John Franco (Note: This is actually a baseball card featuring a pitcher, not a football player)
Pitcher · Cincinnati Reds
1985 Fleer Baseball #Not visible (likely in the hundreds)
Year & Era
1985 — Junk Wax Era
Card Type
Base Card with In-Person Autograph
Grade
Raw — appears Excellent to Near Mint (EX-MT)
Rarity
Common base card with a customized in-person signature
Overall Assessment
A fun vintage collectible featuring a great relief pitcher, though limited in monetary value due to being a non-football item and having an unauthenticated in-person signature
Condition Grade
Raw — appears Excellent to Near Mint (EX-MT)
Centering Assessment
Front appears slightly heavy on the right border and top-heavy
Surface Condition
Good surface overall with some minor scuffing on the top loader and light surface wear visible under the autograph
Corner Condition
Corners show minor softening consistent with age and raw storage
Edge Condition
Edges are generally clean with light wear along the borders
Print Quality
Standard 1985 Fleer print quality with typical soft borders and matte finish
Estimated Value
1 to 5 USD raw, highly dependent on the authenticity of the in-person autograph
Comparison to Known Examples
Typical raw copy with standard centering issues common to 1985 Fleer production
Authentication Tips
Verify the blue sharpie signature against known exemplars of John Franco's in-person autograph
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading due to low raw market value unless certified by a major authentication service like JSA or PSA for the autograph
Red Flags
In-person signature lacks third-party certificate of authenticity (COA), which reduces buyer confidence
Provenance Notes
Sourced from a raw collection, likely obtained at a game or card show signing
Historical Context
John Franco was a notable relief pitcher and four-time All-Star, famous for his tenure with the New York Mets
Market Trends
Stable low-end market for 1980s baseball commons and in-person signed vintage cards
Investment Potential
Low investment potential; primarily a nostalgic piece for player collectors
Similar Cards
1985 Topps John Franco, 1986 Fleer John Franco
Display & Preservation
Store in a standard penny sleeve and rigid top loader away from direct sunlight
Interesting Facts
John Franco finished his career with 424 saves, ranking high on the all-time MLB saves list