Category Archives: BASEBALL CARDS

DOES BIG LOTS SELL BASEBALL CARDS

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Big Lots is a chain of closeout and discount variety stores found throughout the United States that offers a wide range of household items, home furnishings, seasonal products, and toys at significantly below traditional retail prices. While their product assortment tends to change frequently based on their closeout business model, baseball cards have been and continue to be a category they carry depending on the individual store.

Baseball cards have had ups and downs in popularity over the decades but remain a lucrative collectibles category particularly during the spring and summer baseball seasons. Given Big Lots’ strategy of changing up merchandise frequently based on closeout deals they obtain, they will opportunistically stock baseball card products when available at a deep discount. Some of the factors that determine if and when a particular Big Lots location will carry baseball cards include:

Closeout Deals – Big Lots aims to purchase excess inventory or discontinued items from manufacturers and retailers at low prices to resell at low prices. If they obtain large closeout quantities of baseball cards from major card companies like Topps, Panini, or Upper Deck at favorable rates, they will make them available.

Seasonal Demand – Demand for new baseball cards is highest during the spring and summer as the MLB season gets underway. Big Lots monitors seasonal demand and works to have new card products in stores during peak periods if acquisition costs allow.

Store Size and Format – Larger Big Lots superstore locations with wider aisles have more flexibility to carry trading card products which require dedicated rack display space. Smaller traditional big box stores have less room so are less likely to carry cards.

Local Baseball Interest – Stores in regions with strong MLB fanbases like Boston, Chicago, LA, etc. may be more inclined to carry cards catering to local team collectors depending on other factors.

Inventory Turnover – As a closeout retailer, Big Lots aims to quickly sell through inventory and free up shelf space for new deals. Baseball cards see spikes in sales during the season but slow down after so may not turn over fast enough year-round for some locations.

Competition – If dollar stores or local hobby shops in an area heavily focus on carrying cards, Big Lots may be less inclined to due to competitive pressures despite demand.

Therefore, while not guaranteed, baseball cards remain a category Big Lots will intermittently stock based on the alignment of these factors at both the corporate and individual store level. When they do have them, shoppers can find an assortment of both higher-end hobby boxes and packs from the current season alongside discounted older seasons and non-sports card products as well.

The quality and selection varies per store and visit, but deals can be had on everything from flagship Topps Series 1 and 2 packs for the current year to complete sets and memorabilia cards from years past, often for 50-70% less than local card shops. Big box retailers like Walmart tend to have more consistent baseball card offerings year-round, but treasure hunters enjoy periodically checking their local Big Lots for unexpectedly good vintage and discount card finds amidst the ever-changing product mix.

For serious collectors and investors, Big Lots is not generally a first-stop destination due to inconsistencies, but casual fans on a budget still find value in perusing their baseball card selection when available. Whether stocking the latest products or fire sales on older seasons, Big Lots strategically capitalizes on fluctuations in the trading card marketplace to give bargain hunters chances to feed their baseball card habit for less. So while hit-or-miss, periodically browsing the toy and collectible aisles can yield surprising finds that make diehard or developing fans happy.

While baseball cards are not a guaranteed or core product category for Big Lots, their business model creates opportunities for the discount retailer to opportunistically stock the popular trading cards depending on a confluence of inventory, demand, and market factors – both at the corporate and individual store level. Savvy shoppers willing to periodically check their local Big Lots may uncover surprising baseball card deals amidst the ever-changing aisles.

ARE MCDONALD’S BASEBALL CARDS WORTH ANYTHING

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In the 1980s and 1990s, McDonald’s ran very popular promotions where they included baseball cards in their Happy Meals. As these promotions brought baseball card collecting to a whole new generation of younger fans, the cards themselves hold significant nostalgia and collector value today. Whether any individual card from these sets is truly worth money depends on a few key factors.

