What’s Topps In 2009

 

 

Well another year is fast approaching its end so I thought when better to write an article discussing some of the most popular sport card related products then now.  Before I go any further with my article, I wish to preface it by stating that this is an opinion piece. I have not taken any formal polls, or based it on any officially recorded stats. This article is solely based on what, I as a collector of sports cards have observed as being popular amongst the general collecting community.

     There are as many varied sport card products out there as is there are collectors who enjoy them.  The thrill for any sport card hobbyist is the “high” one gets when you bust open that pack, box, or case and find the “hit.” If a product is extremely high end and on the pricey side, many collectors turn to secondary markets such as auctions, personal trades, or splitting the cost of a high end boxes to get what they are searching for.

What Do Collectors Want?

Collectors want bang for their hard earned buck. That is the long and short of it. So card companies have to be innovative in delivering a product the will give the collector what they want, while pricing it so that it is affordable and profitable at the same time. Now that is a tall order!  Most collectors no longer go out to complete a standard set. The trend these days is collecting a team or a particular player.  Now don’t get me wrong, there are still some people out there that enjoy putting a set together, but the definition of what a set is has some what evolved over time in the hobby. A set could be of anything really. For example I know of people that are putting together the “UD Sweet Spot Classic” the various autograph memorabilia cards. I believe the at the head of class when it comes to what people want, is anything game used, or autographed and numbered cards are definitely high ranking with collectors of today.

     After thinking and pondering, and searching through tons of YouTube videos, speaking with card shop owners, and of course speaking my fellow collectors out there I have come up with a list that runs down the most popular hobby boxes for 2009 as I see it.  Once again let me stress that this is simply my opinion based on the research I have done and what I have personally found.

1. Topps Triple Threads- especially for Baseball, Football, and Basketball
2. UD Exquisite- Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey
3. UD Black- Baseball, Football, Basket ball, Hockey
4. UD Sweet Spot Classic-Baseball, Football,
5. UD Premier-Baseball, Football, Basketball
6. Topps Bowman Chrome-Baseball, Football, Basketball
7. Playoff Absolute- Football
8. Panini Prestige-Basketball
9. Donruss Gridiron Gear-Football
10. The Cup- Hockey

 

 

Now I realize quite a few of you will have a differing opinion in terms of what the best products were for 2009, and you know what, its okay. In terms of what to be thankful for in regards to cards for the ’09 I am just happy to say there is a variety and that’s what makes this hobby so much fun and interesting. There is room in this hobby for collecting pretty much anything and everything. The only difficulty in card collecting for me personally is defining what you want to focus on and spend your time and money on to invest in.

I feel that as each year passes the card companies are trying their level best to put out fabulous products that make us collectors swoon with glee.  The price range available for the various products is also fair for the most part, in terms of the type of calibre of card you are receiving.  The reason that I placed the Triple Threads product at the number one spot for me is because, I find it is the product that most of the people in my card community enjoy busting. And it also it gives great autograph and relic cards of numerous players.  The last reason it is my number one choice for 2009, has got to be the price point. This is a truly mid level product which gives you some higher end cards but at an affordable price.

     As a collector I am certainly looking forward to the unveiling of the new products that will become available to us in 2010.  My hands are already itching to “bust” some boxes, and my fingers are ready to rip some packs, so here’s hoping brings me some 2010 super mojo!

Cami Berardi- HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

Dale Gear: Baseballs Best Kept Secret

 

 

     If you are a die hard fan of the game of baseball then you will want to keep reading. Baseball is not all about the salaries, the championships, the endorsements, and the fan fare. It is also a sport that is deeply rooted in a substantial amount of world history. Yes, I said world history. Many historical events transpired many decades ago within the game of baseball, which helped to shape the civil rights landscape of the United States of America.

