Baseball Cards | GMA Grading | Baseball Card Grading

Cam Newton Rookies VS RG3 Rookie Cards

Alan Karpuch — Wed, 09 May 2012 01:53:10 +0000

Cam Newton rookie cards are already selling for hundreds off dollars but, Robert Griffin rookies are not far behind which is amazing considering he has not played an NFL game yet.
Tweet

Which is Rookie Card is the Better Investment?

Both Cam Newton rookie cards and Robert Griffin III rookie cards make great investments. Both quarterbacks have immense talent and have a great chance of being elite QB’s in the NFL. Cam Newton rookie cards are currently selling for a little more money than RG3 rookies. That says a lot about RG3 as the Redskins fans seem to be jumping on his rookie card bandwagon very fast. The Redskins quarterback has the speed, arm strength and intelligence to become this year’s NFL rookie of the year like Newton was last year.

Both QB’s play for up and coming teams and are in the middle of the rebuilding process. Neither have elite receivers to throw too which may affect how they play in the future. Newton currently has an aging Steve Smith as his target while Griffin will be throwing to Pierre Garcon. Both teams must do a better job signing elite receivers to better utilize their franchise quarterbacks talent.

Newton has already excelled in the NFL. He broke the NFL’s QB rushing touchdown record in his rookie year and was a nightmare for opposing defenses. You can expect RG3 to have the same impact on defenses this season.

What are the best Rookie Cards to Buy?

There are many different Cam Newton rookies that can be purchased that make reasonable investments. Some of these rookie cards include his 2011 Topps Chrome rookie and the 2011 National Treasures autograph jersey rookie card. Cam has many other rookie cards selling from $5 to over $4,000.

Robert Griffin rookie cards are stilling being produced. Companies like Topps and Upper Deck are going to release more than a few sets that include RG3 rookie cards. You can expect autographs cards of Griffin and popular numbered refractors to be hot sellers when they become live. Card collectors are already spending hundreds of dollars on RG3 Press Pass rookies as well as Sage Hit football cards released earlier this month. It is a little too early to tell which will be Griffins best rookie card.

Things to Watch

Both quarterbacks have immense talent and as you can see have more qualities that are similar than different. It the end it will come down to the durability and surrounding talent that will determine which QB rookie cards will end up being the better investment. Because both quarterbacks like to run and scramble they both take a great risk in the NFL . Staying healthy will make a big difference in the value of their rookie cards.

The Redskins and Panthers are both in need of a franchise receiver which will also have a dramatic effect on their franchise quarterbacks success. The divisions that both teams play in are both very competitive. Currently Cam Newton is in a division that lacks talent on the defensive side of the ball. This may open the door for Newton to put him bigger offensive numbers than RG3 and help his rookie cards in the near future.

Best Matt Kemp Rookie Cards to Buy – Before Triple Crown

Alan Karpuch — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 13:44:48 +0000

Matt Kemp rookie cards are currently the hottest baseball cards in the hobby. After blasting his 8^th home run of the young season, many believe Kemp has a real chance of winning the Triple Crown. The last player to win the Triple Crown award was Carl Yastrzemski in 1967. Kemp’s hot streak has collectors craving for his rookie cards. Matt Kemp rookie cards are getting harder and harder to find over the past few weeks as speculators have started buying most of his best rookies. Here is a breakdown of some of the best Matt Kemp rookies to buy and what they are currently selling for online. Pay close attention to some of the condition factors given for each card to help protect your investment.

Top 3 Matt Kemp Rookie Cards to Buy

2005 Bowman Chrome- The Bowman Chrome rookie card is definitely one of Kemps most popular baseball cards. A few variations exist of these great cards including colored refractors, autographed cards and signed and numbered variations. Xfractors are also very popular inserts that are popular with collectors. Autographed Matt Kemp rookies from the 2005 Bowman chrome set sell for around $200 while base cards have been selling for $10-$15.

