Will the Steroid Scandal Affect Prices of Baseball Rookie Cards?

While everyone else was concerned about steroids and the “death of baseball” after the release of the Mitchell Report, the first thing that popped into my head was, “I wonder what this will do to the value of the baseball cards of those included in the report?”

Specifically, that of Roger Clemens. He is, without a doubt, among the most famous pitchers in baseball over the last 20 years. Along with Barry Bonds, his rookie baseball card used to be worth big money in the early 1990s- before the bursting of the baseball card bubble and before the sting of steroids.

What was his rookie season? 1985.

But now that Clemens has been specifically fingered, will it bring down the price of his card? Barry Bonds’ rookie card suffered for years even as he was breaking one of the most sacred records in baseball. His card just doesn’t go up in value.

Apparently, I’m not the only one asking such questions. From WECT TV6 in Wilmington:

Jim Smith, the owner of the sports card store says that some of Barry Bonds’ memorabilia has decreased in value, and some rookie cards of other players listed in the Mitchell Report may go down in price as well.

However, Smith notes that at times like this, some collectors are dying to get their hands on some memorabilia.

“Sometimes stuff like this actually caught, makes the stuff sell better. A good example will be O.J. Simpson. For about two months there, you could sell anything you could get your hands on with O.J. Simpson, and then that went away. People get caught up in a hype,” explained Smith.

There is no doubt that steroid allegations are hurting the memorabilia market for some of baseball’s biggest stars. This includes the all-important rookie card of these players.

From the Rocky Mountain News:

There was a time when sports collectors were willing to spend $200 for Mark McGwire’s rookie baseball card.

Bill’s Sports Collectibles now sells the card for $30.

Whatever inventory Bill’s Sports Collectibles has of McGwire and Barry Bonds in his South Broadway store isn’t worth very much today.

The players’ appeal has fallen considerably for baseball fans since allegations began surfacing in recent years they used steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs to bash home runs, Bill Vizas, the store’s owner, said Thursday.

“We don’t actively pursue Mark McGwire or Barry Bonds,” Vizas said.

Rookie cards at Bill’s Sports Collectibles for Bonds and seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens also are going for about $30. Select Topps baseball cards might go for substantially higher online, Vizas said.

Brutal price reductions send the message.

No one wants you. The kiss of death in collecting.

Might these cards be “value” investments right now? Maybe in 10 years they will regain their luster.

Bonds’ card has been down on its luck for years, though. It seems unlikely that he will be able to turn around his image anytime soon. Baseballs signed by Clemens sell for as much as $350. It’s likely that value will drop now. By how much? That’s anyone’s guess. Same thing will happen with the rookie cards. The Mitchell Report is leaving a bad taste in fans’ mouths, that’s for sure.

All I know is- owning the rookie card of one of the guys in the report seems pretty risky as an investment. I’ll stick to my Cal Ripken and Greg Maddux instead. Thanks.