"1990 Topps #473 Joe Price Red Sox MINT NM-MT Baseball Card Journeyman"

"Description

You're looking at a pristine piece of Red Sox pitching history - a 1990 Topps Joe Price #473 in spectacular Near Mint to Mint condition! This gem captures a pivotal moment in a journeyman pitcher's career.

This stunning example stands out dramatically from the typically well-worn specimens from this era. The notoriously condition-sensitive purple/blue 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 documents Price's transition from the National League to the American League late in his career. The card back specifically commemorates his first American League win on June 18, 1989 - a piece of baseball history frozen in time!

The action shot perfectly captures Price's left-handed pitching form that carried him through a decade in the majors with the Reds, Giants, and finally the Red Sox. This card represents a fascinating chapter in the story of baseball's journeymen players who formed the backbone of the game!

Perfect for Red Sox team collectors, journeyman pitcher specialists, or anyone seeking pristine examples from this nostalgic era of baseball. The distinctive purple borders of the Red Sox 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 purple/blue 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.

Color retention is superb with vibrant purples and reds 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: Joe Price - Left-handed pitcher

• Team: Boston Red Sox (after stints with Reds and Giants)

• Card Number: #473

• Year: 1990 Topps

• Career Span: 1980-1990 (this card documents his 10th MLB season)

• Special Note: Card specifically documents his first American League win on June 18, 1989

• Journeyman Status: Pitched for three different teams across his career

• Statistical Interest: Shows complete year-by-year pitching statistics for his entire career through 1989

• Personal Details: Born in Inglewood, California on December 29, 1956

• Design Elements: Distinctive purple/blue borders with red inner frame - specific to Red Sox team design

Rarity

While 1990 Topps cards were produced in significant quantities, finding examples in this exceptional condition is becoming increasingly difficult with each passing year.

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 purple/blue borders of the Red Sox 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 that document specific career milestones - like Price's first American League win - are gaining greater appreciation as collectors focus more on the stories behind the players rather than just star power alone.

As modern analytics reshape our understanding of baseball history, journeyman pitchers who maintained long careers across multiple teams are receiving newfound appreciation for their consistency and adaptability.

Collector's Note

The market for high-grade junk wax era cards has experienced remarkable growth in recent years as collectors recognize the surprising scarcity of pristine examples. What was once overlooked is now increasingly appreciated.

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 represent a tiny fraction of the original print run.

This is potentially your BEST CHANCE to acquire a high-grade example of this card before prices for pristine junk wax era cards continue their upward trajectory! The market is increasingly recognizing the scarcity of genuinely Near Mint-Mint examples.

The investment potential for cards of journeyman players is just beginning to be recognized as collectors develop more sophisticated approaches to documenting baseball history beyond just the superstars. These players' stories represent the true fabric of baseball history.

This card represents a perfect specimen for any high-grade 1990 Topps set build, Boston Red Sox team collection, journeyman pitcher showcase, or display of left-handed hurlers. The condition quality speaks for itself!

Buy multiple cards and pay only ONE low shipping cost!

Don't Wait - Act Now!

The window of opportunity to acquire premium condition examples from this nostalgic era continues to narrow as more collectors recognize the surprising difficulty in finding untouched, pristine examples.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a genuine piece of baseball history featuring a quintessential journeyman pitcher 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.