Player X's "Card to have...."

[ScooterD]

With all the recent threads about certain players' RC, true RC, XRC, etc... I wanted to start this thread to pick people's brains about how we (as collectors and hopeful profit-makers) determine each player's "card to have".

Hopefully, the ones who are more knowledgeable can help out the less-experienced collectors among us how to determine which issue of a certain player to go after in order to maximize profits. I don't think this is akin to listing what prospects you like and why... rather, I think this is more of a tool to help gauge buyers' likes and dislikes when buying a certain player's card.

Obviously, if you enjoy collecting for the fun of it rather than making money (nothing wrong with that at all), this thread may not be for you. But for those of you wanting to maximize profits by choosing the "it" card for the player you choose to collect, maybe you can pick up some good advice.

Also - In today's age of refractor parallels, I'd like to generally assume that golds are more desirable than blues, etc...

Things to consider:

a. Auto'd
b. Year of issue or Order of issue
c. Issuing card company (MLB license or not)
d. Print run (whether or not it's serial #'d)
e. Inserts
f. Miscellaneous

I'll just throw out a list of players. If you know a certain player's "card to have", just type it out. This is just a starter list for convenience.

Albert Pujols
Hanley Ramirez
Alex Rodriguez
Bryce Harper
Matt Moore
Ryan Braun
Chase Utley
Prince Fielder
Mark Teixeira
Manny Machado
Miguel Cabrera
Ryan Howard
Matt Kemp
Joe Mauer
Evan Longoria
Tim Lincecum
Roy Halladay
Justin Upton
Jurickson Profar
Adrian Gonzalez
David Wright
Ian Kinsler
Felix Hernandez
Joey Votto
Justin Verlander
Jacoby Ellsbury
Derek Jeter
Ichiro Suzuki
Robinson Cano
Ryan Zimmerman
Victor Martinez
Cliff Lee
Josh Johnson
Adam Jones
Josh Beckett
Johan Santana
Matt Wieters
Billy Butler
Clayton Kershaw
Cole Hamels
Carlos Quentin
Manny Ramirez
AJ Burnett
Jose Reyes
Andrew McCutchen
Mariano Rivera
Jered Weaver
Hunter Pence
Carlos Beltran
Nate McClouth
Alfonso Soriano
Tommy Hanson
Ricky Nolasco
Roy Oswalt
Michael Young
Carlos Zambrano
Huston Street
David Ortiz
Chipper Jones
Vladimir Guerrero
David Price
Carlos Marmol
Jason Kubel
Carlos Gonzalez
Jay Bruce
Francisco Liriano
Todd Helton
Derek Lowe
Elvis Andrus
Brandon Webb
Ben Sheets
Stephen Strasburg
Aroldis Chapman
Jason Heyward
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Brandon Weeden
Maury Wills
Mickey Mantle

[ckelly1983pa]

If they have a bowman chrome auto that is the card to have of that player. 3 words to remember. Chrome is king

[ScooterD]

Originally Posted by ckelly1983pa

If they have a bowman chrome auto that is the card to have of that player. 3 words to remember. Chrome is king

While that's a good rule of thumb, I'm not sure it's always true. Hopefully this thread will show some of the anomalies. Also, lots of players don't have a Bowman Chrome auto...

[Sqeeshy]

2010 Bowman Chrome Auto Stephen Strasburg

That card is pretty valuable.

[CALVINXLIONSX81]

2000 Topps Traded Auto - Miguel Cabrera

[patchgenie]

ryan howard - bowmans best rc auto
prince fielder ultimate or prospect premieres rc auto
miguel cabrera topps rc auto
roy halladay bowmans best rc auto
ichiro suzuki ultimate rc auto
rob cano heritage rc auto
cliff lee donruss crusade rc auto
adam jones upper deck prospect premieres rc auto
matt wieters elite rc auto

[ScooterD]

Originally Posted by patchgenie

ryan howard - bowmans best rc auto
prince fielder ultimate or prospect premieres rc auto
miguel cabrera topps rc auto
roy halladay bowmans best rc auto
ichiro suzuki ultimate rc auto
rob cano heritage rc auto
cliff lee donruss crusade rc auto
adam jones upper deck prospect premieres rc auto
matt wieters elite rc auto

Does the 2001 Ichiro Ultimate sell for more than the Bowman Chrome? If so, Chrome isn't always king.

Also - Fielder and Howard are interesting because they have prior auto'd issues that sell for less than later auto's ones.

[SportCardBuffet]

Derek Jeter - 1993 SP #279
Alex Rodriguez - 1994 SP# 15 or 1994 SP Die Cuts #15
Cal Ripken Jr. - 1982 Topps Traded #98T
Chipper Jones - 1991 Bowman #569
David Ortiz - 1997 Ultra Platinum Medallion #518
Vladimir Guerrero - 1995 Bowman's Best Refractors #B2



will post some more later, I like the idea of the list

[ScooterD]

For arguments sake...

