S.I. The Last Iconic Baseball Card: '89 UD Griffey

[G $MONEY$]

I don't remember everyone wanting any '89 Bo Jackson.

me neither :?

 

[yakacack]

Guys, I only brought up the 1989 Fleer Bo Jackson because it was one of the first cards I ever purchased. I never said it was iconic. I was commenting on how much more I can get with $20 today than I could then. The hobby is just fine, it's you that have changed. Sure, the hobby was DIFFERENT then, but it is alive and kicking. It's not a kids hobby anymore, but kids can enjoy it just the same. Like I said, a kid can do more with $20 today than they could have in 1989. The hobby has simply evolved, as expected. Some of us are no longer kids, but that doesn't mean kids don't enjoy the hobby just as much as we did when we were their age. Basically, what you are trying to say is, "Kids now days don't enjoy the hobby like I did when I was a kid." And how would you know that???

You really need to explain this better. In what way can a kid now get more for $20 than he could before. And with that said, dont try to persuade me that a tiny patch of a players jersey or autograph that is machine-stamped to a "low number" for that money is considered doing more. Im hoping that isnt the argument but would love to hear a better explanation of how $20 goes further now.

 

[Viking4Alpha]

I've always wanted this card...

 

[sportscardtheory]

Guys, I only brought up the 1989 Fleer Bo Jackson because it was one of the first cards I ever purchased. I never said it was iconic. I was commenting on how much more I can get with $20 today than I could then. The hobby is just fine, it's you that have changed. Sure, the hobby was DIFFERENT then, but it is alive and kicking. It's not a kids hobby anymore, but kids can enjoy it just the same. Like I said, a kid can do more with $20 today than they could have in 1989. The hobby has simply evolved, as expected. Some of us are no longer kids, but that doesn't mean kids don't enjoy the hobby just as much as we did when we were their age. Basically, what you are trying to say is, "Kids now days don't enjoy the hobby like I did when I was a kid." And how would you know that???

A kid may have more options than 25 years ago but I don't think he can "do more" with $20. In 1985 I could buy 40 packs of the most current cards on the market. 40 packs!! A kid could, in theory, go on Ebay today and buy a crap load of 1988 Donruss for $20 if he wanted to but it just isn't the same.
In 1989 $1.25 could get you a pack of the hottest cards on earth, today you can't sniff a "good" pack for under what, $3-$5?

The hobby I knew in 1986 is dead. This isn't just an opinion by some over 30 guy who longs for the old days. The hobby morphed and changed into something so unlike what it was that it actually killed it and replaced it with what we see now, 12 year olds doing Youtube box breaks with $1000 worth of chrome crap in the hopes of sending a couple pieces into a third party who will then grade them 9.5 so he can flip it for a profit.

It isn't a hobby if you prospect, it's a business.

I think you put too much "stock" into the investment aspect of the hobby (pun intended). Just because you see kids posting their breaks on YouTube means they are not enjoying the hobby? And what about all the kids who don't post there and just love the cards they get and trade with their friends and go to shows and shops? It's a jaded way to see the hobby. Just because you think it's so different, doesn't mean it is to everyone else in the world. I would rather be a kid in the hobby today than when I was younger. I wish I had eBay and online resources to get whatever I wanted. Sure, it was more "innocent" then, but I would enjoy it now just the same... and DO. I buy the cards I couldn't afford then for pennies... what's not to love about that.

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

I agree with Mozzie in that kids enjoy the hobby less - we know this because kids are not around anymore.

From a kid's perspective the hobby was more fun back then because it was so simple and so innocent as you say. The hobby is clearly more adult-oriented now, perhaps Eisner can reverse this. I know there are more non-card related things things competing for the attention of kids, but this is not what's hurting things.

Guys, I only brought up the 1989 Fleer Bo Jackson because it was one of the first cards I ever purchased. I never said it was iconic. I was commenting on how much more I can get with $20 today than I could then. The hobby is just fine, it's you that have changed. Sure, the hobby was DIFFERENT then, but it is alive and kicking. It's not a kids hobby anymore, but kids can enjoy it just the same. Like I said, a kid can do more with $20 today than they could have in 1989. The hobby has simply evolved, as expected. Some of us are no longer kids, but that doesn't mean kids don't enjoy the hobby just as much as we did when we were their age. Basically, what you are trying to say is, "Kids now days don't enjoy the hobby like I did when I was a kid." And how would you know that???

