The Topps Tom Glavine rookie card is not the most valuable card of all time. But for baseball fans, and Atlanta Braves fans especially, Tom Glavine will be remembered as one of the game’s coolest, calmest, and craftiest pitchers.
During his 21 years in the major leagues, he was a 10-time all-star and became etched in the hearts of Atlanta Braves fans when he won them their first World Series title in 1995.
The Hall-of-Famer also racked up 164 victories during the 1990s and earned the second-highest number of wins as a pitcher in the National League.
Tom Glavine Rookie Cards
Glavine had dozens of cool collectible baseball cards over the years. But, of course, his rookie cards are most desirable for collectors.
Even though it took him a few years to find his footing in the big leagues in the late 1980s, his first cards from his rookie year make great additions to any card collection.
1986 ProCards Greenville Braves Tom Glavine Rookie Card
The ProCards Greenville Braves Tom Glavine PSA 10 card sells for $650.
1987 Bob’s Camera Richmond Braves Tom Glavine Rookie
Only about 500 Bob’s Camera Tom Glavine rookie cards were printed. Graded cards are tough to find, so values hold up well. For Tom Glavine fans, this is a great card to collect.
Even ungraded sales on eBay are rare, with an asking price of $65.
1988 Topps Tom Glavine #779
Topps cards were the biggest brand in the 1980s, and Tom Glavine became one of the premier rookie pitchers in the MLB.
The Topps baseball cards of the late 80s had a classic look. That could be because everyone in the hobby remembers the cards from the card-collecting boom of that era.
The classic Topps yellow name ribbon and the usual styling and vital stats on the back make this a classic 80s Topps rookie card.
As for the values of the Tom Glavine Topps #779 rookie cards, they won’t break any auction records anytime soon. Prices for the PSA 10 Gem Mint versions of the card will only fetch around $70.
1988 Topps Tiffany Tom Glavine Rookie Card #779
Tiffany versions are better versions of the base cards. They were made in smaller quantities and had a higher quality too.
First, they are noticeably glossier due to a thin film applied during production. This film makes the colors brighter and the card shinier; it also preserves it well.
The Tiffany versions are more challenging to find than the base cards, which is part of their appeal and higher value for resale.
The 1988 Topps Tiffany Tom Glavine card is the most valuable of his rookie cards.
Despite Tom Glavine’s legendary Hall-of-Famer status, his Topps Tiffany rookie card is under the radar and won’t break the bank if you’re considering buying one.
You may have even mistaken a Glavine rookie card as a worthless common back in the day. However, over the years, he solidified himself as a premier big-game pitcher.
1988 Fleer Tom Glavine Rookie RC #539
Fleer was a very popular card brand in the late 80s. It captures the late 1980s perfectly with the red, white, and blue striped effects and the white border.
The entire Fleer factory set sells for $25 – $30, including the Glavine card.
The Fleer Glavine RC is an excellent choice for fans of the player because it’s a beautiful card with a very reasonable price tag.
1988 Fleer #539 Tom Glavine RC Braves HOF BCCG 10 GEM MINT value- $200
1988 Fleer Glossy Tom Glavine Rookie
Only 17 PSA 10 Fleer Glossy cards exist, making this Glavine rookie rare and worth over $500.
1988 Donruss #644 Tom Glavine
Donruss was another massively popular card brand from the 1980s, and the Glavine Donruss rookie is a classic-looking card.
The blue, black, and red patterns, the white frame, and the iconic logo in the top left corner. The Donruss has little value, too.
One of the reasons Donruss Tom Glavine rookies have less value than some other players is the massive supply of these cards in the 80s.
These high production numbers on the 1988 Donruss mean a surplus; as we all know, scarcity is the primary value factor in the baseball card world.
The low value might put the profit-hunting collectors off, but it’s an excellent opportunity to add a Hall of Famer to your collection.
1988 Score Tom Glavine Rookie Card #638
The 1988 Score baseball card has the coolest image of the pitcher by far – A live-action unposed picture of Glavine doing what he does best!
The Score brand had fantastic imagery, and the mustard and red colorway screamed out of the eighties.
This was another card with very high production numbers. So it’s a great bargain, even in gem mint condition.
The back of the card is classic Score, with a full-on short-story bio, the vital stats, and a summary at the top.
1988 Score Glossy Tom Glavine #638
Score’s “Glossy” series featured an appealing and aesthetic difference between this and the base card version. The Glossy range was Score’s answer to Topps Tiffany cards.
Like the Topps Tiffany versions, the Glossy versions have better quality cardboard and glossy veneer, which last much longer than the base card.
The Score glossy sports cards were also produced in smaller quantities, making them more valuable in the Beckett price guide.
Again, you won’t need to break the bank to get your hands on a Glavine Score rookie baseball card for fans that want to start a collection.
1989 Bowman Tom Glavine Rookie #267
This is contentious for some collectors who don’t consider it a rookie card. You’ll notice it’s dated 1989, unlike the rest of the bunch, from 1988.
This is because it’s the first Tom Glavine Bowman card produced, and they were a year late in production.
Technically, 1989 is not Glavine’s rookie year, but since it’s the first Glavine card made by Bowman, we’ll include it in the rookie card list.
The Bowman designs were a lot classier and understated, making this trading card a popular choice.
The classic red and black pencil-thin border and white frame design is a timeless look that could’ve come from any decade.
