Nonsense Newsletter No. 160: Low-end bliss, Free agency and the hobby, 3-up 3-down — NFL playoff style and more!
In this week’s edition of the Nonsense Newsletter, John Dudley plays the 3-up 3-down game NFL playoff edition. Cole Benz takes a gander at the impact of free agency on the hobby, and I write about more old guys who collect cards (seriously though, this is a really smart old guy, so check it out). And, as usual, the quick hits is loaded with bangers! So, let’s do this again — sit back and enjoy this week’s edition of the Nonsense Newsletter!
By John Dudley
like to check in with the card market from time to time to see whose cards are going up or going down. It’s important to have a handle on that in order to time buying and selling. So, this week in honor of the NFL Playoffs it’s time for another round of “three up, three down.”
Here are three players, or groups of players, whose cards are either skyrocketing or plummeting. For each, there change in Card Ladder Index value is in the parentheses next to their names. Let’s see whose card values are on the move, figure out why, and also figure out if the gains or drops will continue.
By Cole Benz
Free agency is one of the more exciting parts of an offseason. What will your team do? Who will you lose from your roster? All kinds of questions.
But what about card buying practices?
Free agency theoretically helps your team get better. And usually, not always, but usually when a team gets better and has success cards of players increase in value, or at least the speculation grows.
Take Corbin Burnes, now a pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks. That’s a rotation that on paper is set to get a big boost, boasting an all-star and former Cy Young award winner. While Burnes may be a bad example, he is a pitcher and is only on the field every five games.
But look at a position player, like Juan Soto and the mega deal he signed with the Mets. If Pete Alonso re-signs with the Mets, Soto provides a heap of protection for the Polar Bear, along with Francisco Lindor. So would that push buyers to pick up some Pete Alonso cards?
By John McTaggart
I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine earlier this week, which I want to share with all of you.
Now, keep in mind, this friend has been a full-time trading card dealer for more than two decades now with offerings from every sport, every era, including TCG and non-sports items.
He deals mainly in singles, and does no breaking, very few wax products, and is not on social media in any way, shape or form.
Okay, now that you have some context, let’s proceed.
Quick Hits
Hobby News- Topps has released the checklist and odds for 2025 Topps Series 1 and a big change has ruffled the feathers of some veteran collectors. Topps Black parallels have been a staple since 2003 and each year the print run goes up by one. Not this year as Topps has replaced it with a black foil parallel /10. This is a rare time when collectors want the higher print run back. The parallel is one of a very few with a following and many are verklempt about the changes. I’d like to see it return in Series 2 and for Topps to put Series 1 Black parallels in Update to rectify the situation, but my guess is that we’ll just have some bummed veteran collectors.
Hobby News- Topps has gotten stingy with their upcoming release info and that paired with delays has left big question marks for some potential 2024 products. Will we get a 2024 Heritage High Number (and a Mini version)? It’s looking doubtful, but Topps seems content to keep their cards close to their chest and collectors are left to speculate wildly.
Vintage- I’m old enough to remember him fondly, laughing at his antics on television, the big screen or on the radio. A true baseball legend, Bob Uecker, passed away this week at 90-years old. Read about Uek’s card life here.
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.