eBay announces the inaugural Baseball Card Hall of Fame class and pays homage to what is viewed by many as America’s second-favorite pastime, baseball card collecting. The 2019 class represents 10 legends and 5 hopefuls whose trading cards have held the highest value and had the greatest influence on the baseball cards and collectibles world. Inductees were selected based on more than a decade’s worth of proprietary sales and search data, and represent every era of the last century of baseball—from Babe Ruth to Pete Rose, and beyond.
The CloserMariano Rivera
Shop Mariano Rivera | Most Collected Closer of All Time
Following the announcement of his induction earlier this year, Mariano Rivera trading card searches on eBay are on pace to double those from the previous year. His cards continue to sell at the steady pace of more than 300 per month.
Mariano Rivera
Shop Mariano Rivera | Most Collected Closer of All Time
Following the announcement of his induction earlier this year, Mariano Rivera trading card searches on eBay are on pace to double those from the previous year. His cards continue to sell at the steady pace of more than 300 per month.
The GodfatherBabe Ruth
Shop Babe Ruth | Most Expensive Rookie Card Ever Sold
An American icon, Ruth set countless records during his 22 seasons in the MLB. The Bambino has also achieved a few records on eBay: His 1916 Rookie Card is not only one of eBay’s most vintage cards, but it also clocks in as one of the most expensive baseball trading cards sold on eBay for an impressive $80,900.
Babe Ruth
Shop Babe Ruth | Most Expensive Rookie Card Ever Sold
An American icon, Ruth set countless records during his 22 seasons in the MLB. The Bambino has also achieved a few records on eBay: His 1916 Rookie Card is not only one of eBay’s most vintage cards, but it also clocks in as one of the most expensive baseball trading cards sold on eBay for an impressive $80,900.
The Fielder’s ChoiceCal Ripken Jr.
Shop Cal Ripken Jr. | Most Collected Shortstop of All Time
Aside from holding the record for most consecutive MLB games played, Cal Ripken Jr.’s impressive dedication and consistency is mirrored in his trading card sales on eBay today. Almost 20 years after his retirement, Cal Ripken Jr.’s cards are still steadily selling an average of 50 per day.
Cal Ripken Jr.
Shop Cal Ripken Jr. | Most Collected Shortstop of All Time
Aside from holding the record for most consecutive MLB games played, Cal Ripken Jr.’s impressive dedication and consistency is mirrored in his trading card sales on eBay today. Almost 20 years after his retirement, Cal Ripken Jr.’s cards are still steadily selling an average of 50 per day.
The HustlerPete Rose
Shop Pete Rose | All-Time Big League Leader in Hits
While not yet inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame, Pete Rose will always be a Hall of Famer to eBay with the switch hitter’s chart-topping sales. Not one, not two, but three of Pete Rose’s 1963 Rookie Cards made it onto eBay’s top 25 most expensive baseball cards, having sold for $150,000, $86,100 and $82,601 in a matter of two months! And, just one year later, searches for Rose’s trading cards increased 23%, following the Cincinnati Reds dedication of a statue in his honor.
Pete Rose
Shop Pete Rose | All-Time Big League Leader in Hits
While not yet inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame, Pete Rose will always be a Hall of Famer to eBay with the switch hitter’s chart-topping sales. Not one, not two, but three of Pete Rose’s 1963 Rookie Cards made it onto eBay’s top 25 most expensive baseball cards, having sold for $150,000, $86,100 and $82,601 in a matter of two months! And, just one year later, searches for Rose’s trading cards increased 23%, following the Cincinnati Reds dedication of a statue in his honor.
The Golden GloveOzzie Smith
Shop Ozzie Smith | Most Collected Gold Glove Winner of All Time
Ozzie Smith was the winner of 13 consecutive NL Gold Glove awards during his MLB Career with the St. Louis Cardinals. Although he retired more than 20 years ago, searches for Ozzie Smith trading cards nearly doubled between 2017-2018, and continues to move merchandise every single hour on eBay.
Ozzie Smith
Shop Ozzie Smith | Most Collected Gold Glove Winner of All Time
Ozzie Smith was the winner of 13 consecutive NL Gold Glove awards during his MLB Career with the St. Louis Cardinals. Although he retired more than 20 years ago, searches for Ozzie Smith trading cards nearly doubled between 2017-2018, and continues to move merchandise every single hour on eBay.
The MVPMickey Mantle
Shop Mickey Mantle | Most Expensive Card Ever Sold
The record holder for most expensive card ever sold on eBay, a covetable cardboard keepsake 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card, went for an impressive $486,100. Mantle has the most cards represented in the marketplace’s 25 most expensive baseball trading cards ever sold. His ultra-dedicated fans continue to show their support for the iconic Hall of Famer with three trading cards sold on eBay per hour.
Mickey Mantle
Shop Mickey Mantle | Most Expensive Card Ever Sold
The record holder for most expensive card ever sold on eBay, a covetable cardboard keepsake 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card, went for an impressive $486,100. Mantle has the most cards represented in the marketplace’s 25 most expensive baseball trading cards ever sold. His ultra-dedicated fans continue to show their support for the iconic Hall of Famer with three trading cards sold on eBay per hour.
The Fan FavoriteKen Griffey Jr.