Condition Tips: Many of these cards are not well centered. Buyers should pay close attention to the centering of these cards from top to bottom and left to right of the card. If you are purchasing autographed Bowman Chrome rookies make sure that the autographs are crisp and not smudged like some that were released in packs.

2005 Topps Chrome Update- These Matthew Kemp cards are also great investments. The Topps Chrome Update cards are harder to find then some of the Bowman Chrome rookie cards listed above. Variations of these baseball cards include refractors, colored refractors, and autographed cards. These Matthew Kemp rookie cards make great investments. Currently the base cards are selling for $15-$20 while refractors are selling for around double that at $35-$40. These baseball cards are still very affordable and are worth taking a look at.

Condition Tips- Centering is huge on these cards. Many were cut poorly and are off-center. Buyers should pay close attention to the centering and corners on these great baseball cards.

2005 Topps Update Matt Kemp- These cards look exactly like the Topps Chrome Matthew Kemp rookies. These amazing Topps cards are some of the most affordable Matt Kemp RC cards that you can get your hands on. Currently these cards are selling for $5-$10 ungraded.

Condition Tips- Corner wear is something to watch out for on these cards. Because these cards have white borders bent corners are harder to spot. Centering can also be a problem when buying these cards. Buyers should inspect these Topps baseball cards carefully before making a purchase.

The value of Kemp's cards will continue to rise as long as he keeps on hitting. Another factor that will help Matt Kemp’s run at the Triple Crown award is Albert Pujols signing with the Anaheim Angels. Buyers should start buying these baseball cards now. It is hard to argue that Matt Kemp maybe the best baseball player in the league. He can steal bases, hit for power and average. It seems that he has all the intangibles of becoming the next baseball superstar.

Top 5 NFL Rookie Cards to Watch in 2012

Alan Karpuch — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:25:35 +0000

The 2012 NFL Draft has some of the best young talent we have seen in a long time. Here are the Top 5 NFL rookie cards to watch for in the 2012 season.

1. Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck rookie cards are sure to be on top of everyone’s wish list in 2012. The Colts will make Andrew a very rich man and they hope he will be the center of their rebuilding process. The Colts resigned Reggie Wayne which will give Luck one of the top targets in the NFL to throw to. Collectors can expect to pay a pretty penny for autographed Andrew Luck rookie cards as investors will be trying to get a hold of them early.

Some Andrew Luck rookie cards have already been released and many more are due out this month. Press Pass autographs have been popular early selling for over $100. You can expect the Topps, Upper Deck and Panini rookies to sell for even more money when they are live.

2. Robert Griffin III

Robert Griffin rookie cards are the second on our list of top rookie cards to watch in 2012. The Baylor quarterback has all the abilities needed to be a franchise quarterback. Many people believe that RG3 is a better all-around quarterback than Andrew Luck. Collectors have been buying Robert Griffin rookie cards early and often. The Sage Hit RG3 rookies are selling very well online and autographed rookie cards have been hard to find.

You can expect collectors to spend a lot of money on Robert Griffin rookie cards in 2012. The Redskins signed some quality receivers like Pierre Garcon to help make Robert Griffin’s transition to the NFL a good one. All of these factors will impact how well Robert Griffin rookie cards sell in the upcoming 2012 season.

3. Trent Richardson

Trent Richardson has not received the attention that he would be receiving if Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin were not in his draft class. Many scouts believe that Trent is the top running back since Adrian Peterson. These factors have all contributed to the demand of his rookie cards. Most Trent Richardson rookie cards can be purchased for half of the price of Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin rookie cards.

The Alabama tailback will have a lot of great rookie cards to buy this year. You can expect companies like Topps and Panini to offer a wide variety of Trent Richardson rookie cards and autographs cards in their 2012 releases. Buyers should pay close attention to what team drafts the young star running back as it will have a dramatic effect on what his football cards sell for in years to come.

4. Justin Blackmon

The Oklahoma State wide receiver will be a welcomed addition to any team look to improve their wide receiving corps. Justin Blackmon rookie cards are already getting the attention they deserve from investors as well as collectors. He will be a big play threat which will add to the demand of his already popular football cards.