There were four main baseball card sets that McDonald’s distributed – 1984, 1989,1992, and 1998. The 1984 set is especially notable as it was the first time a major fast food chain inserted sportscards into its kids’ meals. It featured stars like Ryne Sandberg, Wade Boggs, and Ozzie Smith. It’s important to recognize that while nostalgic, the 1984 set had no logos or licensing from the MLB Players Association. As a result, the cards lack significant baseball authenticity compared to traditional card issues from Topps, Fleer, etc. Still, for collector value, key 1984 rookies could fetch $5-10 based on condition.

The 1989 McDonald’s set had MLB licensing and featured logos. It also had stars of that era like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Ken Griffey Jr. Condition is again key, but 1990 rookie cards could be worth $10-15 if in mint shape. Of particular note, the 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. rookie has more value as one of his true early mainstream rookie cards before becoming a megastar. In near-mint to mint condition, his 1989 McDonald’s card could fetch $25-40 based on recent eBay sales.

Moving to 1992, this set saw distribution expanded with Series 1 and Series 2 issues. Rosters became deeper with role players, though superstars like Frank Thomas, Tom Glavine, and Gregg Maddux still made the cut. Condition matters greatly, but near-mint 1992 rookie cards could sell for $10-20 a piece for top young talents. Notable examples include Carlos Delgado, Darren Daulton, and Larry Walker. Of course, true “investment grade” specimens grading mint 9 or above would demand much higher prices from serious collectors.

The final large McDonald’s run was 1998. By this point, collectors had matured with the 1990s baseball boom. Thus, mint 1998 rookie cards lack significant value topping out around $5 except for only the most desirable rookies. Examples could include Nomar Garciaparra, Ben Grieve, or Lance Berkman. Condition is everything, and well-loved or damaged 1998s hold little monetary worth.

Whether an individual McDonald’s baseball card from the 1980s-90s holds collector value depends on four key factors – year, star power, condition, and especially rookie status. The rarest and most coveted specimens could realize prices mentioned before. For most common cards even from the 1984, 1989 or 1992 issues, true worth may only be a dollar or less except to the most ardent collectors. While fun relics of childhood baseball memorabilia, unless pristine, the vast majority hold little monetary value outside nostalgia. For serious collectors, concentrating on only the best conditioned, highest impact rookies could provide the potential for future appreciation if the player’s career merits. But for most fans, the memories matter more than the money when it comes to these classic McDonald’s promotions.

In closing, whether any specific McDonald’s baseball card is worth spending money to acquire depends largely on the collector. While the 1984, 1989 and 1992 issues introduced millions of kids to the hobby, true rareties are needed to demand real financial worth today. For the average cards, the intrinsic nostalgia exceeds any potential monetary value. But for those who truly covet the rarest of the rare specimens, primarily only 1984 and 1989 rookies could potentially realize respectable prices − IF pristinely preserved. One must be a savvy collector to invest in these cards rather than simply searching for childhood memories. But for those memories, even more common issues retain lasting satisfaction regardless of dollars.

ARE 1980 AND 1990 BASEBALL CARDS WORTH ANYTHING

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The value of baseball cards from the 1980s and 1990s can vary greatly depending on several factors, but in general many cards from this era can hold significance value for collectors. The 1980s and 90s were a peak time for the baseball card industry, with companies like Topps, Donruss, and Fleer producing billions of cards that were collected by children and adults alike. While the overproduction of cards during these decades means that common cards are usually not worth much today, there are still plenty of valuable gems to be found from this era.

One of the biggest factors that determines the value of a card is the player featured on it and their career accomplishments. For 1980s cards, players like Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, Cal Ripken Jr., and Roger Clemens are often worth more because they went on to have Hall of Fame careers. Rarer rookie or star rookie cards for these players from the early 80s could be valued anywhere from $50-$500 or more depending on condition. For the 1990s, rookies of Derek Jeter, Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones, and Pedro Martinez are often the most valuable since they established themselves as superstars. High grade rookie cards of these players could fetch $100+ on the collector market.

Condition is also very important when appraising the value of older baseball cards. Cards that maintained their structural integrity and show little signs of wear, creases, or edge/corner damage are considered to be in “gem mint” or “near mint” condition – which is what collectors desire. Even a common card of a lesser player can hold decent value if it grades at these top condition levels. On the other hand, a card that is ragged, torn or written on will be of little worth to collectors no matter who is featured.

