Specialty Cards

Baseball card price/ Specialty Cards

The Most Expensive Mike Trout Card Recorded

In the world of sports memorabilia, few items hold as much allure and value as trading cards, particularly those featuring legendary athletes like Mike Trout. Recently, the sports card collecting community was abuzz with the news of the most expensive Mike Trout card ever sold, setting a new benchmark in the realm of collectibles. This essay delves into the significance, allure, and cultural impact of this extraordinary piece of sports history.

Mike Trout, often hailed as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, commands immense respect and admiration both on and off the field. With numerous accolades, including multiple Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and All-Star selections, Trout’s prowess transcends mere statistics; he symbolizes excellence, dedication, and the embodiment of the American Dream. Thus, it is no surprise that memorabilia associated with Trout, particularly his trading cards, are highly coveted by collectors worldwide.

The sports card market has experienced a renaissance in recent years, fueled by nostalgia, investment potential, and the emergence of online marketplaces. Among the plethora of cards available, those featuring Mike Trout stand out as blue-chip assets, consistently fetching high prices at auctions and private sales. However, the recent sale of the most expensive Mike Trout card shattered previous records, underscoring the enduring appeal and financial viability of sports card collecting.

The card in question, a 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Superfractor autographed rookie card graded as Gem Mint 9.5 by Beckett Grading Services, captivated collectors with its rarity, aesthetics, and historical significance. Limited to just one copy, the Superfractor is the epitome of exclusivity, making it the Holy Grail for avid collectors seeking the ultimate addition to their portfolios. Moreover, the autograph and pristine condition further enhance its desirability, elevating it to the upper echelons of sports memorabilia.

Beyond its material attributes, the most expensive Mike Trout card embodies a broader cultural phenomenon rooted in nostalgia, fandom, and the commodification of sports. For many collectors, owning such a card is akin to possessing a piece of history—a tangible connection to a beloved athlete and the moments that defined his career. Moreover, the escalating prices of sports cards reflect the growing recognition of athletes as cultural icons, transcending their on-field achievements to become symbols of aspiration and inspiration.

The significance of the most expensive Mike Trout card extends beyond its monetary value; it serves as a testament to the enduring power of sports to captivate, inspire, and unite people across generations. In a world marked by rapid change and uncertainty, sports offer a semblance of stability, nostalgia, and communal spirit, transcending geographical, cultural, and socio-economic boundaries. Thus, while the card may seem like a mere collectible to some, its true worth lies in its ability to evoke emotions, spark conversations, and forge connections among enthusiasts worldwide.

In conclusion, the most expensive Mike Trout sports card represents more than just a financial transaction; it embodies the essence of sports fandom, nostalgia, and cultural significance. As a tangible symbol of excellence and achievement, the card transcends its material form to become a cherished artifact—a testament to the enduring legacy of one of baseball’s greatest icons. In the ever-evolving landscape of sports memorabilia, the allure of such cards will continue to captivate collectors and enthusiasts, preserving the magic of sports for generations to come.

Autograph/ Autograph Collecting/ Specialty Cards

Pablo Sandoval – Spotlight San Francisco

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Pablo Sandoval – SF Giants

Second go around for Pablo Sandoval with the San Francisco Giants, this World Series Champ was more than willing to sign multiple autographs for his fans waiting outside Miami Marlins park, however he refused to sign “sweet spot” which was OK with me as I was attempting to get multiple autographs on a team ball, and did not want him to sign the sweet spot. He was more than willing to sign, so it was a plus for all of us out here on this crazy hot day in South Florida.

While the SF Giants were not the friendliest of teams, with quite a few players and coaches spurning us at the entrance, and Bruce Bochy being his usual friendly self, it was tough to say the least because most of the players did arrive on the team bus. However, we did get Sir Hensley Muelens who was nice enough to sign, look for the post with the card autographed by Mr. Muelens, I will post it shortly. Here are some of the stats for Panda…Honorable mentions are 3 x World Series Champion!

San Francisco Giants – No. 48
Third baseman
Born: August 11, 1986 (age 31)
Puerto Cabello, Venezuela
Bats: Switch Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 14, 2008, for the San Francisco Giants
MLB statistics
(through August 4, 2017)
Batting average .285
Hits 1,082
Home runs 120
Runs batted in 521
Teams
  • San Francisco Giants (2008–2014)
  • Boston Red Sox (2015–2017)
  • San Francisco Giants (2017–present)
Career highlights and awards
  • 3× World Series champion (2010, 2012, 2014)
  • World Series MVP (2012)
  • Babe Ruth Award (2012)
  • 2× All-Star (2011, 2012)
  • Hit for the cycle on September 15, 2011

 

Specialty Cards/ Toy Review

Star Wars Masterwork Release Date February 2015

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Star Wars Masterwork New Date 02/11/2015!

The release for this product has been pushed back to February 2015. Most of the artist apparently were having difficulty delivering the original artwork, and thus the date has been pushed back so that no one gets a horrible redemption card. I know I hate them. Anyway here is a breakdown of the product and what you can expect to give you an idea as to whether or not you are going to plunk down about $75.00 for a mini box.