The value of Justin Blackmon rookie cards will increase if he is selected by a team that already has a franchise quarterback. If he is taken by a playoff contender you will see the value of Justin Blackmon rookie cards spike quickly.

5. Ryan Tannehill

Ryan Tannehill rookie cards are currently not as popular as the players we have discussed on our list. This in no way keeps him off our top 5 list. The Texas A&M quarterback lacks the experience at the position that Robert Griffin and Andrew Luck poses. This is no way means he lacks the talent. Tannehill is a gifted quarterback that has the size and strength needed to be a franchise QB. You can expect teams like the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns to consider drafting the Aggies prospect early in the 2012 draft.

Ryan Tannehill rookie cards should be on the radar of all football card collectors in 2012. His rookie cards will be much cheaper and easier to find the Luck and RG3 rookies. Price and availability can change dramatically if Tannehill produces early with his new NFL team.

Best Ted Williams Baseball Cards to Buy

Alan Karpuch — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 01:00:19 +0000

Ted Williams baseball cards are some of the most popular cards in the hobby. Williams will always be remembered as one of the game’s greatest hitters. The Red Sox Hall of Famer had an amazing major league baseball career. His career batting average was .344 and he also hit 521 home runs and also had 1,839 run batted in. Ted was also elected to 19 All-Star games and won the most valuable player award twice in his shortened career. These are only a few reasons why people love collecting Ted Williams baseball cards.

There are more than a few Ted Williams baseball cards that are worth buying. It is very hard to determine which card is his

best because he has no many memorable cards. Here is a breakdown of just a few of his most valuable and coveted sports cards.

1939 Play Ball Ted Williams Rookie Card

The 1939 Play Ball Ted Williams rookie card is one of his most valuable cards. Due to the age of these cards most are almost impossible to find in even very good condition. These valuable cards sell for thousands of dollars in NM or better condition. Mint 9 versions of this card have sold for more than $15,000. This card is a great investment for those that can afford it. Buyers should be careful to make sure the card is authentic before they make a purchase as many of these cards have been counterfeited over the years.

1951 Bowman

The 1951 Bowman Ted Williams card is another very unique and rare card. These cards are much smaller than cards produced by card manufacturers today. Buyers can also expect to pay thousands of dollars for NM or better versions of this great card. In a recent auction a Mint 9 Bowman Williams sold for more than $8,500. This is a great card and makes a wonderful long term investment.

1954 Topps Ted Williams

The value of these Ted Williams baseball cards are sure to keep rising in the future. We say cards because Topps created two different versions of Ted Williams in the 1954 Topps set. Card #1 in the set typically sells for more money because it is usually hard to find in good condition. Because it was the first card in the set they tend to be harder to find in premium condition. Collectors use to put rubber bands around cards and typically the first and last cards in the set took more of the pounding.

The second Ted Williams 1954 Topps card is number #250. These cards are stunning and are also worth a lot of money. A version of this card recently sold online for $3,500 in NM-MT 8 condition. These baseball cards also make great investments if you can purchase them in the right condition.

Autographed Ted Williams Cards

Because Williams was such a popular player companies like Topps and Upper Deck signed him to contracts to sign cards for release in packs of cards. These autographed Ted Williams baseball cards sell from $400- $1,000. These cards are wonderful investments as many of them are individually numbered which make them even more enticing for collectors.

The Boston Red Sox slugger will always be remembered for his on the field play and many career achievements but many forget that Ted’s career was cut a little short because of WWII. Williams help defend our country as a war fighter pilot which just shows what a hero he really was. This is why Ted Williams baseball cards will stand the test of time and will continue to be great collectibles.

