I Don't Usually Buy High-End Cards

If you read my posts enough, you know that I enjoy sticking mainly to cards ranging from 10 cents to a couple of dollars. I've never been one to be interested in buying high-end products. Especially sets that will cost you $100 for 12 cards and just 1 autograph. 

Instead, I stick to the dime bins and I see what I can find. And most of the time I actually find a couple of cards from these high-end and expensive products.

One of these sets is Topps Finest. I've seen quite a few cards from 2016 and 2017 Topps Finest in the dime bins recently. I guess the brand hasn't maintained its strong value since it came out in the 90's. I don't mind Topps Finest at all, I just think with sets like Topps Chrome and Bowman's Best which highlight the best of both worlds, (prospects and veterans) I just don't think there's as much of a demand for Topps Finest anymore.

Another example of these high-end sets available for cheap is Gold Label. The same week as the release of Gold Label both this year and last year, I saw the base set and even non-numbered parallels in the dime bins. I immediately decided to purchase the cards for just a dime each, but I was a bit confused on how this product already ended up in the hands of someone selling it for 10 cents in a matter of a few days. 

And then we have High Tek. Topps High Tek is one of my least favorite sets put out by Topps each year. The different designed backgrounds do nothing for me, especially with uncreative names like "dots parallel" and "waves parallel." Still, not every card is bad, so if I see these cards for a good enough price I might have to go for it. Especially if it's a player I collect.

And the final high-end set I'll be showing today is Topps Triple Threads. It just seems like no matter what year, this set is everywhere. I've seen Triple Threads from 2015, like the Johnny Bench card above, and all the way back to 2008, a set in which I got a Frank Robinson numbered /99 for, yes, just 10 cents. It just seems like no one wants the base set of Triple Threads, so it all goes into the dime bins. Hey, I'm not complaining, I'll take it. 

A Pack of 1981 Topps Baseball Scratch-Offs

A couple of card show trips ago I purchased a pack of 1981 Topps Scratch-Offs not even knowing what they were. I revisited the pack a couple of days ago and instantly recognized the set since I had acquired 2 different scratch-offs since buying this pack.

Despite not having the best knowledge of the set at the time, I still bought the pack. Mainly because it was $1, but also because I wanted to try some new thing I've never seen before.

And at first glance, I knew this definitely was something new. Basically, these scratch-offs feature 3 players per card and you can tear each player's card off for a grand total of 3 player scratch-offs per card. These cards are also done by the league, either AL or NL. The AL scratch-offs are red...

While the green scratch-offs are green. I like the green a bit better just because it's a bit more unconventional and reminds me of the bold color combinations used in the 70's and 80's. I also like the player's chosen for each scratch-off and while it may not make sense to have Bill Buckner, Ron Cey, and Ken Griffey on the same card, it's kind of cool to see nevertheless, so I applaud Topps for that.

The backs, on the other hand, are nothing too special. They used the same boring red and black combo that has been used in many Topps base sets, including the 1981 Topps set. I do, however like how each panel is different. The top one is the rules of the scratch-off game, the second one is the scoreboard, and the final one is an ad for a "Super Sports Card Locker." I doubt something produced in the 80's that holds 1350 cards is super good quality. 

I have not and most likely will not scratch any of these scratch-off cards, even though it would be a cool thing to do. I really don't want to ruin the value that these things have, and scratching them would definitely do that.

But overall, these scratch-offs are really cool. I guess the reason I like them so much is that so much of my collection is just cards, and cool and different things like these aren't super common. The thing about these that makes them so different is what I like about them so much, and what makes the scratch-offs, as well as the players, included on them, a cool part of my collection.

Top 5 Cards: Mookie Betts

After the retirement of David Ortiz last season, I knew I had to choose a new favorite current Red Sox player. And while young stars like Andrew Benintendi and veterans like Dustin Pedroia were possibilities, the clear choice for me was their outfielder and 2016 AL MVP runner-up, Mookie Betts.

Since his breakout season in 2016, Betts has won 2 Gold Glove awards, 1 Silver Slugger, been an All-Star twice and was runner-up to Mike Trout in the 2016 MVP race (and some say he was snubbed of the award).

I currently have 17 cards of Betts, but considering the consistent player he is becoming, I expect that number to rise. Until then, here are my top 5 cards of Mookie Betts.

#5 2016 Topps Gypsy Queen Glove Stories

The Glove Stories insert has been in almost every Gypsy Queen set made, and with Betts winning 2 career Gold Gloves thus far, he has been featured in the insert twice as well. The insert set shows mainly outfielders, but some infielders, making spectacular catches on certain dates. This card of Betts was taken at Fenway Park as he robbed none other than Bryce Harper of a home run back in 2015. The excellent attention to detail used in the background along with the Fenway Park wall is a great addition to this card. Another great feature is the border which was made to look just like a glove, hence the insert set "Glove Stories." This card, to me, sums up who Mookie Betts is, which is why I put it on the list.

#4 2017 Topps Heritage 1968 Wal-Mart Discs

This may not be the same size as a regular baseball card, but it was made by Topps and included in their 2017 Heritage set, so it has to be a card, right? Regardless of that, this thing is so cool and Mookie Betts really is the best player to be included on this disc, especially since the Heritage set came out not too long after the end of Betts' fabulous season. What I like about this disc is the simplicity. It's just a picture of Betts with his name and team name on a disc with a red background and grey border. When describing this card it doesn't seem too interesting, but the fact that Topps was able to pull it off is very commendable. That's why this bizarre card made the top 5. 

