Before the tattoos, before the headlines, before the wedding dress and global diplomacy—there was a cardboard rectangle. A 1988 Fleer rookie card that captured Dennis Rodman right before he exploded into one of the most chaotic, captivating forces the NBA has ever seen.

In this deep-dive episode of Cardboard Credentials, we follow Rodman’s journey from invisible janitor to Hall of Famer. From rebounding king to cultural icon. From lost to legendary. Through heartbreak, defiance, and redemption, this is the raw, untold story behind one of basketball’s most misunderstood legends—told through the lens of a single rookie card.

5 Rings. 7 Rebounding Titles. 1 Unforgettable Life.

Every card has a story.

He ran to first on walks. He shattered records, charged into catchers, and turned hustle into mythology. But Pete Rose’s story was always more than baseball. It was triumph, scandal, exile — and now, redemption. In this emotionally raw episode of Cardboard Credentials, we track Rose’s entire journey: from his 1964 Topps #125 breakout card to the pursuit of Ty Cobb, the lifetime ban that followed, and the stunning 2025 decision by Commissioner Rob Manfred to lift that ban — just months after Rose’s death. This is the full story of Charlie Hustle, told through the cardboard that never stopped waiting for him to come home.

A legacy far deeper than stats, and a card that holds it all. In this episode of Cardboard Credentials, we revisit the highs, the hope, and the heartbreak of Dwayne Haskins’ journey. From Ohio State stardom to his tragic passing. Centered around his 2019 Donruss Rated Rookie #301, this story honors the man behind the moments, and the promise that still echoes through every collector’s hands.