The Greatest Red Sox Cards Of 2024

As the end of 2024 approaches, it's time to once again list the 10 greatest Red Sox cards of the past year. According to the TCDB, there have been 11, 225 Red Sox cards produced this year. Now, I'm not going to tell you I looked at every one, but I did manage to weed through thousands and thousands of useless parallels to bring you the cream of the crop. Enjoy!

10. 2024 Stadium Club

#9 Jarren Duran

 

'Murica!

9. 2024 Choice Salem Red Sox

#02 Juan Montero

 

I try to stick with Major League cards on this list, but every now and then a minor league issue just looks so artistically pleasing it beats out the "player on a computer generated background" inserts of the world. I couldn't tell you anything about the player, but this shot of a happy ballplayer behind a fence  just represents everything innocent and good with the game.

8. 2024 Topps Update 

- Legendary Homefield Advantage

#LHA-11 Babe Ruth

 

I don't own this card yet, but I can tell it would look sweet in person. Well done collage of black and white photography, with a shiny overlay.

7. 2024 Topps Now

#438 Jarren Duran

I'm not a fan of the All-Star Game jerseys, and the more I look at Duran's arm tattoos the more they look like a toddler scribbled on him, but there's a lot to like about this card. Bat-shaped trophies are cool, you get a double shot of Duran thanks to the Jumbotron, a great view of the Globe life park field, and as a bonus, a Ted Williams name-drop.

6. 2024 Topps

#187 Joe Jacques (RC)

I was all set to comment how his name appropriately sounds like a term for an athlete, but according to Baseball Reference, it's pronounced like "jakes" and not "jocks". Oh well, he still wins the best Red Sox card in the base set award thanks to some rather pretty but probably cold weather.

5. 2024 Topps Now

#59 Boston Red Sox

Hard to believe that the team that broke the curse was 20 years ago already. Red Sox fans were treated to a great look back this year with an on the field reunion plus a great Netflix documentary (highly recommended). I'm pretty sure those are Tim Wakefield's kids on the right (R.I.P. Wake).

4. 2024 Topps Heritage 

- Baseball Flashbacks

#BF-15 Fred Lynn

These two cool cats took the baseball world by storm in 1975, and the "Gold Dust Twins" have never looked better in their dapper tuxes!

3. 2024 Topps Now

#194 Romy Gonzalez

All the recent talk about the idea of a Golden Batter rule being discussed makes me appreciate this card even more. Romy is a bench/utility guy who stepped up when the team needed him and delivered. No one could have expected him to be the hero that day, but for his efforts he got one amazing card.

2. 2024 Choice Portland Sea Dogs

#11 Tyler McDonough

I became aware of this one-of-a-kind card thanks to a post from The Best Bubble. The only thing preventing it from being the #1 card of the year is that it's a minor league card. I'd love to see a shot like this in a Topps base set though...

1. 2024 Stadium Club

#69 Jason Varitek

Varitek, in full catcher's gear, stares intently as an orbital streak of light and motion hits his glove. I bet he didn't even blink. Throw something that fast at me and I'll flinch every time. I am not the statuesque warrior that Varitek and the men who play that position can claim to be.

So there you have it! Do you agree with my rankings? Any cards that I might have missed?

Relive The Greatest Red Sox Cards Of:

2019 *** 2020 *** 2021 *** 2022 *** 2023

6 Degrees Of Raffy: The Dane Iorg Connection

It's time for another installment ("aka filler post") of 6 Degrees Of Raffy, where I connect a beloved card from my collection and connect the player depicted on it to current Red Sox superstar Rafael Devers. 

 

Baseball Reference decided to make this series a little harder on me. At the end of May, the site announced it was retiring the Oracle of Baseball feature from it's web site. I now have to use the TCDB and my brain's trivial knowledge of baseball history to make these connections.

 

 

I think I'm up to the challenge.

 

We start with a randomly generated card from my collection:

Random TCDB Card: 

1986 Topps #269 Dane Iorg

 

Dane Iorg was a two-time World Series Champion, winning in 1982 with the Cardinals and 1985 with the Royals. He's remembered for producing the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 9th inning of Game 6 of that 1985 Series. (That was the inning of the controversial Don Denkinger "Safe Call" that started the rally for Kansas City).

Teammates in the 1986 Topps set
#269 Dane Iorg	#720 Bret Saberhagen (AS)

Those 1085 Royals were led by Bret Saberhagen, who won the AL Cy Young Award that year. (Fun Fact: Saberhagen won the Cy Young twice in both 1985 and 1987, but none of his 3 All-Star selections happened in either of those years.)

Teammates in the 2001 Topps set
#682 Bret Saberhagen	#701 Tim Wakefield

The end of Saberhagen's career was unfortunately marred by injury. He pitched in only 15 games from 1995-1997, but stayed healthy enough to win the Comeback Player Of The Year Award in 1998 with Boston. More injuries cost him the entire 2020 season, and he managed only 3 games in 2001 before ending his comeback attempt.

