Goldin Auctions: Kenta Maeda Rookie Superfractor is Available

Goldin Auction is currently running their October Legends auction and it's got a card that you don't see too often at these established auction houses. Featured here is a modern issue card, and it represents one of the top Kenta Maeda cards in the hobby. It is his 2016 Bowman Chrome Prospects rookie card and it's of the highly coveted 'Superfractor' variety -- meaning it's a 'one-of-one' card (Auction Link).

Best yet, this auction might be able to answer a question that I've always wondered about. If you had a card to sell (assuming it's a high-dollar item), would you be better off selling it on your own through eBay, or should you reach out to an auction house?

The reason I can ask this question is that this exact card sold in August on eBay for $749.99 (you can see that listing here). So, it'll be interesting to see if this card will sell for significantly more or less than its sale price of just one month ago.

BTW, arguably the best Maeda card you can get is the autographed version of the above card.... And wouldn't you know it. That card sold last month too. It closed at $1,200.00 (eBay Auction Link). You can see it on the right.

As for other Dodger stuff in Goldin's auction I really like the below painting by artist Greg Gutierrez. He is an Southern California based artist who is probably best known for his book, "Zen and the Art of Surfing."

As you can see, his painting is of Jackie Robinson rounding first base. (Auction Link)

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Blog Kiosk: 5/15/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here is one of what must have been numerous different conceptual drawings put together by architects for the O'Malley's. The drawing above, recently shared by MLB Cathedrals on twitter, is dated 1957 and was created by a local father and son duo of Stiles and Robert Clements.

Stiles Clements is famous for his art deco and streamline moderne styles in Los Angeles. He designed the El Capitan Theater Building, the Mayan Theater, Adamson House in Malibu, Samson Uniroyal Tire Factory (present day Citadel Outlets mall), the Wiltern Theatre and Jefferson High School. His son, Robert, had designed more than 110 buildings on Wilshire Boulevard alone.

BTW, Dodger Stadium was designed by New York based architect and civil engineer, Emil Praeger. Below are more links to check out

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 the Dodgers purchase starting pitcher Sal "the Barber" Maglie from the Indians. 
• Happy Birthday, Alex Verdugo, Jack Corcoran, Jimmy Wasdell, Al McBean, Bill North & Josh Beckett!

Bellinger Superfractor Shows Up on eBay

Come on now... get your filthy fingers off that card!

There's nothing more annoying than seeing pics like this. As you might imagine holding this card that way is an easy way to damage it, and any bit of damage can be costly. After all, a superfractor of a stud rookie like Bellinger is likely to sell for thousands -- even if it's not the best of the superfractors available of him.

Blog Kiosk: 5/3/2016 - Dodgers Links - Ebbets Field, Maeda and Josh Ravin's Suspension

Wow!  There's nuthin' 'round the ol' joint.

Shown above, via a tweet by Old Baseball Photos, is Ebbets Field just prior to its opening in 1913.  You can see the grandstands and the backside of the outfield walls, but nothing else (except a few buildings here and there).  I always assumed Brooklyn was built out the way it is today, but clearly that is wrong.  The immediate area was as barren as a bald head.

A little bit of research tells me that Pigtown, the neighborhood this area was called due to the existence of several large pig farms, was economically depressed.  It's inhabitants were largely poor and crime was known to be a problem.  Folks would come into town to dump their junk there and farm animals were known to roam around recklessly.  The metropolis it is today was just a dream back then.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1947 the Branch Rickey traded five Dodgers players; including Kirby Higby, to Pittsburgh.  The move was seen as a message to the players on his support for Jackie Robinson.
• Happy Birthday, Davey Lopes and Darren Dreifort!

The Kenta Maeda Superfractor has been Found and Sold

This is the "Big Daddy" of all Kenta Maeda Baseball cards.

Over the weekend, thanks to a post at Blowout Buzz, I found out that the redemption for the Chrome Prospect Autograph Superfractor parallel card of Maeda had been posted up on eBay.  It had a "Buy It Now" price tag of $14,999.00, and I figured it would just sit there unsold.

Boy, was I wrong!

