Learn All About the Cal Ripken Jr. Rookie Cards

By: Marty Beets

Cal Ripken Jr is considered one of the greatest shortstops of all time.  He played for the his entire career for the Baltimore Orioles and won two American League MVP awards.

His rookie and early cards are very sought after and valuable. Let's take a look at some of these vintage Cal Ripken Jr. cards:

1982 Topps traded 

Card #98T

This is the most valuble  Cal Ripken Jr. card, even though it wasn't his first Topps card. It is still considered a rookie.

The 1982 Topps Cal Ripken Jr. Traded card was part of a 132-card extended set.  It is Ripken's first solo Topps card, but was issued after his Future Stars card.

1982 topps Future stars

Card #21

This is the first Cal Ripken Jr. Topps card.  It is universally considered his rookie, but less valuable than the Topps traded card.

The 1982 Topps  Future Stars Cal Ripken Jr. rookie was part of the regular 1982 Topps set.  Ripken shares this card with two other players who had short careers.

1982 Fleer 

Card #176

The 1982 Fleer Cal Ripken Jr. card was part of the regular Fleer set. It is universally considered a rookie card.

The 1982 Fleer Cal Ripken Jr. card was available in packs of Fleer cards.  There are two "test" cards with the same photo that have leaked out and are more rare and valuable.

1982 Donruss

cards #405

The 1982 Donruss Cal Ripken Jr. card was part of the regular Donruss set. It is universally considered a rookie card.

This card was issued in the regular Donruss set. The set was mass produced and lower quality than the Fleer and Topps sets.  It's slightly less valuable than the regular Topps and Fleer rookies.

Cal Ripken Jr.'s rookies. 

1982 Topps Universally considered a rookie

1982 Topps Traded Most conider it a rookie

1982 Fleer Universally considered a rookie

1982 Donruss Universally considered a rookie