The George Brett rookie card lineup is a product of its era. A classic among 1970s baseball cards, the Hall of Famer has one main card plus a couple of others that are similar but different. Toss in a couple of team-issue releases and vintage collectors have a few different paths they can head down.
George Brett Rookie Card Checklist and Key Early Cards
1974 Royals Postcards George Brett
Although not a traditional baseball card, this postcard predates other George Brett rookie cards by a year. Measuring 3 1/4″ by 5″, it’s an extremely rare find. PSA has graded just a handful of copies. By comparison, they’ve inspected his Topps RC more than 16,000 times. Brett is one of 29 players in the Royals set.
1975 O-Pee-Chee George Brett Rookie Card #228
On the front, there are no noticeable differences between this and Brett’s most famous rookie in 1975 Topps. Flip it over and things are more apparent. The biggest tell is the text. The O-Pee-Chee card has both English and French, aimed at the Canadian market. Typical for O-Pee-Chee, find a top condition card can be tough. The company didn’t exactly go with precision production. Sides are often on the rough side, looking as though they were cut with the butter knife equivalent of a paper cutter. It’s even more apparent thanks to the colorful borders.
Although overlooked compared to both of its American cousins, the key here is rarity. Canada is known for its love of hockey more than baseball. Not only that, but the country has long had a much smaller population. That means significantly smaller print runs and increased rarity.
1975 Royals Postcards George Brett
Similar to his 1974 postcard, this is a team issue. Again, not a traditional baseball card but something different for those looking for a deep dive into the Hall of Famers early releases — particularly if they want something different from his Topps rookie card or the ones that are adjacent.
1975 Topps George Brett Rookie Card #228
Simply put, the 1975 Topps George Brett rookie card is one of the most iconic baseball cards of the 1970s. The combination of a beloved Hall of Famer and a beloved set come together to make something memorable. It’s colorful in its design and simple with its photography. Although the posted shot might not be the most dynamic, it does a good job of showing Brett’s face and creating a connection with the collector. 1975 Topps Baseball is also home to another big RC, Robin Yount. While they held similar values for a long time, Brett has pulled ahead.
1975 Topps Mini George Brett Rookie Card #228
In 1975, Topps tried something a little different (pun intended). They reissued the year’s Topps Baseball release in a smaller format, measuring 2 1/4″ by 3 1/8″. Available exclusively along the west coast in the Michigan area, 1975 Topps Mini Baseball is a test release, although one that’s not particularly rare. The set has a strong following today with Brett being one of the key reasons.