A kid may have more options than 25 years ago but I don't think he can "do more" with $20. In 1985 I could buy 40 packs of the most current cards on the market. 40 packs!! A kid could, in theory, go on Ebay today and buy a crap load of 1988 Donruss for $20 if he wanted to but it just isn't the same.
In 1989 $1.25 could get you a pack of the hottest cards on earth, today you can't sniff a "good" pack for under what, $3-$5?

The hobby I knew in 1986 is dead. This isn't just an opinion by some over 30 guy who longs for the old days. The hobby morphed and changed into something so unlike what it was that it actually killed it and replaced it with what we see now, 12 year olds doing Youtube box breaks with $1000 worth of chrome crap in the hopes of sending a couple pieces into a third party who will then grade them 9.5 so he can flip it for a profit.

It isn't a hobby if you prospect, it's a business.

I think you put too much "stock" into the investment aspect of the hobby (pun intended). Just because you see kids posting their breaks on YouTube means they are not enjoying the hobby? And what about all the kids who don't post there and just love the cards they get and trade with their friends and go to shows and shops? It's a jaded way to see the hobby. Just because you think it's so different, doesn't mean it is to everyone else in the world. I would rather be a kid in the hobby today than when I was younger. I wish I had eBay and online resources to get whatever I wanted. Sure, it was more "innocent" then, but I would enjoy it now just the same... and DO. I buy the cards I couldn't afford then for pennies... what's not to love about that.

 

[sportscardtheory]

I agree with Mozzie in that kids enjoy the hobby less - we know this because kids are not around anymore.

From a kid's perspective the hobby was more fun back then because it was so simple and so innocent as you say. The hobby is clearly more adult-oriented now, perhaps Eisner can reverse this. I know there are more non-card related things competing for the attention of kids, but this is not what's hurting things.

If anything, this is the reason kids are NOT as into baseball cards like they used to be. They have more to keep them busy/interested and collecting baseball cards is simply not as interesting as PS3s, X-Box and the like. It's just a natural progression, trading cards are one of the things that kept us busy when we were younger, and now we are grown up, it's something we still do, just in a more grown-up way. You have to agree there is more to keep kids occupied now a days than when we were younger.

 

[Tomlinson21RB]

I agree with Mozzie in that kids enjoy the hobby less - we know this because kids are not around anymore.

From a kid's perspective the hobby was more fun back then because it was so simple and so innocent as you say. The hobby is clearly more adult-oriented now, perhaps Eisner can reverse this. I know there are more non-card related things competing for the attention of kids, but this is not what's hurting things.

If anything, this is the reason kids are NOT as into baseball cards like they used to be. They have more to keep them busy/interested and collecting baseball cards is simply not as interesting as PS3s, X-Box and the like. It's just a natural progression, trading cards are one of the things that kept us busy when we were younger, and now we are grown up, it's something we still do, just in a more grown-up way. You have to agree there is more to keep kids occupied now a days than when we were younger.

I agree 100%. The kids that left the hobby didn't leave because things got too complicated or expensive, they left because young kids would rather kill aliens on xbox and older kids would rather chase girls.

 

[predatorkj]

One issue for the Pujols being "iconic" is he will never attain the popularity of Griffey, plus how many cards did Topps make and use the same picture as the Chrome.

I might disagree with that. I'd say he's at least as popular as Griffey ever was, especially with collectors... add another year or two... and records start shattering... plus he seems to knock at the triple crown a bit...

Way to make me depressed. Good read. As for Pujols I think he has a long ways to go before he is as popular as Griffey. Everyone knows Griffey that can't be said for Pujols. Griffey was one of Nikes first baseball endorsements he had his own video game before players got video games. I mean Pujols is great, but mainstream popularity I don't think he is on the same level as Griffey was at his height.

