What's up with these cut autograph issues?

I had a friend who reads the blog ask me last week why I don't include issues like Leaf Sports Icons Cut Auto Edition and Historic Autographs 'In Memory Of' Cut Auto Edition in my New on the Market columns. The reason I gave him is that I consider these to be after market modifications and not a legitimate separate issue. Sort of like some of the custom '1/1' cards that pop up from time to time with a special embossing on them or a foil imprint that someone put to try to increase the value of their base cards. His response to this was that the major card company do basically the same thing for a lot of their cut autos. Like certain Topps Sterling Cut autos;


This is obviously a fair point, but at least those came in a mainstream product.

This is not to say that I think these Cut Auto issues are worthless and I would always avoid them. I actually have a collection of autos of every Cubs player. I don't have every player yet and if one I don't have were to show up in one of these issues and sell for a price I was willing to pay, I would buy it in a heartbeat. I just don't include these issues on my master checklist of Cubs cards for the reasons I mentioned above.

Cubs Breakdown - 2010 Bowman Chrome Draft

2010 Bowman Chrome Draft
Although these come in the regular Bowman Draft packs, I have always classified them as their own separate issue. It helps me to keep track of things in a manner that suits my organizational style.

Base Set - 8 Versions - Base, Refractors, Purple Refractors, Blue Refractors #/199, Gold Refractors #/50, Orange Refractors #/25, Red Refractors #/5, Superfractors 1/1 and 4 colors of printing plates
#4 Starlin Castro
#11 Andrew Cashner
#32 Tyler Colvin
#36 Welington Castillo
#66 Thomas Diamond


Prospects Base Set - 8 Versions - Base, Refractors, Purple Refractors, Blue Refractrors #/199, Gold Refractors #/50, Orange Refractors #/25, Red Refractors #/5, Superfractors 1/1 and 4 colors of printing plates
#BDPP-15 Micah Gibbs
#BDPP-40 Hayden Simpson


Prospects Base Set Autograph Parallels (these have a closer up version of the picture from the non-auto cards) - 7 Versions - Base, Refractors #/500, Blue Refractrors #/199, Gold Refractors #/50, Orange Refractors #/25, Red Refractors #/5, Superfractors 1/1 and 4 colors of printing plates
No Cubs Included

Prospects Base Set Team USA Autos (these have the same picture as the base and have the US flag in the background) - 7 Versions - Base, Refractors, Blue Refractrors #/99, Gold Refractors #/50, Orange Refractors #/25, Red Refractors #/5, Superfractors 1/1 and 4 colors of printing plates
No Cubs Included

Cubs Breakdown - 2010 Bowman Draft

2010 Bowman Draft
This is always an eagerly anticipated product and it looks like this year is a pretty good effort from Topps. I still dislike the card design for both the regular cards and the prospects, but it isn't so bad that it ruins the whole issue. And seeing some new guys in Cubs gear is one of my favorite things in any new issue. Thomas Diamond, Micah Gibbs, and Hayden Simpson are the three making their first appearance in a Cubs jersey here. Beyond the base set and the parallels, there really isn't much to this issue. But it really doesn't need anything more, either.

Base Set - 4 Versions - Base, Gold, Blue #/399, Red 1/1 and 4 colors of printing plates
#4 Starlin Castro
#11 Andrew Cashner
#32 Tyler Colvin
#36 Welington Castillo
#66 Thomas Diamond


Prospects Base Set - 4 Versions - Base, Gold, Blue #/399, Red 1/1 and 4 colors of printing plates
#BDPP-15 Micah Gibbs
#BDPP-40 Hayden Simpson


Aflac All American Autos - No Cubs Included
Team USA Jerseys - 3 Versions - Base #/949, Blue Chrome Refractors #/199, Red Chrome Refractors 1/1
Prospect Autos (Retail Only) - 3 Versions - Base, Blue #/199, Red 1/1
No Cubs Included

Cubs Breakdown - 2010 Bowman Platinum

2010 Bowman Platinum
Topps is releasing a new set this year called Bowman Platinum in order to... well, I guess I don't really know. It seems like a little bit of Bowman Chrome and a little bit of Bowman Sterling. And while it isn't an ugly set, it doesn't really offer much for the Cubs collectors beyond what you get in those two sets. So just another few cards to add to the list for me.

