Cal Ripken Jr. is a baseball legend, and his cards are highly collectible. Here’s a look at some of his key cards from Fleer, Topps, and Upper Deck between 1980 and 1999:
Early Career (1980-1986)
- 1982 Topps Rookie Card (#21): This is arguably Ripken’s most iconic card and a must-have for any collector. It features a young Ripken with the Baltimore Orioles.
- 1982 Fleer Rookie Card (#176): Another popular rookie card, this one is known for its error version with a “U-87” on the back.
- 1983 Topps Traded Card (#297T): This card shows Ripken after he was called up to the majors.
- 1984 Fleer Update Card (#U-24): Part of Fleer’s update set, this card is considered a key Ripken card from the mid-80s.
1983 Cal Ripken Jr. Fleer Baltimore Orioles
1983 Cal Ripken Jr. Fleer Baltimore Orioles
1 in stock
Mid-Career (1987-1993)
- 1987 Topps Tiffany: This card is from Topps’ premium set and is more difficult to find than the regular Topps card.
- 1988 Fleer Baseball’s Best: This set featured a unique design and is popular with collectors.
- 1989 Upper Deck Rookie Card (#1): While not technically a rookie card, this card is still highly sought after due to Upper Deck’s popularity.
- 1991 Topps Desert Shield: These cards were produced for the Gulf War and are very rare.
Late Career (1994-1999)
- 1995 Topps Stadium Club: This set featured high-quality photography and is known for its autographed cards.
- 1996 Leaf Signature Series: This set featured autographed cards of some of the biggest names in baseball, including Ripken.
- 1997 Upper Deck Game Jersey: These cards featured pieces of game-used jerseys, making them popular with collectors.
- 1998 Fleer Tradition: This set featured a classic design and is known for its short prints.
- 1999 Topps Gallery: This set featured artwork by renowned sports artists.
2015 Panini Prizm Red White Blue #155 Cal Ripken Jr Orioles
2015 Panini Prizm Red White Blue #155 Cal Ripken Jr Orioles
1 in stock
Other Notable Cards
- 1980 Charlotte O’s Police Set: This is Ripken’s rarest card and can fetch a high price at auction.
- 1981 Topps XRC: This is an extended rookie card that was only available in wax packs.
- 1982 Topps Traded Card (#297T): This card shows Ripken after he was called up to the majors.
Tips for Collecting
- Condition is Key: The value of a card is heavily influenced by its condition. Cards in mint condition will fetch the highest prices.
- Get Your Cards Graded: Professional grading can help authenticate your cards and give them a grade, which can increase their value.
- Do Your Research: Before buying any cards, do your research to make sure you are getting a fair price.
- Have Fun: Collecting baseball cards should be a fun hobby. Don’t get too caught up in the value of your cards and enjoy the experience.
Cal Ripken Jr. cards are a great investment for any collector. With a little research and patience, you can build a valuable collection of his cards.
Feel free to share my articles on your site, page or group etc., as written with all links, the articles do provide related searchable content for you. You can link to the Sports Cards Blog or my RSS Feed, to use content also, Contact me anytime
Thank you for your time,
James …
1994 Topps Finest Baseball Cal Ripken Jr. Card #235
1994 Topps Finest Baseball Cal Ripken Jr. Card #235
1 in stock