Shop Ken Griffey Jr. | Most Collected Year-Over-Year Player
The 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card is one of the most iconic cards of all time.eBay’s most popular year-over-year player has sustained incredible and consistent growth on the marketplace. His Hall of Fame induction in 2016 majorly boosted trading card sales 32% from the year prior, and despite retiring almost 10 years ago, his trading card search rate online saw a 42% increase last year.
Ken Griffey Jr.
Shop Ken Griffey Jr. | Most Collected Year-Over-Year Player
The 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card is one of the most iconic cards of all time.eBay’s most popular year-over-year player has sustained incredible and consistent growth on the marketplace. His Hall of Fame induction in 2016 majorly boosted trading card sales 32% from the year prior, and despite retiring almost 10 years ago, his trading card search rate online saw a 42% increase last year.
The KingNolan Ryan
Shop Nolan Ryan | Record Holder in Strikeouts & No-Hitters
The legendary power pitcher remains a powerful force on eBay 25 years after his retirement, where searches for Ryan’s cards have seen a nearly 50% increase in recent years. Fans have bought 60 Nolan Ryan cards per day.
Nolan Ryan
Shop Nolan Ryan | Record Holder in Strikeouts & No-Hitters
The legendary power pitcher remains a powerful force on eBay 25 years after his retirement, where searches for Ryan’s cards have seen a nearly 50% increase in recent years. Fans have bought 60 Nolan Ryan cards per day.
The King Without A RingTed Williams
Shop Ted Williams | One of the Greatest Hitters in the Big League
One of the greatest players in baseball history, the nineteen-time All-Star and six-time American league batting champion maintains his powerful influence with an average of one trading card sold and 15 searched every hour on eBay.
Ted Williams
Shop Ted Williams | One of the Greatest Hitters in the Big League
One of the greatest players in baseball history, the nineteen-time All-Star and six-time American league batting champion maintains his powerful influence with an average of one trading card sold and 15 searched every hour on eBay.
The Midsummer MVPStan Musial
Shop Stan Musial | Most Collected All-Star Player
Iconic St. Louis Cardinals first baseman played in 24 consecutive All-Star games. When he died in 2013, fans flocked to eBay to show their love for Musial with an average of 73 cards sold per day. Following the 2018 broadcast of The Musial Awards, the late, great player sparked interest on eBay, with searches for his trading cards increasing by 33% compared to the month prior. Musial’s fan network remains stronger than ever still yielding over 100 searches on eBay per day.
Stan Musial
Shop Stan Musial | Most Collected All-Star Player
Iconic St. Louis Cardinals first baseman played in 24 consecutive All-Star games. When he died in 2013, fans flocked to eBay to show their love for Musial with an average of 73 cards sold per day. Following the 2018 broadcast of The Musial Awards, the late, great player sparked interest on eBay, with searches for his trading cards increasing by 33% compared to the month prior. Musial’s fan network remains stronger than ever still yielding over 100 searches on eBay per day.
The Five Hopefuls
Derek Jeter, Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Albert Pujols
In addition to the inductees, eBay identified 5 hopefuls whose baseball cards, and performance on and off the field, rival that of the inaugural class.
The Postseason Prince
Derek Jeter
Famously part of the New York Yankees “core four” alongside Mariano Rivera with whom he played 17 consecutive seasons, trading card sales on eBay soared more than 68%, after Jeter announced the end of his professional baseball career in 2014. Despite his ‘Hopeful’ status, Jeter’s baseball card sales on eBay are currently outpacing those of former Yankee and legendary Hall of Famer Babe Ruth by 137% since 2013. Shop Derek Jeter.
The Looming Legend
Mike Trout
Debatably one of the strongest players in the current MLB roster, Trout shows up just as hard on eBay as he does on the field. The six-time Silver Slugger has the second most expensive card ever sold on eBay at $400,000, quickly catching up to legend and current most-expensive card holder Mickey Mantle. From 2017 to 2018, Mike Trout trading card searches more than doubled on eBay. Shop Mike Trout.
The Riser
Aaron Judge
Judge hit a home run during his very first at bat appearance for the Yankees. After being named 2017 Rookie of the Year, Aaron Judge trading card sales on eBay increased by an unprecedented 2,808%. During the same season, Judge became the first rookie to win the Home Run Derby, and following his historic victory, searches for his trading cards soared by more than 90% from the prior month. Shop Aaron Judge.
The Powerhouse
Bryce Harper
In 2013, Bryce Harper beat the record for most home runs by a player younger than 21. Just six years later, he is showing no signs of slowing down - especially on eBay, as searches for Bryce Harper cards spiked following his trade to the Phillies in March 2019, up 156% from the month prior. Bryce Harper card searches this year are now on track to outpace last year’s by 140%. Shop Bryce Harper.
The First-Ballot Bat
Albert Pujols
The designated hitter for the Los Angeles Angels is the most recent of only four people ever to hit 3,000 times with 600 home runs. Pujols consistently brings his heavy hitting power to eBay, averaging more than 30 trading card sales per day. Over the last six years, the number of Albert Pujols trading cards sold is about as consistent as his at bat performances. Shop Albert Pujols.
Inaugural eBay Baseball Card HOF
Looking to expand your collection? Shop the inaugural eBay Baseball Card Hall of Fame.
Enter “The Closer”… Into the HOF
This is a historic moment for the league and fans alike. Celebrate Rivera’s induction with exclusive memorabilia.
Win the Ultimate Fan Meet & Greet
Donate for a chance to win a VIP meet-and-greet with Mariano Rivera. 100% of proceeds benefit the Mariano Rivera Foundation.