Player Name: Miguel Tejada
Sets From: 1997 Bowman, Bowman Chrome, Bowman’s Best Preview, Bowman’s Best, and Donruss Signature
Card Numbers: 411, 273, 18, 114 and 95
Why are these cards a must have?: Performance enhancing drugs aside, Tejada needs to be on this list. By 1997 Miguel was already in the majors. He was originally signed in 1993 by the A’a as an international free agent. Although not showing any power originally, he blossomed into one of the premiere power hitting short stops in the game. It didn’t take long either, he was merely 25 when he put up his first 20+ home run season. From 1999 to 2006 he hit at least 21 homers and 84 RBIs. He has 4 All Star selections, 2 Silver Sluggers, and 7 straight top 20 MVP finishes, including one MVP. His overall numbers are 0.286/271/1099 and through thispoint in his career, his comparisons are the likes of Vinny Castilla and Scott Rolen. He’snot even close to a Hall of Famer, but he has put up substantial numbers (even if they are debatable). He still is a very influential player of this era.
On a scale of 1 – 10, how must have are these cards: 5, just about average and all things considered it would be difficult for me to rate him higher. Stepping away from the steroids issue, his numbers are very good, just not great is all. In the book they run about $4 – $5, on eBay you can find it for around $1 – $2. Steroids or not he makes the cut.