Alex Rodriguez - 1994 SP# 15 or 1994 SP Die Cuts #15

1994 Score Rookie/Traded September Call-up?
1999 Sportflics Rookie/Traded Artist's proof?

Chipper Jones - 1991 Bowman #569

1991 Topps Desert Shield?

Vladimir Guerrero - 1995 Bowman's Best Refractors #B2

1995 SP Top prospects Auto?

[7290morint]

Originally Posted by Sqeeshy

2010 Bowman Chrome Auto Stephen Strasburg

That card is pretty valuable.

I'm pretty sure his paper auto sells for more than his chrome.

[coltsfan23]

Originally Posted by ScooterD

Does the 2001 Ichiro Ultimate sell for more than the Bowman Chrome? If so, Chrome isn't always king.

Also - Fielder and Howard are interesting because they have prior auto'd issues that sell for less than later auto's ones.

Ichiro doesn't have a Bowman Chrome Auto, otherwise it would sell higher. Chrome is king.

[njterp]

David Freese - 2009 Topps Chrome Auto is most popular, but 2009 Upper Deck Ballpark Collection Auto is an extremely tough find, numbered to 100 with very few copies graded. If a collector couldn't find a ballpark collection, I would say go for Topps Chrome.

[7290morint]

Originally Posted by coltsfan23

Ichiro doesn't have a Bowman Chrome Auto, otherwise it would sell higher. Chrome is king.

This. He does have gold refractors that even as BGS 9's sell for over $2K.

http://www.ebay.com/csc/i.html?_saca...mplete=1&rt=nc

[SportCardBuffet]

Carlos Beltran - 1995 Bowman's Best Refractors #X5
Josh Johnson - 2002 Bowman Chrome Draft Gold Refractors #83 /50
Roy Oswalt - 2000 Bowman Chrome Refractors #395
Josh Beckett - 1999 Ultimate Victory Parallel 100 #138 /100
Felix Hernandez - 2004 Bowman Chrome Gold Refractors #345 /50
Todd Helton - 1993 Topps Traded #19T it's his only RC

[ScooterD]

Originally Posted by 7290morint

I'm pretty sure his paper auto sells for more than his chrome.

Good example... chrome isn't always king

[7290morint]

Originally Posted by ScooterD

Good example... chrome isn't always king

I would say it's the exception more so than the rule though. Chrome almost always sells best & this seems to be a rare case (I think the Harper paper auto also outsells the chrome auto). If you go really far back though the 2010 Chrome USA Buyback auto outsells all of them by far (so chrome is generally king).

[ScooterD]

Originally Posted by 7290morint

This. He does have gold refractors that even as BGS 9's sell for over $2K.

ichiro 2001 bowman chrome gold | eBay

So the 2001 Bowman Chrome Gold is the Ichiro card to have over the 2001 Ultimate auto? Just asking your opinion...

[SportCardBuffet]

Originally Posted by ScooterD

For arguments sake...

1994 Score Rookie/Traded September Call-up?
1999 Sportflics Rookie/Traded Artist's proof?


1991 Topps Desert Shield?


1995 SP Top prospects Auto?

Arod - Nope I'm right

Chipper - Yes, you're right

Vlad - Nope, I'm right

[SportCardBuffet]

You should add the results to the list in the OP

[7290morint]

Originally Posted by ScooterD

So the 2001 Bowman Chrome Gold is the Ichiro card to have over the 2001 Ultimate auto? Just asking your opinion...

For me it is. I only collect Topps/Bowman stuff. If you are taking into account sale price only it's sort of hard to tell because I haven't seen a 2001 Ultimate Ichiro sell by just itself. Past 2 sales have been part of sets/collections.

2001 Upper Deck Ultimate SET 1-120 Pujols RC Auto Ichiro Prior Teixeira /250 | eBay

Lot(219) 2001 Ultimate Collection Ichiro Suzuki AUTO ROOKIEs, ALL PSA 10 (PWCC) | eBay

[ScooterD]

Originally Posted by 7290morint

I would say it's the exception more so than the rule though. Chrome almost always sells best & this seems to be a rare case (I think the Harper paper auto also outsells the chrome auto). If you go really far back though the 2010 Chrome USA Buyback auto outsells all of them by far (so chrome is generally king).

Well said. I will agree that chrome is generally king, but the purpose of the thread (which this conversation is helping) is to inform members of instances where that rule should be set aside in order to maximize profits.

[ScooterD]

Originally Posted by SportCardBuffet

Arod - Nope I'm right

Chipper - Yes, you're right

Vlad - Nope, I'm right

LMAO - I like it

Todd Helton - Maybe 1993 Topps Bazooka USA?
Oswalt - Maybe 2000 Bowman Chrome Retro/Future Refractors

[JReyesCollector]

I went out and listed the rookies that come to mind for each of the players you listed. Obviously, some have parallels in the set which are far more desirable, but just listed the basic ones that come to mind. With somebody like Mantle or Mays, I prefer the 1951 Bowman, but know that many view the '52 set as being one of the most iconic sets ever produced and consider those the rookies to get.

