Let's look at something nice

It's only fair to show off a nice card after Fail Horn Friday kicked off this afternoon.

Last year was known for its impressive (and hyped up) rookies. Topps Tribute, which has looked slightly better than in the past, has put out a really great card commemorating these rookies in a way.

Topps put out this 10-player, autographed, game-used jersey cardwith Carlos Santana, Stephen Strasburg, Mike Stanton, Buster Posey, Danny Valencia, Starlin Castro, Domonic Brown, Austin Jackson, Jason Heyward and Aroldis Chapman.

This auction is actually for a redemption card because could you imagine how the card would have been in the pack. Pack searchers would have had a field day with this card.

What do you think about the card? Who do you think are the driving forces behind this card? The auction is already going crazy.

Catching up on hobby news: 2010 Finest redemptions

We all want to know who the 2010 Topps Series 2 Red Hot Rookies are going to be, especially which number will Stephen Strasburg be?

Will he be #1, #3 or #8. Who knows? We're all waiting for Topps to release the information. (I'm personally hoping he's 8)

In the meantime, here's some updated info on 2010 Finest rookie redemptions.

1. Jason Heyward
2. Ike Davis
3. Starlin Castro
4. Mike Leake
5. Mike Stanton
6. Stephen Strasburg
7. ??????
8. ??????
9. ??????
10. ??????

Catching up on hobby news

With Marie and I going on our adventures last week, I didn't get a chance to write up the latest hobby news, which by this point is old news to many of you.

I like putting it on the blog anyway because it's a way for me to keep record of what's happening and I could refer to it at a later date.

Item #1 (from Beckett)
Panini and the NFL and NFLPA have agreed to a multi-year trading cards deal

With the announcement (that many knew was coming), Panini released 2010 Prestige, which includes Tim Tebow's first rookie cards and autos. Love the player or hate the player, his auto from this set have sold for around $150 with the short-printed variation going in the $25-$40 range.

Items #2 (from Beckett)
Topps released preview images of 2010 Triple threads

I intend to have a whole post dedicated to Topps Triple Threads, but just wanted to show a few of the preview images released of the set. I like the first card, but the player should certainly have his name on it. I'm not sold on the second card, but it would be nice if they were on-card autos.

Collectors always love that. This product is set to be released at the end of August at around $180/box.

Item #3 (where I read at Sports Card Info first)
Finest Rookie Redemption #3 revealed

Cubs rookie Starlin Castro is the third redemption. Castro had a great debut (which we blogged about). He had a homer a six RBIs, but since then he has not had any more of either. However, he has gotten on base and is hitting .323 (10-for-31).

Item #4 (from Beckett)
Upper Deck announced it will create Major League Lacrosse cards

I got nothing.

2010 Bowman is live with rookie cards galore

I'm not sure there has been a Bowman set in recent years that have had such a large number high-profile rookie cards or prospects (although, saying these cards are actual rookie cards is up for debate). 2010 Bowman is fake live on eBay and collectors are snatching up lots of the hottest young stars. It's fake live because the sellers who have the cards out there haven't put up any real pictures of the cards, just a stock photo with different auction titles.

Bowman doesn't officially go live until tomorrow.

Here's a look at some of the hottest auctions on The Bay right now.

1. Stephen Strasburg Bowman blue border auto /250 (this is actually the card and not a stock photo). This cards ends at 7 p.m. Tuesday (tonight) and, as of right now, already up to $365.

2. Jason Heyward Bowman Chrome blue refractor auto /250 (actual card, and since it's the first on eBay it should be a 1/1!!!!!) End at 7:30 Tuesday (tonight).

3. 20-card lot Bowman Chrome Stephen Strasburg (stock photo of Strasburg) This auction is already past $100 with a day left on it. There are more of these type of auctions on eBay and they are headed north quickly.

4. Starlin Castro Bowman Chrome auto (actual card)

5. Julie Teheran Bowman Chrome blue refractor

6. Bryce Harper Bowman Chrome USA Baseball cards

7. 10-card lot of Bowman Chrome Dustin Ackley

Do you buy or sell now?

Starlin Castro made an impressive debut on Friday night. The 20-year-old showed up in a Chicago Cubs uniform and blasted a home run and six RBIs.

There aren't many cards of Castro on the market. He has prospect cards from last year's 2009 Bowman set. He has a few cards in 2010 Pro Debut.

So which of the cards are collectors trying to snatch up now that he burst onto MLB with his thrilling debut?

Pretty much any type of refractor from 2009 Bowman will do. (Note: There are no Castro autos in 2009 Bowman. NONE.)

There is this xfractor that ends soon. Last I checked, it was already up to $90 with 13 hours left.

But there are no autographs of his just yet ... yet. Will he have one in 2010 Bowman? An early checklist says there will be a card, but not an autograph, but there it looks like there will be a triple relic card of his in the set.

2010 Bowman comes out next week. What cards do you think are going to be the hottest and who has any Castro cards to sell on eBay?

Don't forget out contest where every comment you leave on the blog is an entry to win a 2010 National Chicle Johnny Mize cabinet card.

Update: There will be an autograph in 2010 Bowman that is released next week, Chris Olds from Beckett said on his blog.