If you were watching game seven of the 2019 World Series, you remember the sound. That metallic clank when Howie Kendrick sent a Will Harris cutter off the foul pole in right field. It didn't just win the Washington Nationals a ring; it basically cemented Howie as a postseason deity. But here’s the thing about a Howie Kendrick rookie card: the market doesn't always treat him like a legend.
Value is a funny thing in hobby circles.
Most people hunt for the "next big thing," the 19-year-old phenom who might flame out in Triple-A. They overlook the guys like Howie—the professional hitters who put up 1,747 career knocks and hit .294 over 15 seasons. Because he wasn't a "power guy" or a flashy shortstop, his early stuff stayed affordable for a long time.
Honestly, that’s great news for you. Whether you’re a Nats fan looking for a piece of history or an Angels collector nostalgic for those mid-2000s squads, you can still grab a high-grade piece of his career without taking out a second mortgage. But you’ve gotta know which years actually count, because the "rookie" tag gets messy around 2006.
The 2006 Confusion: Why His "First" Cards Aren't All the Same
There’s a bit of a quirk with Howie's cardboard. If you look at a 2004 Topps Traded & Rookies #T154, it looks like a rookie card. It says "first year" in some contexts. But it’s technically considered a "prospect" card. The true Howie Kendrick rookie card era, at least according to the MLB's official licensing rules that kicked in back then, is 2006.
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This was the year of the "ROOKIE CARD" logo.
If you’re looking for the heavy hitters, you start with the 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft #BDP40. This is the one collectors gravitate toward. The base Chrome is solid, but the Refractors are where the real action is. You’ve got the standard Refractor, the X-Fractor (numbered to 299), and the Blue Refractor (numbered to 199). I’ve seen Blue Refractors in high grades fetch decent premiums because they just look incredible with that Angels red-and-white uniform contrast.
The Topps Chrome #327: A Classic Entry Point
If Bowman feels a bit too "prospecty" for you, the 2006 Topps Chrome #327 is the bread and butter. It’s clean. It’s shiny. It features Howie in that classic mid-swing pose that defined his career.
Price-wise? You’re usually looking at five to ten bucks for a raw copy in decent shape. If you want a PSA 10, expect to jump into the $50 to $80 range, depending on how many people are feeling nostalgic that week. It’s a low-population card compared to modern stars, mostly because people weren't grading every single base card back in 2006 like they do now.
Rare Parallel Hunting and Autographs
Some of you don't want the base stuff. You want the "white whale."
For the high-end hunters, the 2006 Bowman Sterling Autograph #BS-HK is the play. Sterling was a premium product, and the on-card signature adds a layer of authenticity that sticker autos just can't touch. These don't pop up every day. When they do, they’re usually tucked away in long-term player collections.
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Then there’s the 2006 Topps '52 Chrome #TCRC1.
This card is a throwback to the legendary 1952 Topps design. It’s numbered to 1952, which makes it scarce but not impossible to find. There’s also a "Gold" version numbered to just 52 copies. If you find one of those, you’ve found the crown jewel of Kendrick rookies.
- 2006 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Update #179: These used "leather" surfaces that look like a baseball. They’re notorious for the ink fading, so if you find one with a bold, dark signature, grab it.
- 2004 Just Minors #50: This is an "oddball" pre-rookie card. It's not worth much, maybe a couple of bucks, but it's cool for completionists who want to see Howie before the big leagues.
- 2006 Topps Update Black #UH144: Numbered to 55. These are incredibly tough to find in high grade because the black borders show every tiny white speck of wear.
What Drives the Value Today?
Howie isn't a Hall of Famer. He’s in that "Hall of Very Good" category. Usually, that means card prices crater after retirement. But Howie has the "Postseason Factor."
Every October, when the highlight reels of the greatest World Series moments start playing, that foul-pole blast in Houston is front and center. That keeps him relevant. It keeps his Howie Kendrick rookie card on the radar of Washington fans who want to remember the most improbable run in franchise history.
Also, look at his consistency. He hit over .300 eight different times. In an era of "three true outcomes" (strikeout, walk, or homer), Howie was a throwback. Collectors who value the "pure hitter" archetype tend to hold onto his cards longer than they do for some flash-in-the-pan power hitter who strikes out 200 times a year.
Tips for Buying (and Avoiding Fakes)
The good news: nobody is really out there counterfeiting Howie Kendrick base cards. It's not worth the effort. However, you do need to be careful with "trimmed" cards from this era. The 2006 Topps Chrome stock was thick and prone to corner chipping. If you see a raw card that looks too perfect—like, laser-straight edges that look unnaturally sharp—be a little skeptical.
Always check the back for "The Cup." In 2007, he had the Topps All-Star Rookie Cup on his cards, but those aren't his true rookies. Stick to the 2006 date for the real deal.
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Building a Howie "Legacy" Collection
If I were starting a Kendrick collection today, I wouldn't just stop at the rookies.
I’d look for his 2019 Topps Now #1020. This was the card released right after he was named the NLCS MVP. It’s not a rookie, obviously, but it’s a vital piece of his story. Then, naturally, you need the World Series cards.
Card collecting is about the story. Howie’s story is about being the underdog who became the hero. It’s about the guy who everyone thought was "done" in his mid-30s, only to put a city on his back.
Actionable Next Steps for Collectors
- Check the "Sold" Listings: Before you bid on a Howie Kendrick rookie card on eBay, filter by "Sold Items." Asking prices are often delusional. See what people actually paid in the last 90 days.
- Focus on 2006 Bowman Chrome: If you only buy one, make it the BDP40. It’s the industry standard.
- Inspect the Surface: 2006 Chrome cards are magnets for "refractor lines"—tiny scratches that happen during the manufacturing process. Use a flashlight to check the surface before buying "raw" cards.
- Look for Graded "9"s: Sometimes a PSA 9 is a third of the price of a PSA 10, but the naked eye can't tell the difference. If you're a "collector" and not a "flipper," the 9 is the best value in the building.
The market for 2000s-era stars is starting to stabilize. People are realizing that the "junk wax" era ended in the 90s, and the mid-2000s stuff actually has some scarcity. Howie might never be a $1,000 card guy, but he’s a legend in two different fanbases, and that’s a solid floor for any investment.