In addition to the lack of a clear market niche for this product, Topps is also issuing it in an unusual manner. Retail blasters started appearing this past week. However, the hobby boxes won't be available until early next year. So I am going to cover what is available from the retail boxes here and will update this when the hobby boxes hit in a few weeks.

Base Set - 3 Versions - Base, Parallel Platinum #/999 (hobby only), and Parallel Gold #/539 (hobby only)
#18 Andrew Cashner
#22 Alfonso Soriano
#96 Starlin Castro


Prospects Base Set - 8 Versions - Base, Purple Refractors, Refractors #/999, Gold Refractors #/539, Green Refractors #/499, Blue Refractors #/99, Red Refractors #/25, Superfractors 1/1, plus 4 colors of printing plates
#PP-16 Brett Jackson
#PP-27 Hak-Ju Lee


Platinum Autographs - 5 Versions - Refractors (Base), Green Refractors #/249, Blue Refractors #/99, Red Refractors #/10, Superfractors 1/1 plus 4 colors of Printing Plates
No Cubs Included

Platinum Autographed Relics - 5 Versions - Refractors (Base), Green Refractors #/199, Blue Refractors #/50, Red Refractors #/10, Superfractors 1/1
#PAR-SC Starlin Castro (Base #/740)
#PAR-AC Andrew Cashner (Base #/740)


Platinum Dual Autos - 2 Versions - Refractors (Base) #/99 & Red Refractors #/10
#BPDA-MJ Brett Jackson & Jared Mitchell (Only available via redemption)


Platinum Dual Autographed Relics - 3 Versions - Refractors (Base) #/99, Red Refractors #/10, Superfractors 1/1
No Cubs Included

Platinum Triple Autos - 3 Versions - Refractors (Base) #/89, Red Refractors #/10, Superfractors 1/1
#BPTA-CVM Josh Vitters, David Wright, and Mike Moustakos


Platinum Hexagraphs Six Player Autograph Books #/6 -
#HPA-2 Starlin Castro, Stephen Strasburg, Jason Heyward, Carlos Santana, Mike Stanton, and Buster Posey
#HPA-3 Josh Vitters, Alex Rodriguez, David Wright, Ryan Zimmerman, Mike Moustakos, and Lonnie Chisenhall


Platinum Box Topper Autos (Hobby Only) - 5 Versions - Refractors (Base), Green Refractors, Blue Refractors, Red Refractors, Superfractors and 4 colors of printing plates
These are similar in all respects to the Platinum Autographs from above, and will likely be considered part of the same set down the road.
#CA - Chris Archer


MLB Logoman Continuity Program #/50 -
#LM-77 Derrek Lee

Cubs overpay for Carlos Pena - should we care as fans?

Wow! I've gotten an amazing amount of grief in the past 24 hours regarding the Cubs signing of Carlos Pena. Especially from my White Sox friends! Most of this is focused on the $10 million dollar salary that the Cubs are going to pay him. And while I agree with the fact that Pena is not worth anywhere close to that amount, I have to ask the question of whether fans should care how much the players are paid?

When I think about that question, the answer I come up with is that fans should only care about how much players are being paid if it affects the team's ability to spend money on other players and get better. Call it the Alfonso Soriano rule. Or the Mike Hampton rule. Or the Kevin Brown rule. Or the... you get the point. The amount of money that Soriano will receive over the next four years significantly affects the Cubs ability to sign impact players because they already have so much tied up with Soriano. So he really needs to produce up to the level of his salary. Which he hasn't the last couple of years.

