Robinson Cano
Date of Birth: 10/22/1982
Rookie Card Year: 2003
Investment Rating: 6.0
Overview
It's hard to imagine that a member of the New York Yankees can be a quiet superstar. That's exactly what Robinson Cano was for many years as part of the Yankees line-up. Dodging the spotlight that follows the every move teammates Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, Cano emerged as one of baseball's best second basemen. Now that he has taken his game to Seattle and Robinson Cano cards and memorabilia, while still likely to be popular, may not be as popular as they once were.
Signed by the Yankees as a free agent in 2001, Cano made his debut with New York in May, 2005. He was voted into the All-Star Game a year later, however injury kept him from the game. Cano has hit above .300 in every full season he's played for the Yankees except for 2007. He's not only a perennial batting champion contender, but he's also one of the best power-hitters in the game and a Gold Glove winner as well. Cano won the 2011 Home Run Derby in dramatic fashion, hitting against his father, Jose Cano, a former pitcher with the Houston Astros.
As a leader on the New York Yankees, Cano baseball cards were always in demand. The same can be said for his autographs and other pieces of sports memorabilia. Especially popular are autographed Cano baseballs, photos and Yankees jerseys. Collectors may want to look for signed 2009 World Series baseballs or 2011 All-Star Game baseballs, which commemorate his Home Run Derby win.
Cano has just six rookie cards. None are autographed, serial numbered or massively short printed, making them affordable to all collectors. For those looking for the high-end chase, Cano does have a handful of rare parallels and one autographed insert. His most popular rookie cards come are 2003 Topps Pristine Baseball and 2003 Bowman Chrome Draft Baseball. Retro card fans will want to track down his 2003 Bowman Heritage Baseball card, which carries a classic knothole design. Collectors can also find Cano's lone MLB-licensed autograph in Bowman Heritage, which was part of the Signs of Greatness insert set.
In December of 2013, Cano signed a free agent deal with the Seattle Mariners. Moving to a much smaller market may have a significant impact on the values of his cards and memorabilia. However, if he can help the rebuilding Mariners return to the postseason it may fend off a fire sale of his rookie cards and autographed memorabilia.
Robinson Cano Prospect & Rookie Cards
2003 Bowman Draft Robinson Cano RC #BDP124
Cano's 2003 Bowman Draft Baseball card features the second baseman in his Futures Game uniform. The black borders make it a little more difficult to keep in mint condition as even the most minor ding shows up.
2003 Bowman Chrome Draft Robinson Cano RC #BDP124
A chromium version of Cano's regular Bowman Draft card, this is one of the superstar's best rookie cards. Inserted in the same packs as Bowman Draft, the Bowman Chrome cards are somewhat rarer. Refractor parallels are also popular among collectors, particularly X-Fractors (#/130) and Gold Refractors (#/50).
2003 Bowman Heritage Robinson Cano RC #210
Bowman Heritage was one of the more underrated brands when it was around. The card features a portrait of Cano framed by a fence knothole. Like all rookies in the set, Cano has two parallels in the set: Facsimile Signatures, which feature a black border, and Rainbow. As mentioned above, Cano also has a Signs of Greatness autograph in the set.
2003 Topps Traded Rabinson Cano RC #T200
The 2003 Topps Traded Cano is one of his least valuable rookie cards. Featuring a thick blue border and an unflattering photo of the second baseman swinging, it doesn't carry the iconic flair many other Topps rookie cards have. Cano has a Gold parallel in the set that is numbered to 2003.
2003 Topps Chrome Traded Robinson Cano RC #T200
2003 Topps Chrome Traded baseball cards were bundled together with regular Topps Traded cards but at a shorter rate. The card features the same design as Cano's regular Topps Traded card, only with chromium card stock. Parallels include Refractors and uncirculated X-Fractors. Limited to 25 copies, X-Fractors were distributed as box toppers in jumbo boxes.
2003 Topps Pristine Robinson Cano RC #179
Cano's 2003 Topps Pristine card is his most high-end rookie card. The chromium card was part of a pricey set that included a complex multiple levels of base cards (common, uncommon and rare) and parallels (Printing Plates, Refractors and Gold Refractors). He also has a mini card in the set.
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Autograph Guide
Robinson Cano Autographed Memorabilia Buying Guide
Below you will find an example of what Robinson Cano'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: Steiner Sports, PSA, JSA, and Mounted Memories.
Robinson Cano Cut Signature Exemplar:
Robinson Cano Key Signature Attributes: An authentic Robinson Cano signature autograph will exhibit several distinguishing characteristics. Despite his signature having a tendency to vary depending upon the venue, the type of item or when it was signed, look for at least some of the following signature features:
- The signature is carefully written and consists of just a few characters of each name (last and first).
- The letters "R-O-B" are clearly legible with the "R" lacking the vertical connecting line you normally associate with the letter.
- The pen flows into the letter "O" which is completely closed and goes into a capital "B."
- A significant space usually exists between first and last name.
- The letter "C" is easily discernible with a full curlycue on the top.
- The letter "a" is distinguished from an "o" by the small diagonal cut back line.
- A trailing line with a curl back to the left at the end, implies the letters "n-o."
Robinson Cano Signed Baseball Pricing:
Active Listings for Robinson Cano Signed Baseballs
Robinson Cano Signed Jersey Pricing:
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Robinson Cano Signed Bat Pricing:
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Robinson Cano Signed Photograph Pricing:
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