Blog Kiosk: 5/6/2014 - Dodger Links - Guerrero Superfractor has been Found

Hanley is hoping for the rain to go away.  He got his wish, as the Dodger resumed the game.  Pic above via @Dodgers on twitter.

• Via Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily, “Pawn Stars” Casting Crew Seeking Sports Items At June Long Beach Expo.
• Chad Moriyama at Dodgers Digest shares a gif of the Dodgers only highlight from last night's game - a Dodger fan reaction behind the plate to a Brian Wilson strike out.  Was that Troy from West Virginia?  Do you remember him?  He became viral famous a few years back for his love of Joe Beimel. 

(Pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

• Via Jeff Seidel at MLB.com, "Ryu gets OK to begin throwing program."

"With everything, doc felt good, didn't need anything, just let him start working there and moving forward," Mattingly said.

• I just thought I'd let you know that the Alexander Guerrero Superfractor has been found in 2014 Bowman, and it's currently for sale on eBay, here.  Check out pics below.  Superfractors are the most sought after modern issue rookie card in the hobby.  They are all "1 of 1's", and can sell for thousands of dollars.

• Via Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA, "Is Ramirez contract extension now on back burner for Colletti?"
• RIP.  Via Helene Elliott at the LA Times, "Former King, Flyer Ross Lonsberry dies at 67."  He played for the Kings in the late-'60's and early '70's, and was an import cog to the Stanley Cup Champion Broad Street Bullies in Philadelphia.

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Kershaw Earns the Games Richest Contract, so why not Show his Richest Card

With Clayton Kershaw being the rage these past 24 hours, I though it would be interesting to feature his most sought after Baseball card.

Shown on the right is the Clayton Kershaw 2006 Bowman Chrome Autographed Superfractor '1 of 1' rookie Baseball card.

I had noticed its availability in the early part of 2012 on eBay.  It had a 'Buy It Now' price of $17,500.00 at the time, but did not sell.  If you look at the auction listing today, though.  You will notice that it now states that the card is no longer available from the owner, so it appears likely that it has since sold at an undisclosed value. 

Considering Kershaw's dominance on the mound and the consensus of just about every observer of the game that he is the best there is, I think it's fair to say that this card should be the most expensive Superfractor on the market.

In the past, Superfractors have sold for thousands of dollars.  In May of 2010 the Stephen Stasburg 2010 Bowman Chrome Superfractor sold on eBay for $16,403.  Then, that same Strasburg resold soon after at $21,403.  The 2010 Bowman Team USA Bryce Harper Superfractor sold for $12,500 in 2010.  The 2013 Bowman Chrome Yasiel Puig autographed Superfractor was recently listed on eBay at $34,999.99, and has been sold at an undisclosed price.

There's no telling what a collector would pay for the above Kershaw card.  All I know is that it should eclipse in value any other Superfractor card sold so far.

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Blog Kiosk: 1/8/2014 - Dodgers Links - Puig Arrested in Hot Pink, Mattingly's Extension and Hanley was the Best Last Year

JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers has the police dash cam video of Yasiel Puig's recent arrest in Florida.  I gotta say, his speeding didn't seem all that reckless.  It was a long straight away and it doesn't appear there was any swerving.  Frankly, it looked like everybody on that road was speeding and Puig was just the unlucky ducky.  Oh... And Puig likes to wear hot pink shorts.  What's up with that?

BTW, every time I've visited Florida I always took note of the rampant speeding on their highways.  I remember constantly going 80+ MPH in the slow lane while being passed on the left by a 80+ year old snow bird in a Cadillac.  Now, I'm not advocating that you should go 100+ MPH, but I swear, it was a constant occurrence in Florida.

Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy interprets the conversation between Puig and the officer, here.

• Via Chris Moran at Beyond the Boxscore, "2013, when Hanley Ramirez was the best player in baseball".

Hanley Ramirez was Miguel Cabrera in 2013. That is, if Cabrera was a decent shortstop instead of the worst fielding third baseman in baseball. Ramirez was Mike Trout if the Millville Meteor traded some of his baserunning and on-base skills for a whole lot more power production.

