How do you figure out what the rookie card is?

[Gradek]

When I first collected in the 80s/early 90s, it was easy to determine what is considered the rookie card of a player. How do I determine that now? For instance, what is Lindor's rookie? Do I buy bowman Mejia's? 2016 or 17? Is there a formula?

[texmcpherson]

Mejia wouldn't have a RC logo until 2018, my guess.

[rman112]

Originally Posted by Gradek

When I first collected in the 80s/early 90s, it was easy to determine what is considered the rookie card of a player. How do I determine that now? For instance, what is Lindor's rookie? Do I buy bowman Mejia's? 2016 or 17? Is there a formula?

[chugga15]

Originally Posted by Gradek

When I first collected in the 80s/early 90s, it was easy to determine what is considered the rookie card of a player. How do I determine that now? For instance, what is Lindor's rookie? Do I buy bowman Mejia's? 2016 or 17? Is there a formula?

I understand your frustration. I was lost when I got back into the hobby because I didn't know the difference between prospect cards and rookie cards. Look for the RC label!

[Gradek]

Originally Posted by chugga15

I understand your frustration. I was lost when I got back into the hobby because I didn't know the difference between prospect cards and rookie cards. Look for the RC label!

Right, but what is the one most valued? I think lindor has 2015 heritage, update, and chrome (maybe more). Are they all equal in terms of "investing" or is one preferred?

[chugga15]

Originally Posted by Gradek

Right, but what is the one most valued? I think lindor has 2015 heritage, update, and chrome (maybe more). Are they all equal in terms of "investing" or is one preferred?

It is variable for different players and the sets that are available. I would just pick out the cards that you think have the best eye appeal, best design, best picture, etc.

[texmcpherson]

Originally Posted by Gradek

Right, but what is the one most valued? I think lindor has 2015 heritage, update, and chrome (maybe more). Are they all equal in terms of "investing" or is one preferred?

Depends on what the market leans towards. A good guage is Topps Chrome/flagship/update (if applicable) and Heritage are always good choices. I beleive Lindor's Topps Chrome is a short print. Variations of those are always good options as well.

[wood minis]

The 2011 Bowman Chrome autographs are the most expensive Lindor cards out there.

[IronMonkey415]

Back in my days, I would flip the card around and read the stats. If the stats only show college statistics to me it means rookie cards.

[rman112]

Originally Posted by IronMonkey415

Back in my days, I would flip the card around and read the stats. If the stats only show college statistics to me it means rookie cards.

I remember the card flip as well. Less than 130 AB's and he's still a rookie.

I had to look it up just now. For whatever reason, I thought it was 125. Maybe 125 just has a better ring to it, LOL.

[RollTribe]

It's whatever you want it to be. There's no rules.

[smapdi]

The first year he's in a major league set, regardless of when he played in the majors. Same as it was for 100 years.

[palmetto7]

I would love to know how many different RC Judge has and how many RC autos. It has to be well over a hundred of each?

[bblair_2002]

If the card has the current RC logo in a base set,that's his RC. Don't know why Topps does it but I see a lot of insert cards with the logo on it too which can make things confusing for novices. Bowman prospects are insert/subset cards so none of them are RCs in my eyes.

[Centauri3]

I got back into the hobby about 3 years ago, and yeah, had the same questions.

For me, I just settled into looking for the first Topps/Topps Chrome with the RC. I am not a fan of the Bowman prospect autos, and as a kid who grew up in the boom times, Topps always seemed to be the main brand, so I stick with that.

FYI - also as a fellow Tribe fan, I like the 2015 Lindor Chrome as his best RC, Heritage 2nd, Update #3.

[ScooterD]

I have had this question for several years - never got a good answer. Any help would be appreciated.

OK - 1988 O Pee Chee has:

3 RC's - Sam Horn, Ellis Burks and Ken Caminiti
2 XRC's - Delino Deshields and Derek Bell.

Accordingly, this set is not exempt/disqualified from having RC's and XRC's. It is not a test set, limited/regional release or parallel set.

Questions

1. Why is Nate (Nathan) Minchey's card from this set not considered a RC or XRC? His RC is considered to be 1993 bowman (5 years later).

2. Why is Alex Sanchez's card from this set not considered a RC or XRC? His RC is considered to be in 1989 (bowman, topps traded, fleer update and donruss).

[LVDan]

Originally Posted by rman112

this here should cover it

[scfdff]

well let's see, if your name is JB Shuck (not that anyone cares about him), you have a rc logo 2011 bowman draft and a rc logo 2013 topps, if your name is lance McCullers, for some reason you have a rc logo card in both 2015 and 2016 topps heritage high number... lol

[no10pin]

This one always cracks me up. I know the rules changed between these two cards, but the 8 year gap is awesome.

1999


2007