Ken Griffey Jr. Career Topps Project… looking for advice please!

BuffJake · 12-21-2021, 10:07 PM

Hi all,

I’m thinking about starting a set of Junior’s major Topps releases from each year throughout his career beginning with his 1989 Traded card. The 1989 Topps Traded that I have is a PSA 8 and is among my most meaningful cards in my collection. It was the first card I ever bought (I grossly overpaid in 2011 as a young kid) and it has many memories that I connect to it from my earliest of baseball and of my Dad. I was inspired by a Hank Aaron collection I saw and thought about collecting Junior’s entire Topps run graded PSA 8 and having my 1989 card be the cornerstone. Junior along with Zack Greinke is my favorite player, so although the set wouldn’t mean much in terms of value it would be fun to put together and see the evolution of Griffey’s career and Topps designs over a 22 year period.

My question is for those of you who have done a project like this, do you include Topps Update and multiplayer cards that would have been in major releases (flagship) as well or stick with one card per major release each year? I’d like it to be as complete as possible but am unsure of exactly what that would be?

I’ve attached a photo of the “cornerstone” of this project in my PSA 8 Topps Traded so we’ve got some visuals to spice things up!

Thanks in advance!

ThoseBackPages · 12-21-2021, 10:17 PM

i would try to get every base Topps card featuring The Kid!

MoreToppsPlease · 12-21-2021, 10:44 PM

All the Junior Topps cards together tell a story. Personally, I wouldn’t consider grading very many, the story is better told in 9-pocket sheets in a binder.

Lonewolf · 12-21-2021, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoreToppsPlease

All the Junior Topps cards together tell a story. Personally, I wouldn’t consider grading very many, the story is better told in 9-pocket sheets in a binder.

I second the binder idea...most of my player collections are set up like this and I enjoy taking them out now and then and reminiscing.

BuffJake · 12-21-2021, 11:57 PM

The reason I would go the graded route is because my first 1989 card is graded, so I'd be keeping the whole set under a theme of PSA 8.

MoreToppsPlease · 12-22-2021, 12:48 AM

Yeah, but it’s not going to be as much fun, and your 1989 will become less interesting and special as you get more slabs. This is just advice from people who’ve been there. But hey, try it and find out. If you want, you can get a 1 pocket to hold the 1989 in a binder with the other cards?

DragonWagon · 12-22-2021, 06:29 AM

If you are just collecting for nostalgia, then collect all his Topps base. If you want nostalgia and long term value, then consider Topps Tiffany cards. However, have a plan and don’t try to collect everything bc it can easily become overwhelming. Have fun!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ChrisNTx · 12-22-2021, 08:34 AM

I’d say focus first on cards of just him as there will be plenty between base and inserts from Topps. Then you can come back and add multi player cards and even add other brands once you complete Topps.

I’d second there binder idea as it’s fun to flip through and easier to store plus your “anchor” will be your psa 8 (not to mention raw will be cheaper)

Good luck! Player PCs are awesome trip down memory lane

Magdyand · 12-22-2021, 11:19 AM

I started a similar project this year. I’m working on all of the base flagship cards for HOF players from 1952-current. I’m including traded/update if there was a change in teams after the base was issued/during the season. I’m purchasing all the cards raw.

So far I’ve mainly tackled the newer cards and have scattered in some 70s, 60s and a few late 50s cards. 20 HOFers down, a lot more to go.

ThoseBackPages · 12-22-2021, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magdyand

I started a similar project this year. I’m working on all of the base flagship cards for HOF players from 1952-current. I’m including traded/update if there was a change in teams after the base was issued/during the season. I’m purchasing all the cards raw.

So far I’ve mainly tackled the newer cards and have scattered in some 70s, 60s and a few late 50s cards. 20 HOFers down, a lot more to go.

NICE! Mantle will be tough!

nephinfan · 12-22-2021, 11:34 AM

If you really want to incorporate psa 8 cards into the collection, you could get all of his base issue Topps cards in psa 8 form, and collect the rest (like subset cards), in binders.

Silent George · 12-22-2021, 11:45 AM

Personally I like getting just the base cards (definitely including update base), and I also like getting the legends variations.

For me seeing the years change from card to card tells the story. I’ve considered all star cards in the past, but they don’t have a unique look anymore so now it just seems like it’s clutter.

Frankly you should start with the base cards. Then you’ll know how “complete” it feels if you need to get more or not. This is definitely subjective. The awesome thing is that Griffey is a premier player whose cards can be had for super cheap because of when his career fell.

base set · 12-22-2021, 12:21 PM

You can also wander through Topps pre-89 design history fairly easily as well with about ten years of Archives now and many other re-uses of designs in other Topps products.

KGJr has a nice 1973 style card in the current Archives release, for example. He probably appears on many such checklists.