• The 2013 Bowman Chrome autographed Superfractor of Yasiel Puig is on eBay once again.  See the auction here.  It has a Buy It Now price of $34,999.99.  Hat Tip: Cardboard Connection.
• Evan Kendall at Beyond the Boxscore takes a close look at how great Russell Martin really was last season - "Russell Martin and defending catcher WAR".  This just adds more evidence that a great defensive catcher (even one who hit only in the .220's) can lead your team to the playoffs.  AJ Ellis naysayers should pay attention!
• Via Ramona Shelburne at ESPN, "Don Mattingly to Get New Deal".  The Dodgers and Mattingly have agreed to an extension that goes through the 2016 season.  Congrats, Don!
• Via Chris Haft at MLB.com, "Kent's relentless approach up for Hall consideration".

"I took that even beyond, to, if I do just one thing every day for my entire career, then I'm going to have a pretty good career," he said in a recent interview.

• Via Mark Langill at Dodger Insider, "Flashback 30 years: Don Drysdale gets the call".
• Check out a bunch of pics from Jon SooHoo of some young future Dodger stars at the Winter Development Program at Dodger Stadium, here.
• OT: Observe History tells us about German martyr Sophie Scholl.  It's a story about a Munich university student who stood up against the Nazi's and was killed for it.  I often wonder if I would have the strength and will to do the same thing.  I'd like to think I would - even knowing that I'd be staring straight at death.

"How can we expect righteousness to prevail when there is hardly anyone willing to offer themselves up individually for a righteous cause?

Such a fine, sunny day, and I have to go."

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Sunday Dodgers Videos: Dodgers Stadium and a bunch of Puig Videos

Here are this Sundays Dodgers' videos.

Know Your Ballpark: Dodger Stadium & LA Tour.

Video Link:

Chattanooga: "Speeding charges dropped against Yasiel Puig"

Video Link:

Here's a nice Yasiel Puig 2013 Rookie Highlights video.

Video Link:

Weird baseball bands - Including Puig Destroyer.

Video Link:

Sbaycards vice president Scott Allen discusses the Yasiel Puig SuperFractor card, potentially worth more than $25,000, that his company is randomly inserting in a box for a collector to receive in Sbaycard's upcoming card release, via ESPN tv Videos.

Video Link:

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Blog Kiosk: 10/1/2013 - Dodgers Links - Hairston, Puig, Scully and the Don

Can Terry Crews play centerfield?  Pic via Jon SooHoo/La Dodgers 2013.

• Jerry HAriston Jr. is suffering through a back issue, via JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers.
• What their saying in Atlanta - "Favored or not, Braves confident facing Dodgers," via David O'Brien at AJC.com.  The Braves seem to think their the underdog.  Considering the recent injuries to the Dodgers, I don't think this holds true.

“Whether or not we get the publicity we should get, it’s just not important to us. We don’t need someone to tell us that we’re going to win or lose. It’s played on the field.”

• David Lauterbach at True Blue LA writes, "A look back at the Dodgers vs. Braves 2013 season series".
• Just to let you know.

Ernie Johnson, Rob Darling and Cal Ripken in the booth for Dodgers-Braves series
— Anthony Jackson (@dodgerscribe) September 30, 2013

• Gellman at Sports Cards Uncensored tells us that the 2013 Bowman Chrome Yasiel Puig Superfractor autographed card has already been pulled and sold to SBay Cards - Is this the Lomita store? Chris Olds at Beckett confirms that it is the Lomita store, and you should expect to see it in an upcoming Super Box repackage product they will be selling.  The selling price of the card is unknown.  See the rare "1 of 1" card on the right.  Click to embiggen.  I'll have pics of the Dodgers' cards from this set up soon.
• Via Chad Moriyama, "Yasiel Puig’s no-good-very-bad September is actually quite promising".
• True to the Blue recaps the recent AJ Ellis signing in Long Beach this past weekend.
• Via Chuck Culpepper at Sports on Earth writes about Vin Scully, "The Hardest Working Legend Around".

"I would say on average, I get here at 3:30, and I work somewhere close to an hour and a half. That gets it to five of five. I have to tape an opening. I have to tape a little thing they put on the board, notes on the game. I'll come in and eat. I'll be finished eating. If my wife isn't at the game, automatically at six o'clock I'll call her to let her know that I'm here and find out what she's going through at home. And then after I make the phone call, I go back to look for any late notes, whatever. I might talk with one or two of the other team's broadcasters, say, 'What's new, who's doing what?' And then, by the time you're ready to go on, you have a head full of stuff."