Pena, on the other hand, is only a one year deal. By definition, this really won't impact our ability to get better after this season. So why does it matter how much we pay Pena? If the Ricketts family wants to set their money on fire, I really don't care. So they can pay Pena $50 million this year if they want. He plays a position that we don't have any other good options for, so I welcome him to the team with hopes he has a good season and the expectation that he won't. Just as long as we have the option to spend the money elsewhere next year.

Heavy Hitters - Major Auction House Results from November

After a very slow month in October, the auction house offerings really ramped back up in November. There was nothing really earth shaking in the month, but the 1908 World Series Program from Heritage is a significant piece. This month's results include Heritage Auctions from Nov. 4th, Hunt Auctions from Nov. 13th, Legendary Auctions from Nov.16th-18th, and Mile High Card Co. from Nov. 18th.

Autographs
Cap Anson Signed Letter - Heritage Lot #80888 - $2,629.00


Anson autographs are pretty rare in any form. This is a bold one and it comes with a little bit personal history for Anson as you get the end of a letter from Anson to a member of his family.

Cap Anson 6 Page Handwritten Letter w/Signature - Heritage Lot #80889 - $2,509.50
Johnny Evers Signed Letter - Heritage Lot #80890 - $3,907.00


Evers is another tough auto and this is a full letter with strong baseball content as it addresses a baseball glove that Evers had been trying out.

Kiki Cuyler Signed Baseball - Heritage Lot #80797 - $2,629.00
Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Mordecai Brown Triple Signed Baseball - Heritage Lot #80800 - $3,346.00
Gabby Hartnett Signed Baseball - Heritage Lot #80822 -$1,912.00
Gabby Hartnett Signed Baseball w/personalized inscription - Heritage Lot #80835 -$776.75
Phillip K. Wrigley Signed Baseball - Heritage Lot #80862 - $776.75
Hack Wilson Signed Government Postcard - Heritage Lot #80919 - $1,314.50
Hack Wilson Signed Check - Hunt Auctions Lot #209 - $1,726.15
Jimmie Foxx Signed Photo (Cubs Jersey) - Heritage Lot #80937 - $1,015.75
1930 Cubs Team Signed Baseball (16 Autos) - Heritage Lot #81016 - $1,314.50
1932 Cubs Team Signed Baseball (23 Autos) - Heritage Lot #81021 - $537.75
1946 Cubs Team Signed Baseball (24 Autos) - Legendary Auctions Lot #1376 - $177.75

Game Used Memorabilia
Ryne Sandberg Signed Game Used Bat (Cracked) - Hunt Auctions Lot #560 - $575.00
Ryne Sandberg Signed Game Used Bat - Legendary Auctions Lot #506 - $562.88
Ernie Banks Signed Old Timers Game Used Jersey - Legendary Auctions Lot #1306 - $414.75
Ryne Sandberg Signed 1990 Game Used Road Jersey - Legendary Auctions Lot #1309 - $1,896.00


Cards
1887 N172 Old Judge Tom Daly SGC60 - Heritage Lot #80009 - $418.25
1887 N172 Old Judge Gus Krock PSA5 - Legendary Auctions Lot #10 - $266.63
1887 N284 Buchner Gold Coin Cap Anson Left Hand on Hip PSA5 - Legendary Auctions Lot #24 - $1,540.50
1887 N284 Buchner Gold Coin Cap Anson Hands Outstretched PSA3 - Legendary Auctions Lot #29 - $1,303.50
1887 N284 Buchner Gold Coin John Clarkson PSA5 - Legendary Auctions Lot #34 - $770.25
1888 N162 Goodwin Champions Cap Anson SGC84 - Heritage Lot #80023 - $23,900.00