Seems like plenty of money, and at least you do not have to tie down your Christmas money on the product. Too late for me, as I was a busy purchaser some weeks back, but at least I know I have the product secured. This product will nearly double in my opinion. With a hit in every mini box, Star Wars fans will be pleasantly surprised.

The Star Wars Masterwork Breakdown:

High-end is finally feeling the Force. 2015 Topps Star Wars Masterwork brings a formula similar to the card maker’s Museum Collection line in baseball, promising a hit or premium insert in every pack. Boxes promise one autograph and a premium sketch card.

Sticking with the trend started by 2014 Topps Star Wars Chrome Perspectives, virtually all of the autographs here are on-card. Base autographs come from actors and are done on foil-stamped premium card stock. Parallels include Foil (#/25 or less), Canvas (#/10 or less) and Wood (1/1). Every case also has a Silver Framed Autograph that is numbered to 29 or less.

Five Dual Autograph Book cards are the only signed cards in the product that use stickers.

Signature Pen Autograph Relics are something new. In addition to the signature, the cards come with a piece of the pen used during the signing.

Star Wars sketch cards have been a regular feature in sets for a decade now. However, 2015 Star Wars Masterwork attempts to change things up a little. For the first time, basic sketch cards are done on 72-point card stock, giving them a much thicker feel. Sketch Card Variations have a different logo and are numbered to 10. Wood Sketch Cards use a very different stock and are numbered to 5. Sketch Card Books have a pair of panels with original art. Rare, these are numbered 1/1.

Randomly inserted are 50 mini boxes that have four sketch cards that fit together to form a puzzle.

Production-used relics are still a novelty in Star Wars sets as they’ve only been used a couple of times before this. Momentous Movie Relics include some new materials that haven’t been used in cards yet. They’re inserted at a rate of three per case.

2015 Topps Star Wars Masterwork has two additional premium inserts. Weapon Lineage Medallions come with a metal piece showcasing a famous tool from the franchise. Postage Stamp Relics have a US stamp embedded in them. These stamps feature artwork from Drew Struzan, one of the most iconic Star Wars artists.

While the premium inserts may be the focal point for many, 2015 Topps Star Wars Masterwork does have a base set. That said, it’s not a massive one. Printed on premium 72-point stock, the set has a total of 75 character-driven cards. On top of that, there are four parallels that combine to fall one per pack. Base set parallels are Blue Metallic (#/299), Silver Metallic (#/99), Green Metallic (#/50) and Gold Metallic (1/1)

The product also has a trio of ten-card basic inserts: Defining Moments, Companions and Scum & Villainy. Every pack has either an insert or one of six insert parallels: Foil (#/299), Canvas (#/99), Wood (#/50), Clear Acetate (#/25), Metal (#/10) or Golden Metal (1/1).

Each pack of 2015 Topps Star Wars Masterwork is packaged in its own mini box. Master boxes have four of these.

Estimated Release Date: 2/11/15
Product Configuration: 4 packs per box, 5 cards per pack
2015 Topps Star Wars Masterwork Box Break:

1 On-Card Autograph
1 Premium Sketch Card
2 Additional Premium Inserts
4 Inserts
4 Parallels
8 Base Cards
20 Total Cards

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Pricing Baseball Cards – Don’t Sell Yourself Short Online

Specialty Cards

Pricing Baseball Cards – Don’t Sell Yourself Short Online

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Pricing Baseball Cards

Pricing baseball cards, no easy task to do when your venue for sales is the internet. Whether you use the Beckett baseball cards site or eBay or have some other venue, you should not sell the value of your sports collection or individual cards short.

Included in my internet sales plan to succeed with the sales of sports cards, is the buy it now option that eBay offers. It seems to be the new trend in internet sales. People are desperate and want it now, actually they wanted it yesterday. Here in lies the tricky part, you have to stand your ground. What do I mean by that? Well this is what I mean, Beckett Sports Publications will price most cards and they have various publications they even have one that prices graded cards. When pricing your cards, you have the book price, and the consensus internet price but be prepared to have your price, especially when attempting to sell cards that are not in demand to large groups of consumers of players that are not particularly hot or sports that are not in session.

SPX Daiske Matsuzaka

Scan over the list of cards that are being offered, that you are attempting to sell. Try to price your card a few dollars below, after all you have to determine do you want to sell the item or not, if the answer is yes, then you might as well be competitive and aggressive. Every time I list a card for sale, I already have a price in mind which I will not go below, and I never choose the option of turning away potential buyers with a preset limit, those of you that have used this before know what I am talking about, sometimes dialogue with a potential buyer is everything.