• "For the Dodgers, Don Mattingly is leader of the pack," via Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times.

"Once the game starts, he's still got that player mentality," pitcher Clayton Kershaw said. "He's pretty competitive. You definitely see why he was a successful baseball player."

Mattingly's calm demeanor in the clubhouse makes the players comfortable. His intensity in the dugout is what earns their respect. They feel as if he's protecting them.

• Emma Span at Sports on Earth shares a "Who to Root For in the Playoffs" flowchart.

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Puig's Bowman Platinum Superfractor Graded at National - Is Now on eBay

Yasiel Puig has had an astounding couple of months in Dodger Blue.  He has been the talk of the league for just about everything he does on and off the field.  If you're anything like me, you've watched his every step, analyzed every swing and marvel at every defensive play.

As you would expect, this has caused his cards to jump in value.  They are selling for ungodly amounts of money and have become a major driver of hobby sales.  I guess you can say that he's the king of the hobby right now.

Last week, I featured one of his "Big Hits" - a 2013 Bowman Chrome Mini Superfractor.  It was on sale on eBay, but failed to sell as the owner sought to have it graded now instead of selling it for a quick buck.  At that time, the seller was seeking $30,000, but it's likely interested buyers were far from that value.  Now that it'll be graded, we'll soon find out what score it gets to see if that's remotely justified.

In the meantime, On Friday Senior Beckett Grading Vintage Card Grader Andy Broome shared a pic on twitter of another Puig Superfractor.  This card showed up at the Beckett booth during the National Sports Collectors Convention, and it had them all buzzing.  The 2013 Bowman Platinum (a newly released Topps card set) Superfractor base card of Yasiel Puig was pulled and they would have the unique pleasure of grading and encapsulating it.  See the card below.

(auction link)

Holy Cow!

This card has been graded a BGS 10 - which is as pristine as you can get.  When you consider that this is a "1 of 1" and graded a 10, it is likely to sell for thousands of dollars.  Whether it reaches the $30,000 benchmark desired by the owner of the Chrome Mini Superfractor is another story.  After all, this isn't really his first Bowman Superfractor card, and the other Superfractor is from a limited insert Chrome mini set which may prove to be more desirable.  So, collectors might balk at paying huge bucks for this new Superfractor.

Fortunately, we are probably going to find out very soon how high it can go.  The above BGS 10 2013 Bowman Platinum Superfractor has just been listed on eBay and (as of this writing) is already at $2,375.  See the auction here.

To add to the story, Chris Olds at Beckett was able to grab the owner of the Bowman Platinum card for an exclusive interview.  See that interview here.  He pulled the card on the first day of it's release (this past Wednesday) from a box he purchased at a card shop in Illinois.

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Blog Kiosk: 8/3/2013 - Dodgers Links - Soccer at Dodger Stadium, Marmol and Ryu as ROY

When Puig become the artist.  I love this pic of Puig playing the photrographer.  Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.

• "LA Dodgers leading majors in attendance through July," via Josie Becker at True Blue LA.
• Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times wrties, "Don Mattingly backs Hyun-Jin Ryu's rookie of the year candidacy".

“I think he’s been underrated,” Mattingly said. “I don’t hear a lot of people talking about him.”

• Via Dustin Nosler at Feelin' Kinda Blue, "Dodgers promote SS Corey Seager to High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes".
• "Marmol gets revenge against old mates," via Bruce Levine at ESPN.

“I expected louder boos, Marmol said. “When I was warming up in the bullpen, a lot of people were very nice and thanked me. I guess the others forgot. I know I was bad this year and they are mad at me. Nothing I can do about that.” 

• Dodgers tie a new franchise record.