I will agree to this a little.I think Jeter and A-Rod might beat him out which goes back to my whole point of them being overrated simply due to the attention they get and not their performance.They are both HOF players but stick them in a lower market team and then stick Pujols on the Yankees and you have the tables reversed.I mean...pound for pound Pujols is easily just as good as A-Rod if not better.The man is a monster.But A-Rod has way more popularity.Everybody knows who A-Rod is.Everyone knows who Jeter is.Everyone knew who Griffey was and is.

But if Pujols ever decides to switch teams...the tables will turn.The only weird thing is Griffey never played for a big market team either.Yet his popularity was always at the max.


Thanks for the heads up Mattinglyalexander.I just got today's issue in but I am slogging through the college football issue from last week.I will try to read this little tidbit tonight though.

 

[predatorkj]

The title would indicate a story about 'Iconic Baseball Cards,' whatever that means. And I'd say that there have been plenty of 'iconic' cards since 1989. It may depend on your definition of 'iconic,' and to me, that means a card that most every collector will seek out and keep in that special place in his collection, regardless of value. Off the top of my head I'd say 1990 Score Bo Jackson B&W, 1991 Score Dream Team Jose Canseco, 1991 Stadium Club Nolan Ryan, and 1991 Topps Carlton Fisk are 'iconic' purely by definition of the images shown. If you want key rookies, Alex Rodriguez, Frank Thomas, Derek Jeter, Ichiro Suzuki, and Albert Pujols are all just as luminous. Newer players like Justin Upton, David Wright, Joe Mauer, and Ryan Howard are getting there. Niche cards like Hideo Nomo and Chan Ho Park have international appeal. And then there are things like autographed and game-used cards. Is the 1997 UD Game Jersey set not iconic, especially the Griffey? And the UD Piece of History 500 HR series? Obviously, it's all subjective and ultimately meaningless, but I think the author and/or editor might be a bit disingenuous with that title.

None of the cards you mention or the sets(hell you can even throw in the 93 finest refractors) are as well known or as coveted as this card is.I mean...they are in demand but this card is like one of those cards that anybody worth their salt has at least one copy of.Hell...I have three.I'd buy more of them and I do every time I see one.Its almost like that movie Conspiracy Theory where Jerry(Mel Gibson) buys every copy of Catcher in the Rye he can find.

 

[predatorkj]

I think in order for a card to be iconic, it has to have mystique. The '52 Mantle, the '89 Griffey, the Strawberry XRC. The commonality? All were fairly mass produced. I would dare say there is an "iconic" card that wasn't mass produced save the pre war era cards.

With the Pujols, there are only 500 in the world. Maybe even less than that.

There will never again be another card, NEVER again, that was:

1. As relatively easy to find as the '89 UD issue.

2. In as high of demand as the Griffey in the beginning.

3. As recognizable at a glance.

4. As revered even by casual collectors.

There are simply too few of them.

For a brief spell, I remember Kerry Wood's 1997 Bowman Chrome card hitting NEARLY the level of epic that the '89 UD Griffey hit.... but that was the last.

With the advent of Superfractors, Red Refractors, Gold Refractors, etc. There is simply no "easy to recognize" card to become an icon.

Scanning my memory, without having seen it in months, I can't even remember what the Pujols RC looks like and I would consider myself a pretty hardcore collector.

One thing too...it might be that none of these cards were made to be iconic.I mean...the Pujols was obviously made for value's sake while the other(what me and you obviously agree on would be )iconic cards you mentioned were made just to be made and included.They were not limited for values sake and everyone could have one.

Its just like with action figures too.Back in the day the coolest action figures to have were Optimus Prime, He-Man, and Lion-o.Now they can be had way cheaper than when they even first came out.But they are always going to be iconic because they represented an era.But now they have super limited versions and also target and TRU exclusives and even though they are more limited than any of those old original releases...they will never achieve the status of the older releases.

What makes a Pujols rookie iconic besides the price tag?

 

[gracecollector]

I agree with Mozzie in that kids enjoy the hobby less - we know this because kids are not around anymore.

From a kid's perspective the hobby was more fun back then because it was so simple and so innocent as you say. The hobby is clearly more adult-oriented now, perhaps Eisner can reverse this. I know there are more non-card related things competing for the attention of kids, but this is not what's hurting things.

