Hank Aaron, Freddie Freeman cards soar as Braves memorabilia enjoys post-World Series surge

Even without superstar Ronald Acuna Jr., the Atlanta Braves climbed to the top of the baseball mountain in the memorable 2021 MLB postseason. And the team’s inspired September run and October resilience prompted the predictable flood of collectible items on eBay.

A week after the World Series, there were more than 750,000 items (including Buy It Now offerings) available under an “Atlanta Braves” search. Of course, that includes listings featuring vintage Braves legends, from Hank Aaron to Eddie Mathews to Chipper Jones. Those types will always draw collector attention.

Which names and items have been changing hands since the Braves’ 2021 championship run? Well, collectors are still pursuing the legends above all else — understandable, considering Braves fans love their team’s tradition.

Also See: Owens: Why I'm still celebrating Braves improbable World Series win

Here’s a list of eight Braves-related examples that sold after the World Series ended. The collector-friendly prices might surprise you; the slant toward vintage years won’t:

• $3,780 on one bid: 1996 National League championship ring issued to a staff member.

• $3,550 on 63 bids: 2011 Topps Finest Freddie Freeman Superfractor. This autographed patch card, marked #1/1, was graded BGS 9.5. Freeman, the slugging first-baseman, had a productive World Series, batting .318 with two homers and five RBI — similar numbers to those of MVP Jorge Soler (see below).

• $3,259 on 40 bids: 1954 Topps Hank Aaron rookie graded PSA 2. Ungraded Aaron rookies brought prices of $2,136 on 33 bids and $2,025 on 47 bids. (In Near-Mint condition, Aaron’s rookie commands $400,000 to $500,000, or higher.)

• $1,625 on 43 bids: 2011 Topps Finest Freddie Freeman Purple Refractor. Autographed and marked #3/5, the card was graded BGS 9.5.

• $1,350 on 35 bids: Ungraded 1955 Bowman Hank Aaron.

• $1,175 on 23 bids: 2015 Topps Heritage dual-auto card featuring Aaron and Freeman. Marked #4/25, this redemption-only card was factory-sealed in a hard plastic holder.

• $1,125 on 26 bids: 2018 Topps Heritage autographed Ronald Acuna Jr. card graded BGS 9.

• $909 on 15 bids: 1991 Topps Desert Shield Chipper Jones autographed card authenticated by PSA/DNA.

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Braves 2021 team-signed baseballs are also showing up in Buy It Now deals at prices between $1,000 to $1,500. If you’re in the market, make sure you inquire about authentication.

As for World Series MVP Soler, he hit .300 with three homers and six RBI in the six-game Fall Classic. Item of choice: his 2012 Bowman Chrome autographed card. A Gold Refractor version (one of only 50 made) sold for $375 on 29 bids. An Orange Refractor sold for less —$252 on 47 bids — even though it was produced in a more limited quantity (25). A Blue Refractor (150) brought $203 on 27 bids.

In late October, while the World Series was in progress, we saw a premier issue of Sports Illustrated sell for $8,500. That first issue featured Hall of Fame Braves third baseman Eddie Mathews on the cover. The magazine was in Mint condition, having been graded 9.8 by CGC.

Interestingly, an ungraded example of that first Sports Illustrated sold for only $250 on 10 bids and included all 27 Topps cards bound into the issue. There’s no story on Mathews in that issue, strangely, but his card is among the 27 bound inside. Others included Ted Williams, Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson.

Last time out, we gave you a look at five hot-selling Tom Brady cards that weren’t 2000 Playoff Contenders or Upper Deck rookie cards. As the star quarterback keeps on impressing us with his stellar play, collectors continue to mine his vast inventory of cards.

One item garnering major attention is his 2000 Bowman Chrome. In last issue’s Online Auctioneer, we reported on a PSA 10 example that brought $21,469 on 46 bids. In October, two more Brady Chrome rookies offered by different sellers brought a similar price, soaring to $21,100 each on 53 bids and 58 bids.

Meanwhile, a Refractor version of Brady’s 2000 Chrome is spiking even higher. You’ll see it in our “On the Outside” list below: Graded BGS 10, it fetched $33,433 on 85 bids. Proving that auction was no fluke, an ungraded example of Brady’s Chrome Refractor sold for $31,211 on 115 bids.

Clearly, collectors searching for a “next best thing” after Brady’s now-price-prohibitive Contenders and Upper Deck rookies have found their target.

(Through 11/04/21)

1. $75,100 on 120 bids: 2020 Panini Contenders Justin Herbert Cracked Ice, #4/22, auto (PSA 10)

2. $68,556 on 109 bids: 2019 Panini Prizm Kyler Murray Gold Vinyl Superfractor, #5/5 (PSA 10)

3. $58,600 on 38 bids: 2014 Panini Contenders David Carr Rookie Ticket Cracked Ice, #10/22, auto (BGS 10)

4. $50,100 on 50 bids: 2020-21 Panini National Treasures LaMelo Ball, #58/99, auto patch (BGS 9, auto 10)

5. $50,000 on 74 bids: 2003-04 Fleer Essential Credentials LeBron James, #14/102 (BGS 9)

6. $49,995 on 2 bids: 1948 Leaf Satchel Paige (PSA 6)

7. $49,950 on 1 bid: 1949 Bowman Satchel Paige (SGC 6)

8. $48,600 on 80 bids: 2014 Panini National Treasures Derek Carr Hats Off, #1/4, auto patch (PSA 10)

9. $45,655 on 55 bids: 2018 Panini National Treasures Josh Allen, #42/99, auto patch (BGS 9.5)

10. $43,100 on 81 bids: 2004-05 Topps Chrome LeBron James Gold Refractor, #3/99 (PSA 10)

Wondering which items placed outside our Top 10 chart? Here’s the next 10:

• $42,101 on 62 bids: 2012-13 Panini Prizm Klay Thompson Gold Prizms, #3/10 (BGS 9.5)

• $40,100 on 66 bids: 1985-86 O-Pee-Chee Mario Lemieux (BGS 10)

• $40,100 on 60 bids: 2000-01 Upper Deck Pros & Prospects Michael Jordan Signature Jersey Gold, #2/23, auto patch (BGS 9)

• $38,100 on 54 bids: 2006-07 Upper Deck Exquisite LeBron James Limited Logos, #43/50, auto patch (BGS 7, auto 10)

• $37,655 on 80 bids: 2014 Panini Contenders Derek Carr Rookie Ticket Cracked Ice, #2/22, auto (BGS 10, auto 10)

• $35,735 on 96 bids: 2013-14 Panini Immaculate Giannis Antetokounmpo, #25/34, auto patch (BGS 9)

• $35,655 on 52 bids: 2020-21 Panini National Treasures LaMelo Ball, #69/99, auto patch (BGS 9, auto 10)

• $35,100 on 92 bids: 1957 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA 8.5)

• $33,990 on 44 bids: 1986-87 Fleer Jeff Malone (PSA 10)

• $33,433 on 85 bids: 2000 Bowman Chrome Tom Brady (BGS 10)

The one that pops out is Jeff Malone’s 1986-87 Fleer — the reported price, of course, seems out of whack. Malone was a good player — a gunner of a shooting guard who averaged 19 points per game in his 13-year season — but he was no Michael Jordan.

The high price here is attributable to the card’s PSA 10 condition. Malone’s card is known to be the toughest in the set to find in top grade. In grade 9 condition, it’s a $300 to $400 card, according to PSA. But that 10 — whew!