Sport’s Top 10 Error Cards
By Richard Diaz
Love of Sports Correspondent
Several unique experiences can play an integral role throughout the journey from young fan to adult fanatic.
As fans, we tend to share similar memories of the major sports events that’ve transpired during our lives, but at the same time, we’ve also got individual memories that helped shape our views on a particular sport or franchise.
One memory that sports fans typically share revolves around collecting cards. Whether they’re collected to play any one of a number of trading card games, or simply to collect, catalogue and trade is irrelevant. Simply put, it’s a hobby that’s been around since the early 1900s. And while it’s fallen out of style recently, you can still find them just about anywhere.
As collectors, there are certain cards that stand out above the rest. Mention the T206 Honus Wagner card to any collector and his or her eyes will light up as if they were in the presence of the “Holy Grail” or “Mona Lisa,” because that’s what that card is for a collector.
A modern example of that would be Ken Griffey, Jr.’s Upper Deck rookie card. In addition to the fact that Junior was thought to be the next coming of greatness, it was also the first year Upper Deck produced their fancy trading card series.
While a Donruss Rated Rookie or Upper Deck hologram was always a welcomed addition, no card improved a collection like a rare “error” card.
TOP 10 ERROR CARDS
10. LeBron James: 2003-04 Upper Deck All-Star
If you’re a fan of King James, you should catch the error rather quickly. If not, let’s just say it’s an All-Star card for a player who didn’t make the All-Star roster.
9. Brett Favre: 1991 Topps Stadium Rookie
Even though a novice collector might think it’s an error, since it features Favre in a Falcons jersey, we all know that story. The major blunder is one that many of us have made in the past, that being the spelling of Brett “Farve.”
8. Aurelio Rodriguez: 1969 Topps
At first glance, there’s nothing wrong with the card. They got the spelling and stats right, so it’s fine, right? Well, it might’ve helped to get a picture of Rodriguez instead of a batboy named Leonard Garcia!
7. Derek Jeter: 2007 Topps
Unlike a typical error card that mistakenly slips through mass printing with a typo or erroneous picture, this instance took the error card to a totally new level. The athlete, name and stats were completely accurate, but I doubt George W. Bush was chillin’ in the general stands, and it’d be pretty much impossible for Mickey Mantle to be in the clubhouse. Dumb as it sounds, you’ve got to love that employee’s creativity and the power of Photoshop.
6. Hank Aaron: 1956 Topps
Although its value has more to do with the fact that it’s Hammerin’ Hank than anything else, I’ve got to admit it’d be cool to own a Hank Aaron card where the player sliding into home in the background isn’t actually Willie Mays.
5. Bump Wills: 1979 Topps
Although it’s not the first of its kind, this error card may have been the first to be referred to as a collector’s item due to the error. The original printing displayed him in his Rangers uniform, but Topps mistakenly had “Blue Jays” on the front of the card for his team name. They corrected the error midway through the season, which sparked a collector’s frenzy that actual garnered some moderate national exposure. In short, that card will always remain bigger than the actual player himself.
4. John Smoltz: 1990 Donruss
Similar to the Aurelio Rodriguez error, this was a Smoltz card without Smoltz. In his place was a young and smiling Tom Glavine. It’s kind of scary to think of the pitcher that would be created if you mixed these two future Hall of Famers. So, until science reaches that moment, this is the closest we’ll ever get.
3. Alex Gordon: 2006 Topps
Before Gordon played his first major league game, his rookie card was already one of the hotter commodities in recent years. Regardless of whether or not it was a legitimate error or a PR stunt, collectors were all over it, as it was a card that broke an agreement between MLB and the card manufacturers that said rookie cards could only be printed for players that played the previous year or made the 25-man roster. Since he didn’t fulfill either of the two, it truly was a card that shouldn’t have existed. Topps caught the error in time to prevent mass printing of it, and that led to it being valued anywhere from $1,425 to $2,550.
2. Sherry Magee: 1909-1911 T206
If Honus Wagner is the Holy Grail of sports cards, this would be the equivalent in the world of error cards. Referred to as the “T206 Magie” error card, you’d be lucky to find one on sale for less than $7,000. Even the corrected version goes for $100, which goes to show you how a simple misspelling can totally alter the value of a card that wouldn’t be worth as much without its counterpart.