If anything, this is the reason kids are NOT as into baseball cards like they used to be. They have more to keep them busy/interested and collecting baseball cards is simply not as interesting as PS3s, X-Box and the like. It's just a natural progression, trading cards are one of the things that kept us busy when we were younger, and now we are grown up, it's something we still do, just in a more grown-up way. You have to agree there is more to keep kids occupied now a days than when we were younger.

I agree 100%. The kids that left the hobby didn't leave because things got too complicated or expensive, they left because young kids would rather kill aliens on xbox and older kids would rather chase girls.

Not like we didn't have video games and girls 20 years ago too. Those things both competed for my time, but I still collected. Cards aren't as cool as they once were. I think it has to do with with them being so low-tech. How's a piece of cardboard to compete against all the interactive stuff of today?

What about the tarnishing of heroes? I used to collect because I wanted to BE like the players on the cards. With steroids, adultry, selfish antics, contract holdouts and all the other foiables of the modern player, maybe kids just aren't motivated by hero worship anymore.

Also, I think Beckett helped turned kids off of the hobby. Price guides encouraged people to look at cards like investments, and value them for their monetary worth instead of their aesthetics. The grading phenomenon compounded that situation. Time to take the greed out of the hobby and put back the good.

 

[i43770]

Its just like with action figures too.Back in the day the coolest action figures to have were Optimus Prime, He-Man, and Lion-o.Now they can be had way cheaper than when they even first came out.But they are always going to be iconic because they represented an era.But now they have super limited versions and also target and TRU exclusives and even though they are more limited than any of those old original releases...they will never achieve the status of the older releases.

I think you are wrong here. He-Man and Lion-O were what $4-5 when they came out in the 80s? If you buy one used with no accessories on eBay right now, it will cost you that. If you want one in the same condition that it would have been in the 80s you are looking at $250-1000

 

[predatorkj]

You guys are crazy that think there will never be another iconic card. As long as there is baseball and sports card there will be new iconic cards.

It can't on the level it used to be.Now everything popular is super rare or limited.How can something so rare be considered Iconic.People have to be able to own something to feel its Iconic.I think of Iconic cars and I think of old Mustangs and Chargers and whatnot.Not a Ferrari or a Lambo.Same can be said for cards.Something I can never own will not be iconic to me.Even though I will never own a Mantle...plenty of people did and could when it was in its heyday.That, to me at least, is what makes it Iconic.

 

[predatorkj]

Its just like with action figures too.Back in the day the coolest action figures to have were Optimus Prime, He-Man, and Lion-o.Now they can be had way cheaper than when they even first came out.But they are always going to be iconic because they represented an era.But now they have super limited versions and also target and TRU exclusives and even though they are more limited than any of those old original releases...they will never achieve the status of the older releases.

I think you are wrong here. He-Man and Lion-O were what $4-5 when they came out in the 80s? If you buy one used with no accessories on eBay right now, it will cost you that. If you want one in the same condition that it would have been in the 80s you are looking at $250-1000

In the package(misb) yes.Loose...no.I picked up several with little signs of wear for around $3 a pop.Also found a few dealers at flea markets who had boxes full of accessories to pick and choose from that went from anywhere from 25 cents to $1.00.Trust me...I was pretty huge into action figures.You'd pay a pretty penny online for nice looking Optimus Prime.Me...I went to a flea market and snagged one for $25.Its all about where you look.

 

[predatorkj]

How is this not iconic?? :twisted:

That shirt just isn't doing it for me.... :?

 

[predatorkj]

Everyone n '89 wanted and/or had a Fleer Bo Jackson. How many '09 cards do all kids want and/or have?? There are too many choices today, they all seem meaningless to kids.

I don't know why you guys are so against the hobby as it is now. I can do FAR more with $20 now than I could when I was a kid buying 1989 Fleer Bo Jacksons. Just because you let the hobby get the best of you, doesn't mean kids can't enjoy it. Kids still buy and love baseball cards.

What is this 1989 Fleer Bo Jackson you all are talking about? The only Bo Jackson card i can remember that "everyone" wanted was his 1990 Score not 1989 Fleer. I guess that card wasn't very "ionic" to you two, you guys can't even remember what set or even what decade the card was made :shock:

There is a score card I think from 1990 or 1989 where he is holding a bat in his hands but also has shoulder pads on.I could swear the border was purple?