Teammates in the 2005 Topps Total set
#188 Tim Wakefield	#701 David Murphy/Hanley Ramirez

 

Wakefield on the other hand was as durable as they come, averaging over 200 IP/162 G in his career. That career spanned 17 years in Boston, which means he played with quite a few Boston teammates! One of those teammates was Hanley Ramirez, who appeared in just 2 games for the Red Sox in 2005 before he was traded to the Marlins in the mega-trade that brought Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston.

Teammates in the 2017 Topps Now Postseason Boston Red Sox set
#PS-66 Hanley Ramirez	#PS-62 Rafael Devers

 

Ramirez would return to Boston 10 years later after signing as a free agent.  In 2017, Ramirez played in his final postseason, a Division Series loss to the eventual *ahem* World Champion Houston Astros. That series just happened to be first postseason experience for one Rafael Devers.

Degrees of Raffy: 4

 

Trapped In Time: Remnants Of The 92nd, 93rd And 94th Trades

 

Yes, I'm showing off cards from trades this month instead of the regular two. Why three? Well, if I did my normal two, I'd only be showing off a total of two cards, and one of them probably isn't going anywhere...

 

Trade #92 (Billy: Cardboard History)

Traded 03/22/21: 1910-11 Flags of Nations (T59) (non-sport) #NNO Hurricane Warning

 

Received 03/27/21:

• 1890 N245 Sweet Caporal Actors & Actresses (non-sport) #NNO Frankie Raymond

 

 Long ago, I had a neat little idea for a post where I showed off how a series of trades netted me the (at the time) oldest card in the Time Travel Trade stack. It was a neat little trade tree, and I never could of expected the post to lead to an even older card. Enter Billy (Cardboard History), who traded for that card and sent me this one. This 1890 card remains the oldest card I have ever held, let alone owned. I've repeatedly thought to myself that numerous cards would be the oldest the project would ever get, only to have that expectation surpassed, so I'm not going to say this card will always be the oldest card Time Travel Trading history, but I'd be surprised if anyone offers me a card older than this 134-year old beauty. If unclaimed, as I expect it will be, it'll remain in the stack atop the throne it deserves to be on.

Note to self: You really should do another one of those swap story posts..

 

Trade #93 (Abraham: TCDB member)

Traded 03/22/21: 2001 Topps Archives #299 Robin Yount

 

Received 03/30/21: 

• 2021 Topps #274 Freddy Galvis (See Trade #96)
  
• 1990 Fleer #271 Roger Clemens

When I say the trade can include any older card, I mean it! That does mean I get a good amount of "junk wax" era cards, but I don't mind. Especially when it's a Red Sox legend and former personal favorite. Anyone need a Rocket?

 

Trade #94 (Bo: Baseball Cards Come To Life)

Traded 03/18/21: 2021 Topps #56 Steven Matz, 2021 Topps #115 Willie Calhoun, 2021 Topps #153 Tyler Stephenson (RC), 2021 Topps #172 Miami Marlins (TC), 2021 Topps #208 Griffin Canning, 2021 Topps #211 Salvador Perez, 2021 Topps #232 Albert Almora Jr., 2021 Topps #235 A.J. Pollock, 2021 Topps #262 Mark Canha, 2021 Topps #304 Danny Duffy, 2021 Topps #317 Jake Arrieta, 2021 Topps #321 Casey Mize (RC), 2021 Topps #326 Eddy Alvarez (RC), 1985 Topps (football) #34 Mike Singletary, 1983 Topps - Sticker Inserts (football) #3 Ottis Anderson, 1983 Topps - Sticker Inserts (football) #7 Dwight Clark, 1972 Topps #524 Reds Rookies - Ed Armbrister / Mel Behney (RS, RC), 1970 Topps #455 Brooks Robinson (AS), 1964 Topps #346 Joe Jay, 1962 Topps #49 Hal Jones (RC, RS)

 

Received 04/01/21:

• 2010 Bowman - Prospects Black #BP51 Chase D'Arnaud
• 2010 Bowman - Prospects Black #BP56 Rolando Gomez
• 2010 Bowman Chrome #13 Brian Roberts (See Trade #159)
• 2010 Bowman Chrome #122 Hanley Ramirez (See Trade #142)
• 2010 Bowman Chrome - Prospects #BCP178 Nathan Adcock (See Trade #159)
• 2010 Bowman Chrome - Prospects #BCP186 Jhan Marinez (See Trade #159)
• 1991 Donruss #744 Dr. Dirt and Mr. Clean (VAR)  (See Trade #95)
• 1991 Leaf #174 Roger Clemens (CL)
• 1990 Donruss #712 Wade Boggs (AS, COR, VAR: Pack border, dot after INC)
• 1988 Score #657 Mike Schmidt (HL) (See Trade #160)
• 1986 Donruss #580 Phil Niekro (See Trade #103)
• 1986 Topps #5 Rose Special: '75 - '78 (TPRY) (See Trade #144)
• 1986 Topps #159 Orel Hershiser (See Trade #140)
• 1986 Topps #405 Roger Maris (TBTC) (See Trade #103)
  
