Monthly Wrap - May
Note: Ben’s Additions are on the left, Matt’s are on the right!
Exciting Addition
2024 Topps Pristine Seven Wonders Mookie Betts /70
I’ve wanted one of these since I first saw this insert in the new pristine re-release. Part of me wishes they’d not done any parallels of this, and just kept it to 70 total copies. Alas, they did add a red /5 and a 1/1, but still that means there are only 76 copies of this artwork. And that scarcity and uniqueness makes this card super fun in addition to it’s theme and artwork.
1998 SPX Finite Home Run Hysteria Alex Rodriguez /62
Now that I am working at Upper Deck and with Jean MacLeod, my love for the best era of sports cards is coming back like something fierce! This was and is again, one of my favorites from the 90s. The sweet picture, the cut off jersey, and the super low serial # make this one of the toughest cards to track down of A-Rod from Upper Deck in the 90s!
Prices in 1999 & 2000 stayed solid at around $200 to $250!
Long Awaited Addition
2022-23 SP Game Used Juuse Sauros supreme patch /15
Long awaited first PC Hockey card! I had to go big and one of the things I’m so jealous of with Upper Deck and hockey is the amazing patches you can get without paying an arm and a leg, and you know they’re game used. AAANND the designs are always really interesting. The second I got this card in hand, I immediately wanted to get another cool patch. Juuse is my guy for the PC, so if you come across some killer cards of him, LMK!
1999 UD Choice Prime Choice Reserve /100
While I had stepped away from collecting A-Rod for quite some time (since 2020), this was a card that remined close to my heart. Now that I work for the amazing company that produced these, I wanted so badly to purchase a copy again. Think about how tough these are despite having 100 copies printed…they were released in a product made for kids, likely got thrown away to people not looking for the parallels, and came from a cheap product.
I’m sure UD didn’t consider how collectible these would become but here we are. So happy to have this back in the collection!
Captivating Addition
2022 Panini Cornerstones Blue Steel Mookie Betts
A gift made the list! Matt was kind enough to send me some Mookie case hit SSP cards, I’ve had them displayed on my desk for the last 2 weeks and this one is the first that catches my eyes every time. It’s got a crazy shine, cool color match and that raised foil font for the team and name that makes it look expensive.
2000 Topps Chrome Allegiance Alex Rodriguez /100
Few cards can match the shine of 1999 and 2000 Topps Chrome. When I had the chance to add this highly desirable insert, I jumped at it. It may have been a bit more expensive than I was prepared for, but eventually the price will match what I paid. Side note: If you plan on breaking a card out of a new PSA case like I had to for this, make sure you have every tool you need…it’s a journey!
‘Overpaid but stoked’ Addition
1997 Pinnacle Clout Manny Ramirez artist’s proof
So I did a BIN on this card because I’ve always thought the 1997 Pinnacle artist’s proofs were gorgeous and this subset has become really sought after (especially the Griffey). My brother in law is a big fan of Manny and his Boston days, so this might end up being gifted as part of the ‘hobby pay-it-forward good karma’ we all like to participate in.
2024-25 SP Game Used Websites /15 Marc-Andre Fleury
Like last month, one of the most unique game-used cards falls into the #1 spot here because it was very expensive…however, we have never put a game-used twine from a goalie glove in a card before, but my teammate Billy Celio had the vision for it and here we are. I am so happy to own a piece of Flower’s glove, albeit from his Pens days. The best part is the black puck marks on the webbing chunk in this card!
‘Cheap but fun’ Addition
2008 Upper Deck Game Jersey Albert Pujols
I will always love this design, and this is a true throwback to the first every game jersey cards from 1997. I just ran across this one and if Pujols were around in 97, he definitely would have made it onto that checklist. I’ve thought a number of times about going after the full 2008 checklist to put in a binder - should I?
1995 Select Artist’s Proof “Rookie” Alex Rodriguez
The SHINE from the 1995 Select Artist’s Proofs was unmatched in 1995! Not only that, this was once one of A-Rod’s most desirable cards in 1996, the year he should have won the AL MVP. Everyone was after his cards and this parallel used to sell between $120 & $150! I got this for $30 shipped in a PSA case I cracked. I own something that was a big piece of Alex’s hobby history is very special, especially because the picture and card look so spectacular!
Month in Review
Ben: What a different month for me. 2 modern baseball cards in the list, you’ll start seeing hockey from me now as that journey begins. Truly a good month to keep my joy in the hobby at a high level.
Matt: Like Ben, I had a major pivot, back to the Roots of who and what era brought me back into the Hobby for good in 2016. Knowing how each and every card is made behind the scenes, I have gained a much bigger appreciation for trading cards, especially the 90’s inserts! Even the $1-5 cards were not easy to produce, and many of them fly under the radar due to their higher print runs. Chasing down copies of the toughest inserts is even more rewarding than ever. I am also happy to be buying very little Marc-Andre Fleury, but when I do, it’s a substantial card! The best part of this month is getting the Essential Credentials crew back together. Now we have a podcast episode a week!
