Jefferson Burdick Award (Baseball Cards)
In 2020, SABR’s Baseball Cards Committee established the Jefferson Burdick Award, honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to the baseball card hobby.
Eligible candidates include anyone who has made significant contributions to the hobby in such areas as baseball card research/scholarship; baseball card creation/production/innovation; developing/maintaining resources (e.g., publications, websites, communities, events) for collectors; and increasing access, knowledge, or enjoyment of the hobby.
Jefferson R. Burdick (1900–63) was a pioneer card collector whose invented classifications still govern the hobby; he donated his enormous collection to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains one of the most popular destinations for researchers. He created The American Card Catalog, the bible of the hobby, and tribute is paid to his lifelong work whenever anyone brings up T-206 or N-162 or other codes common in card collecting. To learn more about his life and legacy, click here or visit the Burdick section of the “Old Baseball Cards” library.
2025 nominations
To submit a nomination for the Jefferson Burdick Award, please use the Contact form on the SABR Baseball Cards website to let us know your nominee(s) along with a very brief description of their role or contributions. Nominations are due by February 28, 2025.
Nominees should be living at the time of nomination. You must be a SABR member to participate in the nomination process; if you are not yet a member, please join!
The winner will be selected by members of the Jefferson Burdick Award Selection Committee. For questions, please contact Jason Schwartz.
Award winners
- 2024: Dick Perez
- 2023: Brendan C. Boyd and Fred C. Harris
- 2022: Dr. James Beckett
- 2021: Doug McWilliams
- 2020: Michael Aronstein