1888-1889 N173 Old Judge Cabinets Duke Farrell - Legendary Auctions Lot #1023 - $1,540.50
1888-1889 N173 Old Judge Cabinets John Tener - Legendary Auctions Lot #1026 - $1,540.50
1909-1911 T206 Jake Pfeister Uzit Back SGC60 - Hunt Auctions Lot #636 - $2,645.00
1909-1911 T206 Mordecai Brown Sweet Caporal SGC84 - Heritage Lot #80080 - $956.00
1909-1911 T206 Mordecai Brown Chicago on Shirt Piedmont PSA7 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #169 - $1,849.26
1909-1911 T206 Johnny Evers Portrait Piedmont SGC88 - Heritage Lot #80084 - $5,078.75
1909-1911 T206 Johnny Evers Chicago on Shirt Hindu Brown SGC50 - Heritage Lot #80085 - $1,314.50
1910-1911 M116 Sporting Life Mordecai Brown Blue Background SGC84 - Legendary Auctions Lot #300 - $1,659.00
1910-1912 Spalding & Merrick Plow Boy Tobacco Joe Tinker SGC50 - Legendary Auctions Lot #1041 - $4,443.75
1910-1912 Spalding & Merrick Plow Boy Tobacco Jimmy Sheckard SGC50 - Legendary Auctions Lot #1045 - $888.75
1910-1912 Spalding & Merrick Plow Boy Tobacco Wildfire Schulte SGC40 - Legendary Auctions Lot #1049 - $948.00
1910-1912 Spalding & Merrick Plow Boy Tobacco Orval Overall SGC40 - Legendary Auctions Lot #1050 - $1,540.50
1911 T3 Turkey Red Jack Pfeister PSA5 - Legendary Auctions Lot #77 - $592.50
1911 T3 Turkey Red Joe Tinker PSA4.5 - Legendary Auctions Lot #79 - $1,125,75
1911 T3 Turkey Red Frank Chance PSA3 - Legendary Auctions Lot #87 - $711.00
1911 T3 Turkey Red Solly Hofman PSA4(MK) - Legendary Auctions Lot #106 - $177.75
1911 T3 Turkey Red Johnny Kling PSA5.5 - Legendary Auctions Lot #108 - $1,066.50
1911 T3 Turkey Red Pat Moran PSA5(MK) - Legendary Auctions Lot #109 - $266.63
1911 T3 Turkey Red Orval Overall PSA4(MK) - Legendary Auctions Lot #1520 - $148.13
1911 T205 Mordecai Brown Broad Leaf SGC50 - Heritage Lot #80121 - $657.25
1911 T205 Mordecai Brown PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #150 - $9,036.86