Rarity also plays a major role – the scarcer a certain card is, the more valuable it tends to be. For example, rookie cards were not produced in as high quantities as standard cards, so legitimate rookie cards are more sought after. Lesser known promotional or subset cards were often produced in smaller print runs as well. Numbered parallel versions or autograph/relic cards inserted randomly in packs are other types of rare chase cards to look for from the 80s and 90s sets.

Other keys to value include special serial numbers, error variants, unique photographic variations, and especially noteworthy autographs obtained on the card itself. Rookie Autograph Cards that capture a future Hall of Famer’s signature from their early career are truly prized finds. The team featured can also influence value for popular franchises like the Yankees.

Just like in any collectibles market, there are variables that impact value such as current player popularity, recent sales comps, economic conditions, and supply/demand. Card grading and certification from professional services adds legitimacy and standardization to the hobby. With a bit of research, astute collectors can uncover hidden gems in their 1980s and 90s collections that could yield a substantial return on their original investment. Taking the time to assess cardboard for notables of the past that shined the brightest is a great way to accumulate some untapped baseball card wealth.

While 1980s and 1990s baseball cards flooded the market in their heyday, certain standout rookie cards, stars, and rare finds hold lasting value as desirable vintage memorabilia for collectors even decades later. The key attributes of condition, player performance, edition scarcity all factor into appraising just what hidden treasures may be in one’s collection waiting to be cashed in.

HOW MUCH DO BASEBALL CARDS COST

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The cost of baseball cards can vary widely depending on several factors, such as the player featured, the card company, the year the card was printed, the condition or grade of the card, and more. While it’s possible to purchase relatively inexpensive common baseball cards, high-end rare cards can sell for thousands or even millions of dollars.

At the very low end, common unopened packs of modern baseball cards from the past couple seasons sold by the major card companies like Topps, Panini, and Leaf can generally be found for $1-5. Individual common inserts or rookie cards from these packs may sell on the secondary market for $0.25-$5 each depending on the player and overall supply.

Moving up from there, boxes of unopened packs that guarantee a certain number of rare inserts or autograph cards often sell in the $20-50 range. Hobby boxes, which are for seasoned collectors and contains 24 packs, generally run between $50-100 but can be more expensive for higher end products. Jumbo boxes with 36 packs or more typically fall in the $100-200 price range.

Vintage 1980s and 1990s era packs sell for $5-20 on average depending on the popularity of the players, with especially iconic rookie years potentially going for $50-100 per pack. Individual commons cards range from $1-5, with stars fetching $5-50 and true gems in high grades going into the hundreds or more. CompleteBase sets from the 1980s on eBay often sell in the $50-200 range based on condition and Year.

Moving into the pre-war vintage area from the early 1900s up to the 1950s, the costs really start to increase substantially. Loose common player cards might sell for $5-25 each depending on the name, with stars in decent shape reaching $50-200 apiece. Complete team sets from 1910-1950 will typically sell for $500-3,000 again depending on set, condition, and Year.

Single rare pre-war HOFers such as a T206 variant of Honus Wagner, which is arguably the most valuable collectible card ever printed, have actually sold at auction for over $3 million. The last known ‘Gretzky T206’ also recently fetched over $1 million. So truly one-of-a-kind vintage pieces can reach astonishing prices.

In the 1950s-1970s vintage range, costs begin in the $5-25 ballpark for commons but steadily increase from there. Individual stars may sell in the $25-500 range normally depending on player pedigree and grade. Complete 1950s and 1960s sets usually sell for $500-5,000 depending on condition and scarcity. High-grade examples of the iconic 1952 Topps, 1969 Topps, or 1975 Topps rookie cards of legends like Mickey Mantle, Tom Seaver, or George Brett can sell for tens of thousands on a good day.

