Best baseball card to gift nephew for high school graduation?

[Jenx34]

You could go with the All-Ugly Set:
Bob Walk
Zane Smith
Kent Tekulve
Sid Bream

Just Say Yes Set:
Dock Ellis
Dave Parker
Bonus: Barry Bonds (though one might argue he didn't start until SF)

The I Can Do Anything You Can Do Only Better Set
Rennie Stennett (7 - 7 in a 9 inning game)
Dale Long (HR in 8 straight games *Tied by Don Mattingly)

The All-Hair Set (Head and Facial)
Omar Moreno
Bill Madlock
Bruce Kison
Jim Bibby
Mike Easler
Rick Rhoden
Phil Garner

OR:
Go with Clemente! You might find out if he has a favorite year/design. The '56 set is beautiful and the '56 Clemente is an iconic card. I also like the '65 Clemente and for $200 you might be able to pick up a nice PSA 7 as opposed to a PSA 4 '56.

[CurtisFlood]

Originally Posted by Jenx34

You could go with the All-Ugly Set:
Bob Walk
Zane Smith
Kent Tekulve
Sid Bream

Just Say Yes Set:
Dock Ellis
Dave Parker
Bonus: Barry Bonds (though one might argue he didn't start until SF)

The I Can Do Anything You Can Do Only Better Set
Rennie Stennett (7 - 7 in a 9 inning game)
Dale Long (HR in 8 straight games *Tied by Don Mattingly)

The All-Hair Set (Head and Facial)
Omar Moreno
Bill Madlock
Bruce Kison
Jim Bibby
Mike Easler
Rick Rhoden
Phil Garner

OR:
Go with Clemente! You might find out if he has a favorite year/design. The '56 set is beautiful and the '56 Clemente is an iconic card. I also like the '65 Clemente and for $200 you might be able to pick up a nice PSA 7 as opposed to a PSA 4 '56.

No hair set is complete without Oscar Gamble.

[brookdodger55]

55 Koufax psa 2, would be my choice

[Huysmans]

Originally Posted by brookdodger55

55 Koufax psa 2, would be my choice

That's a great suggestion as well...

[David W]

Well, while I would rather have Clemente, if he's like my 16 year old son, he'd just go "Who"?

So maybe......

[CW]

Originally Posted by David W

Well, while I would rather have Clemente, if he's like my 16 year old son, he'd just go "Who"?

Sounds like a perfect opportunity to explain the greatness of Roberto Clemente.

[TheSandlot]

I really appreciate all of the input, some amazing suggestions were all noted! I very secretly spoke with him over Christmas about baseball and baseball history while looking at a poster he owns of Forbes Field and retired Pirates Greats underneath. I broached the subject of “if you could watch any player play that ever played baseball who would you want to see” and the first name out of his mouth was Clemente followed by the babe. I believe I am leaning towards pulling the trigger on the 1956 Clemente, I personally have the 1955 Clemente and love the 1955 and 1956 Topps designs.

With that being said, I will still kick back and forth between other options as well until I end up pulling the trigger on one of them at some point. But you all know how opinions can change on a day to day basis!!!

[insidethewrapper]

I'd buy the highest grade I could afford of the 1961 Topps # 312 1960 World Series ( Mazeroski's Homer Wins It !). Nice way to start a collection. Should be able to get a PSA 7- 8 around your price range.

[Jenx34]

Originally Posted by CurtisFlood

No hair set is complete without Oscar Gamble.

I absolutely agree.... His '75 Topps card is my fav.

I was just trying to stick with the Pirate theme.