Nonsense Newsletter No. 153: The top rookies in the MLB, We're all losers, and Metal hockey... and a lot more!
In this week’s hypnotic edition of the Nonsense Newsletter, John Dudley breaks down the MLB’s top rookies, I go all psycho-analytic and explain why it’s okay to be a loser in this hobby — it is. And, because I knew it was going to be a special week because the Pistons actually won a game, guest star, Sean Ulman, talks (and yes, it’s an answer to my prayers) about hockey!! So, let’s really get prepared to take this amazing edition of the Nonsense Newsletter into our mind, into our souls, and into our hearts… because it’s that special!
By John Dudley
2024 is in the books. The Dodgers are happy. Let’s all get back to chasing rookies. The 2024 class is a strong one, but perhaps not as deep as the 2023 class (although many in the 2023 class have fallen off). I’m in a list-making mood so let’s check in and see how the 2024 rookies stack up. There are lots of ways to rank these guys, but this is done simply based on how happy I’d be to pull one of their cards from a 2024 product.
Note: Players had to have had a Flagship Topps RC to be eligible
By Sean Ulman
That time of year again. Here in Alaska lakes are starting to freeze. Last weekend I pulled my skates out of storage, taped up my chipped stick and donned my Sidney Crosby Inaugural Winter Classic baby-blue jersey.
This season hockey fever even spread into my writing. I'm midway through a short story about a secret game played every New Year's day on a different lake in the Wisconsin woods.
I don't buy packs very often. But it's time to score the one blaster box I enjoy every year - Upper Deck Skybox Metal Universe Hockey.
Since returning to the hobby three years ago, Metal Universe is by far my favorite set. I stopped buying boxes of cards in 1995. After 25 years off, my first eBay purchases were the flashy basketball singles designed by Marvel artists.
By John McTaggart
t’s often whispered amongst circles within the hobby.
Rarely is it discussed openly at card shows or in streams.
But just because it’s not often said does not mean it does not exist.
And what am I referring to?
Losses.
And when I say loses I mean cards we simply have zero hope of ever getting right with, of ever getting out-from-under.
It’s the player who came in with so much hype, so much fanfare that prices were high before this athlete ever really laced up his spikes or took his first shift on the ice.
It’s the Tim Couch, Phil Nevin, Greg Oden, Trevor Zegras (yes, I said it) Demarcus Russell-types of the hobby.
Quick Hits
Hobby News- I don’t get including Topps employees on cards at all, but some of them are worth big bucks. A couple of rare Keith Gentili (Hobby Sales Operations Manager) auto cards sold for over $600 recently. He seems like a fairly prolific hiker and author, but the sales show why collectors shouldn’t be bummed if an employee card replaces one of their hits.
Vintage- I suppose when one spends $3.72 million on a case of unopened 45-year old hockey cards, there comes a moment when you may think to yourself… “what the hell have I done?” That’s when you either take a deep breath, contact your divorce attorney, then write the check…. Or… you look both ways and run as far away as you can. Well, the later happened recently when an unopened case of 1979- O-Pee-Chee hockey sold at auction… they won the bid… then they gone. It’s going back up for auction though, which is good for those of us who would like another crack at the rare find. Read more about it here.
Hobby News- Speaking of high sales, mascot cards from the recent Topps 206 set have been breaching the $300 threshold. There are only 25 copies of each card, but sought-after 206 cards of that rarity have a tendency to only surface a few times on eBay and it looks like collectors are being aggressive in securing these cards.
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.