Wednesday, July 19, 2006

An open letter to the MLBPA regarding "ROOKIE CARD" logo guidelines.

Why is this all of a sudden a 'ROOKIE CARD?'



Date: 7/19/2006
To: Evan Kaplan, Director of Trading Cards and Collectibles, Major League Baseball Players Association
From: Chris Harris, Stalegum.com
RE: Clarification of MLBPA's "ROOKIE CARD" logo guidelines.

Dear Mr. Kaplan:

This message is in regards to the MLBPA's new program that identifies rookie baseball cards with a standardized cross-brand "ROOKIE CARD" logo. I think I speak for most collectors in applauding the PA's efforts in this arena. However questions have arisen among some regarding the use of the logo on certain player's cards. Specifically, two players: Milwaukee's Jose Capellan and the Red Sox's Jonathan Papelbon.

In the 2006 Bowman baseball card set, both Papelbon (card #76) and Capellan's (#190) cards are grouped among the veterans -- the subset commonly known in collector circles as the "red cards." Neither Bowman card sports the "ROOKIE CARD" logo. Yet in the recently released Topps series 2, both of these player's cards are designated as "rookies." (Papelbon card #355 and Capellan #496)

Capellan pitched in his first Major League game in 2004. Papelbon made his debut on July 31, 2005. The MLBPA's definition of a "rookie card," as it is currently understood by most collectors, is if a player makes his Major League debut during the current season, or during the previous season after the September 1 "call-up" date; then all of his base-set cards may feature the "RC" logo. Because both Capellan and Papelbon made their Major League debuts before September 1, 2005, (using the aforementioned MLBPA guidelines) neither player should have the logo on any of their 2006 cards.

My question to you is: Has the MLBPA changed the "RC" criteria? And if so, why? And are there any more players like Capellan and Papelbon that are now eligible for the "ROOKIE CARD" logo, that weren't before? I, and most baseball card collectors, look forward to hearing to your response in a prompt manner.

Thank You,
Chris Harris
www.stalegum.com

Monday, July 17, 2006

What I got at the Card Show: 7/16/05

Site: Plymouth Meeting Mall, Plymouth Meeting, PA

A bunch of 2006 Bowman, Topps, and Ultra commons and set fillers. (paid $22)

I really haven't been in a card buying mood these past couple of weeks -- hence the lack of updates to this site. There really haven't been many new products lately, and other than current year base sets, there really isn't anything out there I'm particularly chasing after.

However with this $22 stack, I'm just about done with my '06 Topps, Bowman, and Ultra base sets. The only "money" cards in the stack were a Bowman Johjima RC ($4), and six various Ultra Lucky 13s (buck each).

Other observations:

Alex Gordon's '06 Bowman is now down to $7. The Chromes continue to sell in the $20-$25 range.

Ryan Howard RC's are on fire. His '03 BowChro DP is selling for $50-$60, and his '03 Diamond King is $30.