"1990 Topps #117 Mike Sharperson Dodgers 1992 All-Star Died Young MINT NM-MT"

"Description

You're looking at a poignant piece of baseball history - a 1990 Topps Mike Sharperson #117 in spectacular Near Mint to Excellent condition! This isn't just any baseball card - it captures a player whose life and promising career were tragically cut short.

This stunning example stands out dramatically from the typically well-worn specimens from this era. The notoriously condition-sensitive green borders remain vibrant and chip-free - a true rarity for cards from this distinctive Topps design!

What makes this card particularly special is that it represents a player who would go on to become a 1992 All-Star with the Dodgers before his life was tragically cut short in a 1996 car accident at just 35 years old. This card has taken on new meaning as a memorial to a career and life that ended far too soon.

The action shot perfectly captures Sharperson in his classic Dodgers uniform, showcasing the fielding form that would help him develop into an All-Star caliber player just two years after this card was produced. This card represents a poignant snapshot frozen in time before tragedy struck.

Perfect for Dodgers team collectors, memorial card collectors, or anyone seeking pieces with emotional significance beyond just statistics. The distinctive green borders of the Dodgers cards from this set create a striking visual appeal that stands out in any collection!

Condition

This card is in remarkable Near Mint to Excellent condition - truly outstanding preservation from the junk wax era! The notorious green borders, which typically show significant edge chipping, remain impressively intact.

The corners are razor sharp with absolutely no rounding or wear - a condition virtually never seen in cards from this set after 30+ years. Most examples found today show significant corner damage.

The surfaces remain pristine with no creases, folds, bends, or handling marks. The glossy finish on the front maintains its original luster with no scratches or scuffing.

Centering is exceptional and well within the coveted 55/45 or better ratio that serious collectors demand. Finding well-centered examples from the 1990 Topps set continues to become more challenging with each passing year.

Color retention is superb with vibrant greens and yellows that remain as bright as the day this card was printed. Most surviving examples show significant fading or color degradation after decades of storage.

The card back is equally pristine with sharp printing, no staining, and excellent overall eye appeal. The yellow background remains bright with no fading or yellowing often seen on cards from this era.

Card Details

• Player: Mike Sharperson - Future 1992 All-Star

• Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

• Card Number: #117

• Year: 1990 Topps

• Special Draft Note: Signed as a #1 Special Draft selection by the Blue Jays in 1981

• Tragedy: Sharperson died in a car accident in 1996 at just 35 years old

• Career Achievement: Would become an All-Star in 1992, two years after this card was produced

• Personal Details: Card mentions his wife and son, Michael Jr. (born 5-3-84)

• Hometown: Orangeburg, South Carolina

• Design Elements: Distinctive green borders with yellow team name - specific to Dodgers team design

Rarity

While 1990 Topps cards were produced in significant quantities, finding examples in this exceptional condition of players whose lives ended tragically is becoming increasingly sought after by memorial collectors.

High-grade examples like this are becoming more challenging to locate as collectors become more condition-conscious and the best examples are permanently sealed in graded slabs for long-term collections.

The distinctive green borders of the Dodgers design are notoriously susceptible to chipping and wear, making well-preserved examples increasingly uncommon as time passes. The vast majority of survivors show significant border damage.

Cards of players who died young have always held a special place in the hobby, transcending mere statistics to become poignant mementos of lives and careers cut short. Sharperson's tragic passing gives this card added emotional significance.

As more time passes since Sharperson's untimely death, cards documenting his brief but noteworthy career become increasingly meaningful to both Dodgers collectors and those who appreciate baseball's more poignant stories.

Collector's Note

The market for cards of players whose lives ended tragically has experienced remarkable growth in recent years as collectors seek pieces that tell meaningful human stories beyond just player statistics. These cards connect us to baseball's more emotional narratives.

Savvy collectors understand that while millions of these cards were printed, the vast majority were poorly handled, stored in detrimental conditions, or simply discarded. True gem specimens representing players who died young represent a tiny fraction of the original print run.

This is potentially your BEST CHANCE to acquire a high-grade example of this memorial-significant card before prices for pristine cards of players with tragic stories continue their upward trajectory! The market is increasingly recognizing the emotional value these cards hold.

The investment potential for cards representing baseball's more poignant human stories continues to show strong growth as collecting evolves beyond mere player statistics to encompass the emotional narratives that make sports meaningful. Sharperson's story of achievement and tragedy exemplifies this deeply human element.

This card represents a perfect addition for any memorial collection, Los Angeles Dodgers team collection, 1992 All-Stars collection, or showcase of baseball's more emotionally resonant stories. The condition quality and historical significance speak for themselves!

Buy multiple cards and pay only ONE low shipping cost!

Don't Wait - Act Now!

The window of opportunity to acquire premium condition examples of cards with emotional significance continues to narrow as more collectors recognize both their condition sensitivity and their ability to connect us to baseball's most poignant stories.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a genuine piece of baseball history featuring a player whose promising career and life were tragically cut short, preserved in exceptional condition before it disappears into another collection for decades!"

 _gsrx_vers_1723 (GS 9.9.3 (1723))

Condition: Ungraded

Item specifics

Offered by Gosla Antiques & Collectibles, purveyors of antiquities, curiosities and collectible wares. Dispatched from Pennsylvania, United States, with tracking.