1911 T205 Johnny Evers PSA5 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #194 - $353.43
1911-1914 D304 Brunners Bread Frank Chance SGC40 - Heritage Lot #80098 - $597.50
1911-1914 D304 Brunners Bread Frank Chance No Team Name SGC80 - Heritage Lot #80099 - $2,031.50
1911-1914 D304 Brunners Bread Johnny Evers SGC40 - Heritage Lot #80106 - $717.00
1911-1914 D304 Brunners Bread Johnny Evers No Team Name SGC40 - Heritage Lot #80107 - $836.50
1911-1914 D304 Martens Bakery Frank Chance No Team Name PSA2 - Heritage Lot #80119 - $597.50
1912 T202 Hassan Triple Folders Tinker & Chance (Evers makes a safe slide) PSA7 - Legendary Auctions Lot #126 - $2,133.00
1914 Cracker Jack Roger Bresnahan No Number on Back PSA2 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #146 - 389.13
1933 Goudey Babe Herman PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #381 - $3,019.03
1933 Goudey Kiki Cuyler PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #386 - $2,471.63
1933 Goudey Mark Koenig PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #417 - $2,238.39
1933 Goudey Charlie Grimm PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #424 - $780.64
1933 Goudey Burleigh Grimes PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #431 - $634.27
1933 Goudey Pat Malone PSA7 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #453 - $381.99
1933 Goudey Guy Bush PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #461 - $618.80
1933 Goudey Woody English PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #510 - $421.26
1933 Goudey Gabby Hartnett PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #524 - $1.367.31
1933 Goudey Billy Herman PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #531 - $1,025.78
1933 Goudey John Schulte PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #571 - $346.29
1933 Goudey Lonnie Warneke PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #582 - $381.99
1933 Goudey Riggs Stephenson PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #583 - $346.29
1933 Goudey Bill Jurges PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #598 - $618.80
1933 Goudey Charley Root PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #599 - $421.26
1933 Tattoo Orbit Kiki Cuyler SGC88 - Heritage Lot #80166 - $776.75
1933 Tattoo Orbit Burleigh Grimes SGC92 - Heritage Lot #80168 - $657.25
1933 Tattoo Orbit Billy Herman SGC84 - Heritage Lot #80171 - $448.13
1933 Tattoo Orbit Pat Malone SGC88 - Heritage Lot #80175 - $478.00
1933 Tattoo Orbit Riggs Stephenson SGC84 - Heritage Lot #80176 - $239.00
1935 Diamond Stars George Stainback PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #616 - $193.97
1936 Diamond Stars Stan Hack PSA7 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #619 - $618.80
1936 World Wide Gum Bill Jurges PSA6 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #302 - $119.00
1952 Topps Warren Hacker PSA9 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #746 - $1,687.42
1952 Topps Turk Lown PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #748 - $624.75
1952 Topps Dee Fondy PSA7 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #760 - $259.42
1952 Topps Bob Schultz PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #784 - $628.32
1953 Topps Hal Jeffcoat PSA8.5 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #802 - $464.10
1953 Topps Hal Jeffcoat PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #803 - $109.48
1953 Topps Eddie Miksis PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #808 - $143.99
1957 Topps Ernie Banks PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #1002 - $295.12
1958 Topps Cal Neeman Yellow Letters PSA8 - Heritage Lot #80299 - $388.38
1962 Topps Lou Brock PSA8 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #1076 - $618.80
1966 Topps Billy Williams PSA10 - Heritage Lot #80321 - $1,314.50
1967 Topps Ray Culp PSA10 - Mile High Card Co. Lot #1111 - $314.16


1967 Topps Arnold Earley PSA9 - Heritage Lot #80329 - $191.20
1967 Topps Ron Campbell PSA9 - Heritage Lot #80333 - $191.20

Others
1908 Chicago Cubs World Series Program - Heritage Lot #81130 - $38,837.50





Wow! What a great piece this is. I have a copy of a reprint of this, but I had never even seen a real one before. Pre-1930 programs are rare, and pre-1919 are almost non-existent. All I can come up with to say is, wow!

1932 World Series Game 3 Wrigley Field Ticket Stub (Babe Ruth Called Shot Game) - Heritage Lot #81142 - $1,195.00
1932 Chicago Cubs World Series Program - Mile High Card Co. Lot #1318 - $561.68
Charlie Grimm Silver Plated Lifetime MLB Pass - Hunt Auctions Lot #489 - $805.00
1887 Chicago White Stockings Baseball Currency featuring Player Photos - Legendary Auctions Lot #279 - $503.63
1887 Chicago White Stockings Baseball Currency featuring Player Photos - Legendary Auctions Lot #977 - $444.38
1906 Chicago Cubs Photo Postcard - Hunt Auctions Lot #586 - $230.00
1908 Chicago Cubs Team Composite Postcard w/Scorecard - Legendary Auctions Lot #386 - $651.75
1908 Chicago Cubs Team Photo Postcard - Legendary Auctions Lot #388 - $325.88
1912 Burke & Atwell Chicago Cubs Team Composite Postcard - Legendary Auctions Lot #408 - $237.00
1929 Chicago Cubs World Series Program - Legendary Auctions Lot #1463 - $474.00
1935 Chicago Cubs World Series Press Pin - Legendary Auctions Lot #1173 - $948.00
1938 Chicago Cubs World Series Press Pin - Legendary Auctions Lot #1174 - $503.63

Ron Santo - A Classic Cub 1940 - 2010

Cubs fans woke up this morning to hear the news that Ron Santo had passed away from complications of bladder cancer. This is obviously a great loss for the Cubs organization and Cubs fans all over the world. I had actually spent a some time last night writing a piece about Santo for an article I plan to publish next week on how I view the Hall of Fame and was shocked to see the news. You can read my thoughts about Santo and his Hall of Fame candidacy when that article posts next week. But I wanted to share a couple of memories I have of Santo here.

