Nonsense Newsletter No. 166: 10 questions, the AL Central and 1985 Topps (that's what I'm talking about!) And more!
Yo! In this week’s edition of the Nonsense Newsletter, John Dudley dives right into the American League’s Central Division. I turn the tables on you all and ask for some audience participation, and the Quick Hits are fire (all this kids say “fire,” meaning very hot). So, let’s kick back and enjoy another installment of the Nonsense Newsletter!
By John Dudley
pring Training is underway, and I couldn’t be more excited. This week, I turn my attention to the AL Central, which is a bit of a mixed bag in the hobby. It’s a fun one in real life with four teams that have the postseason as a realistic goal and a team vying with the Athletics for the most moribund franchise title. Sometimes, parity can be fun. If you missed my AL West and NL West pieces, feel free to check those out as well.
By John McTaggart
I want to do a little something different this week.
Instead of me just rambling on about a topic, or pointing out some observation about a part of the hobby that either frustrates or delights me, I want to venture down a different path today.
I want to know how all of you feel.
Each of you are the components that make up this hobby, and despite what many social media influencer-types may think — there’s more to this hobby than the words, “Bruh,” and “comps.”
That said, let’s dive right into what I like to call — the state of the hobby survey, first edition.
Quick Hits
Hobby News- Topps hits the nostalgia hard with Topps Finest Xmen ’97, which focuses on designs from the popular cartoon and melds them with the classic and popular 1997 Topps Finest designs. Box prices spiked quickly to $200. The singles market has been fairly soft so fa, but the price point is attractive for affordable breaks, so I’m not sure there is much room for prices to dip for wax. It’s a fun set with a tiered structure that offers a variety of ways to set build, which I always appreciate. -John Dudley
Vintage- Finally, something other than a rare Babe Ruth up for auction! In fact, this is so cool that it’s fire! Take a look at this look at one of my all-time favorite Topps sets — 1985 Topps baseball. Check it out here.
Hobby News- If you aren’t following Topps on some form of social media, you are missing out. Their feeds have gotten amazing and have become the place to get the first scoop on the amazing Topps cards in the works. I think the new focus on awesome cards on their feeds has helped quality overall, as Topps seems dead set on figuring out how to top themselves constantly. I promise they don’t pay me. I’m just that impressed with their recent output. -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.