Below are the top 7 rookie cards featuring Jose Canseco, and some extra memorabilia items.
Jose Canseco was a great offensive player in Major League Baseball for 17 seasons. He played with several different teams during his career. Excelling primarily as a power hitter.
Canseco gained even more fame after his playing days ended. When he published a book titled Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ‘Roids, Smash Hits, & How Baseball Got Big. A tell-all book where Canseco detailed steroid use across MLB during his career.
Canseco’s book is one of the most influential sports books of all time. It resulted in MLB ridding itself of much of the steroid use that had plagued it for much of the 90s and permanently scarred the reputations of players like Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and Roger Clements.
As a result of his exploits on and off the field, Jose Canseco cards possess plenty of value in the market.
Jose Canseco Rookie Cards vs Minor League Cards
For clarification, it is important to mention that many industry experts only consider a baseball card a rookie card if the player has already competed at the MLB level. Therefore, according to their view, minor league or draft pick cards of players are not official rookie cards.
However, other industry experts do categorize minor league and draft pick cards as rookie cards. Determining a true rookie card is usually only an issue with baseball cards. As Major League Baseball, unlike most other professional sports leagues in the United States, has an extensive minor league system.
5 of the 7 cards below, as indicated next to the card name, are widely recognized as official rookie cards by most official memorabilia companies. The other 2, also indicated next to the card name, are minor league cards.
Whether minor league cards should be considered rookie cards ultimately comes down to the personal preferences of the individual collector.
7. 1986 Topps Traded Card #20T (Rookie Card)
Estimated PSA 10 Price – $75
Estimated PSA 9 Price – $20
Although Canseco wasn’t a part of the main 1986 Topps set, his rookie card would appear later in the 1986 Topps Traded set.
The 1986 Topps card design is arguably the best of the decade for the company, and featured 2 separate borders. A black border covering the top quarter of the card, and a white border covering the bottom three-quarters of the card.
The abbreviated version of the Athletics team name, A’s, is listed at the top of the card in large, green-blocked font, while Canseco’s name is centered at the bottom of the card.
The picture on the card’s front lists Canseco holding a bat over his right shoulder. With the Topps logo displayed at the top right of the photo itself.
The rear of the card contains a horizontal layout with a red border. Along with a light red and white background. And it lists Canseco’s major and minor league stats up until the 1985 season.
6. 1986 Fleer Update Jose Canseco #U-20 (Rookie Card)
Estimated PSA 10 Price – $135
Estimated PSA 9 Price – $18.50
After having to share his rookie card with the unremarkable Eric Plunk in the original 1986 Fleer set #649. Jose Canseco was awarded his very own rookie card in the updated Fleer set released later.
This #U-20 rookie card pictures Canseco posing with the bat over his right shoulder in a long-sleeved Athletics uniform inside of a blue border. The Fleer brand name is listed at the top right of the card on the blue border, while the Athletics logo is displayed at the bottom left of the card.
Canseco’s name and position are centered at the bottom of the card on a separate green border below his picture but above the regular blue border.
The rear lists his major and minor league stats for his career up to that point, as well as some very brief player bio information.
5. 1986 Fleer Baseball’s Best Card #5 (Rookie Card)
Estimated PSA 10 Price – $175
Estimated PSA 9 Price – $25
The #5 Fleer Baseball’s Best rookie card is more difficult to find in a top grade version than some of the other mainstream rookie cards on this list.
It contains a white border outlining a picture of Canseco kneeling on one knee in the field and his right hand resting on a bat. Across the top of the card, a jagged yellow border is displayed under the outer white border. Listing the phrase “1986 Baseball’s Best,” with “Fleer” listed in white font on a small red border underneath the far-right side of the yellow border.
The word “Sluggers” is listed at the bottom left of the card’s front, with Canseco’s name and batting overage for 1986 centered at the bottom on a red border.
The rear of the card lists Canseco’s major and minor league stats from 1982 to 1985, and little else.
As we mentioned, high grades of this card are far harder to come by. If you see one in top condition then this could be a good long term buy for baseball card collectors.
