Alternative rookies I will never find

[Lucas00]

I feel like these are items that most people, even some seasoned collectors may have but don't realize it. They aren't easy to date and are usually poorly listed on sites like ebay.

Here's a few fun ones I have.

A very early, possibly rookie era Eddie Yost.

And a 1966 Joe Morgan. Cool thing about this copy, looks like it was used for publication purposes.

[Exhibitman]

If you think about it, that first year TI was usually of a scrubeenie, not a star, so who would want it? Probably did not generate much interest from fans so most of the surviving examples would be in press archives and those were routinely thrown away after a time.

Definitely an area in need of more study and much more respect in the hobby. Pinning them down is a challenge.

Basketball is even more fun than this because a lot of the big players had team issues in college. How cool would it be to own a Jordan UNC team issue? I know there is one but it is mega-rare and mega-pricey when it comes up. Best I can do is his rookie year Bulls TI:

[Peter_Spaeth]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/19479518169...Bk9SR7Ka0-WLYg

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

https://www.ebay.com/itm/19479518169...Bk9SR7Ka0-WLYg

Awesome but too much for my budget.

[JeremyW]

I picked this one from a board member a few back. I also like the '67 Mets Seaver PC. That Bench is very nice.

[Exhibitman]

They were all such kids, you know? Reminds me of my alternative RC of Gretzky



Of course, some of these guys looked like mature men early on



I bet The Mailman was shaving when he was in third grade.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Another Gretzky option. PSA stopped grading the JD McCarthy that Adam posted, not sure why, it's a great card.