Look at anything you have in your life, and I can guarantee you one thing about it. Eventually in some way it will change. It’s an inevitable force that will eventually affect everything. Today, the hot list undergoes a temporary change.
Phil Mason, who has valiantly written this list for two years now will be sitting the next few lists out until we can get a handle on the blog content. The goal is to have a series of regular columns by a few writers and not just be the two man show that it has been. Content is going to take this site forward. Forward seems like a good direction, so let’s start the list.
A Triple Crown is one of the rarest feats in baseball. Especially in the modern age with equipment improvement, advanced scouting, and performance enhancing drugs. The playing field is level enough that dominating every offensive statistical category is more impressive than ever.
Miggy has always been a guy that was capable of the crown, and now reality has set in and collectors have jumped on his cards in a huge way. Random base set Topps cards are in the buck range and lots are crazy as well. Want this nice PSA Topps traded autograph in the picture? Not unless you got $1500 in your paypal account.
The post season awards aren’t done for Cabrera as he should be also awarded the AL MVP. You also have hopefully a long playoff run for him to star in.
#2 Matt Ryan Exquisite RPA Patch Autographs
Matty Ice is living up to his nickname this season. In all my days of watching Falcon football I have never seen anything like that pass out of the end zone to Roddy White to put the Panthers away.
It was so epic that it became a national sports story rather than the usual local coverage that the birds get here in Atlanta. The NY Times and other national sources covered it as feature stories. This gives Matt a wider market of collectors and has pushed all of his rookie cards upwards this week.
#3 2012 Topps Update All Star Jumbo Patches
Sometimes Topps just gets a design right. These cards are among the nicest looking I have seen in a few years. I realize the complaints that they use all star warm up jerseys for these cards are valid. I understand that collectors want real game used. I also understand that these cards are beautiful, have a deep star studded checklist, and are extremely rare. Besides isn’t this better than getting a game used card and having no clue where the jersey came from?
In the world of base topps, extremely rare is enough to drive prices up. When a set meets all three of those demands prices go through the roof. These cards got off to a slow start with a Craig Kimbrel only hitting the $100 mark. Then a Trout and Darvish showed up and showed the collecting market that these cards are big. Player collectors will scramble for these cards for a long time.
#4 Star Wars Galactic Files High End Autographs and Sketches
In terms of crazy collecting fan base no sports figure has anything on Star Wars memorabilia. When those collectors embrace a card set the secondary market has a hard time containing the result.
Your standard Harrison Ford autographed 8×10 runs about $350. Harrison Ford as Han Solo in Galactic Files, try an incredible $5000.
I am very surprised that The Fett Man is only selling for $45. I would have thought that his cult following would push that card up higher than that.
Sketch cards are big money as well. Some of the color sketch cards of notable characters can bring close to the $800 mark. My favorite sketch that I have seen so far is this Darth Vader.
#5 Brian Hartline Contenders Autographs
With fall coming up many of you are taking your coats out of the closet and getting them ready for colder weather. Some of you when doing so will find one of life’s most underrated surprises left in your pocket of that coat. Sure enough, you left an Andrew Jackson in that pocket last year and this year it feels like free money. People who have Brian Hartline contenders autographs right now should have a similar feeling.
It’s hard being a white guy receiver in the NFL. Guys like Jordy Nelson of the Packers face an up hill battle when looking for recognition in the hobby. If the perception is slow receiver it takes a massive performance for the players cards to get any attention. Unless that player plays for the Patriots for some reason.
Tannehill to Hartline exploded this week with an amazing 252 yards in the air. If you say you saw this coming, you are probably lying.
#6 2012 Leaf Metal Baseball Albert Pujols Patch Autos
This is an advanced add to the hot list. Right now there aren’t enough cards or information on the market to include these cards on the hot list. But I suspect that by the time this article is circulated that we will see a few eBayers fighting over this extremely limited sub set.
This bidding war should be a fun one to watch. Also these patches are all scanned post production by Leaf and made available via a public database. This is a clear deterrent for patch fakers and if done across the board by the card companies it will put an end to the mass of fake patch cards that get made every year.
Ice Cold Bonus Cam Newton
Last years break out story has gotten a bit stale as he hits his sophomore slump. His negative attention in the media lately has made him look bad and the collecting world has certainly responded. If you are holding Cam cards and looking to sell, be prepared to hold a while.
The good news is, he is still an elite talent. The sky is still the limit for Cam as he is clearly one of the most talented athletes in the league. The bad news is, he is getting out shined by Robert Griffin.
To put this into perspective all you have to do is compare RG4′s stats to Cam’s last year. I think you will find that case study to be advantage Newton.
These factors make now the best time to buy, grade and sit. The prices are getting too good to not pick up his stuff counting on an inevitable rebound.