Best baseball card to gift nephew for high school graduation?
 

I got really into baseball card collecting a few years back and built up a collection of retired Pirates Jersey players, as well as some outlier items (Ruth Goudey, some signed baseballs).

My nephew is graduating from high school this year, and we have always been very close watching baseball and baseball movies since as long as I can remember. For a graduation gift I was thinking about getting his card collection started with a nice card of his own to pass down the generations and always remember his uncle with.

I was thinking about spending somewhere in the 100-200 range. My current top picks are:
- 1948 Leaf Honus Wagner
- 1932 Sanella Babe Ruth
- 1956 Topps Roberto Clemente

Just wanted to get some input on best baseball card collection starter cards in the 100-200$ price range and thoughts on cards listed. Thanks to all, input much appreciated!

Clemente in the nicest psa 3 you can find gets my vote.

The Senella Ruth is a nice first card-- interesting, being a German card in German and all, and nice looking.

How about a nice Willie Stargell rookie

Both a Paul and Lloyd Waner 1933 Goudey in PSA 4 you can probably get both for $200 and it introduces him to a great set with reasonably conditioned cards that he can use to complete a mid-level graded set.

I would pass on Ruth since your nephew already has a Ruth Goudey. I suggest you find out who his favorite post-War Pirate is and get him the nicest looking card (in your opinion) of that player that fits within your budget.

1954 Topps Willie Mays in PSA 4. A beautiful card of maybe best player after Ruth.

How about a t206 Pittsburgh player with a harder back

It sounds like your nephew doesn't have a collection yet. Perhaps you should check with him and ask him honestly how he feels about the hobby. I know a few people that show an interest in hobby when I talk about it because they see how much I enjoy it. However, if I asked them if they wanted to start a collection they'd probably pass.

If the nephew does like the idea then why not start him off with the players he may be familiar with and has followed. Note that you shouldn't be surprised if he likes McCutchen and Cole in lieu of Dave Parker and Roberto Clemente.

Find out how far back his interest goes. If he goes back to the 79 Pirates team then look for cards of players that played on that team. If he really seems interested in Pirates history then why not include a couple of HOF Pirates. For example, the Waner bros are relatively inexpensive. See if old Pirates players piques his curiosity more. If he's a true nut case like the rest of us on this board then he'll dive in deep and quickly.

Note, I was a collecting fool until I graduated from high school. Then there was the four years of education where I just put collecting aside because drinking beer, chicks and other things got in the way of collecting (and the collecting budget).

After I graduated and got a "real job" it was "game on" and I bought all kinds of stuff, but then again, I was a collecting fool well before I got out of high school.

Sad to say, my kids know I enjoy these little pieces of cardboard but they have no interest in this stuff, AT ALL. Perhaps your nephew is different. If so, count your blessings and get him moving in the right direction and enjoy that connection with him.

Which baseball movies have you seen with him. Maybe match one from there and then both of you see the movie again so he would see something he might have not noticed before.

Agree with Orlando. 56 Clemente is not only a beautiful card, but as a humanitarian, he also makes a great model for a graduating senior to emulate.

Of the options presented the Clemente no doubt

I’ll go against the grain here and vote for a PSA 10 Bonds Topps Traded rookie. You’d still have some funds left over and you could probably buy one of the Waner Goudey’s that one of the other posters mentioned or snag a mid career clemente in low to mid grade. That way you hit a couple generations and keep it fun with the Bonds because it could have a bunch of upside down the road IMO.

Just give him one of these and watch the smile on his face grow...:)

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Willie Stargell Rookie is always a good option as well!!

Good thoughts as well! Thanks!!!

Sadly, the Stargell rookie is a floating head with 3 other players like the Pete Rose. Not the most aesthetically pleasing card.

Stargell or clémente

Buy the Rose rookie in PSA 2 on the current price weakness. Use it as an example of how to study ways to capitalize on opportunities presented by the marketplace and also how to learn valuable lessons from the mistakes of others.

Would probably go with Clemente from the original choices.

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.

I would get him a 2011 Topps Update Mike Trout RC PSA 9 can be had for < $200 and a 10 can be had for about $250-ish. Or a 2008 Topps Update Clayton Kershaw PSA 10 can be had for < $200 now.


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56 Clemente is my vote. I have a complete set of 56 and it’s my favorite post war vintage set.


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Out of the three cards you mentioned...

I would go with the Leaf Wagner all day.
Second choice would be for Ruth.

Its hard to beat these early legends.

Or maybe it doesn't have to be a card.

THE T206 COLLECTION: The Players & Their Stories (Zappala/Zappala)

He can read about the stories behind the players of this era and understand the valuation of this set. It can provide a foundation for a starting point of collecting should he decide to collect. Not everyone can own a Honus Wagner, but there are still other interesting players that are affordable to collect.

I would give cash and let him pick out his own card.

cant go wrong with a 1955 or 1956 jackie robinson..

A nice Bob Gibson Rookie. Has room for growth, tough to find nice.

No hair set is complete without Oscar Gamble.

55 Koufax psa 2, would be my choice

That's a great suggestion as well...

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

So maybe......

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.

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

Thank you everyone for all the great advice!
 

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!!! :D :p

If I was starting a collection I sure wouldn't want to look at a card graded 2 or something like that. Find a nice looking card in my opinion.

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

I was just trying to stick with the Pirate theme.

There are some beautiful 2s out there and Id much rather have a 2 of someone I liked versus a 7 of some I didn't.

Nice thought by the OP, sounds like your nephew gave a solid answer in Clemente. Cant go wrong with the 56T and maybe add a solid 73T as well being his last card that shows the 3000 hits on the back...kinds like bookends to his career.