2012 Press Pass Andrew Luck Rookie Cards Variations

Alan Karpuch — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:27:17 +0000

2012 Press Pass Andrew Luck rookie cards were released this week. These stunning sports cards are the first Andrew Luck rookies to hit the market in 2012. Press Pass did a great job featuring Luck while including a few different variations to the rookie cards. Some of the variations include autograph cards which are already selling for over $200. Some of the autographed Luck rookie cards are individually numbered. Here is a quick breakdown of some of these cards and their current values.

Press Pass Andrew Luck Rookie Card Values

2012 Press Pass #30 – Currently this card is very affordable. Dealers are selling these rookie cards on Ebay in the $1.00 - $2.00 range which makes them very affordable. If Luck turns out to be the next Peyton Manning you can expect a nice return on your money very fast. Just the hype surround Luck will help propel these great cards.

2012 Press Pass Autograph #30- These Andrew Luck autographs are randomly inserted into packs and are currently selling for $100. These cards are becoming very popular with collectors. Much like other Andre Luck football cards, autograph cards tend to make great investments. These cards are not numbered like some of the other Luck Press Pass autographs we will discuss below.

Andrew Luck Autograph Blue Variation- The blue variations of these rare cards are limited to only 50 cards in production. Because these cards are new it is a little hard to tell what they will be worth until more information can be compiled. Currently these cards are selling for around $150.

Andrew Luck Power Pick Rookie Card (Red Variation)- The red variation of these rare Andrew Luck RC cards are selling for $400-$500. These cards are each individually numbered to only 25 cards in existence. Even though these football cards maybe great investments in the near future buyers must be mindful not to overpay for them before a market is set.

2012 Press Pass All American Andrew Luck Rookie Card- The All-American Andrew Luck rookies are randomly inserted in packs of cards. These cards come signed and un-signed. Autograph versions have been selling in the $100-$150 range will un-signed cards are selling for $2-$3. Some of the autographed variations are numbered to only 99 which make them very hard to find.

Press Pass did a wonderful job featuring Andrew with a variety of his rookie cards. These cards are sure to be popular with collectors and are already getting a lot of attention. Many collectors believe that Andrew Luck rookie cards as well as Robert Griffin rookie cards will be some of the most popular cards in the hobby in the last decade. If both live up to their potential you can expect a nice return on your investment.

Is Andrew Luck a Better Draft Pick than Manning, Brady or Marino

Alan Karpuch — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:37:41 +0000

Andrew Luck is set to become the number one overall draft pick in the 2012 NFL draft. The Indianapolis Colts are hoping Luck can step in and fill the void left when the cut Peyton Manning, the future hall of fame quaterback they drafted number one overall 15 years ago. So how does Andrew Luck stack up against other elite quarterbacks at this point in their careers?

Statistically Luck had a better year last year than Peyton Manning, Tom Brady or even Dan Marino had the year before being drafted!
Tweet

Success at the college level certainly isn't any guarantee of success at the professional level, but it's easy to see why many in the Colts organization are so excited about drafting Luck.

Click below to use this image on your own site!

Copy and paste this code into your blog post or web page:

<a href="http://gmagrading.com/andrew-luck-comparison/"></a> Will Andrew Luck rookie cards be a boom or bust as an investment? Ask the <a href="http://gmagrading.com/">sports card grading</a> experts at GMAGrading.com

Derek Jeter’s Run at Rose’s Record

Alan Karpuch — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:00:16 +0000

Derek Jeter joined the 3,000 hit club last season and renewed debate over the Yankee short-stop's chances of catching all-time hit-leader Pete Rose. Jeter and Rose reached 3,000 hits at almost the exact same age (just a couple weeks past their 37th birthdays) but Rose's record is still more than 1,000 hits away.

To put that into perspective, Jeter needs to average 170 hits (his average over the last two seasons) for another 6.8 seasons before he'd reach Rose's record!
Tweet

If Jeter's hit totals continue their three year decline, he'd likely need to crack the list of the top 10 oldest position players in order to have a shot at 4,256. But if there's one thing the Kid from Kalamazoo has taught us over the years, its to never bet against him.

Pin It

Click below to use this image on your own site!

