Baseball started to evolve from a casual, amateur pastime into a more organized and professional game. This period included the formation of the first professional leagues, the establishment of standardized rules, and the creation of the National League in 1876, which laid the groundwork for modern baseball. It was a transformative time that set the stage for the structured, professional sport that baseball would become in the 20th century.

Mack, Connie - 1887 Old Judge

This period was characterized by low-scoring games, a lack of home runs, and a heavy emphasis on strategy such as bunting and stolen bases. The baseballs used were less lively, and games often ended with scores like 1-0 or 2-1. Pitchers dominated, and players often played small ball to score runs.

Cobb, Ty - 1909 T206 - Bat Off

Crawford, Sam - 1909 T206

Faber, Red - 1919-22 W517

Flick, Elmer - 1909 T206

Johnson, Walter - 1909 T206

Marquard, Rube - 1909 T206 - EPDG/Polar Bear/Hands at Side

Rousch, Edd - 1920 W516-1/American Caramel E121

Walsh, Ed - 1911 T205

Young, Cy - 1909 T206

Marked by the end of the Dead-Ball Era, the live-ball era saw a significant increase in scoring and home runs. This change was due to the introduction of a more lively baseball and the rise of power hitters.

Alexander, Grover Cleveland - 1940 Play Ball

Appling, Luke - 1934 Goudey - Vintage Signature/Modern Signature

Averill, Earl - 1933 Goudey

Bancroft, Dave - 1921 W551

Bottomley, Jim - 1933 Goudey

Carey, Max - 1922 E-120 American Caramel

Cochrane, Mickey - 1933 Goudey

Collins, Eddie - 1933 Goudey

Combs, Earle - 1933 Goudey

Cronin, Joe - 1933 Goudey

Cuyler, KiKi - 1933 Goudey

Dean, Dizzy - 1934 Goudey

Dickey, Bill - 1933 Goudey

DiMaggio, Joe - 1939 Play Ball

Doerr, Bobby - 1938 Goudey

Faber, Red - 1933 Goudey

Feller, Bob - 1938 Goudey

Ferrell, Rick - 1933 Goudey

Foxx, Jimmie - 1933 Goudey

Frisch, Frankie - 1933 Goudey

Gehrig, Lou - 1933 DeLong

Gehringer, Charles - 1933 Goudey

Gomez, Lefty - 1933 Goudey

Goslin, Goose - 1933 Goudey

Grimes, Burleigh - 1933 Goudey

Greenberg, Hank - 1933 Goudey

Grove, Lefty - 1933 Goudey

Hafey, Chick - 1933 Goudey

Haines, Jesse - 1922 E-120 American Caramel & 1933 Goudey

Hartnett, Gabby - 1933 Goudey

Heilmann, Harry - 1940 Play Ball

Herman, Billy - 1933 Goudey

Hornsby, Rogers - 1933 Goudey

Hoyt, Waite - 1923 W515 & 1933 Goudey

Hubbell, Carl - 1933 Goudey Portrait/Follow Through

Jackson, Travis - 1933 Goudey

Kelly, George- 1921 E-121 American Caramel

Klein, Chuck - 1934 Goudey

Lindstrom, Freddie - 1933 Goudey

Lombardi, Ernie - 1934 Goudey

Lyons, Ted- 1933 Goudey

Marranville,  Rabbit - 1933 Goudey

Ott, Mel - 1933 Goudey

Pennock, Herb - 1933 Goudey

Rice, Sam - 1933 Goudey

Rixey, Eppa - 1933 Goudey

Ruffing, Red - 1933 Goudey

Sewell, Joe - 1921 E-121 American Caramel & 1933 Goudey

Simmons, Al - 1933 Goudey

Speaker, Tris - 1933 Goudey

Terry, Bill - 1933 Goudey

Vaughan, Arky - 1940 Play Ball

Waner, Lloyd- 1933 Goudey

Williams, Ted - 1940 Play Ball

This era is highlighted by the integration of baseball, beginning with Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in 1947. The game saw a more diverse group of players, and the competition became fiercer as more talented players from various backgrounds joined the league.

