Brandon Webb, We Hardly Knew Ye

I purchased a UD Masterpieces card of Brandon Webb on eBay for 3 cents shipped.  I have a liking for the bumpy texture on these cards.  Also, there is no gloss on these cards.  The cards just feel right in your hand.  I didn’t realize this, but Webb actually retired earlier this year.  That’s a shame because he had tons of talent.  Injuries betrayed Webb throughout his career. 

Autograph from Upper Deck SP

I picked up this 2007 Upper Deck SP Autograph of Kory Casto on Listia for only 581 credits.  Casto had a brief stint with the Nationals in 2007 and 2008.  He has been out of baseball since 2010.  The price was right.  Also, I think I was buying the card brand rather than the player.  I have always liked the SP brand.  There’s something about all that foil. 

eBay 101

 Over the years, I think I have learned a good deal about how to buy and sell on eBay.  I have made mistakes and tried to learn from them.  As a buyer, I try to exploit poorly worded listings.  Here are two examples.  

The first auction was for a 2011 Topps card of Stephen Strasburg.  I won the auction for 10 cents with free shipping.  The auction title was “baseball card.”  There was a photo of the card but no description.  I half expected to receive a 1990 Donruss common card.  But I received the Strasburg card in mint condition instead. 

 

The second auction was listed as “Eric Surkamp Topps 2012 Chrome Rookie Card.”  There was a clear picture of the item.  But something didn’t look right.  Upon further inspection, this card was a refractor.  There was no mention of this fact in the auction listing.  To make a long story short, I am now the proud owner of this card for the economical sum of 10 cents shipped. 

This Just In...

Big news in the world of fantasy baseball.  My team has moved from last to second to last.  I have been rather busy on the waiver wire.  This year's pickups include Jhonny Peralta, Michael Young, Justin Morneau, Tim Hudson, David Hernandez, and Jared Burton.  I will have Jered Weaver and Zack Greinke back in the lineup soon. I really need the help.  My pitching has been awful outside of Madison Bumgarner. 

New Yankee Additions

I purchased a lot of Yankee cards on eBay for just 51 cents with free shipping.  My math tells me that I paid about 10 cents per card.  The lot includes 3 Robinson Cano cards, an Alex Rodriguez card, and a Joe Girardi card.  I didn’t have any of these cards in my collection, so it was money well spent. 

More Stadium Club Love

I purchased this 2008 Stadium Club card of David Purcey for only 6 cents on eBay.  I have a thing for 2008 Stadium Club.  The photography is excellent and the lack of borders is a refreshing change.  Purcey was a prospect for the Blue Jays for a few years.  He last appeared in the big leagues in 2011.  Since then he has been around the minors.  He is currently playing for the AAA Charlotte Knights in the White Sox organization. 

Random Cheap Cards on eBay

I picked up a lot of 20 baseball cards on eBay for only 42 cents shipped.  There is really no common theme to this lot, but the price was certainly very cheap.  These cards were not junk wax and contained several stars, including Albert Pujols.  The lone Pujols card was probably worth 42 cents.  Also included were card of Hideki Matsui, BJ Upton, Mike Piazza, Torii Hunter, Greg Maddux, and Vladimir Guerrero. 

Remember Elliot Johnson?

I have been rather quiet on Listia lately.  However, I did pull the trigger on this autographed card of Elliot Johnson.  It set me back 864 credits.  Johnson may be best known for running over Yankee catcher Francisco Cervelli at home plate during a spring training game.  That seemed kind of unnecessary during spring training.  Johnson is currently warming benches for the Kansas City Royals.  It seems like everybody plays for the Royals at some point. 

O How I Miss O Pee Chee

I found a pair of 2009 O Pee Chee black bordered cards on eBay for 12 cents.  The only other black bordered card that I have from this set is Phil Coke.  I picked that card up at a card show for cents.  I have no idea why I remember that.  These two cards feature Anibal Sanchez and Carlos Villanueva.  Sanchez is currently starring for the Tigers.  Villanueva is actually starting for the Cubs.  I did not know that.  I would have guessed somewhere in the minors.  Anyway, I really enjoyed the short-lived return of O-Pee-Chee.  It was a really colorful card design.  It also lacked a glossy finish which is my mortal enemy. 

Clay Buchholz's "Rookie" Card

I picked up a 2008 UD First Edition “rookie” card of Clay Buchholz on eBay for 6 cents shipped.  First Edition is the cheaper cousin of the regular Upper Deck set.  So far this season, Buchholz has been a stud.  He has a tiny ERA and 4 wins to show for his efforts.  This will change if history tells us anything.