Copy and paste this code into your blog post or web page:

<a href="http://gmagrading.com/jeter-rose-hit-total/"></a> Want to know what your Derek Jeter card is worth? Ask the <a href="http://gmagrading.com/">sports card pricing</a> experts at GMAGrading.com

Jeremy Lin Rookie Cards are on Fire

Alan Karpuch — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:30:22 +0000

When it comes to basketball cards there is nothing hotter than Jeremy Lin rookie cards. The young Knicks superstar has taken New York by storm. Linsanity has taken over the NBA and Jeremy’s rookie cards are flying off of Ebay at record setting numbers. Some collectors are staying away from Jeremy Lin rookie cards expecting the bubble to pop on the Knicks star but prices have continued to go up in the past week. This is partially due to the fact the Lin has continued to play like an All-Star and is attracting international investors as well as playing in one of the largest NBA markets. The value of Jeremy Lin rookie cards are very hard top determined because of the rapid change in values over such a short period of time. If you are in the market for a Jeremy Lin rookie card we will review the most popular of his cards selling online.

2010 National Treasures Prime Patch

These great cards are rookie cards are all hand signed by Lin and numbered to only 25. Each card also comes with an authentic game used jersey swatch which makes them unique memorabilia cards as well. Some of these rare gems have sold on Ebay for over $10,000 in recent auctions but buyers should beware of over paying for these great cards.

2010 Contenders Rookie Ticket Jeremy Lin

Much like the National Treasures rookie, only 25 of these great basketball cards exist. All of these Jeremy Lin rookies are hand signed and also come with an embedded game used jersey worn buying him during a game. These cards have sold for $2,000 over the past week and should also only be purchased at the right price.

2010 Prestige

Panini did a great job making a few variations of the Jeremy Lin rookie in their 2010 product. Lin has a numbered Draft Picks Right card with a print run of 999. There are also 2 base cards which are much more affordable than the other cards we have already discussed. Autograph versions numbered to only 99 have been selling for $500-$700 on Ebay and have become collector’s favorites. The regular issued cards out of Prestige have been selling briskly at $20-$25.

2010 Rookies & Stars

Another great Jeremy Lin rookie is his 2010 Rookies & Stars card. Panini included a few variations to this card in the 2010 set including a numbered autograph card selling for $300. Base cards in the set are selling in the $20-$25 range much like the Prestige rookie cards.

2010 Rookie Art cards

Jeremy Lin art cards have been some of the hottest cards in the hobby. Some of these unique canvas cards are selling in the $50-$60 range. Many of these cards are limited edition prints with very low print runs. You can expect most of these cards to dry up pretty fast as only a limited amount have been produced.

Jeremy Lin basketball cards and autographed memorabilia have become some of the hottest items in the hobby in a very long time. The publicity the young Knicks star is getting is helping catapult his cards to outrageous levels that have not been seen since Shaquille O’Neal entered into the league. Buyers should proceed with caution when buying his rookie cards and should do their very best not to over pay for Jeremy Lin rookie cards.

Top 4 Reasons to Buy Alex Smith Rookie Cards

Alan Karpuch — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:30:44 +0000

Alex Smith rookie cards have become very popular this season. The 49ers have had great success and now are only one win away from a Super Bowl appearance. Alex Smith is one of the main reasons the 49ers have been so successful this year. He proved that he can win the big game this week by matching Drew Brees’s all-star performance with a spectacular one of his own. Smith was superb in clutch situations when the Niner’s needed him the most. Since the 49ers victory over the Saints Alex Smith rookie cards have been getting a lot of attention from investors as well as collectors. Alex Smith rookie card prices have remained dormant for the past few years but have had a fantastic resurgence in 2011. Smith has various rookie cards that are worth purchasing and speculators are trying to purchase whatever they can before prices hit astronomical levels. Here are 5 reasons that you may want to start purchasing Alex Smith RC cards yourself.