     In 1901 women in the United States were still on the long and hard road to achieving their civil rights under the law. In 1903 the Women’s National Trade Union League was created in order to advocate for better wages and working conditions for women.  In the midst of all this struggle and progress there laid a secret story that was taking place in the game of baseball that no one was aware of, a secret so soundly kept that it actually lay dormant for 100 years until the silence was finally broken by a lady named Winifred Gear Swanson. You may be wondering who Winifred Gear Swanson is and that would be a good question to ask. So here is the good answer, she’s the 96 year old great grand-daughter of Dale Gear; the only woman to have ever played major league professional baseball!  Your eyes are not deceiving you at this moment; I did write that she was the first and only female have ever play major league baseball.

     Dale Dudley Gear played for the Washington Senators in 1901 as an outfielder and pitcher in their very first year of the American League and it was also the very first and only season for Dale Gear. The manager of the team at that time was Mr. Jimmy Manning; he had convinced Dale Gear to promise that she would not disclose her true identity to anyone, so this remained an open family secret in the Gear household for decades. Imagine the implications that could have arisen from the news that a woman was playing along side men of that day.  As I had mentioned previously, women had just begun to achieve very minimal levels of equality within society, a women playing baseball of all things would have been completely unheard of, and as it stands in today’s society it still is.

     The Baseball Encyclopaedia does in fact list a Dale Gear as having been an active player for the Washington Senators in 1901 as an outfielder and pitcher who batted .232 as an outfielder and had a 4-11 record and a 4.03 era as a pitcher. Although the Encyclopaedia lists Gear, there is no mention of her gender, only of a middle name which alludes to her being a man. Winifred Gear Swanson states that it is true that Dudley was her middle name, but it was the “family” name so it was not at all uncommon for females in their family to carry it.

     Mrs. Swanson has much proof to Coho borate her claim that indeed her Great Grandmother was Dale Gear the baseball player. She was able to produce a birth certificate which states her name and under the section marked gender, girl is indicated. Also she possesses some very important and valuable memorabilia. A team signed photo of the Senators which bares the inscription “Our Dale, the finest girl ball player in the land,” And if that isn’t enough Mrs. Swanson also produced an autographed baseball with Dale Gear’s signature on it. This ball and other memorabilia was to be put up for auction in order to raise money to build a Women’s Baseball Museum in Lone Elm, the town in which Dale lived, and we all can guess who he first inductee will be. Mrs. Swanson felt it time to share this tremendous story with the rest of the world, and I thank her for it. It is an important piece of history, and an inspirational one to boot. There is so much that can be achieved by women in today’s society whether it be in sports, or any other endeavour, and we are lucky to have these treasured stories and pieces of history to remind us that the impossible is more possible then we can imagine with perseverance and passion.

     Barry Halper a well known sports memorabilia collector managed to get a used uniform from Dale Gear, which had a giant W on the front of it and no number really. When he was asked why he purchased this one as opposed to the HOF uniforms he is known for collecting, his reason was simple, it belonged to a woman. How did he know?  He found a game used bra inside the uniform, the only bra to have even been worn in a professional Major League game, that’s one bra I wouldn’t burn in the name of progress. In looking back at pictures of Dale Gear, I have to honestly say she was the prettiest Picher/outfielder I’ve even seen.  As a female fan of sports and a collector of memorabilia and sports card myself, I can appreciate this story on many levels. As a woman this story has an even bigger picture, one that should stand to inspire and ignite all females to set their goals and no that there are no boundaries anything can be attainable if you try, even if you only just a girl.

Cami Berardi

You can check out more of my article on Ezine Article.com

Top Ten Most Valuable Baseball Rookie Cards

 

Check These Bad Boys Out, Betcha Wish You Owed Em’

 

 

 I hope you enjoyed watching this video, I know I sure did. Please feel free to leave your comments they are always welcome.

Cami Berardi

If you would like to check out any of my other articles on sports collecting please visit Ezine Articles.com

The Great Babe Ruth: How Much Is His Rookie Card Worth?

