After getting deep into pre-rookie and oddball cards, I decided to go even further off the beaten path. I wanted to build a checklist of rookie cards from sports outside the big four (baseball, basketball, football, hockey). At the time, there weren’t many people chasing these, so prices were still incredibly reasonable.
You could find rookie cards of all-time greats in soccer, boxing, golf, and tennis for under $1,000—often under $20. I picked up a 2004 Megacracks #71 Messi rookie for $50 on eBay Spain and actually thought I overpaid.
I wasn’t hoarding these cards—I’d find one, cross it off the checklist, and move on. Eventually, I completed the list and posted scans of the entire collection on the Collectors Universe message board. Many of the cards had never been graded before, so I worked with the specs department to get them approved—one of those being the now-iconic 2003 Megacracks Ronaldo rookie.
Once COVID hit, prices exploded. I decided to sell off most of the collection to focus on vinyl records.
Since we just finished the masters I’ll start with Golf rookies
AI helped with the blurbs. I’m rolling it…
Walter Hagen – 1926 Spalding
This rare issue features one of golf’s earliest legends, Walter Hagen, a trailblazer who helped popularize professional golf. A true piece of pre-war sports history.
Bobby Jones – 1926 Lambert & Butler Robert T.
A classic tobacco card from the UK, this early Bobby Jones release captures the amateur icon at the peak of his game just before completing his Grand Slam in 1930.
Ben Hogan – 1951 Berk Ross
A tough post-war card of the famously private Ben Hogan, this is one of his earliest cardboard appearances, released during his incredible comeback years.
Gary Player – 1962 Dickson Orde & Co
This UK issue didn’t have Player’s name on the card so I got it signed. The card was from early in his career that would span nine major titles.
Arnold Palmer – 1965 Bancroft Tiddlers Giants Of Sport (HandCut)
A charming and obscure hand-cut card of The King, this British novelty issue captures Palmer’s widespread popularity during golf’s golden age.
Jack Nicklaus – 1971 Barratt & Co Famous Sportsmen
From a UK candy brand, this early card of Jack Nicklaus features the Golden Bear before he cemented his legacy as golf’s greatest major winner.
Payne Stewart – 1983 Miller Press
A regional and often overlooked rookie of the flamboyant and beloved Payne Stewart, released before he became a U.S. Open champion and fan favorite.
Greg Norman – 1986 Panini Supersport UK
This early Panini sticker features the charismatic “Great White Shark” during his rise to No. 1 in the world rankings, marking his emergence on the global stage.
Phil Mickelson – 1992 Diamond Sports
Long before his Masters wins, this rarely seen rookie card captures a young Lefty on the verge of his PGA Tour breakthrough.
Tiger Woods – 1996 Sports Illustrated for Kids
Arguably the most iconic modern golf rookie, Tiger’s SI for Kids debut came just as he turned pro, igniting a global phenomenon and hobby boom.
Rory McIlroy – 2011 Sports Illustrated for Kids
Printed shortly before his first major win, Rory’s SI for Kids card is a key modern issue for one of Europe’s greatest talents.
Jordan Spieth – 2015 Sports Illustrated for Kids
This card captures Spieth in the midst of his breakout year, where he captured two majors and asserted himself as a dominant young force in the sport.