1. Billy Ripken: 1989 Fleer
Even though the “T206 Magie” error card is worth significantly more than this one will ever be, you can’t deny the fact it’s far and away the most recognizable error card ever created. That’s right, you may remember Billy Ripken gripping a bat whose knob was infamously inscribed with the words “f**k face.” Besides that, you should also remember the many different attempts by Fleer to correct the problem, which ranged from correction fluid to air brushing, and ultimately ended up with it being covered by a black box. The white out version is valued anywhere from $100 to $120, but truth be told, no one loves this card for its monetary worth, do they?
HONORABLE MENTION
Gary Pettis: 1985 Topps - Featured a picture of his younger brother
Barry Bonds: 1987 Donruss ‘Opening Day’ - Showed a picture of Johnny Ray
Frank Thomas: 1990 Topps – It’s nameless on the front
Michael Haynes: 1994 Action Packed - It features Jerry Rice’s info (I guess a WR can always dream, right?)
Randal Hill: 1998 Topps Finest Base - It displays his TD total as being 72. Um, maybe you get that many if you total his entire life’s work, and that’s a HUGE maybe.
Well, that’s all I got. Hope you enjoyed this look at one of the reasons for our undying Love of card collecting.
Comments
JohnG on 06/01 at 04:59 AM
I am not sure if this qualifies, but I have about 14 Albert Belle cards that refer to him as “Joey.”
Scott on 06/02 at 05:22 AM
The jersey Favre is wearing is from his college, Southern Miss, not the Falcons.
Chad Slone on 06/02 at 05:30 AM
I have a emmitt smith rookie card that says he went to florida state.
steve on 06/02 at 05:32 AM
Hey johnG, Joey was his “street” name, as well as the one he liked to use....
steve on 06/02 at 05:34 AM
what aboout (I believe) the ‘83 fleer Craig vs Greg Nettles????
matthew on 06/02 at 05:34 AM
While in the minor league system and at the start of his career, Albert went by Joey. Belle underwent counseling, and became known as “Albert”.
toby on 06/02 at 05:55 AM
The Greg/Craig Nettles was actually the 81’ Fleer card.
JB on 06/02 at 06:03 AM
1974-75 O-Pee-Chee Jacques Lemaire hockey card. There was speculation that he would be traded from the Canadiens to the Sabres, so the card company airbrushed him into a Sabres jersey. The trade never happened.
Daniel Dinneen on 06/02 at 07:00 AM
Two HUGE Omissions: (1) The ‘89 Upper Deck Dale Murphy rev neg. —Perhaps the first truly valuable and sought after error card ever made. (2) Nolan Ryan’s Rookie—Read the back and ask yourself how much Topps would have valued Spell Checker in the ‘60’s.
ahern on 06/02 at 07:17 AM
what about the other error from 89 fleer? tom brookens picture on the front with mike heath’s info on the back. i think that is a muh bigger error than simply misspelling a name.
dave on 06/02 at 07:24 AM
i’ve got several cards from the early 70’s that were printed with a Washington name when it was rumored San Diego was moving there
lastguppy on 06/02 at 07:37 AM
not sure how you can have this conversation without a prominent mention of the 1989 score paul gibson card (of course, i am mentioning it only because i actually own this card). the uncorrected version has gibson winding up in the foreground while the blurry infielder in the background is obviously performing a last minute personal equipment adjustment. in their infinite wisdom, the folks at score corrected this oversight by airbrushing the fellows throwing arm off at the elbow. beautiful.
Alan From Akron on 06/02 at 07:38 AM
The 1960 Gary Peters card (pitcher, Chicago White Sox) had a photo of J.C. Martin (catcher, White Sox) on it. I have no idea what it’s worth.
Alan from Akron on 06/02 at 07:42 AM
It was a Topps card.
Mark Malcolm on 06/02 at 08:28 AM
Two notable Ripkens come to mind: Cal’s RC mis-spelling “Ripkin” and another ‘97(?) Upper Deck with Cal’s picture but Bonds stats on the reverse.
Rob on 06/02 at 08:56 AM
There were a few errors in the 1990 Donruss set, including a reverse negative of Juan Gonzalez’s Rated Rookie.
anonymous on 06/02 at 09:09 AM
Albert Belle’s name is Joey
DG on 06/02 at 09:44 AM
What is the Billy Ripken card with f*%k face on it valued at ... if anyone can tell me.
jon on 06/02 at 10:20 AM
a juan gonzalez card, in his rookie year, with him batting left-handed....that was classic.
JESUS on 06/02 at 12:38 PM
THERE WAS A WILLIE GAULT ERRO CARD AS WELL. I HAVE ONE THAT STATES WILLIE GAULT BUT IT IS ACTUALLY GREG TOWNSEND.
