Teams

TOP TEN Joe Mauer Autographed Cards

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rom an autographed trading card perspective, Joe Mauer’s career spanned three eras. He was the first pick in the 2001 MLB draft, so he was featured heavily in 2002 card releases. In 2002, autographed cards were still mostly on-card, but some sets were moving towards stickers. Then about a decade of mostly sticker autographs occurred (i.e. the Dark Ages), followed by a slight but noticeable rebirth (hardly a Renaissance) in on-card autos towards the end of his playing career.

TOP TEN Frank Thomas Autographed Cards

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From a historical perspective, Frank Thomas is perhaps one of only two sluggers (along with Ken Griffey Jr.) to make it out of the Steroid Era with his intially stellar reputation still pristinely intact. His career arc followed that of most of baseball’s greats before him: a quick, nimble bat hitting for power and average in his youth, injuries as his career progressed, and his final years showing good, but lower production as his slowing bat changed him into more of a guess/mistake hitter.

TOP TEN Tony Gwynn Autographed Baseball Cards

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2001 Fleer Premium - Decades of Excellence Autograph

“Mr. Padre” is pretty much universally loved and accepted as the greatest player in Padres history. His career spanned 20 years (1982-2001) and he collected 3,141 hits, all in a Padres uniform. As of this writing, Tony Gwynn is ranked tied for 22nd all-time in career batting average. Notably, Gwynn’s career ended >40 years after everyone ahead of him on the list.