Tpm2780 · 12-22-2021, 01:15 PM

That sounds like a lot of fun as hes my favorite player as well! I would go the route of ungraded in a binder as it should store easier and make it nicer when looking through them whenever you want. Good luck and have fun!

towerymt · 12-22-2021, 01:29 PM

You're going to need a Keith Shore Griffey from Project 2020. If you don't already have one, PM me and I'll send you one for FREE!

ngs428 · 12-22-2021, 10:02 PM

For a base card for each year, look to the contents of the PSA Topps basic set. Have fun!!

1990 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 336 1.00
1991 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 790 1.00
1992 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 50 1.00
1993 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 179 1.00
1994 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 400 1.00
1995 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 397 1.00
1996 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 205 1.00
1997 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 300 1.00
1998 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 321 1.00
1999 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 100 1.00
2000 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 400 1.00
2001 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 593 1.00
2002 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 550 1.00
2003 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 390 1.00
2004 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 510 1.00
2005 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 440 1.00
2006 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 387 1.00
2007 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 450 1.00
2008 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 580 1.00
2009 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 30 1.00
2010 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 85 1.00

NatsSBR · 12-22-2021, 10:11 PM

The collection is what you want it to be. Will you be happy without multiplayer cards? If so, don't worry about them. If you love one multiplayer card but can take or leave the rest, will you be OK ditching the rest? If so, don't worry about them.

There is no wrong way to do this as long as it makes you happy.

hatchd · 12-23-2021, 12:30 AM

Forget what everyone has said so far - do whatever you want. All base cards would be cool because it's clean, easy and shows the difference in design year by year which tells a really cool story. All multi-player and subset cards would be cool because it would be an insanely complete collection. Everything raw would be awesome because you could view it in a few binder pages. Everything in psa 8 would be awesome because it has meaning to you. There is no wrong answer - just do what you want to do. You can always change it up later. It's not like PSA 8 Topps base Griffeys are going to explode in value any time soon.

12-21-2021, 10:07 PM	#1
BuffJake Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 308 broncdenve_0	Ken Griffey Jr. Career Topps Project… looking for advice please! Hi all, I’m thinking about starting a set of Junior’s major Topps releases from each year throughout his career beginning with his 1989 Traded card. The 1989 Topps Traded that I have is a PSA 8 and is among my most meaningful cards in my collection. It was the first card I ever bought (I grossly overpaid in 2011 as a young kid) and it has many memories that I connect to it from my earliest of baseball and of my Dad. I was inspired by a Hank Aaron collection I saw and thought about collecting Junior’s entire Topps run graded PSA 8 and having my 1989 card be the cornerstone. Junior along with Zack Greinke is my favorite player, so although the set wouldn’t mean much in terms of value it would be fun to put together and see the evolution of Griffey’s career and Topps designs over a 22 year period. My question is for those of you who have done a project like this, do you include Topps Update and multiplayer cards that would have been in major releases (flagship) as well or stick with one card per major release each year? I’d like it to be as complete as possible but am unsure of exactly what that would be? I’ve attached a photo of the “cornerstone” of this project in my PSA 8 Topps Traded so we’ve got some visuals to spice things up! Thanks in advance!

12-21-2021, 10:17 PM	#2
ThoseBackPages Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 90,053 ThoseBackPages	i would try to get every base Topps card featuring The Kid! __________________ Pumpers Paradise #YouCryIBuy Four things that we cannot change each others minds about: Politics, Religion, Third Party Grading, and 2021 Bowman's Best Rookie Cards

12-21-2021, 10:44 PM	#3
MoreToppsPlease Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 8,676	All the Junior Topps cards together tell a story. Personally, I wouldn’t consider grading very many, the story is better told in 9-pocket sheets in a binder. __________________ IRS Tax Tip 2022-57 A hobby is any activity that a person pursues because they enjoy it and with no intention of making a profit. People operate a business with the intention of making a profit.

12-22-2021, 12:48 AM	#6
MoreToppsPlease Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 8,676	Yeah, but it’s not going to be as much fun, and your 1989 will become less interesting and special as you get more slabs. This is just advice from people who’ve been there. But hey, try it and find out. If you want, you can get a 1 pocket to hold the 1989 in a binder with the other cards? __________________ IRS Tax Tip 2022-57 A hobby is any activity that a person pursues because they enjoy it and with no intention of making a profit. People operate a business with the intention of making a profit.

