Don't forget the contest

Just a friendly reminder to join our contest where you can win six Topps Million cards.

Guess the final auction price on the 2010 Stephen Strasburg 1/1 auto. Come closest and you win.

Don't leave comment in this post. Any comment with a guess that is in this post will not be counted.

Go here to leave your guesses.

Thanks.

eTopps Release 6/21 - 6/28

This weeks eTopps release includes two rookies and two veterans.

Adam Wainwright

Pedro Alvarez

Evan Longoria

Drew Storen


I am eagerly awaiting an e-mail from eTopps to see if I got any of the Strasburg cards that I put in for last week. Anyone else put in for those?

Hobby Surge: Thumbs up or thumbs down?

I've been thinking about something somewhat random, but entertaining. With all the Bowman that has been sold, sold-out, and that appears to be backordered it has clearly given the hobby a surge for the better of Topps. Now, we all know between here and Twitter I have done my share to add to the lunacy of the whole thing, as did Sooz.

Since this Bowman release is Strasburg's prospect card, there are going to be prospect cards and then rookie cards to be released and definitely there will be autographed rookie cards. This is going to keep this ridiculous trend of not being able to find cards, or buy them for a decent price going for some time if you want my opinion. Could you even imagine the selling price of a 1/1 Strasburg superfractor auto? This blog could also serve as a reminder to head to the bank and apply for a personal loan now so that you don't miss the chance to bid on that card.

There was an e-mail sent the other night from Blow-Out Cards that they were sold out of 2010 Allen & Ginter as well as 2010 Topps Chrome. I have no interest in Ginter whether there is a piece of lettuce from Strasburg's teeth, or some Wooly Mammoths butt hair in it. Topps Chrome I tend to dabble with usually just retail packs or a blaster but never buy much of it since I don't really collect prospect or rookie auto's. Will I buy a box of it? It's tempting.

With all that being said, how many of you have pre-ordered either of these products in an attempt to not get ripped off when they are released? Now... how many of you pre-ordered them to try and pull a Strasburg auto or re-sell the boxes when people are in dire straits trying to find them?

Anyone think that the surge is a bad thing for the hobby or the collectors? I honestly could answer this either way. People like us and most of you have been supporting this industry and been interested in collecting for many, many years but are now paying dearly for product because of people just trying to make a quick buck by buying and re-selling or buying and ripping trying to find the golden ticket. On the flip side, I am enjoying that something is driving kids and adults alike to buy cards and attend games or pay attention to baseball. It cuts both ways, but overall I would go with thumbs up on the recent surge in the industry.

Sunday Question

Usually the Sunday questions revolve around sports and collecting.

This week, I would like to take a break from that to get some feedback from you guys.

Is there anything from the blog you would like to see more? Any features (though none have been actually named) that you enjoyed?

Is there anything you want to see less of?

You don't have to leave a comment if you don't feel comfortable. Feel free to email us.

Thanks for the help.

Contest Update

The Stephen Strasburg 1/1 auto never sold for a BIN, but the card is now listed as auction (auction link).

There are NINE days left on this card. If you want re-enter, I will take new contest submission (just one per person) until Tuesday night. After that, the contest is closed.

Here is how it works.

- Guess the winning bid.
- The closest person (you can go over) win.

Prize: Six Topps Million codes recently pulled out of a Topps Series 2 jumbo.

Why Strasburg collectors should be wary

Remember when Joba Chamberlain was good, or at least was supposed to be good. Joba came up to the Yankees in 2007 and struck out 34 guys in 24 relief appearances. He was the Yankees (supplemental) first round draft pick in 2006.

The 24-year-old was rocketed through the minors. In 2007, his hype was at an all-time high.

His 2007 Bowman Chrome autograph initially sold for $5,000. Stephen Strasburg blew that out of the water, but those chasing Strasburg’s cards could learn a lesson from Mr. Chamberlain.

The superfractor would likely not sell for the same type of money now. In fact, most of 2007 autos can be had for under $100 - often times close to $20.

He couldn’t be had for that kind of money three years ago. Then, it was considered a steal.

That’s not to say his cards won’t ever be worth more money again. Chamberlain is still a work in progress for New York and could eventually become the Yankees closer when Mariano Rivera retires. However, relievers are never worth as much as money as closers in the secondary market.

