Big Papi’s recent power outage is leaving more than the Red Sox nation in the dark. Ortiz, a predominate .300 hitter, averaging 40+ HR, and 100+ RBI since joining the Sox in 2003 is amid a landslide at the plate this year. Batting .193 with 1 HR and 18 RBI in his first 42 games this year has rang loudly across Ortiz fantasy-owners and collectors. This slump has created a bottom-out in prices in Ortiz’s 1997 Fleer RC as well as a majority of his other memorabilia and cards.
Amid the rumors and accusations of Oritz’s steroid use, one has to wonder where his power has gone in the last two years? Since last year’s All-Star break, Papi has managed to club only 11 HR, and for someone whose role on the team is purely to hit, I have to feel these numbers are disheartening to the Sox organization. All players face a multiple slumps along their career, and most snap out with a vengeance. If that tradition holds true in the case for Ortiz, his recent cold streak should transpire in to a spectacular show once he snaps out.
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This our first look at the 2009 Bowman Chrome product. Always a fan favorite, this years product looks to be another success for the product. The product will feature a 220-card base set, 40 card World Baseball Classic, and of course, the prospects inserted 2 in every pack. Each of the cards will also be produced in Bowman Chrome familiar parallel sets of Refractors, XFractors, Blue Refractors, Gold Refractors, Orange Refractors, Red Refractors, Superfractors, and Printing Plates, ranging in production numbers of 500 to 1 of 1’s. These parallel’s are inserted 7 per box.
The prospect checklist contains 110 players that have previously not had a card in the Bowman Chrome series. Still missing from the set is last years top-pick, Tim Beckham. The preliminary Prospect Autograph set, inserted 1 per box, looks to be very promising. One of the more attractive perks about the Bowman Chrome Prospect sets is that each of the prospects are always featured in their MLB uniforms. The checklist contains autographs from some of the top prospects in the game. Some of highlights include: Tommy Hanson, Freddie Freeman, Carlos Santana, and Dayan Viciedo. Here is a small run down of the autograph checklist from the 2009 Bowman Chrome Baseball Hobby Sellsheet:
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63 hits, 17 HR, 50 RBIs, .423 BA in 40 games. That stat line sounds like it came from a video game rather than the actual statistics of the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, of the Pacific Coast League, Jake Fox. Fox, who is in his 6th season for the Cubs organization out of the University of Michigan, seems to be in an zone unmatched by most, already racking up two Pacific Coast League Player of the Week honors this season. A converted infielder/outfielder from his natural position as a catcher, could have an immediate impact on the Chicago Cubs, who are in major need of a catalyst to get their season turned around. Also, the Chicago Cubs could consider using Fox as a DH as they enter inter-league play next month.
Fox’s numbers have not gone unnoticed by collectors and prospectors alike. His 2003 Upper Deck Prospect Premieres Jake Fox RC Auto has climbed from a tossed aside common to gradable keepsake. He has even found himself on our recent hot list for the month of June. Not a bad investment for anyone who is looking for the potential to flip a few cards. The large market Cubs fanbase might pay top dollar for this card if Fox gets the nod and is called up. Fox also has a handful of other cards produced over the past few years, but his 2003 Upper Deck Prospect Premieres will easily be the most sough after.
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The Holy Grail of sports card has turned up in Gem Mint fashion on eBay. A [ebay-item: 270366061067,BGS 9.5/10 2001 Bowman Chrome Albert Pujols Auto] is currently up for auction on the site. I have seen a number of BGS 9 for sale, but this 9.5 is a rarity. The seller claims a previous PSA 10 went for $15,100, and this seller has a slighltly lower BIN on the card.
The pinnacle of all collections has surfaced on eBay. The 2003-2004 Upper Deck Exquisite basketball set includes a number of cards that have defined the industry today, including the highly coveted LeBron James Rookie Patch Autograph. All of the auto patch cards are numbered to 99 and to see an entire collection like this is very rare. Here is your opportunity to own one of the greatest collection of future hall of famers in one amazingly beautiful set.
2003-2004 Upper Deck Exquisite Basketball Set
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After a lost 2007 season due to injury, Julio Borbon has been back to full stride in 2008. After a mid-summer call up to the Firsco RoughRiders of the Double-A Texas League, Borbons numbers have been scorching hot. Prior to the hop to Double-A, he played 66 games for Cal League’s Bakers field, Borbon batting .306 with 36 SB and 20 2B. 52 games at Frisco, Borbon has batted .326 with 14 SB and 10 2B, including going 17 for his last 44, while helping Frisco push to the Texas South Conference title.
In the 2007 draft, he was taken in the supplemental round by the Texas Rangers as the 35th overall pick. Borbon has all of the amenities of big-league lead-off hitter. Amazing speed, minimal strikeouts, and great fielding make him an ideal threat next year for the Rangers. He may never poses the power that some of today’s great lead-off guys have, however, his great plate discipline will win him far more battles than the long ball can.
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