Getting cards graded is not always the best way to go, things to considered are whether or not this is a sports card that you wish to keep for your collection or sell. Pricing baseball cards is tricky, I recently sold a BGS 9.0 2007 Upper Deck SPX Daiske Matsuzaka autographed rookie card for $175.00 on eBay. The buyer used the buy it now option, never haggled on the price either. This card would have fetched the same price ungraded, although the BGS graded card price indexed is roughly $200.00. Incredibly the sale came the day after the RedSox’s ace beat the Tampa Rays in the Baseball League Championship series. This buyer saw the bargain and purchased the card outright. The card had been on eBay for close to 20 days. I guess with that timing was everything with that sale.

1975 Topps Baseball Mini

Now by the same token, I will tell you that I sold a BVG 9.0 1975 Topps Baseball mini, for $130.00 and with this card the buyer went back and forth with the sale of the card, we finally agreed on $130.00. I thought that this was a fair price, after all I learned that because there are far more PSA vintage sports cards graded, than with BVG there are just as many more collectors out there looking for vintage cards with the PSA grading, frankly I did not think there would have been many more takers. PSA registry’s are driving many of the sales of vintage PSA cards to dry up, occasionally you will see someone breaking a registry set and the sales of these cards usually skyrocket.

In any business, repeat business is the foundation of the sales, treating people fairly, not over-pricing your cards and pricing baseball cards according to market values, regardless what a pricing book states is the best way to have your business progress with internet sales.

How Many Rare Baseball Cards Do You Have?

Specialty Cards

How Many Rare Baseball Cards Do You Have?

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Collecting Baseball Cards

In our current state of recession, perhaps if something has to give in the household it would be sports cards, baseball, football, basketball whatever your vice. Not true in my home, I keep spending anyway. Just trying to do my part Obama! I have any idea, if you have been storing sports cards for the better part of a few years, now would be the perfect time to get them graded.

Beckett grading and PSA grading are giving quite a few specials these days and I can think of no better time to take them up on it. Grading cards is a challenge and if you have vintage cards there are several ways to go. If the card is worth something and it is a little banged up, you can still submit the card to have it authenticated for a fraction of the price to have the same card graded. Over a period of time, this may turn out to be a good move. The card will still be worth something to someone, and buying the card while knowing that the card is authenticated is good relaxing feeling for a collector or investor.

Grading Your Sports Cards

I have been quite successful with BGS and the ratio of BGS 9.5 (Gem Mint) cards that I get back, truth be told in regards to modern-day cards, unless you have a signed autographed low serial numbered card of a superstar, a BGS 8.0 or 8.5 will just not command must. Really be critical of your cards when sending them to get them graded. Unless of course they are for your personal collection and have no plans of selling the sports cards in the near future. Remember these are your sports card treasures.

Upper Deck Mike Piazza All-Star Heroes

Specialty Cards/ Uncategorized

Upper Deck Mike Piazza All-Star Heroes

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Upper Deck All Star Heroes

Was Mike Piazza worthy of a first time Hall of fame ballot entry vote into Baseball’s exclusive club? Many people will argue that he was, and many will argue that he was not. Where do you stand on the issue? Please send me a note and give me your take on it.

In an era marred with steroid use and performance enhancing drugs, he certainly looked to stay out of the steroid use talk. His name never came across any reports that listed him as a violator of substance abuse.

Mike Piazza Los Angeles Dodger Draft Pick

However, he did seem to bulk up from that lanky figure that sported the backstop of the L.A. Dodgers in 1993. Mike Piazza was a long shot draft pick, as a favor to his old man by then manager Tom Lasorda. The rest as we all know is history. He did make it to the 2000 World Series with the NY Mets vs. the New York Yankees. A series that the NY Yankees won, 4-1.

To many people that World Series is just a fog, me included because I am a NY Met fan, so that is not a World Series that I have watched countless times. But as a NY Met fan and a huge fan of Mike Piazza, the home run that he hit the night after action resumed following the 911 terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, is one of the moments that I remember most of his great career. NY needed that home run, the Mets needed that home run, and Mike Piazza delivered.

Was Dizzy Dean The Best Pitcher Of All Time?

Specialty Cards

Was Dizzy Dean The Best Pitcher Of All Time?

Dizzy Dean And The 1934 World Series

Was Dizzy Dean the greatest pitcher of all time? That point can clearly be argued like everything else in sports, as there really is incredible competition at all level of sports. What probably separated Dizzy Dean from the other pitchers at that time, was the fact that he was an incredibly fierce competitor. Handling the bat was not a problem for Dizzy Dean and running the bases came naturally as well. Dizzy was an all around well-rounded athlete.

One of the most unforgettable plays in the 1934 World Series, that involved Dizzy Dean, was going in standing up to break up a double play started by Charlie Gehringer who then flipped the ball to shortstop Billy Rogell and then he trying to thread the needle on the throw, threw the ball and hit Dizzy Dean right between the eyes. While never sliding, this play was unforgettable for Dizzy. Carried off the field, he was taken to a nearby hospital for x-rays, and as he later told the story, he said this. ” They X-rayed my head and they didn’t find anything.”

The following day he was on the mound again and lost a heartbreak game by the close score of 3-1. He ended up winning the final and decisive 7th game of that Series.


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