A Cardboard Problem: Mike Trout

Showing posts with label Mike Trout. Show all posts

February 15, 2015

Sooz's favorite cards from 2015 Topps Series 1 Baseball

No matter the design, photography can make or break a card. That’s why some cards over the years with minimal design elements and full-bleed photography have been favorites.

In 2015 Topps Series 1 Baseball, there are a number of cards that stood out because of the picture. The design is cool this year because of the color-changing borders depending on the team, but I was immediately drawn to the image of a few cards – borders were an afterthought.

Admittedly, I had a hand in selecting some of these images, but certainly not all. Once the cards were released, I found myself gravitating to some of the cards because of the image used.

Here are my favorite images from Series 1 base (in number order):

#1 Derek Jeter

This is an obvious choice, but what’s great about the card is that it captured a moment that no matter when you look at this card, you know exactly what happened. The picture is from Derek Jeter’s last at-bat at Yankee Stadium where he had one magical moment left.

# 12 James McCann

I’ve always had a thing for catchers. Maybe it was because I was a catcher when I played softball, but usually they are my favorite players on the field. This picture just embodies what I love about the fluid movement of a catcher.

#52 Fernando Rodney

Similar images have been used of Rodney on cards in the past, but I still love his move.

#67 Hunter Pence

That’s just Hunter Pence. There is nothing else to say.

#71 Adrian Beltre

Even though this is a checklist card, I still like it because the image came from that moment. There was Beltre’s reaction after getting his 2,500^th hit.

#78 Yordano Ventura

I like his body lines, but what gets me most is this is the moment just he has let the pitch go waiting to see what is going to happen.

#80 Adam Wainwright

Love the intensity.

#102 Gordon Beckham

Two hands!

#141 Cory Spangenberg

The action. The focus. I love everything about this card.

#168 Colorado Rockies

All the team cards have their team celebrating in some way. The Rockies looked so happy here.

#177 Paul Konerko

The moment that says goodbye to Konerko. Even if you didn’t know anything about his career, this picture speaks to the love the fans had for him and he had for them in return. Also, how cool is it if you are the people in the background of this photo.

#247 Aaron Hill

There is a theme here and it’s called ACTION!

#271 Pittsburgh Pirates

Easiest the coolest card in the set.

#300 Mike Trout

So this is my favorite card in the set. To me, nothing beats this close-up action shot of Trout sliding. The dirt spraying, the intensity on his face is majestic. The fact that the photo coincided with the design of the card was purely coincidental despite some speculating otherwise.

June 4, 2014

Haven't gotten the Topps Bunt cards you want? You can always buy them

How many of you have tried Topps Bunt?

It’s a virtual baseball trading card game. I downloaded the app to my Android tablet while it was still in beta mode. I tried it for about 10 minutes and gave up. There’s nothing wrong with Topps Bunt, but considering how obsessed I became with Candy Crush once upon a time, I am not looking to get sucked down the digital gaming hole once again.

The app allows you to trade cards and pick up packs with random and rare cards inside.

But there is another way to get Topps Bunt cards – you can buy them on eBay. And, these digital cards are selling.

If you wanted this rare Mike Trout signature card, one dealer is selling it for $500 BIN

. Yes, it sounds crazy, but if you look at completed listings

, similar digital Trout cards have sold for around $150.

Now, if I wanted to get a Derek Jeter digital signature

, I could fork over about $120. Since it's the only Topps Jeter autograph that will show up in packs any time, maybe there are some who think it's worth it.

However, not all the Bunt cards on eBay

are selling for obscene amounts of money. Lots are extremely popular, giving new users a whole cache of digital cards. Also, some sell for a couple of bucks or two showing there is no real difference between physical and digital cards when it comes to value.

April 6, 2014

Spring Fever pack full of stars, just none I collect

Yes, spring is finally here.

That means plenty of baseball cards to start hitting the market. Along with that is Topps’ Spring Fever promotion. This year, collectors can get the cards by going to a card shop and purchasing 16 or so packs of Topps Series 1.

Or, you can go to an awesome card shop.

I managed to get some Spring Fever cards. While they look like last season’s cards, there is a holofoil type of sheen to them, which makes them much better looking in person than they are in the scans.

Of course, I didn’t pull a Derek Jeter card. Instead, I got some of these other guys. I am definitely not complaining about the players I pulled from the silver packs.

I did manage to get a former Yankee. Seeing Robinson Cano in another uniform still stings. He's a great player and Brian Roberts just doesn't stack up.

This wasn't the only photoshopped card in the batch. There is no way Topps managed to get the pictures of these players so quickly. Here's Prince as a Texas Ranger.

Along with the Trout, I did manage to get a player that didn't need any new uniforms.

Those palm trees look good right about now.

July 8, 2011

Mike Trout gets the call

The Trout household had an exciting early morning on Friday when their son called to tell them he headed to the Majors. For his family and Trout's fans, this was a day many have waited for, but thought wouldn't come just yet.

Trout is still 19 - he turns 20 in a month.

Analysts tried to predict when the Angels would start the clock on him. September was the earliest most saw him coming up to the Majors. But injuries seemingly forced the Angels to bring him up now, before the All-Star Break. (Editor's note: I'll have more of this story for my newspaper tonight)

Before his debut tonight, I thought it would be fun to look at some of Mike Trout's baseball cards out there.

These are all prospect and minor league cards. I bet his Rookie Card shows up in Topps Update ... or they wait until next year to include him as a Rookie Card to soak up in the hype.

2010 Topps Pro Debut

2010 Bowman Platinum autograph

2009 Bowman Chrome autograph

2009 Bowman Sterling autograph

March 30, 2011

An evergrowing minor league collection

Over the past few months I have been dabbling in eTopps minor league cards for funsies. I don't usually do any prospecting or minor league card collecting but these guys are pretty much a sure thing to get to the majors, especially Mike Trout.

Here are the cards I have been able to snag on eTopps website:

Mike Trout

Manny Banuelos

Gary Sanchez

I was most interested in the Sanchez for my collection, and was super happy that I got one of those. The Mike Trout is more of an investment card at this point, I will probably end up flipping it when he gets closer to making his debut in the majors.

Personally, I wouldn't mind if Topps used this design on cards that they release for hobby products. I think the design is cool and different- something we all like to see.

Did anyone else snag some minor league eTopps cards?