10 Undervalued 1970s Baseball Rookie Cards Worth Investing In
These vintage rookie cards from the 1970s remain affordable—but they may not stay that way for long.
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The 1970s produced some of baseball’s most iconic players — from future Hall of Famers to stars who impacted the game. Yet many of the decade’s rookie cards remain surprisingly affordable and underappreciated by today’s collectors.
While demand for vintage cards continues to rise — especially for high-grade examples — there are still opportunities to scoop up quality rookie cards at reasonable prices.
In previous guides, I’ve spotlighted undervalued rookies like Dave Parker, Keith Hernandez, Lou Whitaker, Thurman Munson, and Dwight Evans, all of whom deserve more hobby respect.
In this article, I’m diving deeper into 10 of the most underrated 1970s rookie cards that still offer strong long-term upside for both collectors and investors.
#1. 1970 Topps Vida Blue Rookie #21
Vida Blue was a cornerstone of the Oakland A’s dynasty during the 1970s, helping lead the team to three straight World Series championships from 1972 to 1974. His dominance peaked in 1971, when he earned both the Cy Young and AL MVP awards — a rare feat for a pitcher.
Despite his accomplishments, Blue remains one of the most underrated stars of his era and has yet to receive a call to Cooperstown. That makes his 1970 Topps rookie card one of the best Hall of Fame snub buys of the decade.
- Recent PSA 8 Value: ~$200
- PSA 8 Population: 166
- PSA 9 or higher: Just 22 copies exist (link)
With low pop in higher grades and a resume that arguably deserves Hall of Fame recognition, Blue’s rookie card in PSA 8 is still vastly undervalued. Hall of Fame case aside, this card remains a standout from the era, and its scarcity in higher grades gives it real upside.
#2. 1973 Topps Rich “Goose” Gossage Rookie #174
Goose Gossage helped define what it meant to be a modern MLB closer. Long before the one-inning save became the norm, Gossage was racking up multi-inning appearances and locking down games with power and presence. By 1975, he had fully transitioned into a closer role, blazing a trail that would reshape bullpen usage for decades.
In 1978, Gossage signed with the New York Yankees and played a pivotal role in their World Series championship run, further cementing his place in baseball history.
Today, collectors can still grab his 1973 Topps rookie card in PSA 8 condition for $160–$200, a low price considering his Hall of Fame career and long-term influence.
- PSA 8 Population: 761 (link)
- PSA 9 or Higher: 288
Gossage’s rookie remains a sleeper in the vintage market — an excellent pickup for any collector focused on iconic 1970s players, especially those with real Hall of Fame credentials.
#3. 1971 Topps Don Baylor/ Tom Paciorek / Dusty Baker Rookie #709
This 1971 Topps rookie is one of the rare multi-player cards that features two notable names — Dusty Baker and Don Baylor, both of whom had strong MLB careers. What’s pushed this card into the spotlight recently is Baker’s managerial success, capped off with a World Series win in 2022 with the Houston Astros. That championship likely sealed his future Hall of Fame induction as a manager.
The card itself comes from the notoriously condition-sensitive 1971 Topps set, where the black borders make high grades especially hard to find.
- PSA 6 Value Range: $175-$200
- Recent Trend: Values have doubled in the past five years
This card remains underrated, especially considering how few clean copies exist and the growing attention on Dusty Baker’s legacy. Once he’s officially enshrined in Cooperstown, expect demand for this rookie to climb even further.
#4. 1971 Topps George Foster Rookie #276
George Foster was a key part of the Reds’ “Big Red Machine” dynasty and one of the most feared sluggers of the late 1970s. His peak came in 1977, when he blasted 52 home runs and earned National League MVP honors — one of the most dominant offensive seasons of the era.
Foster finished his career with 348 home runs and 1,239 RBIs, and while he hasn’t been inducted into the Hall of Fame, many believe his résumé deserves stronger consideration.
His 1971 Topps rookie card is part of one of the hobby’s toughest sets — known for its chippy black borders that make high grades hard to come by.
- PSA 8 Value: ~$175
- PSA 8 Population: ~300 copies (link)
Prices have risen steadily in recent years, and PSA 8s are becoming tougher to track down. For fans of the Big Red Machine, Foster’s rookie is a cornerstone piece — and one of the most affordable among the team’s stars from that era.
#5. 1978 Topps Jack Morris Rookie #703
Jack Morris was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 via the Modern Baseball Era Committee, validating what many fans had believed for years — that his postseason heroics and workhorse career deserved Cooperstown recognition.
Morris’s 1978 Topps rookie card felt undervalued before his induction, and even now, it still flies a bit under the radar compared to other Hall of Famers from the era.
- PSA 9 Value: $100
- PSA 10 Population: ~120 (link)
- PSA 10 Value: $1100+
That’s a 10x price gap between PSA 9 and PSA 10 copies, largely driven by how tough it is to find a perfectly centered, gem-mint example. For collectors looking to land a clean copy of a Hall of Fame rookie without breaking the bank, a well-centered PSA 9 offers strong long-term value.
