From Collectibles On SI · · 3m
Best Baseball Rookie Cards From Every Decade
Top baseball rookie cards from each decade, including record-breaking finds and budget picks.
In brief
Top baseball rookie cards from each decade, including record-breaking finds and budget picks. The 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth card sold for $7.2 million in 2023, while the 2013 Aaron Judge card holds the record for the most expensive modern baseball card. Originally reported by Collectibles On SI.
Collectors Shift to Smaller Collections
More collectors have embraced building smaller, more focused collections by selling off lower-value cards to own iconic ones that might otherwise seem too expensive.
1910s: Babe Ruth Card
The 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth rookie card reached an all-time high of $7.2 million in 2023.
1910s: Budget Pick
The 1909-1911 T206 Tris Speaker PSA 1 card sold for $770.
1920s: Lou Gehrig Card
The 1925 Exhibits Lou Gehrig rookie card reached an all-time high of $782,400 in 2021.
1920s: Budget Pick
Jim Bottomley’s 1923 Maple Crispette V117 Rookie Card #19 sold for $700.
1930s: Joe DiMaggio Card
The 1933-36 Zeenut Joe DiMaggio throwing variation sold for $79,300 in 2025.
1930s: Budget Pick
Hank Greenberg’s 1934 Goudey Rookie Card #62 PSA 1 sold for $900.
1940s: Jackie Robinson & Satchel Paige
The 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige rookie cards reached all-time highs of $468,000 and $432,000 in 2022 and 2018, respectively.
1940s: Budget Pick
Yogi Berra’s 1948 Bowman Rookie Card #6 PSA 2 sold for $750.
1950s: Mickey Mantle Card
The 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie card reached an all-time high of $3,192,000 in 2022.
1950s: Budget Pick
Sandy Koufax’s 1955 Topps #123 PSA 1 sold for $870.
1960s: Pete Rose Card
The 1963 Topps Pete Rose rookie card reached an all-time high of $264,000 in 2021.
1960s: Budget Pick
Tom Seaver’s 1967 Topps #581 PSA 1.5 sold for $930.
1970s: Mike Schmidt Card
The 1973 O-Pee-Chee Mike Schmidt rookie card reached an all-time high of $91,500 in August, 2026.
1970s: Budget Pick
George Brett’s 1975 Topps #228 PSA 8 sold for $860.
1980s: Rickey Henderson Card
The 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson rookie card reached an all-time high of $4,000 in 2026.
1980s: Budget Pick
Barry Bonds’ 1986 Topps Traded Rookie Card #11T PSA 10 sold for $915.
1990s: Derek Jeter Card
The 1993 SP Derek Jeter rookie card reached an all-time high of $600,000 in 2022.
1990s: Budget Pick
Chipper Jones’ 1991 Topps Desert Shield Rookie Card #333 PSA 6 sold for $995.
2000s: Albert Pujols Card
The 2001 Bowman Chrome Albert Pujols Autograph Refractor #340/500 reached an all-time high of $462,000 in 2022.
At a glance
The 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth card sold for $7.2 million in 2023, while the 2013 Aaron Judge card holds the record for the most expensive modern baseball card.
