So, I got into this whole baseball card thing, mainly because of my kid. He’s all about Ken Griffey Jr., and I remembered having a few of his cards back in the day. I thought, “Hey, maybe these things are worth something now?”
First thing I did was dig out my old card collection from the attic. Dust everywhere, but man, it brought back memories! I found a few Griffey cards, including what I thought was his rookie card. I was pretty stoked.
Next, I started doing some research online. I quickly realized there’s a whole world of card grading and values. Apparently, not all Griffey cards are created equal. Who knew? I found out that the 1989 Upper Deck rookie card is a big deal, but there are also Bowman and Donruss cards that collectors look for.
What I Discovered
Here is what I learned about his most famous cards:
- 1989 Upper Deck #1: This is the one everyone talks about. If it’s in mint condition, it can be worth a lot. Mine wasn’t. It had a slightly dinged corner.
- 1989 Bowman #220: This one is also valuable, especially the “Tiffany” version, which is some kind of special glossy edition. I didn’t have that one.
- 1989 Donruss #33: Another popular rookie card, but not as valuable as the Upper Deck one. I had this one, but again, not in perfect shape.
After learning all this, I decided to get one of my Griffey cards graded. I sent it off to one of those professional grading companies. It took forever, but I finally got it back. Turns out it was only graded a 7, which means “near mint.” Not bad, but not a goldmine either.
I’ve also realized it’s impossible to think of baseball in the 1980s and 1990s without Griffey coming to mind, so many people are interested in his cards.
In the end, I didn’t strike it rich with my Ken Griffey Jr. cards, but it was a fun trip down memory lane. Plus, my kid and I now have something new to bond over. We’ve even started looking for more Griffey cards together. It’s not about the money anymore; it’s about the thrill of the hunt and the shared memories.
I’m going to keep collecting, not just Griffey cards, but others too. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll find that elusive perfect 10, but even if I don’t, it’s all good. It’s a hobby now, and a pretty darn enjoyable one at that.