I am not old enough to remember Santo as a player. I've heard some stories from my Dad, including the heel click story from 1969 (many times on that story). But I really only have stats and a few video clips as ways to view his playing career. It's in the broadcast booth where he made his mark for me. And I would probably rate him as my favorite announcer of all time. I tend to favor the homer type announcers and he was definitely one of those. I see no problem in openly rooting for one side as long as you provide the service I am looking for. That is, description of the action and insights on the game. Santo did great in both of those areas and made me feel like I wasn't alone in rooting for the Cubs to win whenever I listened in to his broadcasts. I will miss having him in the booth greatly for that particular reason.

And he was smooth in his own particular way. One particular broadcast I remember is a game from 1993 where Jose Guzman was perfect deep into the game. He eventually ended up with a one hitter, with the perfecto broken up in the 8th and the no hitter broken up with two outs in the 9th. This was during the era when Harry Caray broadcast on the TV side, but stepped over to the radio side for the 4th-6th innings. As I said, Guzman was still pitching a perfect game in the 6th and I was driving home and listening to the game on the road. I'm sure we all remember how Harry could get distracted at times and forget to keep up with the action. And he chose to go off on one of his tangents in the 6th inning of this perfect game. The first batter of the inning received absolutely no play by play as Harry rambled on. No idea how many pitches have been thrown, what the count may be, or anything like that. So this continues for like 5 minutes before Santo eventually throws in 'groundout to the second baseman for the 2nd out. And I know what you're saying Harry!'. For the third batter, Harry was actually talking to Santo and he would respond with things like 'Strike Two! And Harry, thanks for letting us know how Dutchie is doing!'. He smoothly took over the play by play without interfering with the legend sitting beside him.

My other greatest memory of Santo, and one which many other share with me, is how excited he was when his number was retired by the Cubs. You could really see the meaning that the event held for him. I'm sure a call from Cooperstown would have been the only thing that could have topped that particular moment for Ron Santo. He was a Cub through and through. Here's hoping that he can exert some influence on the powers above and help bring us a title!

Finished the 1997 Base Sets!

I got the last few cards in today to finish off the 1997 base issue sets for the Cubs. I had been complete from 1949-1996 since about 1998. But I had been chasing parallels from the pre-1997 era and pre-war vintage stuff on and off for several years. In 2009, I made the decision to fill in at least the base set stuff from 1997 thru the present day and have been focusing on that since that time. It was getting to be a race between 1997 and 2010 (I have been buying the new stuff as it comes out and will be complete shortly after the last 2010 issue hits the market) for the first year completed. 1997 won the race this week.

The last few cards I needed were Row 0 cards from 1997 Flair for Sandberg, Sosa, Orie, and McRae. There was no Row 0 Sandberg available on any of the sites I regularly check, so I had held off on picking up the others I was missing from this set as well in case I found a cheap set at some point. Well, I finally got the Sandberg for a reasonable price a couple of weeks back (roughly $10 dlvd.) And then there was a listing on eBay for a lot of 140 or so 1997 Flair Row 0 cards. Not all of the cards were listed, but Sosa was one of the listed cards. So I took a chance and put in a low bid. I ended up winning for the minimum bid that totaled $15 dlvd.

I got the lot in today and hit the jackpot! I knew the lot had the Sosa, but it turns out that I also got a copy of the Orie and McRae cards in the lot. And that completes the 1997 base sets for me! Now hopefully I can recoup some dollars on the remaining cards in the lot to apply towards 1998 (getting close there too).