I've gotten way too used to dropping in on eBay to "take a peek" at what Braves deals I can find that I need to stop...because every time I look I find something that I place a bid on. Here lately I'm winning most of these auctions too. Yes, I have gotten some very nice cards and reasonable prices (or downright steals), but the amount I've paid in shipping when I spread out my purchases could make a grown man cry. I know because I've cried a little! Seriously though I got some nice swag in the mail the last 2 days so let's take a quick look.
This is easily my favorite card of the bunch. The timing of my running across this card is also excellent what with this being Cox's final season managing the Braves. I never bought much of the Topps Cracker Jack product, but what I do have is all very nice. This not quite regular size card features authentic game-worn uniform. I wonder if Bobby was ejected from a game in this uniform?!
I always enjoyed watching Rafael Furcal play the field when he was a Brave. I have to admit though the black composition notebook look doesn't make out for a very appealing ball card though, jersey piece or not.
Ever since I saw the discounted blaster boxes of Masterpieces @ Walmart I've been tempted at buying a few since I seem to marvel at the few individual cards I currently own. I have resisted thus far from buying much of this product, but how could I pass up placing a last minute bid of $.50 for this card?! Sure, Kelly isn't a Brave anymore, but that doesn't take anything away from this being a beautiful card.
Let's see - what was I doing in 2005 when this set came out? That's right - graduating from college. That's way I never saw or bought any of this...I was busy & broke! I ended up buying a mess of these cards of different Braves players in a variety of colors for cheap. I'm still trying to find out how many dang color variations there are, but this Gant card is the lowest serially numbered. The others I bought include David Justice, Javy Lopez, Jermaine Dye and non Braves player Tim Salmon.
Starting first baseman for the Braves in 2011...or at least that is what a lot of people are saying at this point. I wasn't surprised to see that Freedie wasn't included on this year's post season roster, but it's OK as I see a bright future ahead of him with the Braves organization.
The same seller that had the blue parallel also had this card in the same lot. I probably wouldn't have bothered with this card if it was sold on it's own as I don't like the fact the same image was used as was used on the base card. However the back of the card has a interesting quote from Baseball America stating "because of his defense, comparisons of Freeman to Keith Hernandez and Mark Grace (w/ more power) have become commonplace."
2005 is a good year to graduate from college! I too have very few cards from that year - most have been acquired way after the fact!
ReplyDelete