Ryan Barone (@ballcardgenius, Card Expert) is a lifelong member of the hobby. He has been quoted in PSA Magazine, and his content has regularly been mentioned in “Quick Rips” (the Topps RIPPED Newsletter) and across other hobby publications. hello@ballcardgenius.com; Last Time Ago LLC dba Ballcard Genius.
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There have been a lot of cards released over the years. A LOT of cards. To try and narrow things down to the coolest cards ever would be a near impossible feat. I mean, we had a hard enough time talking about the most sought after cards and funniest pieces of cardboard.
That said, we can have some fun and go through as many as we can, right?
1991 Fleer Pro Visions
Frankly, elbowing its way through the junk wax era crowd, 1991 Fleer Pro Visions series stands out as a hobby game-changer. Before its introduction, baseball cards were largely traditional in design and content; very few inserts. However, the Pro Visions series brought a fresh and artistic perspective to the table, captivating collectors with its unique illustrations.
These cards weren’t just about the players; they were pieces of art, showcasing players in dynamic and imaginative settings. My favorites? Hard to argue with all of the A’s entries being a big fan—McGwire perhaps the coolest as a nod to his 1985 Topps USA card. I also like Mike Greenwell’s card bringing the Green Monster to life.
Team Color Match Cards
Going a more general route, the concept of “team color match” cards is cool and intriguing. If you aren’t familiar, itrevolves around the idea of card parallels matching the team’s uniform or logo colors.
For instance, Topps has parallels that are typically green and numbered /99. This would be a perfect color match for Oakland Athletics (A’s) cards.
Carrying that idea forward, 2023 Topps Chrome Baseball cards provides a list of parallels such as these Green Refractors, Blue Refractors, and Magenta Refractors, among others. Teams like the Seattle Mariners would match with Aqua Refractors, while the Cincinnati Reds might align with Red Refractors.
This color coordination adds an extra layer of appeal for collectors, especially those loyal to specific teams. The design and color pop makes for some of the coolest cards around.
Multi-Colored Patch Cards
When it comes to baseball card relics, multi-colored patch cards are in a league of their own. Unlike the one-color standard player-worn or game-used jersey swatches, these cards feature patches from various parts of a player’s jersey.
This could be a segment of their nameplate, team name letters, jersey number, or even a sleeve patch. The multi-colored design not only adds depth and texture to the card but also makes it visually stunning. These patches, rich in detail and color, offer a closer connection to the player and the game.
Vintage Cards in Great Condition
Time is often unkind to baseball cards. A card released in 1964, for instance, has witnessed almost six decades by the time it makes it to 2023 (if it even makes it). It’s likely been through numerous hands, storage conditions, and possibly even survived a few accidents. Therefore, stumbling upon a vintage card in impeccable condition is akin to finding a treasure.
It’s not just about the card’s monetary value but the history it carries. Such cards are a testament to the care and reverence collectors have for the game and its memorabilia.
Flagship SSPs
Shortprints (SPs) and Super Short Prints (SSPs) have become staples in modern card releases. These cards, often featuring image variations of star players, are coveted for their rarity and unique imagery.
A prime example (only because it’s the best one I’ve ever pulled from a pack) is the Ohtani batting cage variation from the 2018 Topps series.
Such cards capture candid moments, offering a different perspective of players. While they might be common in today’s releases, their distinct imagery ensures they remain fan favorites.
While there are a lot, they are sometimes hard to spot. Here is how to identify SPs (and SSPs).
Trout Ohtani Showdown
A more recent entry, but definitely worth a mention. The World Baseball Classic championship showdown between Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani was a moment for the ages. While Ohtani emerged victorious in their duel, the event birthed an iconic card from Topps Now.
A Troutani “signature” moment we’ll never forget ? pic.twitter.com/PKZViAR20U
— Mike Trout (@MikeTrout) August 9, 2023
This card, capturing the intensity of their face-off, has been making waves in the collector’s world. A detailed account of this epic showdown and the subsequent card release can be found on Fox Sports.
