Visit our Daily Auctions page to see the latest sports card deals on auction ending daily! And listen to our podcast Cards To The Moon!
Known as one of the greatest leadoff hitters to play professional baseball, Rickey Henderson probably deserves more accolades than he actually receives and the same goes for his rookie card.
The “Man of Steal” stole 1,406 career bases while hitting 2,295 home runs. He’s a two-time World Series champion and 10-time All-Star.
Some of his rookie cards that are graded a PSA 10 certainly holds value. In fact, it’s largely in part to how difficult it is to get a PSA 10 of the 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson rookie card in particular.
But there are others to collect for those looking to add to their personal collection. Here are some Rickey Henderson rookie cards we like best with links to buy them on eBay.
1. 1980 Topps Rookie Card #482
The one that most high-end collectors will go after is the 1980 Topps rookie card.
While it was produced in the junk wax era, to find one in Gem Mint or Pristine condition is very diffcult. And for the ones that are, expect to pay tens of thousands.
2. 1979 TCMA Rookie Card #9
Technically a pre-rookie card, this one shows a young Henderson in his Ogden A’s uniform (the AAA affiliate of the Oakland Athletics).
It’s not easy to find but more affordable than the aforementioned Topps rookie card in Gem Mint condition.
3. 1981 Donruss Baseball Card
Now this is technically not a rookie card as it was printed in 1981. But it’s part of an early Donruss set that’s hard to find a Henderson card in good condition.
It also features him in a classic bat over shoulder pose with a nice red and white border that matches a PSA graded card nicely.
MORE INFO ON RICKEY HENDERSON: Considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time, Henderson established himself as one of the most dynamic and exciting players to play the game over the course of his 25-year career.
From his electrifying speed on the basepaths to his impressive plate discipline, Henderson was a true five-tool player who impacted the game in countless ways.
Born on December 25, 1958, in Chicago, Illinois, Henderson grew up in Oakland, California, where he developed a love for baseball at an early age. Henderson was already being recognized as one of the most talented players in the Bay Area as a young teen.
In 1976, he was drafted by his hometown team, the Oakland Athletics in the fourth round of the MLB Draft, and quickly rose through the ranks of the A’s minor league system.
Henderson made his major league debut in 1979, and has made his mark on the game over the course of his career, including leading the league in stolen bases a record-breaking 12 times as well as becoming one of the all-time leaders in runs scored and walks.
He was also tremendous on defence winning two Gold Gloves and being named to the All-Star team ten times.
An underrated aspect of his game is his baseball career longevity. Henderson continued to perform at a high level well into his late 30s and early 40s. He appeared in more than 150 games in 12 different seasons.
Check us out on our YouTube channel for video presentations on popular card sets and about the hobby!
Why is a 1981 Donruss Henderson going for $100