Nate Frese
Shortstop (Baseball) · Chicago Cubs
Fleer Tradition Baseball ##440
Year & Era
2001 — Modern Era
Card Type
Base Prospect Card
Grade
Raw — Appears EX-MT 6 to NM 7
Rarity
Common; high print run with many existing copies.
Overall Assessment
Note: This is a baseball card, not a football card. It is a common prospect card of Nate Frese from the 2001 Fleer Tradition set. It holds sentimental or set-filler value but lacks significant monetary or investment appeal.
Condition Grade
Raw — Appears EX-MT 6 to NM 7
Centering Assessment
Front: Approx. 60/40 Top-Bottom and 55/45 Left-Right; reasonably well-centered for the set.
Surface Condition
Overall clean, though Fleer Tradition stock from this era is prone to light surface scratches and wax staining.
Corner Condition
Visible softening on the bottom-right corner; upper-left corner appears slightly rounded.
Edge Condition
Mild chipping consistent with the paper-stock design of the 2001 Fleer Tradition set; edges are generally straight but not pristine.
Print Quality
Standard for 2001; features a matte finish with a dual-image design. Color saturation is modest.
Estimated Value
$0.25 - $1.00 USD
Comparison to Known Examples
This copy shows more corner wear than high-grade PSA 9 or 10 examples found in registry sets.
Authentication Tips
Check for the Fleer Tradition silver foil logo; these cards are rarely counterfeited due to low market value.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading as the cost of fees ($15-$25+) far exceeds the market value of the card.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; the card appears authentic and unaltered.
Provenance Notes
Likely sourced from 2001 Fleer Tradition wax packs or retail factory sets.
Historical Context
Nate Frese was a 10th-round pick for the Cubs in 1999; this card represents the era of 'Prospect' inserts and subsets during the turn of the millennium.
Market Trends
Stagnant; the player did not reach the Major Leagues, limiting collector demand to Cubs completists.
Investment Potential
Low; this is a common card of a non-star player and is unlikely to appreciate in value.
Similar Cards
2001 Fleer Tradition Albert Pujols RC (#451) or Ichiro Suzuki RC (#453).
Display & Preservation
Standard penny sleeve and top loader are sufficient for preservation.
Interesting Facts
The 2001 Fleer Tradition set design was a tribute to the classic 1954 Topps layout, featuring the large action shot and smaller portrait.