#6. 1975 Topps Fred Lynn Rookie #622
Fred Lynn was one of the most exciting players in baseball during the 1970s, especially among Red Sox fans. In 1975, he pulled off a rare feat — winning both AL Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in the same season. He would go on to become a nine-time All-Star and also captured a batting title, building a résumé that had the makings of a Hall of Famer.
Some believe Lynn might have reached Cooperstown if injuries hadn’t slowed him down later in his career — or if he stayed in Boston.
His 1975 Topps rookie card is one of the key cards in that colorful, star-filled set.
- PSA 9 Value: ~$200
- PSA 9 Population: ~200 copies (link)
- Trend: Values have been rising in recent years
While not a Hall of Famer, Lynn remains a beloved figure in Red Sox history, and this card continues to attract attention — especially in higher grades. With a limited PSA 9 pop, it’s a smart pickup for any vintage Red Sox collector or savvy investor looking for value in non-HOF stars.
#7. 1971 Topps Dave Concepcion Rookie #14
Dave Concepción was a core piece of the Cincinnati Reds’ “Big Red Machine” dynasty, helping lead the team to two World Series titles in the 1970s. A nine-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner, Concepción was one of the premier shortstops of his era.
While he hasn’t yet been inducted, many view him as a borderline Hall of Famer, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he eventually earns a spot through a veteran committee vote — a key reason his rookie card remains undervalued.
His rookie appears in the 1971 Topps set, one of the toughest in the hobby due to its condition-sensitive black borders.
- PSA 8 Value: ~$275-$300
- PSA 8 Population: 330 (link)
- PSA 7 Value: ~$100 (a solid alternative)
High-grade copies are tough to come by, and with under 350 PSA 8s in existence, this card is a great value. If Concepción eventually gets the Hall of Fame nod, expect demand to follow. Even without that, it’s a great piece of any vintage Reds collection — and a smart value play for long-term collectors.
#8. 1971 Topps Bobby Grich Rookie #193
Bobby Grich was one of the most underrated second basemen of the 1970s and early ’80s, known for his elite defense and quiet consistency at the plate. A four-time Gold Glove winner, Grich was a staple in the Orioles and Angels infields — and remains a favorite among fans of vintage sabermetrics.
His rookie card appears in the 1971 Topps set, making it especially tough to find in top condition due to the set’s notorious black borders.
- PSA 8 Population: 190 (link)
- Recent PSA 8 Sales: ~$325
Grich may not be in the Hall of Fame, but his advanced stats and defensive accolades continue to win him admiration — and could eventually land him on a future committee ballot. In the meantime, his low-pop rookie card in PSA 8 offers a smart play for collectors looking to lock in value from one of the most consistent infielders of his generation.
#9. 1972 Topps J.R. Richard Rookie #101
J.R. Richard was one of the most dominant — and tragic — pitching stories of the 1970s. He led the National League in strikeouts in both 1978 and 1979, and in ERA in 1979, establishing himself as one of the game’s true power arms.
Sadly, a stroke in 1980 ended his career at just 30 years old, cutting short what many believe could have been a Hall of Fame résumé.
His 1972 Topps rookie card is still largely overlooked in the hobby, but that may not last much longer.
- PSA 9 Population: 102 (link)
- Recent PSA 9 Sales: $100
With so few high-grade examples available and Richard’s legacy gaining renewed appreciation, this card feels like a steal in PSA 9. For collectors focused on ‘what could have been’ stars or 1970s pitching greats, J.R. Richard’s rookie is a great value buy.
#10. 1976 Topps Ron Guidry Rookie #599
Ron Guidry’s 1978 season is one of the most dominant in modern baseball history. That year, he went 25–3, won the AL Cy Young Award, finished second in MVP voting, and led the Yankees to a World Series title.
Guidry’s strikeout dominance created one of the sport’s lasting traditions — crowds cheering once he got two strikes on a batter, a ritual that continues in stadiums today.
Despite his standout career and legendary status in New York, Guidry is still not in the Hall of Fame — making his 1976 Topps rookie card one of the most desirable Yankees rookie cards not tied to Cooperstown.
- PSA 9 Population: 111
- Recent PSA 9 Value: $350–$375
With a low population in top grade and a legacy cemented in Yankees history (his No. 49 is retired in Monument Park), Guidry’s rookie remains a must-own for any serious Yankees collector — and one with long-term upside if Hall of Fame momentum builds.
Final Thoughts
The 1970s were a golden era for baseball — and the rookie cards from that decade continue to offer great value and upside for collectors. Whether it’s underrated Hall of Famers, borderline candidates, or fan favorites with lasting legacies, there’s still plenty of opportunity to buy high-quality vintage rookies at a discount.
Many of the cards on this list have low PSA populations, especially in higher grades, and are already seeing steady appreciation. As more collectors turn their attention to vintage and HOF speculation continues, these ‘70s rookie cards could become harder — and more expensive — to track down.
If you’re a long-term collector or a vintage investor looking for affordable cards with room to grow, these ten picks deserve a spot in your collection.