 

[predatorkj]

Guys, I only brought up the 1989 Fleer Bo Jackson because it was one of the first cards I ever purchased. I never said it was iconic. I was commenting on how much more I can get with $20 today than I could then. The hobby is just fine, it's you that have changed. Sure, the hobby was DIFFERENT then, but it is alive and kicking. It's not a kids hobby anymore, but kids can enjoy it just the same. Like I said, a kid can do more with $20 today than they could have in 1989. The hobby has simply evolved, as expected. Some of us are no longer kids, but that doesn't mean kids don't enjoy the hobby just as much as we did when we were their age. Basically, what you are trying to say is, "Kids now days don't enjoy the hobby like I did when I was a kid." And how would you know that???

A kid may have more options than 25 years ago but I don't think he can "do more" with $20. In 1985 I could buy 40 packs of the most current cards on the market. 40 packs!! A kid could, in theory, go on Ebay today and buy a crap load of 1988 Donruss for $20 if he wanted to but it just isn't the same.
In 1989 $1.25 could get you a pack of the hottest cards on earth, today you can't sniff a "good" pack for under what, $3-$5?

The hobby I knew in 1986 is dead. This isn't just an opinion by some over 30 guy who longs for the old days. The hobby morphed and changed into something so unlike what it was that it actually killed it and replaced it with what we see now, 12 year olds doing Youtube box breaks with $1000 worth of chrome crap in the hopes of sending a couple pieces into a third party who will then grade them 9.5 so he can flip it for a profit.

It isn't a hobby if you prospect, it's a business.

Yeah...$40 would get you 4 boxes nowdays. :lol: ::facepalm::

 

[predatorkj]

Guys, I only brought up the 1989 Fleer Bo Jackson because it was one of the first cards I ever purchased. I never said it was iconic. I was commenting on how much more I can get with $20 today than I could then. The hobby is just fine, it's you that have changed. Sure, the hobby was DIFFERENT then, but it is alive and kicking. It's not a kids hobby anymore, but kids can enjoy it just the same. Like I said, a kid can do more with $20 today than they could have in 1989. The hobby has simply evolved, as expected. Some of us are no longer kids, but that doesn't mean kids don't enjoy the hobby just as much as we did when we were their age. Basically, what you are trying to say is, "Kids now days don't enjoy the hobby like I did when I was a kid." And how would you know that???

A kid may have more options than 25 years ago but I don't think he can "do more" with $20. In 1985 I could buy 40 packs of the most current cards on the market. 40 packs!! A kid could, in theory, go on Ebay today and buy a crap load of 1988 Donruss for $20 if he wanted to but it just isn't the same.
In 1989 $1.25 could get you a pack of the hottest cards on earth, today you can't sniff a "good" pack for under what, $3-$5?

The hobby I knew in 1986 is dead. This isn't just an opinion by some over 30 guy who longs for the old days. The hobby morphed and changed into something so unlike what it was that it actually killed it and replaced it with what we see now, 12 year olds doing Youtube box breaks with $1000 worth of chrome crap in the hopes of sending a couple pieces into a third party who will then grade them 9.5 so he can flip it for a profit.

It isn't a hobby if you prospect, it's a business.

I think you put too much "stock" into the investment aspect of the hobby (pun intended). Just because you see kids posting their breaks on YouTube means they are not enjoying the hobby? And what about all the kids who don't post there and just love the cards they get and trade with their friends and go to shows and shops? It's a jaded way to see the hobby. Just because you think it's so different, doesn't mean it is to everyone else in the world. I would rather be a kid in the hobby today than when I was younger. I wish I had eBay and online resources to get whatever I wanted. Sure, it was more "innocent" then, but I would enjoy it now just the same... and DO. I buy the cards I couldn't afford then for pennies... what's not to love about that.

The price of cards and packs and also the lack of kids as customers seems to ruin your point a bit.Do the research yourself.How many kids come into your local shop or shows?You don't need to tell me the answer.The question is rhetorical.But I am sure you will understand that kids are not much of, if at all, a part of today's hobby.If they are its such a small percentage.

