Rookie Cards of Baseball Hall of Famers

[rats60]

Derek Jeter 1993 Topps, Bowman, Score, Select, Pinnacle, Upper Deck, SP
Roy Halladay 1997 Bowman, Bowman Chrome, Bowman's Best
Mariano Rivera 1992 Bowman
Trevor Hoffman 1992 Bowman
Vladmir Guerrero 1995 Bowman, Bowman's Best
Chipper Jones 1991 Topps, Bowman, Score, Upper Deck


Carl Yastrzemski didn't play in the majors until 1961, but his rookie card is 1960 Topps, not 1961 Topps. Why would 2nd or 3rd year cards for these be rookie cards instead of their first year MLB cards?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Marvin Miller. 1994 issue from Ken Burns baseball set.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by rats60

Derek Jeter 1993 Topps, Bowman, Score, Select, Pinnacle, Upper Deck, SP
Roy Halladay 1997 Bowman, Bowman Chrome, Bowman's Best
Mariano Rivera 1992 Bowman
Trevor Hoffman 1992 Bowman
Vladmir Guerrero 1995 Bowman, Bowman's Best
Chipper Jones 1991 Topps, Bowman, Score, Upper Deck


Carl Yastrzemski didn't play in the majors until 1961, but his rookie card is 1960 Topps, not 1961 Topps. Why would 2nd or 3rd year cards for these be rookie cards instead of their first year MLB cards?

The hobby consensus is clearly that the cards identified by rats are rookie cards, not the one's on Doug's list. The rule applicable at the time was first appearance with base card in major league set, irrespective of whether in the major leagues yet.

[G1911]

I don't think I've ever before seen 1995 cards stated as Jeter's rookies instead of his 1993's. Except by people who have 1995 Jeter's for sale

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by G1911

I don't think I've ever before seen 1995 cards stated as Jeter's rookies instead of his 1993's. Except by people who have 1995 Jeter's for sale

PWCC used to do it for all Jeter cards 92-96. It was ridiculous. I've posted about it here.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

PWCC used to do it for all Jeter cards 92-96. It was ridiculous. I've posted about it here.

I think PWCC falls under my exception - people with 95 Jeter's for sale. Or in this case, a fraud ring with 95 Jeter's for sale.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by G1911

I think PWCC falls under my exception - people with 95 Jeter's for sale. Or in this case, a fraud ring with 95 Jeter's for sale.

I think he did it for Rivera too, don't recall who else now.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by rats60

Derek Jeter 1993 Topps, Bowman, Score, Select, Pinnacle, Upper Deck, SP
Roy Halladay 1997 Bowman, Bowman Chrome, Bowman's Best
Mariano Rivera 1992 Bowman
Trevor Hoffman 1992 Bowman
Vladmir Guerrero 1995 Bowman, Bowman's Best
Chipper Jones 1991 Topps, Bowman, Score, Upper Deck


Carl Yastrzemski didn't play in the majors until 1961, but his rookie card is 1960 Topps, not 1961 Topps. Why would 2nd or 3rd year cards for these be rookie cards instead of their first year MLB cards?

Not in the hall, but 85T McGwire is clearly his RC even though he wasn't in the bigs yet.