The Topps Traded set and the Eighties have been virtually made for one another. Just at the level when Topps misplaced its buying and selling card monopoly with the appearances of Donruss and Fleer in 1981, the firm determined it was time for a brand new product– a 132-card set of traded veterans and rookies who debuted too late for inclusion in Topps’s common set.
Make no mistake, the identify is traded, however the rookies stole the present. Sure, the veterans have been fascinating, however in a one-series card world, not having to attend a full 12 months for a card of a star rookie was a direct hit. Add in that Topps made the 132-card units on a better high quality of inventory than their regular playing cards and bought them solely as units, and you may see why the product worked perfectly.
Yes, the Traded set existed earlier than, however simply as a tack-on to Topps’ common set, and it existed after the ’80s, however in 1990, it was bought in packs and it quickly disintegrated like Topps bubble gum in the Nineteen Nineties. But listed here are the prime 5 Eighties Topps Traded cards– not essentially in value, though the huge hitters are right here, however when it comes to influence, significance, collectability, and enjoyable.
1981 Topps Traded Fernando Valenzuela
In 1981, Fernando Valenzuela was a supernova throughout baseball. He introduced a brand new viewers to the recreation, saved the Dodgers related, and gave a significant spike to 1981 Topps Traded. Fernando is not in the Hall of Fame and possibly will not be. But he is an icon, and his Topps Traded rookie– a pleasant distinction to his three-player base 1981 rookie– might be had for $20-$40 uncooked or for $100-$200 in a PSA 8.
1982 Topps Traded Cal Ripken Jr.
Cal Ripken Jr. has a 1982 Topps card. But it is a 3-in-1 rookie and so collectors who wished the king of the Orioles on his personal card needed to nab his 1982 Topps Traded card. One large report and a Hall of Fame profession later, it is certainly one of the greatest playing cards of the Eighties. It’s nonetheless out there right now in uncooked situation for round $150, and it instructions considerably extra in a excessive grade, with PSA 9s promoting for round $500.
1986 Topps Traded Barry Bonds
(*5*)
The greatest Topps Traded set might be 1986. In its heyday, the rookies of Jose Canseco and Bo Jackson drew maybe the most consideration. There’s a pleasant Will Clark rookie in there too. But as time has passed by, Barry Bonds has develop into the largest rookie of the bunch. Then and now, the card’s value hangs low. Maybe it was initially as a result of Bonds performed in Pittsburgh, perhaps it was as a result of then or now, he might be a bit troublesome to embrace. Of course, there may be the PED elephant in the room. But it is an iconic rookie that may be purchased uncooked for $5-$10 and in a PSA 9 for round $50.
1987 Topps Traded Greg Maddux
Once a comparatively nameless younger Cubs pitcher, Maddux turned certainly one of the greatest arms of his period and the consummate pondering man’s pitcher. Still, his wood-paneled 1987 Traded rookie stays a discount, out there uncooked for $5 or so and even in a PSA 10, it usually instructions lower than $100. Given that 300-game winners have gotten rarer and rarer, it is a must-find.
1989 Topps Traded Ken Griffey Jr.
There’s been sufficient stated about Ken Griffey Jr. and his rookie playing cards to fill this column and lots of extra. But the card above is further particular. Not solely was the Topps Traded set comparatively restricted, however Topps made a Tiffany model of the Traded set– and people high-gloss playing cards are very scarce. This PSA 10 Griffey Tiffany XRC lately bought for $7,600. So for the collector who thinks they’ve every part, the Tiffany Topps Traded units linger as one other high-priced problem.