#3 2014 Topps Chrome Update MLB Debut

I, personally, have never bought Topps Chrome Update at a retail store, but the reliable dime bins are responsible for bringing me my first and only rookie card of Betts, which, for some reason is worth a whole lot less on COMC than Betts' base card from Chrome Update. And I'm okay with that because I still have a very nice rookie card of Betts that landed at #3. This card is from Betts' debut on June 29th, 2014, when he got his first major league hit. This hit not only occurred at Yankee Stadium but Derek Jeter actually fielded and handed the ball to Betts as a souvenir. That story is something I wouldn't have known if I had his base rookie rather than his MLB Debut card, which is why I'm happy to put this card at #3 on the list.

#2 2016 Topps Finest

I don't collect very high-end products, therefore I don't have many cards from sets like Topps Finest. However, I'm more than glad to say I own Mookie Betts's 2016 Topps Finest base card, showing him in my favorite Topps Finest set of all-time. The red and grey streaks across the card are a perfect accompaniment to Betts' red and grey jersey as it almost looks like a continuation of his jersey and the design. The set does what it does very well, and what it does is it creates a set that is so modern that it actually appeals to me a lot because I've never seen anything like this set before. Every detail of the base set from the logo to the font has definitely been taken into heavy consideration, which is obvious at first glance of the card. That is what I like and appreciate about this card so much.

#1 2017 Topps

I don't think I've ever chosen a Topps Flagship card for the #1 spot of a modern player, but Betts' 2017 Topps base card is easily my favorite card of him as well as from the set. This card shows Betts making a stunning catch on the road at what I believe to be Yankee Stadium, the place where he made his debut. While making this incredible catch, Betts is proving to all of us why he is a Gold Glove winner and how talented he is. All of this can be very hard to capture and put on one baseball card, but I truly believe that Topps captured Mookie's achievements as well as who he is on a card. That is something that makes the #1 card not just on Betts' list, but almost any top 5 cards list.

Back At the Card Shop

Last weekend I returned to the card shop I went to a few weeks ago for 1 main reason. The owner still had 4 rows of dime cards I hadn't looked through yet. Therefore, along with my dad, I went back to see what I could get. 

Like last time, there was 1 player who was prominent in these dime bins. A player who I was able to pick up almost 15 more cards of in this visit.

Ken Griffey Jr.

There were many cards of "The Kid" in these bins. Most were from his days with the Reds, though some were from the beginning of his career in Seattle. 

This visit, combined with my previous trip has put my Ken Griffey Jr. card total at well over 100 cards, becoming 1 of about 15-20 players in my collection to reach that total.

But besides finding all sorts of new Griffey cards, there was still a variety of other cards. 

Cards of all different players from all different years. Each and every one of these cards has something special about it, which is why I chose to buy each card. The Vladdy is a card of him I don't have. The Vida Blue is similar to one that made the top 10 of my A's card list. The Kris Bryant is card #1 in this year's Allen & Ginter set. Finally, the Bumgarner card shows a unique shot of the dominant pitcher not pitching, but batting at the plate, another thing he is recognized for. 

I also found 4 Topps Finest cards from the 90's that still had their protective seals on them. 3 of them are of Alex Rodriguez while the one in the top right is Greg Maddux. Specifically, the A-Rod in the top left is from 1998 while the other 3 are from 1999 Finest.

I believe I also got some Play Ball cards from the last visit, but I had no problem getting more. These 2 cards show the 2 different styles of the cards in this set. The Randy Johnson had his nickname on the card, but since Joe Morgan didn't have a definite nickname, so that part was left out. 

And of course, I was eager to pick up 2 new cards of Manny Ramirez. He's a bit controversial in Boston, and very controversial everywhere else, but he was one of the most talented hitters to play the game, even before steroid allegations became official. David Ortiz has always spoken very highly of Manny, especially in Ortiz's biography which I'm currently reading. 

On the rival team of Manny Ramirez for a while was the greatest relief pitcher to ever play, Mariano Rivera. Even though he may be a Yankee, I've still been collecting Rivera for years now and I am nearing 50 cards of the 13-time All-Star. 

As I was nearing the end of the last few rows, I picked up 2 Fleer cards from the early 2000's which reminded me of how much I like and miss the company. These beautiful high-end cards of Rickey Henderson and Chase Utley were some of my favorite cards I purchased that day.

Evan Longoria is one of those players that is in almost every single set. Simply because when the Rays were both good and bad, he was still a very good player so he was represented well in sets.

I need to start picking up more of the dime cards I see of him because if I did, my total amount of cards I have of him would rise very quickly.

Many of my favorite players have played their whole career for one team, which is the case for George Brett. His loyalty to the Royals and him staying in Kansas City for his entire 21-year career caused many cards of Brett him to be produced. Here, there is a card of George Brett. from each of the 4 major card companies. Topps in the top left, Donruss in the top right, Upper Deck in the bottom left, and Fleer in the bottom right.

But by far the best card, especially for the value, was a 2015 Topps Update rookie card of Addison Russell for yes, just 10 cents. Even though his batting average has been pretty bad (he's never hit above .240 in a season), he still was an intricate part of the Cubs' 2016 World Championship season, so fans will forever recognize and appreciate him for that.