Funny how “reality” can change from one point in time to another. We see evidence of it everywhere, from the promise of a newly elected politician to his public outing as a less than honorable person, to the greatly hyped movie or TV show that tanks, to the unheralded 48th round draft pick that ends up making the All-Star team. Initial perception does not always equate with … [Read more...] about Panini Spectra Basketball’s Extra Cards Giving Product a Boost
Can Baseball Cards Make Metals Precious?
During the baseball season unopened boxes of baseball cards rotate pretty quickly through our shop, and I imagine, most local card shops. Big weekends, like the Father’s Day just passed, only serve to make the frenzy a bit more fun, if hectic. Of course, when those times roll around they are followed by the need to recover and re-stock the shelves. In all honesty, THIS is one … [Read more...] about Can Baseball Cards Make Metals Precious?
2014 Bowman Sterling Baseball Preview
If you are a collector who thrives on building sets, especially base sets of cards, the 2014 Bowman Sterling is not for you. Of course, if you are familiar with Bowman Sterling you already know that it has not been about building sets. Rather, this annual installment from Bowman features prospect and rookie ink…and a good flow of it, too. That is what you get when the … [Read more...] about 2014 Bowman Sterling Baseball Preview
2014 Topps Update Baseball Returns
Memorial Day has come and gone. The June Amateur draft for Major League Baseball is later this week. Therefore it must be time to talk about the 2014 Topps Update Series due out on October 15. Don’t worry. That sentence is not really supposed to make sense. Somehow the necessity of advertising and taking orders for product months in advance, while necessary, has never … [Read more...] about 2014 Topps Update Baseball Returns
1960 Topps Baseball Coaches Cards: From Reviled to Redeemed
Baseball card collecting has always been about greater things than the supposed “value” found in pieces of printed cardboard. The elements of anticipation, exhilaration, and joy that kids experienced, who at one time could afford to buy and bust wax packs, are still among the best motivations for involvement in this great hobby. Of course, even those "good old days" had their … [Read more...] about 1960 Topps Baseball Coaches Cards: From Reviled to Redeemed
1964 Topps Stand-Ups: Copied, But Never Surpassed
Here’s a quick quiz for you. Other than being baseball cards, what did the 2004 Bazooka and 2011 Topps Lineage baseball sets have in common? There may be other correct answers, but the commonality in view right now is that both sets included inserts based on the 1964 Topps Stand-Ups. Actually, we could add 1934-36 Batter-Up and 2012 Panini Golden Age to the mix as the Topps … [Read more...] about 1964 Topps Stand-Ups: Copied, But Never Surpassed
Don’t Sleep on World Cup Soccer Stickers Phenomenon
Over the years it has been without controversy that more Americans played soccer than actually followed the sport on its international stage. The AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) boasts 50,000 teams and over 500,000 players. Of course, on the international stage the sport is known as “football.” Different attempts at sparking interest in the sport have come and … [Read more...] about Don’t Sleep on World Cup Soccer Stickers Phenomenon
2014 Bowman Sterling Football Preview
Once again a Hobby Exclusive product, the 2014 Bowman Sterling releases in December. While it's a bit hard to judge the potential merits without any kind of logos yet attached to the 2014 NFL Draft Class, we do know it will come with 6 packs per box, and every pack of 5 cards promises to deliver the following: 3 Base Cards 1 Autograph Rookie or Veteran Card 1 Jumbo … [Read more...] about 2014 Bowman Sterling Football Preview
John Miley Sports Broadcast Collection Offers Old Ballgames on CD
The Baseball Hall of Fame has honored musician Terry Cashman on more than one occasion by using his classic baseball song, “Talkin’ Baseball ( Willie, Mickey, and the Duke) ” during its ceremonies. But that is not the only baseball song that Cashman has written and recorded. In fact, he has released quite a few baseball-themed recordings that are just as poignant, though not as … [Read more...] about John Miley Sports Broadcast Collection Offers Old Ballgames on CD
In The Game Past Present and Future Baseball Review
It was only about a month before the April 25 release date that In the Game created a bit of a ripple in the hobby waters as it announced it was going to use an alternative to sticker autographs in the 2014 Past, Present, and Future Baseball product. With highly sought after young players such as Miguel Sano, Jonathan Gray, Noah Syndergaard, Kevin Gausman, and Kyle Zimmer … [Read more...] about In The Game Past Present and Future Baseball Review