomes an XRC.
2022 Topps Series 1 #215
2022 Topps Series 1 #215
The 2022 Topps Wander Franco card is controversial due to 2021 Bowman's Best breaking rules related to prospect cards. The controversy around the Bowman's Best card was compounded by 2021 being Wander Franco's rookie year. With no rookie Franco rookie cards in other 2021 sets, collectors felt that Topps was intentionally holding back the rookie cards to sell more 2022 products. The 2022 Topps Series 1 card has the RC logo, which reignited the debate about which card is the true rookie card.