Top 10 Roberto Clemente cards for collectors

Roberto Clemente was a legendary baseball player widely regarded as one of the greatest outfielders in baseball history. Known for his exceptional hitting and fielding, the 12-time Gold Glove winner spent his entire 18-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 to 1972.

Clemente was a perennial vote-getter for National League MVP. In 1966, he won the award — the only time he would — with a .317 average that included 31 home runs and 119 RBIs. Overall, Clemente’s batting average was over .300 for 13 seasons and he recorded 3,000 hits during his MLB career. He also won the World Series in 1960 and 1971.

Off the field, Clemente was known for his humanitarian efforts. He was deeply committed to helping people in need, particularly in Latin American countries. Clemente often sent aid and supplies to those affected by natural disasters. In 1972, he lost his life while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

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A native of Puerto Rico, he was posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973. As a result, he became the first Latin American and Caribbean player to achieve the honor. His No. 21 was retired by the Pirates that same year.

In the five decades since his death, Clemente has become one of the most collectable players in baseball history. Here’s a look at Clemente’s top baseball cards:

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Clemente’s rookie card remains one of the most iconic and highly sought after by collectors. The card — issued in the 1955 Topps set — features both a close-up portrait of Clemente and him in a batting stance in the background. Along with rookie cards of Sandy Koufax and Harmon Killebrew, this Clemente card is part of a set that endures to this day.

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Another significant piece of cardboard in the world of collecting is Clemente’s 1958 Topps card. It features a large color photograph of Clemente in a batting pose and bright yellow background. The name on the top, “Bob Clemente,” is in red letters. Some of Clemente’s cards called him that to save space. Critics have said this was done because people were uncomfortable with Clemente's name even though he never went by “Bob.”

This card is both unique and collectible since it’s part of a promotional set issued by Kahn’s, a meat processing company based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The cards were distributed as a part of promotional campaigns, often included with packs of hot dogs. The set features players from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates, which is why Clemente is included.

This card holds special significance as it was issued after the ballplayer’s death. The card features Clemente taking a swing a year after he recorded his 3,000th, and final, hit as a major leaguer.

The 1956 Topps set is known for its iconic and classic design, featuring a player’s color photograph against a background with a team logo or a player action shot. Clemente’s card depicts both his portrait and one of him with outstretched arms making a clutch catch near the outfield wall.

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Known for its vibrant colors and iconic design, this Topps set is popular among collectors. Clemente’s card includes a closeup of his face while he’s wearing a Pirates cap. He is referred to “Bob” on this card as well, alongside his team and position across the bottom.

Clemente’s card issued during the 1959 season also features a portrait of him in his Pittsburgh uniform. It again uses the name “Bob” to describe him and has a fun fact on the back noting that Clemente played both second and third base, in addition to being an outfielder, during the 1956 season.

This card is one of Clemente’s last before his death. Part of the 1972 Topps baseball set, the card is often referred to as the “In Action” subset. He also appears in the set under card No. 309 of him looking down and tossing a ball. Both cards remain valuable despite being released 12 years after his rookie card.

Clemente's 1968 Topps 3-D card is unique for its distinctive lenticular, three-dimensional design. The card features a hologram-like effect that creates the illusion of depth and movement when the card is tilted. The card displays his portrait and an action shot of Clemente swinging at a pitch. In 2015, a rare uncut sheet with Roberto Clemente and two unreleased cards – Tommy Davis and John O’Donoghue – sold in the Goodwin & Co. Auction for $50,061.

Collectors looking for a Clemente patch should look no further than this card. A remake of his rookie card, this Topps Original Relics card features a circular swatch of one of his game-worn jerseys. 

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