Rookie Card Classification Question

[Robextend]

Hi all,

Question regarding RC designations:

Since John Smoltz and Craig Biggio have cards in the 1988 Fleer Update set and not any single mainstream set that same year, would you consider:

1 - The 1988 Fleer Update Biggio and Smoltz their only Fleer Rookie cards?
2 - Their 1988 Fleer Update cards don't count as true rookie because they are not a standard set, and the 1989 Fleer cards are the true rookie cards?
3 - They are all rookie cards...which is what SGC seems to do, however I am not sure that is really correct and in the spirit of rookie cards.

I know us rookie card freaks can be annoying, but my OCD is kicking in wanting to figure this out so I can properly classify what I collect.

Thanks for helping out,
Rob

[cardinalcollector]

I would count Smoltz's 1988 Fleer update card his rookie and Biggios 1988 Fleer update and Score update his rookies. No 1989s should count in my book.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Rob:

The proper classification to me is labeling the 1988 Fleer Update and Score Traded cards as XRC (Extended Rookie Cards) and the 1989 issues as RC's (Rookie Cards). This practice began in 1981 with the first Topps Traded set. Topps did produce a couple of traded sets during the mid-1970's as well but no rookies unless you count the '76 Willie Randolph (who already appeared in the '76 base set also).

That being said, I agree with Randy that my card(s) of choice for Smoltz & Biggio are the 1988's, I never collected the 1989's.

I would consider the first time appearance in a licensed Minor League team sets, before the regular and update sets to be the true rookie

[bcbgcbrcb]

Minor league cards are typically referred to as Pre-Rookies. Many collectors prefer to collect those as opposed to their first major league counterparts.

[ALR-bishop]

I am contemplating this....pre rookies....extended rookies....rookies.

I had not realized that this area of the hobby was as complicated as deciding what is and is not a variation :-0

At least for Topps and Fleer I think I am ok, however it comes out, since I have all their sets