Top 5 Most Valuable Chicago White Sox Baseball Cards of All Time
The Chicago White Sox are one of the charter members of Major League Baseball. Founded in 1900 as the Chicago White Stockings, the team has a long and storied history. Naturally, White Sox cards are highly sought after by baseball card collectors. Let's take a look at the 5 most valuable Chicago White Sox cards of all time.
#1 - 1909-11 T206 Eddie Cicotte
The 1909-11 T206 set is considered one of the most popular and valuable vintage baseball card sets. Cards from this set are over 100 years old! The Eddie Cicotte T206 card fetches top dollar due to Cicotte's involvement in the infamous Black Sox scandal during the 1919 World Series. Cicotte was one of 8 players banned from baseball for life for conspiring to throw the 1919 World Series. This card graded PSA 5 sold for a whopping $56,100 in April 2021.
#2 - 1916 M101-5 Sporting News Babe Ruth Rookie Card
Before becoming a legend with the Yankees, Babe Ruth started his MLB career as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. In 1914, the Red Sox traded Ruth to the White Sox. The M101-5 Babe Ruth rookie card features him in a White Sox uniform. This card is extremely scarce and desirable among vintage baseball card collectors. A PSA 2 graded copy of Ruth's White Sox rookie card sold for $39,000 in July 2020.
#3 - 1990 Leaf Frank Thomas Rookie Card
Frank Thomas is one of the greatest hitters in White Sox history. The burly first baseman was a 2-time AL MVP during the 1990s. His 1990 Leaf rookie card is very popular among modern baseball card collectors. A PSA 10 "gem mint" copy of Big Hurt's 1990 Leaf rookie sold for $33,600 in January 2022. That's big money for a modern card!
#4 - 1955 Topps Luis Aparicio Rookie Card
Nicknamed "Little Louie", Luis Aparicio is a Hall of Fame shortstop who spent 13 seasons with the White Sox. He was the 1956 AL Rookie of the Year and won 9 Gold Glove awards. His 1955 Topps rookie is the key card in the set. This important post-war card sold for $31,200 in PSA 8 condition in April 2021.
#5 - 1933 Goudey Chuck Klein
Chuck Klein was one of the top sluggers of the 1930s while playing for the Philadelphia Phillies. However, he did spend part of the 1933 season with the White Sox before being traded back to the Phillies. Klein's 1933 Goudey baseball card is his only card depicting him with the White Sox. This iconic Goudey card garnered $24,150 in SGC 4 condition in July 2021.
Honorable Mentions:
- 1917 White Sox Team Photo: $22,325 (Jan 2022)
- 1914 Cracker Jack Shoeless Joe Jackson: $21,600 (April 2021)
- 1993 Finest Refractor Michael Jordan #23: $20,400 (Feb 2022)
As you can see, vintage hall of famers and short term Sox stars like Ruth, Cicotte, and Klein command top dollar. Rookie cards of White Sox legends like Aparicio and Thomas remain extremely valuable as well. Iconic cards from pre-war sets like T206, Goudey, and Cracker Jack are always in high demand. And quirky cards like Michael Jordan's baseball refractor provide modern intrigue.
There is a strong market for rare and high grade White Sox cards from all eras. The value depends on the player, card design, and condition. Rookie cards, vintage hall of famers, and unusual cards are likely to sell for big money at auction.
When buying high value cards, be sure to verify authenticity and grade from reputable grading companies like PSA, SGC, or BVG. Store your cards properly in cases away from direct light, heat, or moisture. Handle cards carefully by the edges only. With proper care, your White Sox cards can maintain or even increase in value over the years!