Just about every kid who has collected Baseball cards knows exactly what this is. Since 1959 Topps has awarded a group of the brightest young stars in the game with an "All-Star Rookie" trophy logo on their subsequent Baseball card. What I didn't know is that they apparently awarded a similar distinction to up-'n-coming prospects in the Minor Leagues; as evidenced by the trophy above. Check out the auction listing here on eBay.
Featured is an Topps National Association All-Star Rookie Team trophy cup that was given to fast rising prospect Steve Garvey for his excellent play during his freshman campaign with the Ogden Dodgers in 1968 as a third baseman. In fact, this might very well be the first professional trophy he had ever received. Garvey had just been drafted and signed by the club that June, and immediately joined the rookie level team in the Pioneer League. That season he hit 20 home runs, drove in 59 RBI's and slashed an impressive .338/.421/.699/1.120 in just 254 plate appearances. So, it's not surprising he would be recognized like this. As you can see the trophy looks just like the logo that was awarded to the Major League rookies since the 70's (see the pic on the right). This trophy has a rather rough looking patina to it, so I'd suggest buffing that out. It's time to make it shiny and new again.
BTW, this award was originally sold by SCP Auctions back in the Spring of 2013. It has sold for $472.00 then.
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I would have guessed more than $500... I collect all the Topps Rookie All-Star base cards each year, something like this would be a fantastic centerpiece for that collection. . . Not that I could shell out that kind of dough.
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