The First Relic Card
Relic cards, also known as memorabilia cards, are a unique subset of baseball cards that feature actual pieces of material from a player’s uniform, equipment, or even the playing field. The concept of a baseball jersey card is to embed a piece of material from a player’s uniform directly onto the card.
This is nothing new, though—right? Relic cards are so commonplace you might forget that there was a time in cardboard where they weren’t.
@GoldinCo: “In 1997, Upper Deck produced the first game-used jersey cards ever made. The set included just three cards: Ken Griffey Jr., Tony Gwynn, and Rey Ordoñez.”
In 1997, Upper Deck produced the first game-used jersey cards ever made. The set included just three cards: Ken Griffey Jr., Tony Gwynn, and Rey Ordoñez. pic.twitter.com/PYa5bK9qUe
— Goldin (@GoldinCo) July 22, 2021
So, while these cards can range from featuring different pieces of pants, socks, patches, hats, and other parts of the uniform to equipment like bats, gloves, and cleats, the first jersey card made its debut in 1997 through an Upper Deck release.
Griffey Blowing Bubbles in 1995 Pinnacle
Let’s face it, Ken Griffey Jr. is king of cards as much as he was king of the diamond. As such, you will see him on a lot of these types of lists, and if we are talking cool cards, it’s no surprise this next one is a must for any collection.
Ken Griffey Jr.’s 1995 Pinnacle Baseball card is cool not just for its representation of the player but for the massive bubble gum bubble he’s blowing in the image. While the bubble’s size might be exaggerated (and possibly the result of some photoshop work), it doesn’t detract from the card’s charm.
@tradercracks: “Just realized the 1995 Pinnacle Ken Griffey Jr. has Topps stuff lurking in the background. Any other similar instances of crossing the streams on cards out there?”
Just realized the 1995 Pinnacle Ken Griffey Jr. has Topps stuff lurking in the background. Any other similar instances of crossing the streams on cards out there? pic.twitter.com/EYyn6LYuEe
— Ryan Cracknell (@tradercracks) July 2, 2018
Such cards, which deviate from the standard action shots or posed pictures, offer a refreshing and entertaining perspective of the players.
1993 SP (and Derek Jeter)
Derek Jeter’s 1993 SP rookie card is more than just a collectible—it’s a monumental release when it comes to the evolution of baseball cards. This card, produced by Upper Deck’s “SP,” elevated the status of rookie cards and cards in general thanks to the quality of the photos and foil finishes of Jeter, Chipper, Manny, and others.
1993 SP Foil Derek Jeter
— The Collectibles Guru ? (@ericwhiteback) April 10, 2023
While currently worth about $200k, PSA 10 copies of this card peaked at $600k.
But PSA 6’s or lower can be had around $100 or less.
The most iconic card of The Captain! pic.twitter.com/CVqpMQ4rYa
While Jeter has rookie cards from other brands, including Topps flagship, the 1993 SP is considered his best. It’s not just about the player it represents but the quality and design of the card itself.
eTopps Uncirculated
eTopps cards, despite their age, continue to be a sought-after collection in the baseball card community. These cards, which were unique for their time, offer a blend of traditional card design with modern elements.
The Mysterious @Topps Warehouse
— Mario Alejandro (@BeisbolCardBlog) June 21, 2023
Somewhere in Delaware, there is a warehouse leased or owned by Topps that is climate controlled and used to house thousands of abandoned and long forgotten eTopps cards.
eTopps were introduced in 2000 as cards sold exclusively online. The print… pic.twitter.com/jNza6CX9Kj
As the tweet notes “eTopps were introduced in 2000 as cards sold exclusively online. The print run was determined by how many orders were placed. The cards weren’t immediately available until the collector requested delivery.”
They represent a bridge between the classic era of baseball cards and the new age, making them a cool addition to any collector’s repertoire. I myself am also a sucker for uncirculated cards, and considering these were ahead of their time in that regard as well, they need to be on the list!
Can you think of any other cool cards to include? Contact me!