12-22-2021, 08:34 AM	#8
ChrisNTx Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Tx Posts: 3,855 Fifasr02	I’d say focus first on cards of just him as there will be plenty between base and inserts from Topps. Then you can come back and add multi player cards and even add other brands once you complete Topps. I’d second there binder idea as it’s fun to flip through and easier to store plus your “anchor” will be your psa 8 (not to mention raw will be cheaper) Good luck! Player PCs are awesome trip down memory lane __________________ Chris Sabo Super Collector - 332/334 (99.4%) LF Sabo: 1995 UD Elec Diamond Gold, 2014 Archives Plates and Autos My Bucket http://tinyurl.com/mdb6vxh

12-21-2021, 11:57 PM	#5
BuffJake Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 308 broncdenve_0	The reason I would go the graded route is because my first 1989 card is graded, so I'd be keeping the whole set under a theme of PSA 8.

12-22-2021, 06:29 AM	#7
DragonWagon Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Posts: 907	If you are just collecting for nostalgia, then collect all his Topps base. If you want nostalgia and long term value, then consider Topps Tiffany cards. However, have a plan and don’t try to collect everything bc it can easily become overwhelming. Have fun! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12-22-2021, 11:19 AM	#9
Magdyand Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 14	I started a similar project this year. I’m working on all of the base flagship cards for HOF players from 1952-current. I’m including traded/update if there was a change in teams after the base was issued/during the season. I’m purchasing all the cards raw. So far I’ve mainly tackled the newer cards and have scattered in some 70s, 60s and a few late 50s cards. 20 HOFers down, a lot more to go.

12-22-2021, 11:34 AM	#11
nephinfan Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 8,625 nephinfan	If you really want to incorporate psa 8 cards into the collection, you could get all of his base issue Topps cards in psa 8 form, and collect the rest (like subset cards), in binders. __________________ "To err is human, to forgive canine." ---Anonymous.

12-22-2021, 11:45 AM	#12
Silent George Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,147	Personally I like getting just the base cards (definitely including update base), and I also like getting the legends variations. For me seeing the years change from card to card tells the story. I’ve considered all star cards in the past, but they don’t have a unique look anymore so now it just seems like it’s clutter. Frankly you should start with the base cards. Then you’ll know how “complete” it feels if you need to get more or not. This is definitely subjective. The awesome thing is that Griffey is a premier player whose cards can be had for super cheap because of when his career fell.

12-22-2021, 12:21 PM	#13
base set Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: NW Michigan Posts: 9,465	You can also wander through Topps pre-89 design history fairly easily as well with about ten years of Archives now and many other re-uses of designs in other Topps products. KGJr has a nice 1973 style card in the current Archives release, for example. He probably appears on many such checklists.

12-22-2021, 01:15 PM	#14
Tpm2780 Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 2,187 Holyknight32	That sounds like a lot of fun as hes my favorite player as well! I would go the route of ungraded in a binder as it should store easier and make it nicer when looking through them whenever you want. Good luck and have fun! __________________ Check out my AMAZING Griffey collection https://app.photobucket.com/u/Tpm2780/

12-22-2021, 01:29 PM	#15
towerymt Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: VA Posts: 8,765	You're going to need a Keith Shore Griffey from Project 2020. If you don't already have one, PM me and I'll send you one for FREE!

12-22-2021, 10:02 PM	#16
ngs428 Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 629	For a base card for each year, look to the contents of the PSA Topps basic set. Have fun!! 1990 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 336 1.00 1991 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 790 1.00 1992 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 50 1.00 1993 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 179 1.00 1994 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 400 1.00 1995 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 397 1.00 1996 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 205 1.00 1997 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 300 1.00 1998 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 321 1.00 1999 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 100 1.00 2000 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 400 1.00 2001 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 593 1.00 2002 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 550 1.00 2003 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 390 1.00 2004 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 510 1.00 2005 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 440 1.00 2006 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 387 1.00 2007 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 450 1.00 2008 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 580 1.00 2009 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 30 1.00 2010 TOPPS KEN GRIFFEY JR. 85 1.00 __________________ *Graded Card Scanning Guide* - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EumHbtWfBrWebafPHU4a18OgFVdzjffp/view?usp=sharing *History of the PSA Label* - https://drive.google.com/file/d/18pwAvyuhFulXk7B5IrVztvA88mbcMtsO/view?usp=sharing

12-22-2021, 10:11 PM	#17
NatsSBR Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Posts: 294	The collection is what you want it to be. Will you be happy without multiplayer cards? If so, don't worry about them. If you love one multiplayer card but can take or leave the rest, will you be OK ditching the rest? If so, don't worry about them. There is no wrong way to do this as long as it makes you happy.

12-23-2021, 12:30 AM	#18
hatchd Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 1,696	Forget what everyone has said so far - do whatever you want. All base cards would be cool because it's clean, easy and shows the difference in design year by year which tells a really cool story. All multi-player and subset cards would be cool because it would be an insanely complete collection. Everything raw would be awesome because you could view it in a few binder pages. Everything in psa 8 would be awesome because it has meaning to you. There is no wrong answer - just do what you want to do. You can always change it up later. It's not like PSA 8 Topps base Griffeys are going to explode in value any time soon.