Nonsense Newsletter No. 103: MLB Top 50 (Part II), Community, Topps T206, a rare Jackie Robinson and More!
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In this week’s edition of the Nonsense Newsletter John Dudley wraps up the MLB’s Top 50 with a look at Nos. 20-1. I talk about the community of the hobby, and, of course, there is a Quick Hits Section that will likely leave you speechless. So, with that said, let’s take some time out of our busy schedules to make time for the things we enjoy — this wonderful hobby.
Contributor: John Dudley
The continuation of ranking the MLB Top 50 names in the hobby! If you missed 21-50 last week, check it out here. I’ll wait. Remember, this is not the hottest players right this second, but rather an attempt to suss out the biggest names in the hobby. It’s also not a raking of the best real baseball players. There are always great players who for various reasons aren’t big in the hobby.Â
20. Spencer Strider- The lone pitcher to make the top part of the list just squeaks in. Strider is the only pitcher under 35 that holds any sway in the hobby. Collectors do love strikeouts and Strider is perfect for that. I think he can crack the top 10 eventually as he will benefit from being the only young pitcher to have hobby value. His uniqueness will boost his standing once the cadre of HOF-bound vets (Greinke, Kershaw, Scherzer, and Verlander) retire.Â
19. Rafael Devers- The Red Sox season was so toxic that a lot of the negativity unfairly got attached to Devers. He had a solid season, but not a remarkable one. Has peaked as a top 25 guy or can go up a level to be a top 10 one? The answer to that question will determine his hobby future. Going into his age 27 season, anything short of greatness will start to hurt his card prices.
18. Adley Rutschman- I think the hobby is too high on Adley, but the skills are certainly there. The big knocks on him are his age and position which aren’t trivial concerns in the hobby. Collectors are in on him though so he cracks the top 20.Â
17. Luis Robert- Robert has had his early career derailed by injuries but finally showed off what he can do in a mostly full season. He’s got the potential to be an MVP candidate in the future and there is still just enough hype left from his early career to keep him in the top 20.Â
Contributor: John McTaggart
Collecting cards can be a very complex thing.
In fact, all of us who love the hobby are inundated with facts, stats, tidbits of information and opinions on a daily basis.
Heck, on an hourly basis we can log on to YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, Discord or any other social media platform not aforementioned and find out something new about the hobby and the industry spouted off by a wide range of people claiming to have it all figured out.
Someone is always there telling us what to buy, who to buy, what to sell, when to sell, how to sell and what to expect when we do any of these things.
There are tons of folks with graphs, charts, projections, stories and vlogs about their whirlwind adventures at a card show or trade night.Â
It’s all very nice, and mostly very self-serving.
After many years in this hobby I can honestly say the entire thing can be summed up in one word — community.
The hobby is, at it’s core, about the community.
Quick Hits
Hobby News- Topps T206 continues with the 2023 High Series. The set is chick full of autos this year with 1 in 3 boxes having an auto. This might also be one of the better auto checklists Topps has had in any product of the last few years. See the checklist here. It’s a good mix of rookies, vets, fan favorites and HOF players with over half being players I’d love to get a T206 auto of.
Vintage- He is among a very short list of truly iconic baseball players, and among an even shorter list of athletes that transcend their sport — Jackie Robinson. Now, a rare 1953 Our Sport Magazine Robinson CSG 2.5 is up for auction at Hake’s Auctions. For more info about the card click here.
Hobby News- Fanatics tried to drum up business for Fanatics Live by offering Topps Montgomery Club members $50 worth of credit. Unfortunately, they assigned the redemption codes in numerical order so a malefactor or two swiped all of the codes. Not the best look, but they are apparently working on a fix.
Pop Culture News- It’s-a-me, Mario! Everyone’s favorite plumber is making a big splash in cardboard form. Folks who pre-ordered Super Mario Bros. Wonderworld from Walmart got a free pack of cards that are heating up on the secondary market. Packs are hitting $40 and the big chase is a serial numbered Elephant Mario that has now hit a whopping $1000.
The Sports Card Nonsense newsletters reflect the opinions of only the authors and contributors. They are for informational purposes only and are not a recommendation for purchases or of an investment strategy or to buy or sell any assets.