New York Yankees Legend Alex Rodriguez Once Discussed the True Value of His Own Baseball Rookie Card From the 1990s

Alex Rodriguez left a mark on baseball that not many can reproduce. Despite the controversies he was surrounded with, A-Rod was a prolific hitter. With mind-blowing stats throughout his 22-season career, Rodriguez had the honor of leading the Yankees to a World Series win in 2009. As hated as the player might be, he’s equally celebrated among some fans. And what better way to glorify a player than with baseball cards?

To those who know the true value of sports cards, they’re gems. Originally a means of advertisement for athletes and war heroes, they were sold in cigarette boxes. And while adults discarded them easily, cards became an important part of kids’ lives. Even today, the younger generation is the one that is most attracted to them and card collection is the kind of hobby that they carry into adulthood.

For someone as revered as A-Rod is, baseball cards are a goldmine for fans and Rodriguez himself knows their value.

Alex Rodriguez would collect his own rookie cards as an investment if he could

The former Yankee has become quite the businessman after his retirement from baseball. Back in 2020, while talking to entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, the former shortstop talked about business strategies during the pandemic era. Vaynerchuk brought up the immense value that baseball cards hold during this day and age, and if Rodriguez would collect them as a worthwhile investment.

Since they are severely underpriced in Vaynerchuk’s opinion, he commented on how they can become an asset in the future. He specifically mentioned the 1994 Upper Deck SP Alex Rodriguez Rookie Card, which many collectors consider a prime card. As for whether he would buy them, the retired athlete laughingly asked whether Vaynerchuk would broker it.

A look at some of the highest-priced baseball cards in history

Baseball cards are no joke. Some have sold for as high as a million dollars because that’s just how beloved a player or rare a card is. The late MLB legend Mickey Mantle currently has the most expensive baseball card ever sold. The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card was auctioned at $5,200,000. And this may surprise some, but big names like Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, and Joe Jackson are lower down on the top 5.

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The second place is held by none other than LA Angels’ center fielder, Mike Trout. The 2009 Mike Trout Autographed card was auctioned at $3,936,000. Trout is an icon in the making, so it’s no surprise to see fans valuing him so highly.

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What do you think of A-Rod’s card and Vaynerchuk’s idea? Could sports cards be seen as a financial investment?