1989 Bowman Tiffany Tom Glavine #267
The first Bowman card also had a Tiffany version with better quality, better longevity, and slightly higher value. BGS 9.5 graded cards are valued at roughly $50, while SGC 9.5 graded cards are worth around $40.
Tom Glavine Atlanta Braves rookie cards are classic 1980s items. Glavine’s soft-spoken, easy-going persona fit well with the Braves teams of the 90s.
They won a lot of ball games in that era, and Glavine was a player at the heart of the team. You might not remember him as a superstar, but after an impressive career, it’s clear he was a dominant performer.
Other Great Tom Glavine Baseball Cards
1994 Topps Finest Refractor Tom Glavine #267 – PSA 9 Value – $140
1997 Topps Chrome Refractor Tom Glavine #19 – PSA 8 NM-MT Value – $25
2014 Panini HOF Tom Glavine 75th Anniversary Signatures Blue – PSA 10 Value – $260
Tom Glavine Autograph Memorabilia
Game-used and autographed memorabilia are best purchased from a reputable source, including certification by Upper Deck.
And of course, if you have a Glavine autograph straight from the source himself, it makes a great collectible.
Cy Young Winner, First Ballot Hall of Famer
A five-time 20-game winner, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, and a Hall of Famer.
Glavine was also one of only 24 pitchers in Major League history to earn 300 career wins. He was also the MVP of the 1995 World Series when the Braves beat the Cleveland Indians.
As Glavine neared his Senior year of high school, he had a big problem. He was just as good at ice hockey as he was on the pitcher’s mound.
Glavine was drafted by both the Los Angeles Kings in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft and the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball organization in the 2nd round of the 1984 amateur baseball draft.
He chose Baseball, and the Brave’s fans couldn’t be more grateful for his choice.
Hall of Fame Career
It’s fitting Tom Glavine was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014 alongside former Braves teammate Greg Maddux and Braves manager Bobby Cox.
As a member of a baseball dynasty in the 1990s, Glavine and his teammates advanced to the world series five times in that decade. 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, and 1999.
Glavine played most of his career with the Braves, then five seasons with the New York Mets, and back to the Braves for his final season in 2008.
Where is Tom Glavine Now?
So what happened to Tom Glavine? After a 22-year career as one of MLB’s best pitchers, Glavine retired in 2010 and started his new career as Atlanta Braves broadcast team special assistant.
His induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014 was his first eligible year, with 92% of the votes joined by fellow HOF inductees Frank Thomas and longtime teammate Greg Maddux.
His new role with the Braves includes spring training coaching, minor league talent evaluation, TV broadcasting, and front-office work.
He stepped away from Braves broadcasts recently. He is now spending time in Johns Creek, Georgia, with his wife and family and coaching his sons’ hockey and baseball teams.
Tom Glavine “The Head-Hunter”
One of baseball’s most hilarious scenes occurred in the 1980s when Tom Glavine was ordered to intentionally hit Philadelphia Phillies legend, Dale Murphy.
As one of the most soft-spoken baseball stars from back in the day, you wouldn’t see Tom Glavine playing “bean-ball” very often.
Here’s a video of possibly the worst attempt to bean a player in baseball history. Obviously, Glavine wasn’t trying to hurt Dale Murphy, as he threw four straight balls in his general direction.
“I think one of them was a change-up.” Even the announcers were confused with Glavine’s attempt to play “hardball.”
Tom Glavine was not known for “head-hunting.” But he wasn’t afraid to intimidate hitters when called upon to do so… if you want to be generous and call what you see in the video below – intimidation.
What Glavine was best known for, other than being an all-around great teammate and cool dude, was carving up the strike zone with deadly accuracy for 22 years.
Who Was Better, John Smoltz or Tom Glavine?
While John Smoltz had a better career ERA, Tom Glavine won 305 games over his career, and Smoltz only won 213. That’s 92 more wins for Glavine over Smoltz.
Not only did Glavine win more games, but he also pitched over 1,000 more innings. It’s a close call, but Tom Glavine had slightly better career numbers, all things considered.
Who Was Better Greg Maddux or Tom Glavine?
Looking at career wins, Maddux had 355, and Glavine 305. With 50 more victories than Glavine, it’s hard to argue Maddux wasn’t the better starter.
Maddux also had the lower career ERA, with just 3.16 earned runs per nine innings, whereas Glavine had a 3.54 career ERA. Maddux also racked up 6.1 strikeouts per nine innings, and Glavine only had 5.3.
If you still need convincing Greg Maddux had a more dominating career, here are my last two stats. 109 complete games for Maddux, and Glavine only had 56. Walks per nine innings – Maddux 1.8, and Glavine 3.1.
And if you’re a believer in the Wins Above Replacement numbers, Maddux is number 6 all-time among pitchers with a 106.1 bWAR. And Glavine’s bWAR? 74.
1989 Topps #157
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R.J. Bachman
Attic Capital – Writer, Editor, and Lifelong Collector
I would love to connect with you, so don’t hesitate to reach out and let me know more about your passion for collecting.
I’d still take Glavine in the playoffs if I have a must win game. Maddux was at best average in playoffs with Braves. Smoltz Glavine were the post season studs.
Good point. And Glavine could hit because he was a hockey player. He had 5 RBIs and hit .169 in the postseason, while Maddux had no RBIs with a .073 postseason batting average. Maddux probably played soccer as a kid.