 

[Mozzie22]

Guys, I only brought up the 1989 Fleer Bo Jackson because it was one of the first cards I ever purchased. I never said it was iconic. I was commenting on how much more I can get with $20 today than I could then. The hobby is just fine, it's you that have changed. Sure, the hobby was DIFFERENT then, but it is alive and kicking. It's not a kids hobby anymore, but kids can enjoy it just the same. Like I said, a kid can do more with $20 today than they could have in 1989. The hobby has simply evolved, as expected. Some of us are no longer kids, but that doesn't mean kids don't enjoy the hobby just as much as we did when we were their age. Basically, what you are trying to say is, "Kids now days don't enjoy the hobby like I did when I was a kid." And how would you know that???

A kid may have more options than 25 years ago but I don't think he can "do more" with $20. In 1985 I could buy 40 packs of the most current cards on the market. 40 packs!! A kid could, in theory, go on Ebay today and buy a crap load of 1988 Donruss for $20 if he wanted to but it just isn't the same.
In 1989 $1.25 could get you a pack of the hottest cards on earth, today you can't sniff a "good" pack for under what, $3-$5?

The hobby I knew in 1986 is dead. This isn't just an opinion by some over 30 guy who longs for the old days. The hobby morphed and changed into something so unlike what it was that it actually killed it and replaced it with what we see now, 12 year olds doing Youtube box breaks with $1000 worth of chrome crap in the hopes of sending a couple pieces into a third party who will then grade them 9.5 so he can flip it for a profit.

It isn't a hobby if you prospect, it's a business.

I think you put too much "stock" into the investment aspect of the hobby (pun intended). Just because you see kids posting their breaks on YouTube means they are not enjoying the hobby? And what about all the kids who don't post there and just love the cards they get and trade with their friends and go to shows and shops? It's a jaded way to see the hobby. Just because you think it's so different, doesn't mean it is to everyone else in the world. I would rather be a kid in the hobby today than when I was younger. I wish I had eBay and online resources to get whatever I wanted. Sure, it was more "innocent" then, but I would enjoy it now just the same... and DO. I buy the cards I couldn't afford then for pennies... what's not to love about that.

I'm sure somewhere there are still kids enjoying actually collecting cards. I'm sure somewhere, some place, there is a (1) kid that still attempts to trade cards. The "hobby" might be great for you now that you can buy the cards you couldn't afford then, but you are no longer a kid. My way of seeing the "hobby" is not jaded at all, it is realistic. I remember sitting in my living room sorting thru over 700 1987 Topps while putting them in order so I could make a checklist. Do you think kids still do this? The answer to this is no; back in the pre 1990's EVERY kid did this.

Hell, even the quality of the card sucks now. The high water mark was 1984 Donruss and 1989 UD, everything since then has sucked! Every now and then a company has put out something great (1996 Select Certified Mirrors), but they are far and few between. We live in a card collecting world that is so starved for decent baseball cards that people actually go nuts for something as ugly as a Topps chrome...ugly as hell with terrible photos. Most of the patch cards are now being faked and autographed stickers are being placed upside down and crooked on cards!! That sucks!

I may be somewhat jaded but you are delusional. Start a poll asking who here thinks card collecting is better now for kids than it was 20-30 years ago and see what you get.

 

[Greg Cleveland]

Everyone n '89 wanted and/or had a Fleer Bo Jackson. How many '09 cards do all kids want and/or have?? There are too many choices today, they all seem meaningless to kids.

I don't know why you guys are so against the hobby as it is now. I can do FAR more with $20 now than I could when I was a kid buying 1989 Fleer Bo Jacksons. Just because you let the hobby get the best of you, doesn't mean kids can't enjoy it. Kids still buy and love baseball cards.

What is this 1989 Fleer Bo Jackson you all are talking about? The only Bo Jackson card i can remember that "everyone" wanted was his 1990 Score not 1989 Fleer. I guess that card wasn't very "ionic" to you two, you guys can't even remember what set or even what decade the card was made :shock:

There is a score card I think from 1990 or 1989 where he is holding a bat in his hands but also has shoulder pads on.I could swear the border was purple?

That is from the 1989 Score Football Update. (home of the Mike Golic rookie card!) I can dig out for a scan later.