In 1985, legendary writer and sports journalist George Plimpton left us yearning. It was an April Fools Day feature on fictitious pitcher Sidd Finch. If you are too young to remember Sidd Finch, he was a Buddhist monk who played the French horn. He pitched with one foot in a workboot and the other barefoot. He is what Crash Davis wanted Nuke Laloosh to become. And by the … [Read more...] about Bowden Francis: Baseball’s Hottest Pitcher Has Almost No Baseball Cards
Upper Deck Saves The Best For Last With Long Overdue 2022-23 The Cup
The long-awaited 2022-23 Upper Deck The Cup NHL hockey card product will finally make its arrival on Sept. 18. Upper Deck fell behind with their production times on several products during the COVID-19 pandemic, and there were difficulties securing the materials needed for the complex product. Rather than compromise its most expensive release, the company waited it … [Read more...] about Upper Deck Saves The Best For Last With Long Overdue 2022-23 The Cup
The Improbable 1999 Pacific Kurt Warner Rookie Card Turns 25
It's been 25 years but Mike Cramer remembers the time when he put a backup quarterback on a football card and then watched a stunning turn of events make it one of the hottest cards at hobby shops and shows across the country. “We wanted to get as many players into the set as we possibly could,” he said. “We had photos of some guys who had never had cards before. Kurt Warner … [Read more...] about The Improbable 1999 Pacific Kurt Warner Rookie Card Turns 25
Young Guns Rookie Class To Highlight 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 2 Hockey
Even though 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 1 is two months away from being released to the hobby, the company has released its plans for Series 2, which will be released in the winter of 2025. The 250-card set will be a continuation of Series 1, with cards numbered 251-500. The configuration will remain the same, with 12 cards per pack and 12 packs per box and a Young Guns rookie … [Read more...] about Young Guns Rookie Class To Highlight 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 2 Hockey
Is Teoscar Hernandez The Most Undervalued Baseball Player In The Hobby?
If you have ever sat at a table and had lunch with some other collectors at a big show, the conversation always pops up. Who is the most underrated and undervalued player in the baseball card market? There are many, perhaps even some on every team. But no one has been on the outskirts of stardom while extremely undervalued and under appreciated in the hobby quite like Teoscar … [Read more...] about Is Teoscar Hernandez The Most Undervalued Baseball Player In The Hobby?
Joey Votto May No Longer Be a Player, But He Will Always Be a Collector
It was an Uber drive to the Rogers Centre in Toronto on August 21 that emotionally sealed the envelope of Joey Votto’s baseball career. He was playing for the Buffalo Bisons, and he was on his way to the stadium in Toronto to see his old Cincinnati Reds teammates. He had just posted on Instagram that he was retiring from baseball. “Are you a player?” the Uber driver … [Read more...] about Joey Votto May No Longer Be a Player, But He Will Always Be a Collector
The 25th Anniversary of an Injury That Would Upend the Hobby
One of the most significant injuries to ever impact the sports card injury took place 25 years ago this week. In a pre-season game on August 28, 1999 against the San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams quarterback Trent Green was hit low and awkwardly by Rodney Harrison. The result was a season-ending torn ACL. Suddenly, the Rams’ season seemed to go down with the free agent … [Read more...] about The 25th Anniversary of an Injury That Would Upend the Hobby
Dylan Crews Is No Stranger to Baseball Cards
There is officially a reason to get excited about 2025 Topps Baseball. And it’s a big reason. Dylan Crews is now a member of the Washington Nationals. Some in the baseball media wondered why Crews was not in the Nats’ line-up over the weekend, but the speculation is that they wanted him to make his debut at home. It was just a little over a year ago that the debate … [Read more...] about Dylan Crews Is No Stranger to Baseball Cards
Yankees Oldtimers Weekend Brings Back Memories of 2009 Topps
This weekend will stir up some nostalgia among baseball fans and collectors. Even for those who detest the New York Yankees, there is always something special about their annual Oldtimers Day. On Saturday, August 24, 18 members of the 2009 World Series-winning team will be on hand for the festivities. It’s hard to imagine, but it has now been 15 years since there has been … [Read more...] about Yankees Oldtimers Weekend Brings Back Memories of 2009 Topps
When Baseball’s Devastating Strike Began 30 Years Ago, Which Cards Were Collectors Chasing?
When I was looking back through my notes on the 1994 baseball strike, I started to think about the hobby and where it was at the time. What was the last box I ripped open before the strike occurred? Who were the hot rookies that year? Who were the most popular players? How were the collecting habits of collectors like then vs. now? The landscape for baseball cards was … [Read more...] about When Baseball’s Devastating Strike Began 30 Years Ago, Which Cards Were Collectors Chasing?