Did you hear Topps just published a definition of "Rookie Card"?

[JoshMN]

This and more is now available at "The Collector's Curriculum"

https://www.topps.com/education

Are you ready to be educated?

[ThoseBackPages]

i saw that.

i laughed

[cp312]

they just pretty much said, at a minimum, that Wander 21 BBs are RCs, seeing as they were released during his rookie eligibility and falls into the "but not always" stamped category

hilarious

[imbluestreak23]

Originally Posted by cp312

they just pretty much said, at a minimum, that Wander 21 BBs are RCs, seeing as they were released during his rookie eligibility and falls into the "but not always" stamped category

hilarious

That's how I read it!

[The Chad]

so does that end the Wander Franco Bowman's Best RC debate??

[Blake050]

Need to update this meme with Topps in place of Uno.

[JoshMN]

Just in case Topps changes the text, this is the original definition they posted:

Refers to a player’s first year of cards after they reach rookie eligibility. Any cards released during the player’s first year of rookie eligibility are considered rookies. As such, players can have dozens of rookie cards - especially if they are a highly-touted prospect that manufacturers want to feature in their products that year. Often, but not always, rookie cards are stamped with some kind of designation (e.g. “RC”) on the front or back.

Rookie cards are highly coveted by collectors and tend to be much more valuable than cards produced later in a player’s career. If a player has several different rookie cards, they will usually vary in value, and collectors will reach a consensus as to which rookie card is most important - and thus, most valued.

[cj828282]

Yeah, basically Wander had RCs in 2021 the first year of rookie eligibility. End of the discussion, I think not though.

It also means all of Yordan's cards in 2019 are rookies, right?

[ThoseBackPages]

Originally Posted by cj828282

Yeah, basically Wander had RCs in 2021 the first year of rookie eligibility. End of the discussion, I think not though.

It also means all of Yordan's cards in 2019 are rookies, right?

if his Bowman Heritage got out, then i think that would be a Rookie Card

his other cards are inserts

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by cj828282

Yeah, basically Wander had RCs in 2021 the first year of rookie eligibility. End of the discussion, I think not though.

It also means all of Yordan's cards in 2019 are rookies, right?

The discussion covered all the prospects in BB ‘21, not just Wander…

[JoshMN]

Originally Posted by cj828282

Yeah, basically Wander had RCs in 2021 the first year of rookie eligibility. End of the discussion, I think not though.

It also means all of Yordan's cards in 2019 are rookies, right?

Not even end of discussion for Topps. Coming soon on the "How to Collect" portion of the Curriculum:

Rookie Mistakes: How To Spot A True Rookie Card
The concept of a rookie card is fairly simple. But in practice, the definition - especially a "true" rookie - is far from straightforward. If you've ever wondered what makes a rookie card a rookie card, this article is for you.

[cj828282]

Topps, always trying to create controversy.

[Hollywood42]

You guys can keep having the RC debate, I'm over here facepalming that Topps really calls them "superefractors"

[JoshMN]

Originally Posted by Hollywood42

You guys can keep having the RC debate, I'm over here facepalming that Topps really calls them "superefractors"

No supe for you!

[Bcr]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

if his Bowman Heritage got out, then i think that would be a Rookie Card

his other cards are inserts

"Any cards released during the player’s first year of rookie eligibility are considered rookies"

Inserts count according to Topps

[ThoseBackPages]

Originally Posted by Bcr

"Any cards released during the player’s first year of rookie eligibility are considered rookies"

Inserts count according to Topps lol

#ThanksTopps

[rngrdanny22]

Originally Posted by The Chad

so does that end the Wander Franco Bowman's Best RC debate??

Probably, but let's not be gullible and not think that most people arguing back and forth were doing so in support of (a) the card they've bought and/or (b) the card they want to see increase in value.

Is the 2021 BB a rookie, by definition? Yeah
Is it the most sought after and valuable? No

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by JoshMN

Not even end of discussion for Topps. Coming soon on the "How to Collect" portion of the Curriculum:

Rookie Mistakes: How To Spot A True Rookie Card

Rookie Mistakes, like slapping the "RC" logo on every card of a player in his second year of rookie eligibility.

I mean come on, Topps can't even follow their own definition of what a rookie card is.

Or does "first year of rookie eligibility" start at the day of call up and go 365 days, meaning Wander rookies are any cards made between June 22, 2021 and June 21, 2022?

[blackbears86]

Originally Posted by imbluestreak23

That's how I read it!

It's official!!! Julio 21BB's are ROOKIES

[SupermanBrandon]

Remember...Topps is ONLY interested in making money. However they can make the absolute most. Who cares what their definition is (either way)!

[LVDan]

Seems like someone gave the intern media access and a bag of shrooms.

[Drew3000]

They misspelled superfractor

[Bcr]

Originally Posted by blackbears86

It's official!!! Julio 21BB's are ROOKIES

His rookie eligibility is this year...

[eastbayak]

What should I do with my 2021 BB Julio/Wander/Witt/Torkelson prospect cards?!

[txrngr34]

Originally Posted by whitmm

Rookie Mistakes, like slapping the "RC" logo on every card of a player in his second year of rookie eligibility.

I mean come on, Topps can't even follow their own definition of what a rookie card is.

Or does "first year of rookie eligibility" start at the day of call up and go 365 days, meaning Wander rookies are any cards made between June 22, 2021 and June 21, 2022?

Rookie eligibility, as defined by MLB, for hitters is maintained until a player's 130th career at-bat (not to be confused with plate appearance).

A guy can be a rookie for many seasons if he only gets a smattering of ABs each year, for example: 45 ABs in 2019, 16 ABs in 2020, 64 ABs in 2021, 45 ABs in 2022 means this guy would be a rookie in each of those seasons because he didn't surpass 130 ABs until 2022. But because he reached his 130th career AB in 2022 he loses rookie eligibility for 2023 and beyond.

Pitchers are 50 innings pitched, by the way.