Editor’s Note: I typically write the Hot List Thursday evening, so while I was writing last night, David Freese was performing some all-time W.S. heroics..as a result David was not on my working list but is now on the top of the Hot List, literally.
1. DeMarco Murray 2011 Rookie Autos
Comments: This was it, it was Felix Jones’ year to finally breakout and shine in the role as primary Cowboys RB. So far, the only thing that Felix has broke is himself – he’s been injured on and off all year and for those who thought he was going to go Adrian Peterson on someone, well, we are still waiting. Felix got injured enough a couple weeks ago that he couldn’t even play thus clearing the way for DeMarco Murray. Who even though playing against the Rams blew past ALL expectations of him his first game, I mean, the MAN ran for over $250 yards. Doing this in a Cowboys uniform is no small thing and Murray’s Finest Autos moved from $10 to $40 faster than DeMarco running past Rams linebackers.
2. Christian Ponder 2011 Rookies
Comments: Speaking of clearing the way for rookies, how about the run on quarterbacks in the first round. Newton – starting and starring, Gabbert – well umm, he’s on the Jags, Dalton – starting and doing very well and now we ponder Christian who went out and took a lead on the Packers in the first half, yes, you read that right. In the second half, the QBs remembered who was Christian Ponder and who was Aaron Rodgers. None the less, most loved Ponder’s debut including collectors and any 2011 card of his went way up, including the Finest card above which hit, you got it, $90 this week.
3. Derek Holland 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Autos
Comments: It’s fun to see cards that were previously not moving much get lit on fire by a World Series performance. This is exactly what happened to Derek’s 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft autos. The 2008 Chrome Draft Auto C/L is shaping up as an all-timer. Montero, Stanton, Beckham, Posey, Reddick, Flores, SCHLERETH – ok, fudged on the last one. Now if Derek keeps this up next year perhaps Holland? Derek pitched an absolute gem in the W.S. going eight and a third and striking out seven. Derek’s Chrome Draft Refractor Autos immediately popped from $8 to $25.
4. Mike Napoli 2006 Cards
Comments: If you watched the W.S. game tonight you know that Mike Napoli can not only hit and catch but he also has incredibly flexible and resilient ankles. Mike went into second base in a very awkward manner and those of us watching got the slow motion view of how an ankle is not supposed to bend. But Mike stayed in the game and kept on trucking which is pretty much what he’s been doing all World Series while hitting .333 for the Rangers. Mike’s been around a while but this W.S. performance has brought renewed life to some older cards like the 2006 Sterling which almost doubled this week moving up to $25.
5. 2011 Topps Chrome Football
Comments: Several weeks ago, writing a guest Hot List, Gilmore cheated and put something on the Hot List just cause he liked how the design looked on the sell-sheets and the way it was shaping up. Cheating is bad but in this case, Gilmore’s judgement was good. Not only does TC have big hit potential with rare autos of the aforementioned first round quarterbacks and others but it is also loaded with value – even like the Atomic Refractor of Cam Newton above that’s selling for over $50. Not only that but it looks great to boot. My guess is that blasters of this product are going to be moving rather quickly at Wal Mart.
6. Matt Forte 2008 Topps Chrome Autos
Comments: The Bears offense is a lot of things, some of them good and some of them bad. But one thing that is always a constant is Matt Forte. The guy has been a stud this year both in the rushing and receiving game and it is kind of surprising to me that $25 would represent a two week high for the card above but none the less, that’s where we are at. Outside of scoring 4 TDs a game I’m not sure what else Matt could do to push card values higher but none the less, they are rising, even if slowly.
7. Jimmy Graham 2010 Playoff Contenders Autos
Comments: Jimmy makes the list. Jimmy likes catching passes from Drew Brees. Jimmy likes vaulting to the #1 spot for fantasy football tight ends. Jimmy doesn’t like running into his coach and sending him to surgery. Jimmy likes putting up a crooked number like 62 points in a game. Jimmy likes the fact that the Saints have so many other weapons on the field he can’t be double covered. Jimmy likes that Jeromy Shockey is in Carolina and don’t forget, Jimmy likes Elaine. Oh, one more thing, Jimmy likes Contenders SP autos which at one point hit $95 this week. If you just missed all that, fill yourself in.
8. Darrius Heyward-Bey 2009 Exquisite Auto Patches
Comments: Things have been so up and down for the Raiders this season. The studliness of Darren McFadden, the quick start to the season but on the flipside, the passing of Al Davis, the breaking of Jason Campbell’s collarbone. Much time was devoted to discussing Carson Palmer’s return to football with the Raiders last week but one thing that has gotten less air time is the fact that Darrius Heyward Bey has actually been playing remarkably well. More catches and big play ability will get you that. Darrius’ Exquisite patches are up about 25% from the past week as a result of the fact that whomever is playing QB for the Raiders likes throwing to him.
9. Leaf Ichiro Patches
Visit our forums to see pictures 
Comments: At this point you are saying, Phil, you just called Gilmore out for putting an unreleased product on the checklist and now here you go…but wait a second, these are released, just in redemption and we just got the word that they are shipping. If you haven’t already seen the images posted on our very own baseball card forum, get your bib ready to catch the drool. Suffice it to say, I don’t see these dropping in price very soon.
10. Not So Hot: Carson Palmer 2003 Rookie Autos
Comments: This is the beauty of the Hot List, its fickle, sometimes a guy is on the good side one week and on the bad side another. Carson didn’t start Sunday’s game but that didn’t stop him from getting in 3 completions, to the other team. Last week Carson’s 2003 Rookie Autos were being BIN’d and Best Offered at a rapid rate, this week, not quite so much. Now that’s not to say that values have fallen off the face of the earth but they are certainly down from last week and buyers can’t be encouraged by Carson’s start with his new team.