Player Name: Alex Rodriguez
Sets From: 1994 Collector’s Choice, Flair, Flair Wave of the Future, Leaf Limited Rookie Phenoms, Score Rookie Traded, SP , SP Holoview, SP Die Cut, and Upper Deck
Card Numbers: 661, 340, B8, 10, HC1, 15, 33, 15, 24 and A298
Why are these cards a must have?: It’s A-Rod, and that’s why. All the steroid talk aside, he is still the best hitter ever to play the game. He didn’t need the steroids, and if it was longer than 2001-2003 then so be it. He’ll have over 800 homers and over 3000 hits when he retires. He has never been given a fair chance as far as fan friendly. Because he makes so much money per season his stats are scrutinized more than any other hitter in baseball history. I’m a Yankee fan and I would have traded Jeter to get him on my team. I’m sure I am going to get blasted for this write up but I don’t care. It’s so easy to bash him, but people were bashing him before the roids issue came up. Face it roids or not he is the greatest hitter of all time. His harware includes 3 MVPs, 2 Gold Gloves, 10 Silver Sluggers and 12 All Star selections. All time he is 11th in slugging %, 17th in OPS, 42nd in runs, 38th in total bases, 12th in home runs, 30th in RBIs, 7th in at bats per home run and 31st in extra base hits. He will turn 35 this year, probably has at least 5 more years left in him, all as a Yankee. The big question is when will he make it to the Hall of Fame?
On a scale of 1 – 10, how must have are these cards: 10, you have to have one of these cards since it is Alex Rodriguez. The cards go for between $10 – $2000 in the book, on eBay they are at $9 – $2500. There are so many cards (12), that it’s not econimcally feasible to own them all. The most rare is the Score rookies / traded version which routinely fetches 2000+ in eBay auctions, next up is the Leaf Phenoms card which will set you back around $500. The SP cards are next with the Holoview being the gem of that set running between $150 – $200. However most of the SP cards run in this range (substantially more if graded). The cheapies are the UD regular issue and the Collector’s Choice which can be had for about $10. The UD autograph card is limited to 5000 and run between $800-$1000 on eBay. The Flair card tops out around $20 ungraded, $65-$70 graded. My personal favorite is the SP regular issue.
Just pulled the Flair out of a repack box I think. It is a nice lookin card, but I seriously doubt anyone would lay down $10 for that one.
You would be surprised.
I’m not gonna blast you for saying that about Jeter. Never.
I WILL blast you for admitting to being a Yankee fan.
It is an insult to all well written, thought out and enjoyable bloggers everywhere. I am now ashamed to admit I like your stuff. This blog shall now be a guilty pleasure.
I like the rundown but man, do those cards look cheap by today’s standards.
Does it help that I like the Pirates too?
You forgot about the Fleer Update card – I have that one in my collection.
There were so many I knew I was bound to forget one.
One quick correction, he will be turning 34 this year (he iss 33 as we head into the 2009 season). So, it’s feasible he could play another 9-10 years.
I am with you….everyone forgets that the pitchers were using steroids and so it is all fair as far as I am concerned. If steroids was such a big deal why didnt your ‘National Pastime’ drug test?
The batters in this time were facing pitchers who were stronger and recovering more quickly so therefore they could pitch more quality innings.
I have trouble with him being the best hitter I still think Bonds is the best pure hitter I have seen (not old enough for Aaron)…
But defintely the best all around player I have seen.
I’m a Yankee fan myself, and also a Pirate fan, but I was sad to see the Yankees trade Soriano. I’d much rather have Soriano than A-Rod on the team.
I just found the Arod Collectors choice version…EXCEPT, it is a silver signature edition with White lettering on the front rather than the typical silver lettering. Apparently there are only a few of these cards around, and I was wondering how much mine might be worth. I would love to sell it as cash is tight. I was told a 9.5 sold for over 4k last year.
Can anyone help me with this?