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mrmopar
Member
- Jan 19, 2010
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I feel as though I am asking rhetorically, as I am pretty certain I know the answer to be a resounding YES, but I will still share my thoughts. This hobby seems to live and die on the actions from players on (and often times off) the field. That makes sense for the most part, but at some level some of us still collect for the fun, completion or whatever drives you to collect aside from profit or having to have the "IT" item.
Case in point is the Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin. Now I have to admit that I was seeking a signed card late in the game only because I can't possibly keep up with all of the players that may or may not make the team. I tried half-heartedly during the offseason and ended up with a lot of autographs of players who were traded, released or are trapped in the minors. This does me little good and is a waste of money as well. I did it in hopes of not missing out on the next expensive prospect auto though. Obviously it is best to wait until they play if you are looking to capture a signature of any player appearing on a specific team. I also collect Dodger cards that are signed, even if the player never makes the team or plays in the bigs, but only if the card is a Dodger card. However, when you wait for the sure thing, then you might fall victim to what I am about to describe.
Anyway, I heard that Donsolin was being called up and went looking to see if he had any signed cards. I was completely oblivious to the guy prior to hearing the news. Sure enough, he has at least one, Donruss Elite, with a plethora of parallels. I think great, I should be able to grab one for a couple bucks and call it good. I check and find none on ebay and all of them on comc are what I considered to be absurdly priced. I check sold ebay listings and see a BUNCH that sold in the last 1-2 months for small to mid range prices. Then, a copy /25 lists on ebay before his debut. Certainly it was done purposefully to capture the hype of his upcoming debut. I watch it and hope to nab it. I am pretty sure by the time he made his debut though, the card had already previously ended. It sold for $31! Pure hype for sure.
Not more than a month back, 2 copioes of the same card /25 sold in a lot for under $15. Now the guy, on the verge of his MLB debut gets a super boost and someone (well, at least 2 people) is willing to pay $31 for this card now. He ends up with the L after giving up 6 runs in 4 innings. For my sake, here is to hoping that the hype is momentarily stopped by his poor outiong, but we all know that is not going to happen.
I shake my head at this. I know it is human nature, but I still find it funny. Maybe the guy does something special and turns into another Kershaw and I wish I had spent $31, but odds are better he will end up like a Yimi Garcia and I can buy one for $2 if I wait long enough. After all, he is 25 already and certainly doesn't look like a ballplayer! Sigh, the risks of buying anything related to a "prospect". I hate this part of the hobby and am glad I only feel obligated to partake when it comes to Dodger autographs. I wouldn't wish this type of buying experience on my enemies.
Case in point is the Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin. Now I have to admit that I was seeking a signed card late in the game only because I can't possibly keep up with all of the players that may or may not make the team. I tried half-heartedly during the offseason and ended up with a lot of autographs of players who were traded, released or are trapped in the minors. This does me little good and is a waste of money as well. I did it in hopes of not missing out on the next expensive prospect auto though. Obviously it is best to wait until they play if you are looking to capture a signature of any player appearing on a specific team. I also collect Dodger cards that are signed, even if the player never makes the team or plays in the bigs, but only if the card is a Dodger card. However, when you wait for the sure thing, then you might fall victim to what I am about to describe.
Anyway, I heard that Donsolin was being called up and went looking to see if he had any signed cards. I was completely oblivious to the guy prior to hearing the news. Sure enough, he has at least one, Donruss Elite, with a plethora of parallels. I think great, I should be able to grab one for a couple bucks and call it good. I check and find none on ebay and all of them on comc are what I considered to be absurdly priced. I check sold ebay listings and see a BUNCH that sold in the last 1-2 months for small to mid range prices. Then, a copy /25 lists on ebay before his debut. Certainly it was done purposefully to capture the hype of his upcoming debut. I watch it and hope to nab it. I am pretty sure by the time he made his debut though, the card had already previously ended. It sold for $31! Pure hype for sure.
Not more than a month back, 2 copioes of the same card /25 sold in a lot for under $15. Now the guy, on the verge of his MLB debut gets a super boost and someone (well, at least 2 people) is willing to pay $31 for this card now. He ends up with the L after giving up 6 runs in 4 innings. For my sake, here is to hoping that the hype is momentarily stopped by his poor outiong, but we all know that is not going to happen.
I shake my head at this. I know it is human nature, but I still find it funny. Maybe the guy does something special and turns into another Kershaw and I wish I had spent $31, but odds are better he will end up like a Yimi Garcia and I can buy one for $2 if I wait long enough. After all, he is 25 already and certainly doesn't look like a ballplayer! Sigh, the risks of buying anything related to a "prospect". I hate this part of the hobby and am glad I only feel obligated to partake when it comes to Dodger autographs. I wouldn't wish this type of buying experience on my enemies.
