Nonsense Newsletter No. 151: Girl Power in the hobby, Stadium Club previews, a rare DiMaggio card and more!
This week, we’ve pulled out all the stops in honor of the MLB postseason! John Dudley gives us a sneak-peek at Stadium Club, I shout out the role women have in the hobby, and the Quick Hits section is enough to satisfy even the harshest of skeptics. So, knowing all this, don’t wait another minute to delve into this week’s edition of the Nonsense Newsletter!
By John Dudley
Topps has Stadium Club up for pre-order finally. It was a tight race between All & Ginter and Stadium Club for the set fans were most anxious about being announced. While the wait was long, hopefully, the cards will be worth it. Let’s check in on this year’s release to see if it measures up.
It’s All About The Photos
The annual buying of a box of Stadium Club is a ritual I undertake every year despite always getting autographs of 30-year-old middle relievers and not being a fan of the parallels or inserts. It’s a harsh product and if I was only concerned with value I’d stay away.
The best card products have one thing that they do better than any other product and Stadium Club’s exceptional quality is photography. Since 1991, the big draw for Stadium Club are the stellar images. From action shots to candid ones, there’s never a dull photo in Stadium Club and it is still the only set one can say that about.
By John McTaggart
I have been around this hobby for a good long while now.
I’ve seen tons of trends, eras, and too many ups-and-downs to count over the nearly four decades I’ve been entrenched in this business.
Of all these happenings, the one that brings me the most joy has been the recent emergence of women in the hobby.
I can’t describe how much the hobby needs these ladies, and how much of a positive impact they can, and are, making on the industry.
And I’m seeing this in every facet and phase, from collectors I notice at local card shows looking for cards, to big-time breakers such as Mama Breaks and MoneyMoose, to card shop owners and influencers.
Women are finally getting a seat at the table and we are all better for it.
I also love how women’s sports are emerging as a key part of the hobby as well — further driving the crucial and growing role of women in trading cards.
Suddenly, Caitlin Clark cards have rocketed to the top of collector’s wish list.
WNBA and professional women’s soccer player cards, among others, are all finding a place in showcases all over the country, all over the world.
Quick Hits
Hobby News — Topps has had quite the last few days of releases and there is more to come. Topps T206, Stadium Club, and Logofractor all are newly available on the Topps website (still available as of writing). Bowman Sterling and Mercury also were offered but sold out. Cosmic is out today and all of a sudden, the hobby is flush with exciting new products. The fact some of them haven’t sold out yet though does make one wonder if Topps would benefit from spacing these releases out more. -John Dudley
Vintage — Who doesn’t like Joe DiMaggio? No one, right? The guys was an amazing player, a humble guy and never seemed to let the spotlight of Yankee pinstripes get to his head. Well, if Joltin’ Joe is your mojo, then this extremely rare 1930s Zeenut PSA 1 might be right up your alley. Read more about it here. — John McTaggart
Pop Culture News- —There are a ton of pop culture cards out there, but here are 10 awesome ones you might have overlooked. I’m a sucker for lists and this author seems like a cool dude. -John Dudley
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.