Top 5 Best Fred McGriff Baseball Cards to Buy
The ‘Crime Dog’ Fred McGriff was a legendary power hitter and his scarcer rookie cards in some grades are a good investment.
All Vintage Cards content is free. When you purchase through referral links on our site, we earn a commission. Learn more
Fred McGriff, affectionately known as “The Crime Dog”, was one of baseball’s most consistent power hitters throughout the late ‘80s and ‘90s.
He tallied 493 career home runs, with ten seasons of 30+ homers, earning respect as one of the most feared bats of his era.
Despite his on-field accomplishments, McGriff was repeatedly snubbed by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America during his Hall of Fame eligibility.
That changed in 2022, when he was finally inducted via the Veterans Committee, a long-overdue recognition that has since reignited interest in his baseball cards.
This article highlights five of the best Fred McGriff baseball cards — from his iconic rookie cards to rare inserts and underrated gems — that collectors and investors should strongly consider today.
Fred McGriff: Career Highlights & HOF Legacy
Fred McGriff was one of baseball’s most consistent power hitters, tallying 493 home runs, 2,490 hits, and 1,550 RBIs over a 19-year career. A five-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger, he played a key role in the 1995 World Series Champion Atlanta Braves.
McGriff began with the Blue Jays before a blockbuster trade sent him to the Padres in exchange for Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter. In 1993, he was traded again to the Atlanta Braves, where he became a central piece of their dynasty years.
Despite his impressive numbers, McGriff never received more than 39.8% of the vote from the BBWAA and fell off the ballot after 10 years. However, in 2023, the Contemporary Era Committee unanimously elected him to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
His long-overdue Hall of Fame induction has since sparked renewed collector interest, with many of his cards — especially refractors, rookies, and early autos — rising sharply.
1993 Topps Finest Refractor Fred McGriff #106
🏷️ Estimated PSA 10 Value: $700+
📊 PSA 10 Population: 17
📊 PSA 9 Population: 74
Collector Insight & Investment Outlook
Fred McGriff’s Finest Refractor is his most valuable card — and one of the most iconic of the 1990s insert boom. With only 17 PSA 10 copies in existence, the card’s extreme scarcity, McGriff’s 2022 Hall of Fame induction, and the prestige of the Finest brand make it a blue-chip hold.
1985 TCMA Syracuse Chiefs Fred McGriff #2
🏷️ Estimated PSA 10 Value: ~$800–$900
📊 PSA 10 Population: 9
📊 PSA 9 Population: 26
Collector Insight & Investment Outlook
Fred McGriff’s first trading card is his 1985 TCMA Minor League card, issued with the Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. This is one of McGriff’s scarcest cards in high grade, with only nine PSA 10 (Gem Mint) examples known—a highly underrated card for collectors targeting low-pop HOF cardboard and one of the modern baseball greats.
1986 Donruss Fred McGriff #28 (RC)
🏷️ Estimated PSA 10 Value: ~$800–$900
📊 PSA 10 Population: 63
📊 PSA 9 Population: 238
Collector Insight & Investment Outlook
The 1986 Donruss Rated Rookie is Fred McGriff’s flagship rookie card and one of the most recognizable cards of the 1980s. Its classic black border and Rated Rookie logo make it an essential piece for collectors of that era. While this card was printed in large quantities, it’s tough to find well-centered and in mint condition. As a result, PSA 10 (Gem Mint) examples command a strong premium, selling for between $250 and $350.
1986 Leaf Fred McGriff #28 (RC)
🏷️ Estimated PSA 10 Value: ~$800–$900
📊 PSA 10 Population: 63
📊 PSA 9 Population: 238
Collector Insight & Investment Outlook
A Canadian-issue counterpart to the Donruss rookie, this Leaf version is far rarer with bilingual text on the back. PSA 10s are scarce, but still somewhat affordable at under $1000. PSA 9s offer great value and long-term upside post-HOF induction. Collectors can find PSA 9 copies for under $100.
1996 Leaf Signature Extended Autograph
Extended Autograph Print Run: 1000
Extended Autograph Century Marks Print Run: 10
Collector Insight & Investment Outlook
A key early on-card autograph issue. One of the first sets to feature a full lineup of licensed on-card autos. McGriff’s versions are affordable and historically significant—a great candidate to buy raw and submit for PSA grading. Copies can be found graded on eBay for around $250-$400.
Collector Note: A Signed, Slabbed McGriff Donruss Is A Great Investment
A signed Fred McGriff Donruss Rookie card is a great way to collect and invest in a more unique collectible.
This example is dual-graded, meaning the card received a PSA 9 grade on the card and an autograph grade of PSA 10. There are only five examples with the dual-grade 9/10 and five 10/10’s. The most recent sale of a 9/10 example was in late November 2022 for $400.
I would expect that unique pieces like this signed McGriff rookie should hold up well as an invesment over the longer term.