The #Dodgers have tied the all-time franchise record established in 1924 for consecutive road victories with 12.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 2, 2013

• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA takes a look at the Dodger season in thirds.
• Chris Olds at Beckett interviews the man who pulled the 2013 Bowman Platinum Superfractor of Yasiel Puig.
• Via Kevin Baxter at the LA Times, "Making a pitch for soccer at Dodger Stadium: The first soccer games at Chavez Ravine will be played Saturday night when Everton faces Real Madrid and the Galaxy plays Juventus."

The conversion from baseball diamond to soccer field required 12,500 square feet of new sod and Bermuda grass, which took Hansen and his crew of nine two days to place, smooth and outline. The temporary field, which is about 210 feet wide, runs parallel to the right-field line starting just outside the third base coaching box and extending 315 feet to the warning track in right field.

• Here is a pic of the pitch at Dodger Stadium.

The perfect pitch: pic.twitter.com/QTDvy38LEX
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 3, 2013

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Hyun-Jin Ryu's Superfractor Has Been Found and a Puig Superfractor Update

Following up on last weeks post featuring the Yasiel Puig Superfractor rookie card, I have just learned that the Hyun-Jin Ryu Superfractor card is also available for sale on eBay.  Check it out above.  The auction listing can be found here.

It has a "Buy It Now" price of $1,500.00 with over 2 weeks remaining in the listing.  Compared to the asking price for the Puig card this seems downright reasonable.  On the other hand, this card isn't truly his first Topps card.  He has cards in the Topps flagship Series 2 Baseball card set, as well as, Topps Archives and Topps Museum.

Currently, there are 16 offers on it with 25 collectors watching the auction.  I'm very surprised this has yet to to sell.  There are some monied Ryu collectors out there who, I'm sure, desperately want this "1 of 1" Ryu card.

(auction link)

----------------------------

I have a brief Yasiel Puig Superfractor update.

I was able to get in contact with the owner of the card, and here is what he said:

What went from an offer to buy my son a pack of cards, turned to the purchase of a full jumbo box based on his reminding/convincing me of his lucky picks for me in the past with retail blaster boxes from Target. Truth be told, this box was a bit out of my price range, but it was an opportunity to share something that I love with my Amazing Son!

I was hoping for a Puig but never imagined pulling the superfractor. I am planning on having the card graded and slabbed for its protection.

I'd like to see this card surpass the Strasburg superfractor but am not driven by greed, but base it's value on his limited cards available, his 5 tools, his being in the company of DiMaggio, his playing for the Dodgers in a Huge Market in Los Angeles, and the excitement and joy that he brings to the game day in and day out. No lottery numbers and the money most likely will go to help pay for college, I'm sure.

The auction has since closed, and it appears the owner will have it graded in anticipation of a future sale.  As for what it's worth, I really don't have a clue.

BTW, in case you're wondering what the lottery number mention above is all about... Well, I asked him if he purchased some lottery tickets that afternoon, and whether he could pass the numbers along to me.  I figured it was worth a shot.

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The Yasiel Puig Superfractor Rookie Card Has Been Pulled and It's For Sale!

This card probably ranks as the #1 pull of the year.

I was cruising around eBay during lunch and came across this beauty.  Up for sale with a $30,000.00 "Buy It Now" price is the above 2013 Bowman Chrome Mini Superfractor rookie card of Yasiel Puig.  It was pulled out of a Jumbo box just a couple of weeks ago.

Wow!

Someone is about to cash in.

A Superfractor is a seeded parallel card numbered to just one copy of each player in the set.  In this case, they are the Chrome Mini cards that can be found in packs of 2013 Bowman Baseball.  As you can see in the pic below, it is marked as a "1 of 1".  The fronts are super shiny with prismatic embellishments, and they are considered the cream of the crop when it comes to rookie cards.

Past Superfractors have sold for thousands of dollars.  In May of 2010 the Stephen Stasburg 2010 Bowman Chrome Superfractor sold on eBay for $16,403.  Then, that same Strasburg resold soon after at $21,403.  The 2010 Bowman Team USA Bryce Harper Superfractor sold for $12,500 in 2010.  The 2006 Bowman Chrome Superfractor of Clayton Kershaw showed up on eBay in 2012 at a "Buy It Now" price of $17,500, but does not appear to have sold.

There's no telling how high the Puig card can go, but based on the above sales it's clear it'll be in the 5 figures. How much higher is anybody's guess.

