I will take a 90's Base Rookie Over Any of Today's Rookie Cards!

 Yes I said it! It needed to be said! I love Rookie cards before the hoopla that today's hobby community demands. No relics, no autos, no fuss! In the world of Social Media and Alternative Facts Allow me to provide you 3 examples of  1990's rookie cards I love more than any current rookie on the market.

1. The 1990 Hoops Gary Payton

    If you listen to the Wax Museum Podcast you will hear Kyle say "Hoops Sucks"! However, cards like this one of Hall of Famer Gary Payton. It is clear that unlike todays Sticker Autos or "Relic" cards where the player several jerseys on in order to "authenticate" the card. This card and photo of "the Glove" is clearly organic as the photo clearly shows  Payton receiving the life changing call from the Sonics that made him the 1990 NBA Draft's 2nd Overall Pick.

2.1991 Skybox Kenny Anderson

How can you not love Mr. Chibbs? After piloting Georgia Tech's Lethal Weapon 3 Offense to the Final Four Alongside NBA Gunner Dennis Scott. The New York City Point God landed in New Jersey with the second overall pick in 1991! Though his NBA Career was that of a journeyman this picture of Anderson in the suit with the jersey carries the same organic feeling as the Payton Card from the previous year. Unlike Anderson's playing style, this card is no frills and simple, using a basic non serial numbered card to capture a moment in time.


3. Terrell Brandon 1991 Skybox

Look at that smile! It is pure it is genuine! It is fun. This smile was not created by a photographer! A smile like this comes from realizing a dream after a struggle or reaching a goal. This photo was taken immediately after Brandon heard Commissioner David Stern call his name at number 11 for the Cleveland Cavaliers. This card is a card of a young man living his childhood dream.


The Rookie card is special. Its Iconic! Just like anything other milestone it lets a player know he or she has arrived. I know there are millions of these three cards out there. I know I could land all 3 for less than a gallon of gas. However, these cards to me remind of a time in the hobby where greed did not reign supreme. We traded with out friends and the only "hits" we knew about came on the radio. We  built friendships trading in driveways between pick up games of 3 on 3. We celebrated our friend getting the Jordan card and begged them to trade it. We did not care if the card came out of a pack from a hobby shop, gas station, or *couch* Walgreens. We collected what we loved and loved what we collected! Lets get back to that part of the Hobby! All the Best!

The Big Orristotle.






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