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

[MattinglyAlexander]

Here are a few "iconic" cards off the top of my head.
I know there's more...feel free to add.

Iconic cards:

 

[AKA Coastal]

Arods 94 SP would have been one if he wasn't a juicer. He'll eventually break the HR record. If he would have done it clean. That would be a huge card.

 

[matfanofold]

I agree that Griffeys 89UD is the last iconic card to date. The 90L Frank Thomas, although heavily sought after at one time, never reached "iconic" levels and certinly does not now. Neither Jeter or Arod and there SP RC's have obtained "iconic' status(for what ever reason) and the Pujols BC AU RC is simply to short supplied to be viewed as "iconic". And I can not really think of any card since the Griffey RC to reach "iconic" level(s), not really even close...

Thats not to say there will never be another, or that there are diamonds in the rough right now, it's just the 89 UD Griffey RC was like apple pie, it stood for everything right with card collecting, and then the hobby changed shortly there after. Perhaps thats why its the 'last iconic card'. Perhaps the hobby has changed so much that there is no more room for "iconic" cards, but rather the latest prospect or 1/1...

 

[bdj610]

I think we have to look at this as through the eyes of a non collector.

Sure, all the examples you've given here, pictured, or otherwise, are iconic in our hobby. If there ever was a true HOF of cards, every card mentioned here would be included for sure. However, we as collectors know these cards. Show those the average person and I guarantee you that many will not recognize, nor care much about them...AT ALL (to the shock and disbelief of many here).

There are two cards I can think off the top of my head that if you showed them to people, they would instantly know what they are. One is the T206 Wagner. The other is the 1952 Topps Mantle. Everyone, even those who don't follow the sport, knows those cards. They've seen them everywhere. They're the reason why many people came into the hobby in the late 80's and early 90's. Many of these people thought that today's cards could produce the value and same results as the two cards. Alas, that was not the case (and not the point of my post).

Is the 1989 Upper Deck Griffey card in the same class as the Mantle and Wagner cards? Perhaps. As our generations get older, we will look at Griffey probably the same way we did Mantle. Not in how they played the game, but the recognizability of their cards. Will we ever see another card that will join in this same class...that truly remains to be seen.

 

[Philip J. Fry]

How is this not iconic?? :twisted:

 

[Philip J. Fry]

No one thinks the '90 Leaf Thomas was iconic? Maybe not quite the same level as the '89 UD Griffey reached, but it seems to fit the bill to me.

For Sure it was, but never on the '89 UD Level

1989 UD is iconic because 1) it was the first release by Upper Deck, 2) it was a premium baseball card product printed on white stock rather than cardboard, and 3) it featured a hologram on each card to help avoid counterfeiting of cards. Add to that the fact that Griffey was card #1 AND it was his rookie card.

 

[MartinFFcollector]

Yep. Then Eric Anthony and Ben McDonald. ::facepalm::

Started to read the SI article- agosto 24, 2009 Huh? Spanish and the future?

It's the issue date of the new S.I. It's "for the week of"
::facepalm::

Well.....I dont read SI and it doesn't say "Week of" so how in the F would I know. So stop hitting yourself in the head.

Unless agosto means that. Doubt it.

 

[Mozzie22]

Back in 1989, collectors still had faith in base cards. You never saw collectors busting wax, picking out one card, and dumping the rest in the trash. Griffey's 89 rookie is iconic because the average collector had access to it, Griffey was the hottest player on the planet, and UD was the hot new company featuring glossy cards and premium photography that dwarfed anything else then available. It being a base card, it was readily available if you wanted to pay for it.

I feel a limited parallel like the Pujols auto rookie or whatever hot Bowman Chrome stud of tomorrow delivers just won't ever feel as "iconic" as the Griffey rookie because of its scarcity. Collectors can relate to the Griffey because at one time or another most of them owned it or at least saw it in their hobby shop or friend's collection. That's not the case with Chrome autos and refractors. Familiarity breeds iconic stature. We held that card in our hands, admired the million dollar smile, and loved the way Griffey smacked the ball and chased down long fly balls.

I haven't read the article yet, but I think I agree with the author. The 89 Griffey is the last iconic RC.

Absolutely could not have said it better myself. You hit the nail on the head with this one Brad and you have been thanked. For something to be iconic it had to be available to all kids. You truly have to be old enough to have complained about the $1.25 price tag to appreciate this card. I miss those days.

 

[Mozzie22]

Here are a few "iconic" cards off the top of my head.
I know there's more...feel free to add.

Iconic cards:

I love how you included the 84 Mattingly. If you are in the 32-40 year old range you can vouche for this; this card was absolutely supernova hot for several years. 1984 Donruss and 89 UD will always have a special place in my heart because of the design and fantastic photo quality. The new chrome/refractor crap cannot compare with this, period.

 

[MattinglyAlexander]

You truly have to be old enough to have complained about the $1.25 price tag to appreciate this card. I miss those days.

I complained like heck!! While I stood in line to buy as many packs as possible. Seriously man, the good old days... and for me at a flea market. Flea markets were cardboard heaven back in the day... whatever you wanted... flea market on the weekend!
'89 UD and the Return of Bowman......
If you had between $20-$100... you had an awesome collecting time. "Let me see your Mattingly's" "Do you have any Eric Davis or Will Clark?" Seller hands over 50 count lots.....



[youtube:3inkl23x]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbkowHt45yg[/youtube:3inkl23x]

 

[MattinglyAlexander]

I love how you included the 84 Mattingly. If you are in the 32-40 year old range you can vouche for this; this card was absolutely supernova hot for several years. 1984 Donruss and 89 UD will always have a special place in my heart because of the design and fantastic photo quality. The new chrome/refractor crap cannot compare with this, period.

