Monday, June 18, 2012

A card you should own - a Griffey Jr RC

What's a cheap (under $5), cool card you feel every collector should add to their collection?

San Jose Fuji asked about a cheap card that everyone should own. I thought about this a lot because all collectors are different. What's cool to me may not be cool to someone else. What is a must-own card for me, someone else might not give a damn about.

So instead of focusing on a Yankees card or a beat up piece of vintage (which I probably would prefer), I suggest owning a RC of likely the greatest player any of us have ever seen...Ken Griffey Jr. Junior's year with the Mariners were amazing. He killed the Yankees, and I hated him. I respected him, but didn't like him. Hate or dislike isn't the right word. Feared him. I feared him every time he came to the plate.

Once he went to the Reds and his career slowed due to injuries, I found myself missing the old days when Griffey was a dominant player. It was sad to see a player who once moved so gracefully hobble around the bases or struggle to play consecutive days. You'd still see a glimpse or two every now and then. A mammoth HR here and there. But it wasn't like early Seattle Griffey.

He unfortunately got overshadowed by the Bonds and ARods and Pujols and Sosas, but Griffey was the star in the '90s, and everyone should own his RC. The Upper Deck may be too pricey, but a Fleer or Donruss will run you only a couple of bucks. It's worth it.

6 comments:

  1. It's hard for me to argue with your pick. When he was healthy & in his prime, Ken Griffey Jr. was the best baseball player I've had the good fortune to see.

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  2. And clean. 630 HR and not a drop of steroids. Same body size/style through his entire career.

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  3. Definitely can't go wrong with Ken Griffey Jr. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Waaaayyy ahead of you on owning this one. :)

    Believe it or not, I've actually got a 22kt gold version of this card too.

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  5. Believe it or not, I own the first 1989 Fleer Glossy to grade BGS 9.5

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