Happy belated birthday, Yogi — now if only I could afford your Rookie Card
Marie and I have an awful running joke. Awful by me, she
is the innocent in all this.
is the innocent in all this.
It started a couple of years ago when a former Yankee
passed away. I made a comment on how Yogi Berra was probably next. Marie was
horrified and claimed I was trying to kill off poor Yogi. I love Yogi. I would
never do such a thing, but he’s getting up there in age.
passed away. I made a comment on how Yogi Berra was probably next. Marie was
horrified and claimed I was trying to kill off poor Yogi. I love Yogi. I would
never do such a thing, but he’s getting up there in age.
Yesterday, I sent Marie and a text. “It’s Yogi Berra’s
birthday.”
birthday.”
Her response: “He showed you!”
Berra turned 89. While my first thought was to text
Marie, my second thought turned to his baseball cards – most notably his 1948 Bowman Rookie Card.
Marie, my second thought turned to his baseball cards – most notably his 1948 Bowman Rookie Card.
It’s such a simple card. A black and white photo with
Berra on the backswing looking as though he’s tracking a ball. There are no
words on the front of the photo and just the logo on the cap to show any
discernible identifying marks.
Berra on the backswing looking as though he’s tracking a ball. There are no
words on the front of the photo and just the logo on the cap to show any
discernible identifying marks.
It’s a card I would love to add to my collection. However,
they do not come cheap – a couple of hundred dollars in poor condition.
they do not come cheap – a couple of hundred dollars in poor condition.
So I am adding a new card to my baseball card bucket
list. Right now, it’s only two cards long. When I get to at least five, I’ll
make a post about it. But unless I hit the lotto, I don’t stand a chance of completing
it. Did I mention the other card is a 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig?
list. Right now, it’s only two cards long. When I get to at least five, I’ll
make a post about it. But unless I hit the lotto, I don’t stand a chance of completing
it. Did I mention the other card is a 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig?
Interestingly, many older cards have been reprinted
throughout the years. So, even if I can’t own a Berra 1948 Bowman RC, there is
the option of getting a 2001 Bowman Heritage reprint. The biggest difference is
the Bowman Heritage logo at the top right corner, but at least that allows
collectors to know the difference without some unscrupulous dealers trying to
pass off one as an original.
throughout the years. So, even if I can’t own a Berra 1948 Bowman RC, there is
the option of getting a 2001 Bowman Heritage reprint. The biggest difference is
the Bowman Heritage logo at the top right corner, but at least that allows
collectors to know the difference without some unscrupulous dealers trying to
pass off one as an original.
There are also 1989 Bowman Reprint Inserts featuring Berra
and 10 others. The backs note a sweepstakes entry, so there is no confusion
here either. These cards could easily be found in bargain bins and not worth a
lot – but a cheap way to get replica Bowman cards.
and 10 others. The backs note a sweepstakes entry, so there is no confusion
here either. These cards could easily be found in bargain bins and not worth a
lot – but a cheap way to get replica Bowman cards.
Sign up for the Card Chat newsletter here!