Albert Pujols-2001 Bowman Chrome AU
Hanley Ramirez-2003 Bowman Chrome AU
Alex Rodriguez-1994 SP
Bryce Harper-2011 Bowman Chrome AU
Matt Moore-2011 Bowman Chrome AU
Ryan Braun-2005 Bowman Chrome AU
Chase Utley-2002 Bowman AU
Prince Fielder-2002 UD Prospect Premieres AU or 2005 Ultimate AU
Mark Teixeira-2001 Ultimate Collection AU
Manny Machado-2010 Bowman Chrome Draft AU
Miguel Cabrera-2000 Topps Traded AU
Ryan Howard-2003 Bowman's Best AU
Matt Kemp-2005 Bowman Chrome AU
Joe Mauer-2002 Bowman Chrome AU
Evan Longoria-2006 Bowman Chrome Draft AU
Tim Lincecum-2007 Bowman Chrome AU
Roy Halladay-1997 Bowman AU
Justin Upton-2006 Bowman Chrome AU or 2004 AFLAC AU
Jurickson Profar-2011 Bowman Chrome AU
Adrian Gonzalez-2000 Bowman AU
David Wright-2002 Bowman Chrome AU
Ian Kinsler-2005 Bowman Chrome
Felix Hernandez-2004 Bowman Chrome AU
Joey Votto-2002 Bowman Chrome Draft
Justin Verlander-2005 Bowman Chrome AU
Jacoby Ellsbury-2005 Bowman Chrome Draft AU
Derek Jeter-1993 SP
Ichiro Suzuki-2001 Ultimate AU
Robinson Cano-2003 Bowman Heritage AU
Ryan Zimmerman-2005 Bowman Chrome Draft AU
Victor Martinez-2001 Donruss Elite
Cliff Lee-2002 Donruss Classics AU
Josh Johnson-2002 Bowman Chrome Draft
Adam Jones-2003 UD Prospect Premieres AU
Josh Beckett-1999 UD Victory
Johan Santana-2000 Topps Finest
Matt Wieters-2007 Donruss Elite AU
Billy Butler-2005 Bowman Chrome AU
Clayton Kershaw-2006 Bowman Chrome Draft AU
Cole Hamels-2002 Bowman Chrome Draft
Carlos Quentin-2004 Topps Chrome AU
Manny Ramirez-1992 Bowman or 1992 Topps
AJ Burnett-1999 Topps Traded AU
Jose Reyes-2001 Bowman Chrome
Andrew McCutchen-2004 AFLAC AU or 2005 Topps Chrome AU
Mariano Rivera-1992 Bowman
Jered Weaver-2005 Bowman Chrome Draft AU
Hunter Pence-2004 SP Prospects AU
Carlos Beltran-1995 Topps Traded
Nate McClouth-2005 Topps Chrome AU
Alfonso Soriano-1999 Topps Traded AU
Tommy Hanson-2009 Bowman Chrome AU
Ricky Nolasco-2004 Bowman's Best AU
Roy Oswalt-2000 SPX
Michael Young-2000 Topps Traded AU
Carlos Zambrano-2000 Topps Traded AU
Huston Street-2004 Bowman Sterling AU
David Ortiz-1997 Donruss Signature Series AU
Chipper Jones-1991 Topps
Vladimir Guerrero-1995 Bowman's Best
David Price-2008 Bowman Chrome AU
Carlos Marmol-2007 Bowman SOTF AU
Jason Kubel-2003 Bowman Chrome AU
Carlos Gonzalez-2005 Bowman Chrome
Jay Bruce-2005 Topps Chrome AU
Francisco Liriano-2002 Bowman's Best AU
Todd Helton-1993 Bazooka
Derek Lowe-1992 Bowman
Elvis Andrus-2009 Topps Chrome AU
Brandon Webb-2003 Ultimate Collection AU
Ben Sheets-2000 Topps Traded AU
Stephen Strasburg-2010 Bowman Chrome AU
Aroldis Chapman-2010 Bowman Chrome AU
Jason Heyward-2008 Bowman Chrome AU
Cal Ripken, Jr.-1982 Topps Traded
Brandon Weeden-if baseball, 2002 Bowman Draft. Football, no clue.
Maury Wills-1963 Fleer
Mickey Mantle-1951 Bowman or 1952 Topps

[7290morint]

The other thing that needs to be considered is which "bowman product" their chromes came from. Some were obviously in Bowman, Chrome & Draft. So this list could be coupled with this

Prospect Autograph Index - The One Stop Prospecting Resource

to know which product the card came from.

[ScooterD]

WOW - thanks a ton JReyesCollector!!!

Can I get ur personal opinion on some of the trickier ones you listed? If you care to, please share you rationale behind your choices. Specifically, with the first three below, we are choosing between earlier issues that are also auto'd, and some of the earlier issues being on-card rather than sticker. Also, with Weeden, does it matter (to you) that it's a baseball issue rather than a football issue. I listed him in the OP to determine this question. Thanks again!

Originally Posted by JReyesCollector

Prince Fielder-2002 UD Prospect Premieres AU or 2005 Ultimate AU
Justin Upton-2006 Bowman Chrome AU or 2004 AFLAC AU
Andrew McCutchen-2004 AFLAC AU or 2005 Topps Chrome AU
Brandon Weeden-if baseball, 2002 Bowman Draft. Football, no clue.