Check out the Yasiel Puig Superfractor card auction right here.

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Blog Kiosk: 3/27/2012

I just noticed the above 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft Superfractor autographed card of Clayton Kershaw. It is a "1 of 1" card and is probably the rarest and most desired of all Kershaw rookie cards. Superfractor rookie cards like these of superstar players have been known to sell for thousands of dollars. This one was listed at $17,500 but did not sell, but I bet a strong offer would get it.

• RIP, Bert Sugar. Bert may be better known in the boxing world as a Boxing Hall of Fame journalist, but he was also well regarded as being a pioneer in the sports memorabilia hobby. He put together the Sports Collectors Bible in the 70's and was an important promoter of anything collectible. A great writeup by Keith Olbermann on his life can be found at the Baseball Nerd.

• And then there were three. Via LA Times, the Dodgers buyers have been whittled down to three- Steve Cohen, Stan Kroenke & Stan Kasten/ Magic Johnson.
• LA Observed takes a close look at these three buyers, as well.
• GQ interviews Matt Kemp in their newest issue, linked here:

  Zen Out with Phil Jackson

  "I wasn't much of a beach guy when I first moved to town, but I think the older I get, the more I like being on the beach—Malibu, Manhattan Beach. It's really peaceful. I remember one time I was out on the beach, and I saw Phil Jackson just chillin', and I was like, 'This is where I need to be, man....' Nobody was bothering him; everybody was just chillin' and relaxing and just doing whatever they feel like doing. And Phil's all Zenned out. I even thought about buying a house on the beach, but I haven't found anything yet."

• This is hilarious. Jason Werth hit a monster home run this past Sunday, and as luck would have it, he hit his own car, via Hall of Very Good.

  "It just left a hole in the Earth where my truck used to be," Werth said of the estimated 492-foot moonshot that ricocheted off the front bumper of his pickup.

• Wow! A Mars Attacks comic book is set to be released in July. It will follow-up on the original 1962 Topps set of the same name, via IDW Publishing. A new card set is also due to come out. (Hat Tip: Heartbreaking Cards...)
• Here is a interesting wedding idea- how about getting married at the Baseball Hall of Fame, via Cooperstown Chatter.
• Is the card hobby dead? CBS seems to think so. The problems with reports like this is that they will always compare the hobby to its heyday in the 90's, and I think everybody realizes those days are over. Nevertheless, there are numerous segments still on the rise and I think this report discredits the internets impact on collectors who buy and trade solely online.

Video Link:

Blog Kiosk: 7/4/2010

Happy Independence Day!

• A Tommy Lasorda bobblehead available in Albuquerque, via New Mexico Fan.
• Remember when the Dodgers got in trouble, after the fact, for signing Adrian Beltre? Well, Beltre recalls the whole sordid affair at WEEI. (Hat Tip: MLB Trade Rumors)
• Dodger Blue Blog finds the Dodger Mickey.
• Zach visits Hiram Bithorn Stadium in Puerto Rico.
• Congress passed a resolution congratulating the Chicago Blackhawks on their Stanley Cup victory. 5 congressman voted against it, via Second City Hockey.
• The next card craze frenzy may soon begin. The Bryce Harper Bowman Superfractor has just been pulled, Via Freedom Cardboard.
• The red bordered autographed Strasburg card was pulled off of eBay and will be landing at Huggins and Scott Auctions in July. I guess he got frustrated with all of the fake bids on eBay that rose to as high as $500k.
• A Jib Jab July 4th.

YouTube Link:

Strasburg Mania is Here

This has been all over the collector blog community and last night it hit national news on Yahoo. This is crazy, just crazy. The Stephen Strasburg 2010 Topps Bowman Chrome Superfractor "1 of 1" is currently on eBay and has over 80 bids. It is currently at a price that could buy you a decently shaped Mickey Mantle rookie card or a new Chrysler PT Cruiser. I'm not kidding! As of this writing it is already at $15,900.00.

A kid who has yet to throw a pitch in the Majors has a rookie card selling for thousands of dollars.

It remains to be seen if his performance on the field will equal the prices of his cards, but I think it is safe to say that Strasburgmania is in full swing.