The Rookie Card Evolution

Besides the prized autograph, there is no card more desired of star players nowadays than their rookie card, though rookie card collecting is not as simple as it used to be.

From 1956-1980, getting a rookie card of your favorite player was pretty straightforward since 9 times out of 10, there was only 1 rookie card available and that was Topps. Then, 1981 came along and brought Fleer and Donruss with it. 

The 1980's forever changed baseball card collecting, adding the revised Bowman set along with Score, Upper Deck, and other sets into the mix before the decade was out and once the 90's came along, each company was producing multiple sets, making the hunt for a players' rookie card more complicated than ever before.

Needless to say, the rookie card has certainly evolved into something totally different than it was 40 years ago, especially helping to inspire the prospect cards that have become a collecting field of their own over the last decade or so. 

Since the introduction of Fleer and Donruss in 1981, the rookie card has continued to change and evolve into what it's become currently. So for today's post, I thought I'd take a look back at exactly how the rookie card has changed since the very first rookie cards produced by Topps over 60 years ago. 

Up until I believe 2006, there was no such thing as a rookie card symbol that collectors have become synonymous with ever since. Although there are clear definitions and an overall recognition as to what a rookie card is, there were decades where the only thing collectors had to go by was their own personal knowledge and some info from the company. 

For example, Robin Yount's famous 1975 Topps rookie card includes no rookie card logo, yet everyone knows this is Yount's rookie because of the internet, but it must've been difficult for collectors before the internet, especially for trickier cards than this.

As you can see, there have been 2 different rookie card logos used since the adaptation of the logo in the year 2006. The first one was used by Topps and Upper Deck from 2006-2009. Then, once Upper Deck lost the MLB license and the year 2010 came along, Topps began using the logo you see on the Niko Goodrum card above, and I haven't heard anything about changing the logo anytime soon. 

But of course, it's not that simple.

Topps produces dozens of sets every year, and every single one of them includes rookie cards like the 2017 Topps Allen & Ginter set. All of these different sets being produced must mean good business for Topps, but it also takes away the rarity of having, say, an Andrew Benintendi rookie card. That's part of what made rookie cards so special up until 1981. Since Topps was the only major name in the game besides Bowman for a few years, pulling a rookie card of a star player was a way bigger deal.

But don't worry, Topps still finds a way to profit off the rookie card craze.

With one of the most notable versions being Bryce Harper's SSP rookie card from 2012 Topps Archives, Topps has made a point of producing variation or SP rookie cards of exceptional players in order to continue the rookie card hype that they've established. Only the best of the best players get these cards, and they're always very rare. I have a couple myself that I've shown above, and I have intentions to get both of these graded someday soon.

Still, even with all the sets, variations, and rules regarding rookie cards nowadays, it can be really nice to go back to basics. Having simple Topps rookie cards are not only a nod to the old days, but they also tend to have a value rivaled by only variation and SP rookie cards, depending on the player, of course. 

Yes, the rookie card hunt can seem relentless and crazy at times, and there's no sign this craze will ever die down. However, it's part of what makes card collecting so interesting, and rookie cards are always going to be a key part of baseball card sets for as long as they exist.