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)
In 1971, Ron Cey played in 2 games, batting in all of them. He had 2 at bats, getting 0 hits, for a .000 batting average, with 0 runs batted in. He was walked 0 times. He struck out 2 times.
In 1971, Ron Cey played in 2 games, all for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and batting in all of them. He had 2 at bats, getting 0 hits, for a .000 batting average, with 0 runs batted in. He was walked 0 times. He struck out 2 times.
The two rare cards are chipper jones rookie worth 4-1 dollars and the mike mussina rookie worth 2-1 dollars.
In 1985, Ron Cey played in 145 games, batting in all of them. He had 500 at bats, getting 116 hits, for a .232 batting average, with 0 sacrifice hits, 2 sacrifice flies, and 63 runs batted in. He was walked 58 times, 9 times intentionally, and was hit by the pitch 4 times. He struck out 106 times. He hit 18 doubles, 2 triples, and 22 home runs.
In 1985, Ron Cey played in 145 games, all for the Chicago Cubs, and batting in all of them. He had 500 at bats, getting 116 hits, for a .232 batting average, with 0 sacrifice hits, 2 sacrifice flies, and 63 runs batted in. He was walked 58 times, 9 times intentionally, and was hit by the pitch 4 times. He struck out 106 times. He hit 18 doubles, 2 triples, and 22 home runs.
In 1974, Ron Cey played in 159 games, batting in all of them. He had 577 at bats, getting 151 hits, for a .262 batting average, with 3 sacrifice hits, 10 sacrifice flies, and 97 runs batted in. He was walked 76 times, 13 times intentionally, and was hit by the pitch 7 times. He struck out 68 times. He hit 20 doubles, 2 triples, and 18 home runs.
In 1976, Ron Cey played in 145 games, batting in all of them. He had 502 at bats, getting 139 hits, for a .277 batting average, with 2 sacrifice hits, 4 sacrifice flies, and 80 runs batted in. He was walked 89 times, 13 times intentionally, and was hit by the pitch 3 times. He struck out 74 times. He hit 18 doubles, 3 triples, and 23 home runs.
In 1978, Ron Cey played in 159 games, batting in all of them. He had 555 at bats, getting 150 hits, for a .270 batting average, with 2 sacrifice hits, 7 sacrifice flies, and 84 runs batted in. He was walked 96 times, 9 times intentionally, and was hit by the pitch 7 times. He struck out 96 times. He hit 32 doubles, 0 triples, and 23 home runs.
In 1986, Ron Cey played in 97 games, batting in all of them. He had 256 at bats, getting 70 hits, for a .273 batting average, with 1 sacrifice hits, 2 sacrifice flies, and 36 runs batted in. He was walked 44 times, 1 times intentionally, and was hit by the pitch 3 times. He struck out 66 times. He hit 21 doubles, 0 triples, and 13 home runs.
In 1973, Ron Cey played in 152 games, batting in all of them. He had 507 at bats, getting 124 hits, for a .245 batting average, with 4 sacrifice hits, 8 sacrifice flies, and 80 runs batted in. He was walked 74 times, 7 times intentionally, and was hit by the pitch 2 times. He struck out 77 times. He hit 18 doubles, 4 triples, and 15 home runs.
In 1975, Ron Cey played in 158 games, batting in all of them. He had 566 at bats, getting 160 hits, for a .283 batting average, with 3 sacrifice hits, 8 sacrifice flies, and 101 runs batted in. He was walked 78 times, 15 times intentionally, and was hit by the pitch 7 times. He struck out 74 times. He hit 29 doubles, 2 triples, and 25 home runs.
In 1977, Ron Cey played in 153 games, batting in all of them. He had 564 at bats, getting 136 hits, for a .241 batting average, with 3 sacrifice hits, 7 sacrifice flies, and 110 runs batted in. He was walked 93 times, 6 times intentionally, and was hit by the pitch 2 times. He struck out 106 times. He hit 22 doubles, 3 triples, and 30 home runs.