Leardawg on 06/02 at 01:21 PM
I have a barry sanders card that had been cut off on the right side by about 1/4 inch.
Pigskin Satch on 06/02 at 02:18 PM
In 1981 or 1982 Fleer had a John Littlefield (pitcher) card that was a reverse negative, showed him delivering a pitch with “the wrong hand”! We have a new person at work with the same last name, and I look forward to seeing if she’s in any way related…
E.K. on 06/02 at 02:55 PM
My favorite football card errors: The 1959 and 1960 Topps football cards for Packers’ great Jim Taylor both showed pictures of a different Jim Taylor, who played for the Cardinals. Also the picture side of a 1958 or ‘59 Topps football card of 49ers’ R.C. “Alley Oop” Owens, who is African-American, shows a white guy!
fatboye on 06/02 at 04:34 PM
1959 Topps Wayne Terwilliger, says he plays for the “Athlftics.”
I forget which one it is, but a Vince Young rookie card, pretty sure it was an autographed one, has his college listed as Texas A&M;instead of Texas....that will get someone killed.
Johnny Muggins on 06/02 at 05:33 PM
What about the 1977 Topps Star Wars green series card of C-3PO where it looks as if it really is possible for droids to become aroused?
King David on 06/02 at 06:39 PM
I have uncut sheets of 1989 Fleer that have the original “F*ck Face” card on it.. sheet also has McGwire, Clemens, Bonds…
email if you are interested..
OsborneR on 06/02 at 07:13 PM
I have a 1989 (I think) Topps card with Alan Trammel on the front and Sandy Alomar Jr. stats on the back. Email if you can offer any insight. I’ve never seen this error mentioned anywhere, but then again I quit collecting around age 12.
jerry43 on 06/02 at 10:40 PM
jacoby ellsbury - not sure what card it is but says he played at university of oregon (doesn’t currently have a baseball team,) actually played at oregon state.
ray saullo on 06/03 at 02:09 AM
The 1957 Topps Henry Aaron card is a reverse image showing him batting left handed
JoeSlim on 06/03 at 03:39 AM
It’s not that uncommon for players to be in their college jerseys on their rookie cards.
The Daddy on 06/03 at 08:24 AM
91 Topps - Keith Comstock Cubs instead of Mariners
90 Score - Ryne Sandberg Highligh 3B instead of 2B
89 Upper Deck - Garry Sheffield upside down SS
90 Donruss - Nolan Ryan 5,000 k’s & King of Kings card have wrong backs, also all All-Star cards have wrong back cards showing career stats instad of All-Star stats.
88 Topps - McGwire White area behind foot / Murray stamp on front of card.
90 Fleer football - Montana career touchdowns listed at 31,000+
Grant on 06/04 at 04:26 AM
I have a Akili Smith rookie card (one of the biggest busts ever) that lists him as RB instead of QB
Bob Johnson on 06/06 at 06:56 AM
I’ve also got one of those reverse Hank Aaron 1957 Topps Cards—any clue if it is worth more than the paper it’s printed on?
Richard on 06/06 at 07:34 AM
Any Hank Aaron card from 1957 is worth a little something. It’s the new generation of cards that tend to be worthless.
Yankee fan on 06/07 at 03:29 PM
Nettles first name is actually
“Graig”
Mike on 06/08 at 06:37 PM
I have a Tim Hudson Card that lists him at 16 lb rather than 165.
Rick on 06/14 at 11:33 AM
I have a 1993 Fleer, front of the card is a wide-angle shot of Brett Favre escaping a sack from two Houston Oilers, the error being that on the back of the card, is the name, picture, stats, career highlights and card #28 for Ahman Green, who at that time, was a Seattle Seahawk. The error of one players card on the front, a different players card on back, and those players eventually becoming teammates. Email if interested for pic - MINT condition in plastic sleeth within glass coating.
jimbob on 07/03 at 03:46 PM
where is the pic of the lebron james card?
rachel on 07/30 at 05:05 PM
I have an upper deck card with Ken Griffey Jr on one side and the other side has Odibe McDowell.
Does anyone one know what if any value this card has?
gerald on 09/07 at 05:52 AM
i have a nolan ryan card from topps 1973 #220 and have been told it is a error card.the top is cut off below the cartoons that you see on this card.and on the bottom is a cartoon of a fish and baseball the fih saying tommy has a fine sinker pitch!on the front at the bottom is half of another player blue cap with letters la.is this an error card and what would it be worth.
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