It is usually regarded as the card that started the modern era of collecting.
1990&2002

 

[Lars]

The article is pretty concise - we actually get to hear what Griffey thinks of the card [apparently not very much] and the back story of how it was chosen to be #1 for Upper Deck's first baseball card set - there is even a mention of Dan McGwire, which doesn't happen at all these days.

It maybe the last iconic, mainstream card - when card collecting was at its peak.

Maybe the 2001 Bowman Chrome Albert Pujols is comparable - but it seems like it doesn't have the reach - unless of course you are an advanced collector with $5,000 to spend.

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

I immediately thought the same thing, I agree completely with this. Most of us "elite" collectors couldn't even identify most sets since 1989.

Cards are a simple enjoyment of life. The more complicated they get, fewer people enjoy them. More of something does not mean better - it usually means you're obsessed :?

A modern card with a print run of 500 (including all parallels) could never be described as iconic because so few people could ever own a copy, it could never invoke nostalgia.

Cards do need to return to simplicity...which is why Topps is going to cater more to KIDS. People need to understand cards again.

Back in 1989, collectors still had faith in base cards. You never saw collectors busting wax, picking out one card, and dumping the rest in the trash. Griffey's 89 rookie is iconic because the average collector had access to it, Griffey was the hottest player on the planet, and UD was the hot new company featuring glossy cards and premium photography that dwarfed anything else then available. It being a base card, it was readily available if you wanted to pay for it.

I feel a limited parallel like the Pujols auto rookie or whatever hot Bowman Chrome stud of tomorrow delivers just won't ever feel as "iconic" as the Griffey rookie because of its scarcity. Collectors can relate to the Griffey because at one time or another most of them owned it or at least saw it in their hobby shop or friend's collection. That's not the case with Chrome autos and refractors. Familiarity breeds iconic stature. We held that card in our hands, admired the million dollar smile, and loved the way Griffey smacked the ball and chased down long fly balls.

I haven't read the article yet, but I think I agree with the author. The 89 Griffey is the last iconic RC.

 

[sportscardtheory]

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.

 

[AKA Coastal]

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.

I love lamp.

 

[ThoseBackPages]

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.

Some of us will have to agree to disagree on how the collecting market is as we enter 2010.

i personally hope that Topps can fix it.

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

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.

 

[gregbara]

Back in 1989, collectors still had faith in base cards. You never saw collectors busting wax, picking out one card, and dumping the rest in the trash. Griffey's 89 rookie is iconic because the average collector had access to it, Griffey was the hottest player on the planet, and UD was the hot new company featuring glossy cards and premium photography that dwarfed anything else then available. It being a base card, it was readily available if you wanted to pay for it.

I feel a limited parallel like the Pujols auto rookie or whatever hot Bowman Chrome stud of tomorrow delivers just won't ever feel as "iconic" as the Griffey rookie because of its scarcity. Collectors can relate to the Griffey because at one time or another most of them owned it or at least saw it in their hobby shop or friend's collection. That's not the case with Chrome autos and refractors. Familiarity breeds iconic stature. We held that card in our hands, admired the million dollar smile, and loved the way Griffey smacked the ball and chased down long fly balls.

I haven't read the article yet, but I think I agree with the author. The 89 Griffey is the last iconic RC.

I was going to basically post the exact same thing. In a nutshell, you had a brand new style of cards with a brand new look, that changed the hobby in itself. You could even go out on a limb and say the 89 Upper Deck was the last iconic set. The amount of buzz from the product still continues, look on eBay, boxes still of low number sell for $70. And the only key card is Griffey (Johnson/Sheff/Vizquel - those are on the low $ cards.) Point is, the set itself was iconic, it paved the way to today.

Of course you can say there are other newer key rookie cards, but the Griffey was a first of its kind, and the buzz around Griffey for years was huge....I mean he was the only real buzz.

 

[Billy Packer]

I think we have to look at this as through the eyes of a non collector.

Sure, all the examples you've given here, pictured, or otherwise, are iconic in our hobby. If there ever was a true HOF of cards, every card mentioned here would be included for sure. However, we as collectors know these cards. Show those the average person and I guarantee you that many will not recognize, nor care much about them...AT ALL (to the shock and disbelief of many here).

There are two cards I can think off the top of my head that if you showed them to people, they would instantly know what they are. One is the T206 Wagner. The other is the 1952 Topps Mantle. Everyone, even those who don't follow the sport, knows those cards. They've seen them everywhere. They're the reason why many people came into the hobby in the late 80's and early 90's. Many of these people thought that today's cards could produce the value and same results as the two cards. Alas, that was not the case (and not the point of my post).

Is the 1989 Upper Deck Griffey card in the same class as the Mantle and Wagner cards? Perhaps. As our generations get older, we will look at Griffey probably the same way we did Mantle. Not in how they played the game, but the recognizability of their cards. Will we ever see another card that will join in this same class...that truly remains to be seen.

This was my point earlier as well. For a card to be considered truly iconic, it has to enter into mainstream popular culture. No card since the '89 Griffey has had that effect, though in fairness, this is pretty select company. Wagner, Mantle, Griffey - the bar is pretty high.

How is this not iconic?? :twisted:

I know you posted this jokingly, but ironically, as highly collected as this set has been, I think a case could be made for the inclusion of draft picks in street clothes being the beginning of the prospecting movement and along with it, the diminishing of the true rookie card and the fragmentation and marginalization of the hobby a lot of us grew up with.

/flame on...

 

[cowboysrule48]

I don't think Pujols will ever be as popular as Griffey was. I could ask my mother who Ken Griffey Jr. is and she would know. I don't think she would know who Albert Pujols is.