Below are the top 5 Mookie Betts Baseball cards that budget collectors should look to target. With a PSA 10 price of $750 or lower these won’t break the bank.
Mookie Betts is one of the best players in MLB year after year. Possessing an impressive combination of offensive and defensive abilities.
He is a 6-time All-Star. A 6-time Gold Glove award winner, and a 5-time Silver Slugger award winner. He was the 2018 AL MVP and has finished in the top 10 of MVP voting 5 other times in his career. Including 2 2nd place finishes in 2016 with the Boston Red Sox and 2020 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Betts is also a very popular baseball player with fans. Which can put a premium on baseball cards featuring his likeness.
5. 2014 Topps Mookie Betts Update Rookie Card #US-26
Estimated PSA 10 Value – $140
Estimated PSA 9 Value – $48.50
The first Topps rookie cards featuring Betts appeared in the 2014 Topps Update Series. With 2 base versions produced along with several variations.
The #US26 card, the more valuable of the 2 base versions. Displays a photo of Betts during a live, in-game at bat on its front.
It contains a white border that is curved upward at the bottom to make the right side of the border larger than the left. The bottom white border is separated from the photo of Betts by a separate silver-colored border. While Betts’ name and position are listed on the enlarged right side of the border.
A small, red border directly underneath the white border outlines the top, left, and right sides of the player photo. The top right of the card displays the Topps brand name/logo. While the bottom right lists the Topps “RC” graphic identifying the card as a rookie. And the bottom left displays the Red Sox team logo. The Red Sox team name is listed vertically across the right side of the card.
The back of the card contains a player bio detailing how Betts progressed quickly through the minors, playing only 276 games before being called up to the majors.
4. 2022 Topps “Smiling in the Outfield” SSP Variation Card #50
Estimated PSA 10 Value – $225
Estimated PSA 9 Value – $75
The super-variation (SSP) card version of the #50 Topps card displays a photo of Betts smiling and wearing his fielder’s glove, presumably in the outfield.
The front of the card also contains a white border, displays the Topps brand name/logo in the top right. And lists Betts’ name on a purple strip across the center of the card’s bottom.
The bottom left of the card displays the Dodgers team logo in a baseball graphic. With the Dodgers’ team name and Betts’ position listed to the right in the center and right side respectively.
The back of the card lists Betts’ career stats in MLB from 2014 to 2021, as well as his career totals. A brief player summary notes that he may be the best all-around player in baseball and has been selected to 5 consecutive MLB All-Star games.
3. 2020 Topps “Carrying Baseball Gear” SSP Variation Card #420
Estimated PSA 10 Value – $250
Estimated PSA 9 Value – $140
In terms of overall image quality and design. The #420 SSP variation card in the 2020 Topps set is one of the best Mookie Betts cards available.
The card itself contains no border on its front and is arrayed in a horizontal layout that helps to enhance the player photo. The picture of Betts shows him walking in full uniform on a baseball field. Carrying his gear in a massive duffel bag.
The background clearly shows that the baseball stadium is a minor league field, indicating that the photo was probably taken during spring training. The card exudes a more laid-back feel, a sharp contrast from the intense, in-game action photos that most sports cards tend to showcase.
Betts’ first name, last name, and team/position are all listed on 3 separate strips. His first name and team/position are listed on blue strips in white font, while his last name is listed on a white strip in blue font. The bottom left of the card displays the Dodgers team logo. While the top right of the card displays the Topps brand name/logo.
The back of the card lists his major league stats to date and notes that since his major league debut on 6-29-14, Betts leads MLB in runs scored and doubles.
2. 2014 Mookie Betts Topps Chrome Update Card #US-20
Estimated PSA 10 Value – $450
Estimated PSA 9 Value – $135
Another good option for budget collectors is the #US-20 2020 Topps Chrome Update card. Continuing in the long line of widely successful Topps Chrome sets and cards.
The card contains the same basic design and player photo as the #US-26 base card with 3 notable differences.
First, the Topps Chrome brand name/logo is listed at the top left side of the card instead of the top right.
Second, the border/background of the card’s front contains a darker color scheme.
Third, the curved border at the bottom of the card, along with Betts’ name, are both displayed in white font instead of gray.
It is important to note that the back of the card is identical to the base #US-26 rookie card. Also that black and gold parallel versions are available, but very rare and difficult to obtain.
1. 2014 Topps Update Rookie Card “Smiling in the Dugout” Variation #US-26
Estimated PSA 10 Value – $750
Estimated PSA 9 Value – $400
Probably the best card that budget collectors should look to target is the “Smiling in the Dugout” variation of the #US26 Topps Update rookie card.
The card contains the same overall design and information on its front and back as the regular version, with the only difference being the player photo on the front. Instead of picturing Betts during an at-bat, the card showcases Betts smiling in the dugout. Although in-game action shots are what collectors may normally associate with sports cards. Betts’ huge smile is a nice change.
Had it not been for him donning his Red Sox jersey, it would almost appear that Betts is a model posing in a magazine ad.
Currently right on the edge of the $750 limit for budget collectors. It is important to note that the price for this card has been coming down in recent months. In mid-2022 this card was selling for around $1000 in PSA 10 condition and has only recently come down to a more affordable price.
This card will most likely rise in value again due to Betts being an incredibly popular player. Budget collectors should therefore look to obtain this card as soon as possible.
When I was just starting out with my card collection, I had lots of questions about authenticity, trading, and card conditions. But with not that much information available online, I felt quite alone in my queries. Some questions still haven’t been answered to this day.
This site aims to rectify this, and now, I am passing on my knowledge!
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