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Am I missing something? No, seriously, am I really seeing what I think I am seeing? A card, available in regular packs at no real lack of distribution, is going for how much? I would understand if it were autographed, or if it were ridiculously SPed, but this is what seems to be a normal mini that you can probably get in retail packs for fuck's sake!
When you see that the autographed version of his 2010 Bowman card can be had for around $650
, why in god's name would anyone in their right mind pay THIS much for a normal and not rare card? Most of the Allen & Ginter minis are rar-ER pulls than a base card, and I get that Stras wont have a base card, but this much? Cmon, we have reached a level beyond insanity.
I can only imagine what the first auto is going to go for, even though its a redemption. I would guess the first one will easily top 2K, and settle in around 1,000 for the first month. After that, I would guess that the Bowman auto and the rest of the autos should equal out to be around the same price when all is said and done. Its still beyond stupid though.
I do continue to think people should be committed for buying at these prices, as its obvious that Washington isnt going to be the next Philadelphia in the National League. Not to mention that Tim Lincecum, a 2 time, 2 time, cy young winner has autos that can be had for close to nothing compared to the ridiculous prices that Strasburg is going for.
Its actually rare that I am befuddled by something that happens in this hobby, I mean truly and utterly befuddled. Even though I dont think that anyone should ever pay any attention to anything with a Triple Threads logo on it, I at least get why some people (who must have vision problems, I guess) like to collect the cards. People who pay what they are paying for boxes of Bowman and anything with Stras' picture on the front is literally something I cannot understand.
UPDATE: Ebay has pulled these auctions.
That's got to be a fake bid. I think it's just somebody trying to get a goof to possibly get some publicity.
ReplyDeleteAnd if it's not a fake bid...
He deserves every bit of what he gets.
I agree with everything you're saying. Just one note: word on the street is that this Strasburg mini is coming in about once per 3 cases. At that rate it is way rarer than a regular mini and way rarer that an SP'd mini. Again, that still doesn't justify the craziness, but it seems like this is a really tough pull.
ReplyDeleteWhat's more, there's speculation that both of these listings are fake and are just using the Beckett stock images (same link) and are either being bid up to distributors trying to make a run on cases, or as a windfall for someone who expects to buy a ton of product and pull one.
Again, just speculation...
I think I can offer some explanation for the craziness. Check out the number of the card (#401). The Allen and Ginter set traditionally has had 350 cards in the regular set (1-300 base, 301-350 SP).
ReplyDeleteThey then have extended mini cards (351-400), which are of a slightly different design and inserted only into rip cards.
It seems that this Strasburg card is one of these extended minis inserted into rip cards.
Rip cards are a case hit (one every 12 boxes). Maybe this can explain some of the perceived rarity of this card. It's not as mindboggling as it appears on the surface.
Any extended mini would probably sell for at least $20-30. This is obviously a special case.
Signed, an A&G aficionado
Actually, this is a rare card. So rare that no one has actually pulled on yet. This guy used Topps' stock image in anticipation of pulling one from his case(s). Bad for him that he didn't.
ReplyDeleteThis one will get messy. I've read/seen over 20 cases busted and no one has pulled this card. Topps stated over and over that it is NOT in rip cards, yet no one has hit one yet.
On the forums and on youtube, their have been about 3 or 4 cases cracked and nobody has sniffed a Strasburg yet...I have a feeling they are gonna be harder to pull than the Hobby Auto's
ReplyDeleteIndeed, the listings were anticipatory and have been pulled. Super case-breaker Brentandbecca have confirmed 80 cases broken with no Strasburg mini or Auto redemption seen.
ReplyDeleteSomething's fishy in Toppsland at the moment. Interesting to see how this plays out in the next few days.
Topps may have screwed the pooch on this one.
ReplyDeleteThey had a great thing going, were making tons of money with the success of their flagship and Bowman. It seems like A&G is a case of bait and switch. This may really piss off collectors and Topps may pay for it. Or, people are crazy for Strasburg and it won't deter them from buying Topps products.