Barry Larkin -- Undervalued?

[todeen]

Larkin is a generational gap player - like Cal Rpiken Jr - bridging defense first SS era of Ozzie Smith and others to the offensive juggernauts of Derek Jeter, ARod, and Nomar. He is the greatest SS of the 90s. And statheads argue he was a better offensive player than Jeter.

He is overshadowed by his steroid era contemporaries, but in time he might be better recognized for his accomplishments. He was the first 20/20 SS. While you might say he is undervalued, his card prices went bonkers over the last 3 years and are resettling on a new higher floor. His 1998 Topps Tek cards shot up in price and have stayed relatively high.

His best RC is from the team released Kahns set. Other undervalued cards - if you want to call them that, are 1993 Topps Finest Refractor, 1996 - 1999 Topps Chrome refractors, late 90s auto cards (Donruss Signatures among others), and the numbered insert sets /100 or less. His cards from 2000 - 2005 don't command prices like his late 90s cards.

Don't be fooled thinking there isn't a following for Larkin. His scarcer cards are bid on heavily. But unlike KGJ, his scarcer cards are not minimum $1000. He will never garner that kind of attention.

The collage is based off his 1992 Bowman card, which is my favorite condition sensitive card. Good luck finding one with gold foil that hasn't been dinged.

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[Peter_Spaeth]

My Larkin. The Kahn while rare just didn't appeal to me between it being a pinhead shot and even at that his face being somewhat obscured.

[D. Bergin]

My only Larkin, from my Pre-Rookie photo collection. Type 1 Press photo when he was with The University of Michigan, just before being drafted by the Reds.

Also my only Beckett slabbed photograph. You can probably see how comically large and bulky it is. If I ever want to free it from the slab I'll probably have to rent a Jaws of Life tool to get it out.

[todeen]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

My only Larkin, from my Pre-Rookie photo collection. Type 1 Press photo when he was with The University of Michigan, just before being drafted by the Reds.



Also my only Beckett slabbed photograph. You can probably see how comically large and bulky it is. If I ever want to free it from the slab I'll probably have to rent a Jaws of Life tool to get it out.

1000% jealous. I want something pre-rookie for him and it is extremely hard to find. He doesn't have MiLB cards like other 1990 Reds.

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[SyrNy1960]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

My only Larkin, from my Pre-Rookie photo collection. Type 1 Press photo when he was with The University of Michigan, just before being drafted by the Reds.

Also my only Beckett slabbed photograph. You can probably see how comically large and bulky it is. If I ever want to free it from the slab I'll probably have to rent a Jaws of Life tool to get it out.

Love the press photo. Great piece to own!