Josh Hamilton
Date of Birth: 5/21/1981
Rookie Card Year: 1999
Investment Rating: 6.0
Overview
Once a highly-touted prospect, Josh Hamilton was pegged in the late-90s as a can't-miss future star. Josh Hamilton cards were among the hottest in the hobby. With high hopes and great expectations, the then Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected Hamilton as the first overall pick in the 1999 MLB Draft.
Following a well-documented drug addiction that derailed Hamilton's MLB aspirations, Hamilton earned a shot with the Texas Rangers. He won the American League MVP award in 2010 after hitting a league-leading .359 to go along with 32 home runs and 100 RBIs. He also helped lead the Texas Rangers to their first World Series appearance.
Following the 2012 season, Hamilton signed a free-agent deal with the Los Angeles Angels, before returning to the Rangers for his final season in 2015.
Hamilton has just four rookie cards, all from 1999. None are terribly expensive, although high-end collectors can chase after a handful of much tougher parallels.
Josh Hamilton Rookie Card Checklist
1999 Bowman Josh Hamilton RC #431
Hamilton's first pack-inserted rookie card pictures the young star smiling as he leans against a batting cage. It's in stark contrast to the striking tattoos his cards show today. Hamilton also has an International parallel in the set. Not tough to come by, the foil card generally sells for just a little more than the base card.
1999 Bowman Chrome Josh Hamilton RC #431
A chromium version of his regular Bowman card, this is the most desirable Hamilton rookie cards. It is also available in several parallels: International, Refractors, International Refractors (#/100), Gold and Gold Refractors (#/25).
1999 Topps Traded Josh Hamilton RC #T66
After a few years away from the hobby, Topps Traded returned in 1999 as a boxed set. The picture of Hamilton is very similar to his Bowman cards with Hamilton posing in a batting stance with the shot coming from below. Each 1999 Topps Traded set came with a rookie autograph. Hamilton was included and it's his only major league autograph from 1999.
1999 Topps Chrome Traded Josh Hamilton RC #T66
A chromium version of the basic Topps Traded card, this set was also distributed only in box sets. 1999 Topps Chrome Traded has no parallels or inserts.
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Autograph Guide
Josh Hamilton Autographed Memorabilia Buying Guide
Below you will find an example of what Josh Hamilton's authentic signature looks like. This can be used as a first point of reference for determining the legitimacy of autograph memorabilia, but is not a substitute for having your items authenticated by a well-respected professional autograph authentication company. Some of the trusted sources within the sports memorabilia market include the following companies: PSA, JSA, Steiner, Tristar and Panini Authentic. Click on any of the images below to view full size photos.
Josh Hamilton Cut Signature Exemplar
Josh Hamilton Key Signature Attributes: An authentic Josh Hamilton signature autograph will exhibit several distinguishing characteristics. Regardless of the type of item or when it was signed, look for the following signature features:
- Signature is truly unique, written in cursive script, with few letters discernible and written on a slight angle of about 15 degrees.
- The signature is defined by the over-sized letter "J" which consists of a large loop, unclosed, resembling a backwards capital letter "D" and a vertical line on a right leaning angle.
- A large "," implies the letters "o-s-h."
- The letters in the last name are not decipherable, but looking at the character as a whole, look for what looks like an over-sized letter "C" with part of the bottom portion using to cross two parallel lines which is the letter "H."
- A 45 degree line coming off the second of the small parallel lines flows into what can look like an additional letter "c."
Josh Hamilton Signed Baseball
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Josh Hamilton Signed Jersey
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Josh Hamilton Signed Bat
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Josh Hamilton Signed Photo
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More Info
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