4. 1985 Burger King Huntsville Stars #NNO (Minor League Trading Card)
Estimated PSA 10 Price – $250
Estimated PSA 9 Price – $50
The 1985 Burger King Huntsville Stars card featuring Canseco contains the best and most colorful design of any of the cards on this list.
It contains a purple border on its front, along with a white background insert showcasing a picture of Canseco posing with a bat in his Huntsville Stars uniform. A large Burger King logo covers much of the white background insert, while another smaller Burger King logo is printed on the bottom left of the card’s front.
The Huntsville Stars team name and logo are listed across the top of the card, while Canseco’s name, position, and number are listed at the bottom.
Many of the cards in this series are listed for sale with the players jersey number as the card number. In this instance you see this card advertised as 1985 Huntsville Stars Jennings #44 or similar.
The back of the back contains very little player or team information, but instead lists the locations of several different Burger King restaurants throughout Alabama, the home state of the Huntsville Stars.
3. 1986 Jose Canseco Donruss #39 (Rookie Card)
Estimated PSA 10 Price – $385
Estimated PSA 9 Price – $60
By far the most popular Jose Canseco rookie card. The #39 Donruss card is currently one of the most sold 80s baseball cards in the market according to sportscardspro.com.
The card’s front contains a unique, striped black and blue border, with “Donruss ’86” listed on the top left. “Rated Rookie” listed on the bottom left in light, blue-blocked font. And Canseco’s name and position listed across the bottom on a small separate red border.
The photo showcases a close-up shot of Canseco from the shoulders upward wearing an Athletics hat and sporting a classic faint mustache that could only be acceptable in the 1980s.
The rear of the card is laid out in a horizontal format with a beautiful baby blue background and a white insert containing Canseco’s 1985 major league stats.
2. 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany Card #20T (Rookie Card)
Estimated PSA 10 Price – $525
Estimated PSA 9 Price – $107.50
Primarily produced in the 80s. Topps Tiffany sets were upgraded versions of the base sets that displayed a higher quality design such as a glossy finish on the card’s front and white cardstock on the card’s rear.
The Topps Traded Tiffany version of the #20T is one of the most valuable Jose Canseco rookie cards on the market.
It displays the aforementioned glossy finish and white cardstock. Other than the enhanced design features, the rest of the card’s appearance remains identical to the regular card.
1. 1983 Fritsch Madison Muskies Card #13 (Minor League Card)
Estimated PSA 10 Price – $800+
Estimated PSA 9 Price – $100
The first cards of Canseco ever produced. The #13 Fritsch Madison Muskies card is one of the most valuable Canseco cards. Surprisingly, despite it being a rarer, minor league card, several PSA 10 Gem Mint versions of this card are routinely available for sale on eBay.
The front of the card contains a photo of Canseco kneeling on one knee. Holding a bat in his right hand, and wearing the winter baseball uniform of the Madison Muskies. The collector can observe the humble beginnings of so many baseball players. Noting the run-down, uninspiring minor league field in the background.
The card’s front contains a white border. With another green insert border listed at the bottom, listing both Canseco’s name and the team’s name.
The card’s rear lists Canseco’s limited minor league stats from 1982 and various advertisements for Fritsch sports cards.
Extra Memorabilia
There are of course more things to collect that Jose Canseco Baseball cards that are still worth money today. But because Canseco has had many off-the-field controversies that have damaged his reputation. He doesn’t have as many memorabilia items featuring him on sportsmemorabilia.com.
Much of Jose Canseco’s memorabilia will be connected with his early career in Oakland. Specifically the 1989 Oakland Athletics team that won the World Series.
An autographed and framed 8-inch by 10-inch photo of Canseco in the aftermath of a swing can be purchased for $259.99.
A baseball signed by Canseco, Mark McGwire, and Walt Weiss, all teammates on the great late 80s and early 90s Oakland Athletics teams, can be purchased for $384.99.
An Athletics Mitchell and Ness replica jersey autographed by Canseco can be purchased for $179.99.
Finally, a baseball signed by several members of the 1989 Oakland Athletics team. Including Canseco, Mark McGwire, Dave Parker, Tony LaRussa, and Dennis Eckersley, can be purchased for $888.99.
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