This particular BGS9.5 example of the 1994 Topps Traded Jason Schmidt is an item that I walked past for what feels like months and months before I finally took enough interest in buying it. This is one of those times when you only think more about something after you’ve seen it so many times. I suppose that in a way, this card acted more like a form of marketing than it did a collector’s item. To peak that statement, it’s actually both.
This is Jason Schmidt’s only rookie card. He has a few cards in various minor league products in 1994 and had his first official year in the major leagues in 1995. But this is the first card that features Jason Schmidt that’s licensed by the MLB and MLBPA, which makes this Schmidt’s rookie card.
Because of the way this card was released, collectors had to buy a set of 1994 Topps Traded to get this card. This is a somewhat more intriguing way of product release, especially when featuring players who reach maturity well after the product’s release. I guess you could say this about packs too but with sets, collectors may be less likely to break them up, and buyers may be more reluctant to purchase entire sets if they’re only after single cards. And because some of these rookies may not reach maximum exposure until well into their careers, one may not even discover the player’s true rookie card until much later on. In that way, cards like this often fly well under the radar.
To see what’s currently on eBay from 1994 Topps Traded, click here.
I remember the Price Guides of the old days (early 1990’s) didn’t classify any cards released in set form (as opposed to pack released) as true rookie cards. They used to classify them as XRC’s. I have not looked at a price guide in MANY years so I don’t know if they still do it that way. Do you?
Hi Rick,
That’s a really good point. I suppose that in this way, this should actually be Jason Schmidt’s XRC. I haven’t looked at a price guide with any regularity for years but I still appreciate the information provided in them.