This year Chamberlain isn’t doing great. Entering Thursday, he’s 1-3 with a 4.76 ERA, 32 strikeouts, eight walks in 28 1/3 innings.

Can Joba ever make it back?

Finally, some news on 2010 Bowman Chrome

Yes, no or maybe? Many collectors were asking that question about 2010 Bowman Chrome.

The sales on 2010 Bowman have been impressive - it would be hard to imagine that any of those cards will be left on shelves by the end of the year - but rumors spread that perhaps Bowman Chrome wouldn’t make an appearance this year.

Topps released information on 2010 Bowman Chrome today, finally. It will be released mid-October and will have one autograph per every 18-pack hobby box, Beckett said on its blog on Wednesday. The autos will be of 24 prospects that did not appear in 2010 Bowman.

Click here for the sell sheets on Freedom Cardboard.

That set is coming back, but there were a couple of interesting notes about the set.

1. 2010 Bowman Chrome will include a Chrome autograph of Stephen Strasburg.

2. Some of the names mentioned in the prospects set were guys who signed exclusive contracts with Razor: Tim Beckham, Yonder Alonso and Brett Wallace., which you can read about on Freedom Cardboard by masonphillip. There are some more notes in the thread on their board.

With Bowman Chrome, only the 18-and-under USA guys will be included. The college national team is in Topps Chrome and 16-and-under in a future product.

2010 Topps Series 2 video box break (kind of)

I did a video box break and then learned I never hit the record button. Imagine what it must have looked like as I held up cards to a camera that was never working.

Good times.

So, I did another video of just the highlights.

Before I forget, I want to think FreedomCardboard.com for sponsoring the box break. Marie got a box too, which she opened here.

Ouch: Topps redemption #1 NOT Strasburg

Topps announced this morning the first redemption in 2010 Topps Series 2 Red Hot Redemptions. It was the card everyone has been waiting for, the card everyone has been paying a good chunk of money to get.

Drumroll .................................

Cleveland Indians rookie Carlos Santana!

We just wrote about this and the possibility that Stephen Strasburg would end up as rookie redemption #1. Those cards were selling for a good price on eBay just a few days ago.While auctions that are ending in a few hours are still going for good prices, I wonder if the seller learns about this before the auction is over if 1. the seller retracts their bid or 2. ends up just not paying.

I wish I were a bookie so I can start putting odds on the cards on which ones will be Strasburg.

Interesting to note (or not) is that the Finest Rookie Redemptions and the Topps Series 2 redemptions have yet to lap over. Five out of the 10 Finest rookies have been announced and just one for Topps Series 2, but so far we have six rookies and no Strasburg.

Sweet Spot Strasburg cards

Occasionally I like to type in his name and sort by highest price first just to see what crazy prices pop up. I came across the usual crazy ones that we have featured on here and in the contest. What I wasn't aware of is that Strasburg has a little collection of auto's in the 2008 Sweet Spot.

I opened a boatload of 2008 Sweet Spot, and obviously didn't pull a card of him and when you look at the serial numbering on these you will understand why most of us never saw one. The first one I found looked fake to me,2008 Sweet Spot Strasburg ball auto but upon a little further investigating they all looked basically the same. That one struck me as bad stitching, but it's probably just quality control. This one looks a little bit better, 2008 Sweet Spot Strasburg ball auto #2.

Now, if you need solid evidence that this young phenom is truly a rookie just check out these two cards:

2008 Sweet Spot Strasburg thumbprint

2008 Sweet Spot Strasburg thumbprint #2

I know signing his first few autographs must have been very exciting, but this ink was not magic quick dry ink. Why is he sticking his finger smack on the middle of the auto? Does this add value because you now have an auto with a fingerprint? I know players charge for inscriptions so maybe there are only 37 of the ball auto and 32 of the glove because to have the fingerprint was costly to Upper Deck.... One clean black glove sold for $800, and am curious to see what the cards with the prints sell for now.

There is also an uber rare 2008 Sweet Spot /10 of Strasburg.... it's the brown glove signature one. There was only one completed listing for that card, and none currently on eBay.

Click here to try your luck....