Why does ron cey have 2 rookie cards?

Answer 1

Ron Cey Rookie Card(s)The definition of a Rookie Card as defined by Baseball card price guides - A players first year of cards, whether or not it is his rookie season. Players may have one or dozens of rookie cards, depending on how highly touted he was as a youngster and in which year his rookie card was issued.

A rookie card is generally applied to a player's first appearance on a baseball card of major card manufacturers like Donruss, Fleer Upper Deck, or Topps. Price guides like Beckett, and Tuff Stuff denoted rookie cards with either a R or RC by a player's name.

XRC is designated by the major price guides if it was released in an extended or limited set outside of the regular issued set of the major company. Most often once a player was drafted and prior to a player's first major league appearance.

There is no exact definition to the difference between an RC or an XRC. Basically it comes down to what designation the price guides give it, as with the designation of a players Rookie Card.

Ron Cey had 2 At Bats in the Major Leagues in 1971, and Topps issue his First Card in 1972 #761 RC (could also be designated as FTC - First Topps Card)

Now on the Major League Baseball regulation side - Determining rookie status: A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club or clubs during the period of 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled list).

In 1972 Ron Cey had 37 At Bats (39 total MLB) So he was still considered a rookie. Topps then issue his second "rookie Card" in 1973 #615. This card has a higher value because it also features Mike Schmidt (RC)