Aaron, Hank - 1954 Topps

Aparicio, Luis - 1956 Topps

Banks, Ernie - 1954 Topps

Berra, Yogi - 1948 Bowman

Boudreau, Lou - 1948 Leaf

Bunning, Jim - 1957 Topps

Cepeda, Orlando - 1958 Topps

Doby, Larry - 1949 Bowman

Drysdale, Don - 1957 Topps

Feller, Bob - 1948 Bowman

Ford, Whitey - 1951 Bowman

Fox, Nellie - 1951 Bowman

Gibson, Bob - 1959 Topps

Irvin, Monte - 1951 Bowman

Kaline, Al - 1955 Topps

Killebrew, Harmon- 1955 Topps

Kiner, Ralph - 1948 Bowman

Koufax, Sandy - 1955 Topps

Lemon, Bob - 1950 Bowman

Mantle, Mickey - 1951 Bowman

Marichal, Juan - 1961 Topps

Mathews, Eddie - 1952 Topps

Mays, Willie - 1951 Bowman

Mazeroski- Bill - 1957 Topps

Mize, Johnny - 1948 Bowman

Musial, Stan - 1948 Bowman

Reese, Pee Wee - 1941 Play Ball

Roberts, Robin - 1949 Bowman

Robinson, Brooks - 1957 Topps

Robinson, Frank - 1957 Topps

Robinson, Jackie - 1949 Bowman

Santo, Ron - 1961 Topps

Schoendienst, Red - 1948 Bowman

Slaughter, Enos - 1948 Bowman

Snider, Duke - 1949 Bowman

Spahn, Warren - 1948 Bowman

Williams, Billy - 1961 Topps

Yastrzemski, Carl - 1960 Topps

his period saw MLB expand from 16 teams to 26 teams, leading to more games and greater competition. The pitchers' dominance led to changes like lowering the pitching mound in 1969 to boost offense.

Bench, Johnny - 1968 Topps

Blyleven, Bert - 1971 Topps

Brock, Lou - 1962 Topps

Carew, Rod - 1967 Topps

Carlton, Steve - 1965 Topps

Carter, Gary - 1975 Topps

Dawson, Andre - 1977 Topps

Fingers, Rollie - 1969 Topps

Fisk, Carlton - 1972 Topps

Gossage, Goose- 1973 Topps

Jenkins, Ferguson - 1966 Topps

Morgan, Joe - 1965 Topps

Niekro, Phil - 1964 Topps

Palmer, Jim - 1966 Topps

Perez, Tony - 1965 Topps

Perry, Gaylord - 1962 Topps

Rice, Jim - 1975 Topps

Ryan, Nolan - 1968 Topps

Schmidt, Mike - 1973 Topps

Sutton, Don - 1966 Topps

Winfield, Dave - 1974 Topps

Yount, Robin - 1975 Topps

Marked by the advent of free agency in 1976, this era saw players gain more control over their careers, leading to significant salary increases and more player movement between teams. The era also witnessed a surge in home runs and offensive production.

Alomar, Roberto - 1988 Donruss

Glavine, Tom - 1989 Score

Gwynn, Tony - 1983 Topps

Henderson, Rickey - 1980 Topps

Martinez, Pedro - 1992 Upper Deck

Molitor, Paul - 1978 Topps

Morris, Jack - 1979 Topps

Murray, Eddie - 1978 Topps

Piazza, Mike - 1991 Bowman

Raines, Tim - 1981 Topps

Ripken Jr., Cal - 1983 Topps

Rodriguez, Ivan - 1991 Bowman

Sandberg, Ryne - 1983 Topps

Smith, Ozzie - 1979 Topps

Trammell, Alan - 1978 Topps

This controversial period is defined by the widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) among players. Offensive numbers skyrocketed, leading to a surge in home runs and a renewed focus on power hitting.

Guerrero, Vladimir - 1995 Bowmans Best Blue

Jeter, Derek - 1993 SP

Mauer, Joe - 2002 Bowman Chrome Gold Refractors Autographs

This period is characterized by the increased use of analytics, a focus on sabermetrics, and a continued emphasis on home runs. The game has seen a rise in strikeouts, defensive shifts, and specialized pitching roles.

Cicotte, Ed - 1909 T206

Jennings, Hugh - 1909 T206

McGraw, John - 1909 T206

1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings - Peck & Snyder Small AD Back

Averill, Earl - 1935 Goudey 4-In-1 Quad Signed

1935 Goudey 4-In-1 Triple Signed

McBride, George - 1910 E91 American Caramel

Cobb, Ty - 1909 T206 Green/Bat Off

Ruth, Babe - 1933 Goudey

Smith, Ozzie - 1979 Topps