Rookie cards are also an area with big money potential. Exceptional specimens of rookie cards for all-time greats like Mike Trout, LeBron James, or Tom Brady commonly sell for thousands in high grades due to their historical significance capturing a player’s first card. Trout’s 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects refractor rookie was recently auctioned off for over $400,000, for instance.

Autograph cards provide another high end layer, as signed pieces naturally hold greater appeal to collectors. Lower-tier signed cards from prospects or role players can sell for $20-100, while autographs of living legends regularly reach $500-5000 based on the amount of signing they provide. Authenticated game-used memorabilia cards and patches add various multipliers to these baseline estimates as well.

There’s also a premium placed on condition/grade when it comes to vintage and valuable modern rookies. A high-grade example like a PSA/BGS/SGC Gem Mint 10 of a key vintage card might fetch 10X-100X the price of a well-loved but lower graded copy. So someone spending $500 on a PSA 8 might see a NM-MT 7 of the same card going for just $50-150.

While you can pick up cheap packs or commons for under $5, the high-end spectrum of the baseball card market is vast. Condition-sensitive vintage pieces and star records push the ceiling into the lofty ranges of thousands, tens of thousands, and – in the case of one-of-a-kind treasures – millions. Savvy collectors looking to build long-term value often focus their budgets on historically notable rookies, Hall of Famers, and high-grade examples to maximize an collection’s potential over decades.

HOW TO RATE CONDITION OF BASEBALL CARDS

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When evaluating the condition of a baseball card, there are several factors that must be considered in order to determine its grade or ranking. The most important entities that provide official grading of sports cards are Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) and Beckett Grading Services (BGS). Both companies have established detailed guidelines on their grading scales to provide a standard for collectors.

Some of the key items examined when grading include the card’s centering, corners, edges and surface. Centering refers to how evenly the image is placed within the borders of the card. A card that is perfectly centered from top to bottom and side to side would score high in this area. Corners are analyzed for any bumps, creases or flaws. Ideal corners are sharp and have no damage. Edges are inspected for whitening (wear of the color or coating along the edge) or chips. Surface quality means examining the face of the card for any scratches, scuffs, stains or printing defects.

PSA and BGS have established numerical grading scales to represent the overall conditioned based on these evaluative factors. PSA uses a 1-10 scale while BGS utilizes a 1-10 system plus additional half-point increments (e.g. 8.5). Here is a brief breakdown of the PSA scale:

PSA 1: Poor condition, very well worn and scratched card that is damaged
PSA 2.5: Fair condition with more noticeable flaws
PSA 5: Average condition, minor flaws and slight wear present
PSA 7: Good condition with some flaws that do not significantly impact appeal
PSA 8: Very good, above average with minor flaws that are hard to find
PSA 9: Mint condition, exceptional card with only minor flaws under strong lights
PSA 10: Gem Mint, flawless card in pristine collectible condition

BGS utilizes a similar numbering system but provides even more distinction between grades. For example, a BGS 9 would indicate a flawless gem while a BGS 9.5 would be an essentially perfect “black label” worthy specimen.

In addition to the numerical grade, PSA and BGS labels also denote sub-grades to further outline the condition details for each factor examined. For a PSA-graded card, the label will include individual numeric sub-grades for centering (C), corners (COR), edges (EDG) and surface (SUR). The sum total of these sub-grades contributes to the overall condition number assigned. BGS labels show sub-grades as well, including (CX, C, E) for centering, corners and edges.

There are also more descriptive labels that PSA and BGS use beyond just the numeric grades. For PSA, these include “Near Mint” (NM) for 7-7.5 range, “Mint” for 8-8.5 and “Gem Mint” for 9-10. BGS has Gold Labels to denote excellent quality specimens. Both companies identify historical or culturally significant items as being in the population census, for example a PSA 10 card may be designated as the “1 of 1 in PSA 10 Population.”