Babe Ruth is one of Baseball’s greatest players to ever swing a bat, and his name is one that is recognized world over within the hallowed halls of sports history.  He was not only a master of the game but was also a much beloved charismatic celebrity during the roaring twenties amongst the fans of that decade. It was not unusual for Babe Ruth to be found surrounded by young and old a like, clamouring for one of his prized autographs. And The Bambino was not shy about handing them out or enjoying the attention that came with it.

      Babe Ruth has been touted as the panicle individual to usher in the “live ball” era, able to dazzle the crowds with his big hits and racked up home runs that were unheard of previous to Ruth’s time.  Not only did the “Babe” have a tremendous on field presence but his personal life was just as rich and interesting. The Babe was known for his game, his reckless lifestyle, and his emeses charitable nature.  In 1927 Babe Ruth was the first player ever to hit 60 home runs in that season, which was an incredible feet for the game, and one that changed the face of baseball forever. Prior to this most baseball games were usually very low scoring speed driven games. Babe managed to push the boundaries and took the game to another level adding power hitting, and high scoring to the game all without sacrificing the speed or the athleticism that was already synonymous with baseball.

      So then it is no great wonder why even in 2009 we sports fans, especially baseball fans still can’t get enough of the “Babe.” Whether it is autographed memorabilia or cards, Babe Ruth still ranks number one amongst most collectors. One of the most valuable Babe Ruth cards out there today has got to be his Rookie card. Rookie cards no matter if it was from years gone by or from present day players have a massive appeal to hobbyist. But a vintage rookie card like Babe Ruth’s seems to have been able to retain a certain appeal. The cost associated with most rookies cards can vary according to the player, his popularity, the rarity or the card, and of course the condition the card is in a the time of purchase. But you would be hard pressed to find a Babe Ruth card in today’s competitive sports collectibles market that wouldn’t run you straight into the poor house.

      The very first baseball card to ever be produced of Babe Ruth at the age of 19 was first published in the Baltimore Sun Newspaper in 1914.  This card was taken along side many of Babe’s other team mates from the Baltimore Orioles. The cards featured a picture of a player on the front of the card and a team schedule on the back of the card. The cards were printed with both a blue ink boarder and a red ink boarder. The Orioles were part of the National League, and another team called the Terrapins were also photographed for cards, and they belonged to the Federal League. The scarcity of this card has driven the price of it sky high. I believe there may only be ten left in existence and if you are lucky enough to find one, the card can command as much as $200.000.00 easily, and that’s on the low end. The only other baseball card out there in today’s market that ranks higher than the Babe Ruth rookie card is the T206 Honus Wagner.

      Due to the scarcity of “Babe’s” card they do not come up for sale too often. There have been some found listed in auctions over the last few years, and this is a general break down of what they went for and who sold them.

 May 2009- $150,800.00 sold in poor condition, sold via Robert Edwards Auctions.

 May 2008- $517,000.00 sold in very good condition, again by Robert Edwards Auctions.

 April 2007- $200,000.00 sold through Robert Edwards Auctions, and it was previously  owned by a  casual        collector who put it up for sale.

      Babe Ruth will always be remembered as one of the greats, his accomplishments in baseball, and the effect his presence had on the game have managed to make baseball what it is today. I am a HUGE New York Yankees fan, and a memorabilia and card collector. It always gets me excited to think about the prospects of owning anything signed or game used by the “Babe. “ Babe Ruth was able to excite fans many years ago, and he still has that ability today, that is a testament too the type of player he was. Hopefully through collecting his memorabilia and baseball cards his legend will live on for generations to come, and enjoy.

 Cami Berardi

If you would like to see more of my sports related free lance articles you can check them out at Ezine Articles.Com

Would You Be Able To Tell If This Card Was Fake?

As I was surfing the old YouTube, I came across this video concerning an Albert Poljols “Tops Card.” The thing is that this in fact was a fake posted on Ebay for sale. I found this video extremely interesting from a collectors stand point, because many of us use Ebay as a way to make a purchases of some of our more hard to find cards for our personal collections.  I hope you find it as informative and interesting as I did.

 

Cami Berardi