• 1981 Topps (football) #403 Cliff Branch (See Trade #97)
• 1978 Topps (football) #439 John Matuszak (See Trade #97)
• 1975 Topps (football) #450 Terry Metcalf (See Trade #97)
• 1971 Topps (football) #110 Floyd Little (AS) (See Trade #95)
  
• 1969 Topps (football) #228 Jim Butler (See Trade #97)
  
• 1963 Topps #174 Larry Burright (See Trade #137)
  
• 1961 Topps #212 Haywood Sullivan (See Trade #222)

 

No, seriously, anyone need a Rocket?  Because I have two on the chopping block today! This batch from Bo (Baseball Cards Come To Life!) also includes a Hall of Famer and two prospects, one who ended up with 7 Major League seasons under his belt, the other unfortunately never made it to "The Show".  

Who will rescue these cards from hobby obscurity?

 

 

Red Sox Frankenset: Choosing Cards #13-15

It's been over a month since I looked at some cards for the Red Sox Frankenset! We're starting row #2 of page #2, so lets pick some cards!

#13

Favorite Card: 2019 Topps #13 David Price

My Choice: same

I really wish the Betts card wasn't so boring. The design is boring, the photo is boring. It's just blah. I can take solace in the fact that this probably won't be my last Betts card to choose from. The nod goes to David Price, who gets bonus points for his pointy beard and his foot breaking through the border.

#14

Favorite Card: 1988 Score #14 Jim Rice

My Choice: 2003 Playoff Prestige #14 Johnny Damon

I like the big swing that Rice is giving, but a pre-caveman Johnny Damon gets the coveted spot due to an interesting card design and the fact I won't have many options to add the lead-off hitter for the curse breaking World Series team.

#15

Favorite Card: 2008 Upper Deck Masterpieces #15 David Ortiz

My Choice: 1980 Topps #15 Bill Campbell

This was a tough choice, and one I may have to revisit. We have another Fleer World Series card! Granted this one is from the 1970 set, but visually it's too close to the 1971 card I added to the page last time. Plus, this card doesn't reference any particular player. Also again, we have another Upper Deck Masterpieces card. It's a great card of Big Papi with a Laser Show cameo, which makes it my favorite of the four. However (for now), I'm putting in Campbell, who has his special place in Red Sox history as their first big free agent signing. He's a former Red Sox All-Star and Rolaids Relief Pitcher of the Year, and deserves to be a part of the Frankenset.

 

With these selections, Here's how the middle line of Page 2 shakes out.

I'll admit, I'm not quite sold on how this row looks. I'll have to see how the page as a whole shakes out before making any real changes though. What say you, good readers? Did I make the right choices? What cards would you have picked?

A Gift From Santa Oren

I see it so often in our little niche of the world, time and time again. From extra cards thrown in trades to blog contests to unexpected mailing, our community of card collectors has proven to be a collective of generous people. Yet, when such graces fall unto me, I can't help but feel humbled and overwhelmed. I feel unworthy of such gifts, and it touches me when others deem me so.

Such was the case with longtime collector and blog reader Oren, who as many of you know is among the most generous people out there. He surprised me with package of cards last month, and it was nothing short of amazing. 

Despite there being a lot of great cards, there were, to me, 10 big highlights:

10. 2023 Topps Update - Red Foil #US119 James Paxton (SN199)

 

Beautifully shiny and red. There's speculation that there is mutual interest in Paxton rejoining the Red Sox. I wouldn't be opposed to it assuming he's not the biggest starting pitcher they acquire this off-season.

9. 1997 Bowman - Certified Autographs Blue Ink #CA60 Carl Pavano (AU)

 

Ah, Carl Pavano! The centerpiece of the trade that brought Pedro Martinez from Montreal to Boston!

8. 1996 Leaf Signature Series - Extended Series Autographs #NNO Mike Maddux (AU, PR5000)

 

OK, so it's not his more famous brother Greg. Still cool though.

7. 2004 UD Rivals - What If #WI-4 Babe Ruth (SN2150)

 

I never realized Peter Gammons was featured on a card like this before. I always enjoyed his writing.

 

6. 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary cards

 

I know a lot of people don't like them, and in truth it's not a set I'd spend my money on, but I do appreciate the Red Sox that have shown up in my possession, especially that Pedro parallel.