While PSA and BGS grading is considered the gold standard, vintage cards in particular are often professionally graded using less stringent standards than modern issues. In this case, a grading scale with condition terms like “Very Good” or “Fine” without a number assigned may be used by a respected third-party expert to describe the vintage card. Ultimately, the goal is providing collectors and buyers with a clear assessment of a card’s preserved quality through detailed analysis of its condition attributes. An officially graded card, or one with a detailed condition analysis, allows for an apples-to-apples comparison when evaluating baseball cards in the market.

ARE BASEBALL CARDS FROM THE 1990s WORTH ANYTHING

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Baseball cards from the 1990s can potentially be worth something, but whether any individual card from that era holds significant value depends on several factors. The 1990s represented a boom time for the baseball card industry, as companies produced massive quantities of cards during that decade. There were also notable developments and players that make some 1990s cards more desirable than others from a collector’s standpoint.

To understand the potential value of 1990s baseball cards, it’s important to know the context and climate of the hobby during that period. After struggling through much of the 1980s, the baseball card market underwent major revival and expansion in the early 1990s. Companies like Upper Deck, Score, and Fleer signed exclusive deals with MLB to produce official cards featuring current players. This created much more competition compared to previous eras dominated by Topps. As a result, card production volumes soared.

While high production numbers mean the 1990s generation of cards is more abundant and common than those from earlier decades like the 1950s-1980s, the desire of collectors also drove up demand. The recession of the early 1990s likely contributed to the baseball card boom, as the hobby provided an accessible and relatively inexpensive form of entertainment for many. Upper Deck in particular helped popularize the idea of cards as investments or collectibles rather than just stuff for kids. Their aesthetically pleasing, high-quality designs attracted both casual fans and serious investors.

Within the 1990s, certain years stand out as being more noteworthy than others in regards to valuable cards. The years 1992, 1994, and 1995 especially saw major events that make cards from those seasons potentially the most desirable two decades later. Some key developments that enhanced the prestige and demand for cards from these years include:

1992 marked the start of the official MLB player’s union, resulting in the first Upper Deck and Score MLB licenses. High pop star power from players like Barry Bonds boosted interest.

1994 was arguably the most historic single season in baseball history due to the MLB player’s strike. Cards featuring stars from “The Strike Year” are reminders of one of the sport’s most defining moments.

1995 saw the debuts of phenomenal rookie classes like Chipper Jones, Roy Halladay, Derek Jeter, and others who went on to productive Hall of Fame caliber careers. Their rookie cards remained highly sought after.

Within each year, certain players naturally hold more value than others based on their career performances and achievements after the 1990s. Superstar players like Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds, Chipper Jones, Derek Jeter, and Pedro Martinez routinely command higher prices for their 1990s rookie cards and premium cards compared to role players and non-hall of famers from the same sets. Autograph and memorabilia cards featuring elite talents from the period also gain substantial premiums.

In considering whether individual 1990s baseball cards have retained financial value today, there are two primary factors to analyze – condition and card scarcity or “rarity.” Heavily played cards in poor shape from even the most desirable sets and players have essentially no collector value. Near mint or gem mint examples of important vintage 1990s cards can still attract buyers depending on the specifics.

Similarly, while 1990s sets had massive production runs by historic standards, not all inserts and parallel cards reached the same circulation. Short printed serial numbered parallels, or tough pulls like refractors and autographs maintain scarcity despite the decade. These scarce card varieties usually offer the best chances for significant financial return of 1990s cardboard in top condition. But for most regular base cards, long-term value appreciation is not a given even for stars due to how many were printed.

While 1990s baseball cards as a whole benefited from a boom period, sustained value is harder to realize compared to prior eras with lower production. The very best 1990s rookies, stars, and scarce parallel versions have the strongest likelihood of retaining collector interest and price appreciation over decades. But for the most part, 1990s sets are closer to commodities than true long-term investments unless graded and preserved pristine. Still, unique pieces from that memorable decade can bring back memories for collectors while maintaining potential residue worth.

