Are you an avid baseball fan and you want to collect cards featuring your favorite players? Collecting baseball cards is both an enjoyable hobby and a good investment. However, there are many things you need to learn if you want to become an excellent collector.
Sports cards are a vital component of the sports memorabilia industry. According to Forbes data, more than 98% of sports collectors ventured into trading cards collection at one point in their lives. Data from SportsMemorabilia.com showed 26% of sports memorabilia sales in the U.S. in 2018 came from Major League Baseball (MLB).
Types of baseball cards
Baseball cards are small cardboard pieces featuring the photographs of baseball players on the front, as well as a card number and their biography and statistics at the back. These cards were also used as advertisements when they were introduced in the 1860s. Here are the different types of baseball cards:
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Base cards –
These cards are the individual cards included in a regular set of cards. The cards usually feature the best baseball players in the previous season. Among the brands producing baseball cards are Panini, Bowman, and Topps.
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Rookie cards –
These cards are base cards featuring the first year a player is added to a major set. However, MLB announced in 2006 that players should only be in base sets after their MLB debut. The league also introduced a rookie card.
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Insert cards –
These cards are special edition cards that are included in a set or pack. They feature a different design and foil serial-numbering.
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Subsets –
These are sets of cards included in regular packs or boxes. They usually contain 10-40 cards and feature players of similar characteristics like rookies, top power hitters, and best pitchers.
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Autographs –
These are cards that bore the signature of the featured player. This card type is among the most collected items in the market.
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Relic cards –
They feature baseball memorabilia like the bats, jerseys, and gloves used by players in the games. Among the most in-demand relic cards are laundry tags and patches.
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Parallels –
These cards feature the same image and design as the base card but tweaked a little bit to become different. Among the standard features of parallels are colored foil, colored borders, and Refractor technology.
Where to buy baseball cards
There are several ways and platforms to purchase or obtain baseball cards to build your collection. Here are some of them:
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Retail stores and card shows –
You can buy baseball cards in retailers like Target and Wal-Mart, sports cards stores, flea markets, and antique malls. You can also collect them from online card sites like the National Sports Card Collectors Convention.
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Collectors trading –
You can build your collection by trading your cards with other players. Trading can be done online and in person.
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Online stores –
Baseball cards are already available from various Internet sites like eBay and Facebook. You can also buy them from online card dealers like Classic Pack Breaks.
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Online box breakers –
This is a fun way to collect baseball cards. Before opening a box or pack on a live stream during a box break, the breaker offers players, teams, or divisions for set prices. If you participate, you will get the cards pulled from the division, team, or player you bought.
Building your baseball cards collection is a fun and enjoyable thing to do. It can also be a good source of income if you make it a business. Make sure you buy your cards from reputable sources.
