Like many kids in the 80s and early 90s, I collected sports cards with relentless passion. I was fortunate to live in cities anchored by iconic athletes. I grew up in Baltimore during Cal Ripken’s legendary Iron Man streak, then moved to Chicago in time to witness Michael Jordan’s six championship dynasty.
I spent my youth ripping packs and trading with friends until I eventually sold my collection in high school. Around fifteen years later, I jumped back into the hobby. Here are six cards that mattered most to me then and how they influence my perception of the hobby today.
1982 Topps Traded #98T Cal Ripken Jr.
In Baltimore, Cal Ripken Jr. was more than a player; he was an icon. His Topps Traded rookie was the undisputed pinnacle of the hobby. It was so financially out of reach that kids would actually cut pictures of the card out of magazines and place them in plastic cases just to feel like they owned a piece of history.
1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr.
This was the perfect storm. The rookie card of the generation’s best all around player was featured in a high end debut release from a disruptive new company. Every single collector wanted this card, and it continues to define the hobby.
1985 Topps #401 Mark McGwire
I first knew McGwire as half of the Bash Brothers alongside Jose Canseco. They were global superstars after their 1989 World Series win, making this Olympic era card legendary. While my interest in cards had waned by his 1998 home run chase, my love for the game had not. Looking back, with a deeper sense of patriotism, I understand why this card resonates with me even more today, even though it already stood out back then.
1991 Upper Deck #SP1 Michael Jordan
During the Bulls’ prime, Jordan was the center of the universe. Even decades later, his gravity remains unmatched. While I was primarily a baseball fanatic, this baseball crossover card stood out because it merged my favorite sport with the greatest athlete on the planet.
1989 Score #270 Troy Aikman
As the quarterback of America’s Team during their 1990s dynasty, Troy Aikman was a fixture of Sunday afternoon television. Naturally, his Score rookie card became a must have.
1993 Pinnacle Rookies #1 Drew Bledsoe
Living in Chicago Bears territory and rooting for the New England Patriots was an odd choice, but it started with a gift. My dad bought me a box of 1993 Pinnacle and I pulled this Bledsoe, which was my first big pull. At the time, it was valued over $100 and that single card turned me into a lifelong Patriots fan.
Collecting was a defining part of my childhood and it’s been rewarding to find a place for it in my adult life. While I might not chase these specific cards today, I still look at them with a deep sense of reverence. They serve as the foundation for my current tastes, influencing what I find valuable and significant in the modern market.
Happy collecting!
Great post. I’ve pulled the McGwire and Jordan from packs, but none of the others. I ended up buying the Aikman and Griffey back in the 90’s. Had to wait a few decades, but finally added the Ripken to my PC a few years ago.