Current Prices are Very Reasonable

Currently Alex Smith football cards are very affordable. This may not be the case for very long but buyers can purchase an Alex Smith rookie card for under $5.00. Some of these affordable football cards include his 2005 Topps rookie, 2005 Upper Deck Rookie Premiere and his 2005 Bowman rookie. All cards can be purchased for under $5 un-graded and make great investments if purchased in the right condition.

A Ton of Upside

With the addition of Jim Harbaugh, Alex Smith has had the best season of his mediocre career. This is in part to a sound system that takes advantage of Smith’s abilities and helps him flourish in the 49ers balanced attack. Alex seems to be making better decisions which are mainly due to his 6 years of NFL experience. Quarterbacks like Drew Brees have proven that they can be flourishing if they are placed in the right offensive scheme. It seems like Alex Smith has found his place with the 49ers and Jim Harbaugh.

The 49ers Defense

The secret is out of the bags when it comes to the 49ers defense. This aggressive young bunch has a ton of talent and knows how to rush the passer and create turnovers. They have done an incredible job making big plays and giving Alex Smith plenty of opportunities to capitalize. History has proven that a great defense can help a quarterback put up some amazing numbers and most importantly win games.

Alex Smith Rookie Cards are Very Undervalued

If Alex Smith can get the 49ers to Super Bowl and pull off a big win than you can expect his cards to double if not triple in value. Autographed Alex Smith cards have already seen a 35% increase in value over the past few weeks. Even if the 49ers don’t get to the Super Bowl many believe his promising career will make the Niner’s contenders for years to come.

These are just a few reasons that collectors have started purchasing Alex Smith rookies. Buyers should make sure to purchase Alex Smith football cards that are in mint condition or better to secure their investment dollars.

Robert Griffin Rookie Cards – What to Buy?

Alan Karpuch — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:42:40 +0000

Robert Griffin rookie cards are going to be some of the hottest football cards of 2012. Robert Griffin III will most likely be the second quarterback taken in the 2012 NFL draft. The Baylor, Heisman Trophy winner, has all the intangibles that make up a top 5 draft pick. The NFL has been seen a conversion from the typical drop back passer to the new age quarterback that can press a defense by running and scrambling to buy time and extend drives. NFL quarterbacks like Michael Vick and Tim Tebow have proven that running quarterbacks can be very successful and a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators who have to game plan for them. Griffin not only has all the scrambling and running skills but also a gun for an arm and pin point accuracy that rivals Andrew Luck’s from Stanford. There are more than a few NFL teams that are in desperate need of a QB. Some of these teams include the Cleveland Browns picking 5^th, the Washington Redskins 6^th and Miami Dolphins 8^th. All of these teams would be thrilled to draft the franchise quarterback and stake their teams future on Griffin’s back. These are just a few reasons why collectors are going taking notice.

Buying Robert Griffin Rookie Cards

Robert Griffin rookie cards are going to be highlighted in sets of 2012 Topps, Upper Deck and Panini. Collectors can expect to pay dearly for some of these rookie cards especially autographed cards. Buyers should pay close attention to the condition of these football cards before making any purchase. In the end the most valuable Robert Griffin rookie cards will be those found in the best condition.

Autographed RG3 Rookies

Signed rookie cards have always been popular collectibles. Collectors seem to prefer numbered autographed rookie cards over hard to find inserts and parallel sets. Signed rookie cards that are individually numbered normally sell for a premium over harder to find insert cards. Collectors can get the best of both worlds by purchasing Griffin games used jersey cards that have also been signed by him. Rookie refractors produced by Topps have also become very popular and sell for much more money if they are signed by the player. Topps has done an incredible job featuring some of today’s top NFL rookies with variations of their popular refractors. Some of the most popular refractors include colored variations that are individually numbered and signed. Depending on what your budget is you should be able to purchase a Robert Griffin III rookie refractor for a reasonable price.

GMA Grading will include up to date pricing information once the cards start surfacing online. Collectors should make sure that they pay close attention to one of this year’s top quarterback prospects.