Baseball Card Dream Team with Essential Cards at Each Position
Baseball has a long and rich tradition of assembling all-time teams, and such discussions have always sparked healthy debate. After all, how exactly is one supposed to decide between Ty Cobb and Willie Mays, Babe Ruth and Henry Aaron, or Walter Johnson and Clayton Kershaw. Ultimately, such discussions have no right answer, and that's a good thing. After all, where sports talk is concerned, certainty has always been the archenemy of fun.
By the same token, there's no right answer to baseball's "dream team" on cardboard. Whatever the price guides and eBay sold listings tell you, the number one rule of the Hobby is "collect what you love," which is another way of saying that YOU are the true expert when it comes to building your cardboard dream team. Hate the Yankees? No problem. Leave them off the roster. Have a card you got as a kid that you wouldn't trade no matter what the offer? Perfect, bat that baby cleanup! Nonetheless, just to get you started, here are some GREAT picks for the best baseball cards at each position.
CATCHER: 1950-51 Toleteros Josh Gibson
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In case you haven't checked the Major League Baseball record book lately, the greatest home run hitter in Negro Leagues history is now also the career and single season batting leader, not to mention the player at the top of the leaderboards for slugging average and OPS. And to be clear, he is not merely the Negro League leader. He is the Major League leader. As was the case with nearly all Negro League greats, there isn't a lot of vintage cardboard with Josh's name on it. However, he does have a beautiful card from a Cuban set, released just five years after his passing. About the only problem with the card is its price, which if you have to ask, is way beyond your budget. Along those lines, an excellent alternative for the budget collector is the 1976 Topps Johnny Bench.
PITCHER: 1909-11 American Tobacco Company Christy Mathewson (Black Cap)
There are better pitchers out there, even if not many, and there are more expensive cards of pitchers out there--1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth, anyone?! Still, the "Black Cap" Matty is just about the perfect card. Still, if Mathewson's price tag is a barrier, the1985 Donruss Dwight Gooden box bottom is pretty perfect too and may well cost less than your morning coffee.
FIRST BASE: 1934 Goudey Lou Gehrig #37
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Though the Iron Horse has a second card in the same set, there is something infectious about this particular card. Maybe it's the bright yellow background. Maybe it's Gehrig's smile, capturing a love of the game so strong that it wouldn't permit even a single day off. In fact, the card is so radiant that one barely notices how the mini-image of Gehrig at the bottom appears to have a black eye! (For what it's worth, this was true of all 48 cards in the set's first two series.)
SECOND BASE: 1949 Leaf Jackie Robinson
If the Gehrig already took you to your quota for bright yellow cards of smiling Hall of Famers, then feel free to swap in Jackie's Bowman card of the same year. But if not, how can you go wrong with this dazzler? Sure, you might have to sell your car, miss a few rent payments, and perhaps even offer up the naming rights to your first born, but here's the thing. It might just be worth it!
THIRD BASE: 1975 Topps George Brett
Here is a position that comes down entirely to taste. From a statistical standpoint, Mike Schmidt is clearly the GOAT. At the same time, he shares his rookie card with two other players. Later cards of his are quite nice, but are they "dream team" nice? Other alternatives include Wade Boggs, Brooks Robinson, and even Home Run Baker, but then along comes this green and purple juggernaut and how can you resist?
SHORTSTOP: 1909-11 American Tobacco Company Honus Wagner
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Though some may argue it's not much to look at, the T206 Honus Wagner is THE Holy Grail when it comes to trading cards. Of course, unless you just won the lottery or robbed a bank, it's extremely unlikely you'll be adding this cardboard to your collection any time soon. Thankfully, Ozzie Smith and Ernie Banks have some fantastic cards of their own!
OUTFIELD: Take Your Pick!
If one card has a lock at the outfield position, it's the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle. While it's nowhere near as rare as the Wagner card, it is practically synonymous with the Modern Hobby. Still, as great as the Mick was, he can hardly patrol an entire outfield all by himself. So who are you putting out there with him? Here are just a few of the best options.
- 1909-11 American Tobacco Company Ty Cobb (Red Portrait)
- 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #144
- 1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio
- 1941 Play Ball Ted Williams
- 1949 Leaf Stan Musial
- 1951 Bowman Willie Mays
- 1954 Topps Hank Aaron
- 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente
And of course if the older player aren't your thing, feel free to add Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey, Jr., or Aaron Judge to the mix!
Jason A. Schwartz is a collectibles expert whose work can be found regularly at SABR Baseball Cards, Hobby News Daily, and 1939Bruins.com. His collection of Hank Aaron baseball cards and memorabilia is currently on exhibit at the Atlanta History Center, and his collectibles-themed artwork is on display at the Honus Wagner Museum and PNC Park.