 

5. 2020 Topps Archives - Fan Favorites Autographs #FFA-RGE Rich Gedman (AU)

 

The Red Sox have a history of good catchers, and a lot of people forget Gedman was a 2-time All-Star

4. 2001 Topps Traded & Rookies - Relics #TTR-HR Hideo Nomo (MEM)

 

I remember watching his first start as a member of the Red Sox, a no-hitter against the Orioles. He also led the league in strikeouts that year, his only in Boston.

 

3. 2005 Topps Updates & Highlights - All-Star Stitches #ASR-JD Johnny Damon (MEM) 

 

My first All-Star Game relic. Damon made the All-Star team in his first and last seasons in Boston (2002, 2005).

2. 1999 Sports Illustrated Greats of the Game - Autographs #NNO Rico Petrocelli (AU) 

 

A member of the 1967 "Impossible Dream" team, he set the record for most home runs by a shortstop (40 - since broken) in 1969. Arguably the greatest shortstop in Red Sox history.

1. 1999 SP Signature Edition - Autographs #JV Jason Varitek (AU)

 

The last man to be named Captain of the Boston Red Sox, he led the team to 2 World Championships.

Awesome cards all-around. Thanks so much Oren!

Down The Ebay Rabbit Hole #5 - All That Glitters

Happy New Year! I hope you can look back on 2023 fondly, and that this year will be filled with much joy and good health!

 

It's been awhile since I did one of these, so let's kick off the year with a refresh. I had a prepaid gift card that was set to expire soon (this month actually), so I went on a bit of an eBay spending spree. We've reached the penultimate purchase. (Technically, these were the last cards I bought, but I'm saving the biggest purchase for the last post of this series!)

One side project of mine has slowed to a crawl in recent years. In 2018, I decided to celebrate the Red Sox World Series Championship by acquiring the serial numbered gold parallel of every Red Sox card in the base and update sets. 5 years later and I was just a smidge over 1/3 of the way. Furthermore, I almost went the entire calendar year without adding any new cards. I can't have that, can I? I decided to search for some cheap card, and found a seller that had a few I could bundle together. I also picked up a Rainbow Foil parallel, just for fun.

 

 

Ian Kinsler was a trade deadline pickup necessitated by the unfortunate injury woes of Dustin Pedroia. He wasn't quite the offensive and defensive boost the Sox were hoping for, but he didn't hurt the team either, and that consistency was enough. In the World Series, he went 1-10 with an RBI. 

Which is still better than what Hanley Ramirez did. Hanley was a big off-season acquisition in 2014, and just didn't perform well over the course of his contract. He was released on May 30th of the season having only played 44 games. He still got a ring though!

The Rainbow foil is of course of the Orioles' new closer, Craig Kimbrell. Although he was an All-Star every year he was with the Red Sox, he has a tendency to struggle in the post-season (see this year's NLCS). When the last out of the World Series was made, it wasn't Kimbrell pitching but Chris Sale. Good luck with that Baltimore.

The Golden Sox Project is now over 40% complete, and I'd like to get over 50% by this time next year. As far as completion goes, it'll be tough finding an affordable copy of Dever's ASR ...yikes, I should have snagged one before he signed that massive extension...

Thankful For The Gifts I Have Received

Christmastime may be the season of giving, but to many card collectors it's a year round part of life. I have been fortunate to be on the receiving end of a few of these mailings, and it's time once again to show my gratitude.

 

I'll start off with the latest act of generosity. Chris (The Collector) sent me a genuine Christmas card with a few baseball goodies inside:

The George Bell puts me at just 6 more cards to complete the 1988 Leaf set. (I don't make New Years Resolutions, but completing that set has to be a goal next year!) The Nokes finishes off the 1988 Fleer All-Star Team insert set for me, and has been crossed off of my "So Close!" page. My first cards from this year's Archives set fills out the bunch.

Those weren't even the only bonus cards Chris has sent me recently. In our last Time Travel Trading Project trade, he included some more Red Sox cards!

 

Great stuff, especially that Conlon card!

 

TCDB member, blog reader, and thumbs up commentator Mark Z. also included a couple of extra cards in our last Time Travel trade. 

 

I miss Koji, he was so much fun to watch! Maybe he can put in a good word with Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the Red Sox!

 

Another recent TCDB trade from a collector named Scott included a card that has been on my TCDB want list for awhile:

 

 

I love Daniel Nava's story of how he made it to the Majors. It's the inspiring stuff Disney Movies are made of. If I ever decide to start player collecting, he'd be on the short list.

 

Last, but certainly not least, are some interesting non-sports card stuff from Tom (The Angels In Order). He had an Odd Stuff Giveaway back in September, and I was able to claim a couple of postcards and a pocket schedule.

My sincerest thanks to Chris, Mark, Scott, and Tom! May you receive generosities to match that which you have shown!