Where Things Stand

 It's been a few months since I've posted to the blog. I haven't stopped collecting but I haven't been too involved in the hobby either. I was able to get the last three cards I needed for my 2018 Topps Olympic podium variation set so I guess that's a win. That being said, the majority of my funds have been going towards a new endeavor. I've been bitten by the vinyl bug and have been acquiring used records from a record shop that's opened up here in my neck of the woods. I've found it hard to say no to a copy of Pink Floyd's Animals for $6 or The Beatles White Album for $10. It's very relaxing for me to sit down in my basement and put on a record while drinking a beer and just listening to music. 

So, where does that leave the blog? I'll probably try to finish up my 1951 Bowman Reds team set this year and acquire about a dozen more Reds autographs for my binder but that's about it. I will probably wrap everything up by the end of this year at which time I'll retire the blog. I'll keep purchasing the Reds sets as long as Topps keeps releasing their flagship line, but it's not enough really to post once a year. I've collected almost everything I've ever wanted in the hobby and I'm content with what I have. After all, for me there needs to come a time where I say "My collection is complete" and I'm almost to that point.

Adding a Topps 206 Votto to the Collection

Votto didn't have a lot of cards released during the 2002 season. In fact, only Bowman Draft and Topps 206 were the only offerings that year. While I did have a few 2002 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects cards, I never had a 2002 Topps 206 card in my collection until now. I was able to pick this up for a great price on Sportlots (a third of the price compared to listings on eBay and Beckett Marketplace) this past week. I wish Topps would have used a different picture for this card instead of using the same image that's on the Draft Picks and Prospects cards. Regardless, I'm happy to have this card in my collection now. I probably won't be chasing any of the Votto 206 minis since they're going for over $100 dollars and I would rather add the last few 2008 Upper Deck autographs I need for roughly the same price.

Jumping the Shark

Since 2010 I've been collecting short prints and on the rare occasion the dreaded super short prints as part of my yearly Topps Reds team sets. With the exception of about 3 or 4 cards, I've been able to diligently acquire those photo variations or veteran cards to my collection without any issues. This year, however, is a different story. When I read that Topps (Fanatics) decided to release a super short print of every base card that's included in this year's set I knew that this was too much. Take the above Joey Votto card. I've seen that card listed for about $140 on eBay. Lesser Reds I've seen for $40 or more. Just to track down those gold photo ssp cards and add them to my collection would cost me at least $500 or more. No thanks Topps. You've officially entered the realm of Arthur Fonzarelli on waterskis jumping over aquatic predators. I've acquired the Reds base cards I need from this year's flagship release thus far and I'm content. Who knows, 2022 might have been the last year that I was chasing short prints. If that's the case then I can finally put those short print funds to chasing down the last of the vintage Reds cards I'm pursuing for my collection.

Jonathan India Autograph

Earlier this week I was able to pick up this certified autograph 2021 Bownan's Best of the Reds National League Rookie of the Year recipient for less than $15. Certainly a nice addition to my autograph Reds binder. 

Shogo Akiyama Auto

I picked up this 2020 Topps Chrome Sapphire auto of Shogo Akiyama today off of eBay for a great price. I had been looking to add an auto of Akiyama to my collection since he was the Reds first Japanese ballplayer. He signed a three year $21 million dollar deal with the club back in 2020 but was released by the Reds in June of this past year. 

It Finally Appeared!

For 19 years I've been working on the 2003 Fleer Authentix baseball set. There were times when I thought about just giving up on this build and thinking to myself that I'll never be able to accomplish this task. Two cards have eluded me for years, but today I was finally able to nab one of them. Behold, the last card I needed to complete the base set....Chin-Feng Chen! This card popped up today on COMC and I couldn't purchase it fast enough. Not sure when I'll have the card in hand. Maybe I'll request a shipment from COMC before the end of the year. The only card remaining from this set that I need is the Hometown Heroes Johnny Damon relic card. Here's hoping it doesn't take another 19 years for one of those to surface.

Paul Janish Auto

Did you know that Paul is currently a coach on his alma mater Rice Owls? He played a total of three seasons for the Reds from his call up on May 14, 2008 through the 2011 season.