WHAT TO DO WITH EXTRA BASEBALL CARDS

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One of the most common options is to try and sell the extra cards. You can do this a few different ways. One way is to take the cards to a local card show or shop to see if any dealers are interested in buying them. Make sure to do some research on similar condition cards online through websites like eBay to get an idea of current fair market values. This will help you price your cards properly for sale. Another selling option is to list cards individually or in lots on platforms like eBay or through auction sites like Heritage Auctions. Doing some sorting of your cards by player, team, year, etc. first will make it easier to group similar cards together for online sale. Be sure to describe conditions accurately, take clear photos, and research recent sold prices so buyers know what to expect.

If selling individually seems like too much work, you could look at selling the entire extra collection as one lot to another collector. Again, research recently sold bulk lots to help establish a fair asking price. You may get less per card this way but it minimizes your work. Make sure to clearly inventory what is included. You can post the lot for sale through online collectibles forums and groups as well. Another option to potentially make some money is to consign high-value cards through a collectibles dealer or auction house. They can market and sell the cards for a commission.

Rather than selling, you could look at donating your extra cards. Organizations like the National Baseball Hall of Fame accept card donations to add to their archives and research collections. Some youth sports leagues and schools also accept donations they can use for fundraising through raffles and auctions. This allows you to potentially get a tax write-off while also helping others. Another donating route is directly to other collectors online. Groups on sites like Facebook are always looking to expand their collections through trades and you may find takers willing to cover the shipping themselves.

If monetary value is not as much of a concern, consider holding onto duplicates to pull out and use for fun projects. You could assemble team sets, create a scrapbook to display players’ careers, or put together themed collections like all Cardinals from the 1980s. Cards in particularly worn condition could be used for crafts as well like made into book covers or framed artwork. Another display option is to creatively assemble cards into a piece of sports memorabilia wall art for your home. This allows you to still enjoy cards you can’t sell rather than just getting rid of them.

For any truly common cards in your duplicates pile that likely have no sale or trade value, consider recycling them responsibly. Many cardboard and paper recycling programs will accept clean card collections. Be sure to remove any plastic sleeves or holders first. You could also look into donation programs through organizations like the sports equivalent of the American Forest Foundation that plant trees using recycled paper and cardboard products. This ensures your extra cards have a second purpose rather than just taking up unnecessary space.

With some sorting and research into values, there are many options for putting extra baseball cards to good use whether through sale, donation, crafting projects or display rather than just discarding them. Taking the time to evaluate your duplicates and handle them through the appropriate channels can help you manage a large collection while giving the cards a new purpose or home. The key is doing your homework to choose the best routes and maximize any potential financial returns, donations or enjoyment from cards you may otherwise see as excess. With some work, your extras can still provide benefits even after your collecting needs are met.

WHO STOLE THE BASEBALL CARDS IN BETTER CALL SAUL

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In season 1, episode 7 of Better Call Saul titled “Bingo”, Jimmy McGill discovers that his prized baseball card collection has been stolen. This pivotal incident sets in motion a key plot point and character development moment for Jimmy in the early seasons of the show.

The episode begins with Jimmy attending a meeting of the Sandpiper Crossing retirement home residents who have been wronged by the home. Jimmy is still trying to earn clients and cases to support his law practice under the name McGill and Associates. He gives a passionate speech to the residents about getting justice, though they remain unconvinced to hire him. Meanwhile, Chuck McGill makes it clear to Jimmy he doesn’t think he is cut out to truly be a lawyer.

That night at his apartment, Jimmy comes home exhausted and defeated from the meeting. He takes a whiskey drink and decides to unwind by retrieving his massive baseball card collection from the closet, which is something that always brings him joy. Upon opening the closet door, he is shocked to find that the several binders and boxes filled with his hundreds of valuable cards have been stolen. Jimmy is devastated by this loss, as the cards held sentimental value from his childhood and represent one of his true passions outside of the law.

The next day, Jimmy desperately wants answers about who could have stolen the cards. He goes to see private detective and friend Mike Ehrmantraut to hire his services, hoping Mike can help get to the bottom of what happened. Mike is initially reluctant, but agrees to take the case after seeing how much the cards clearly meant to Jimmy. Mike starts his investigation by thoroughly searching Jimmy’s apartment for any clues, trying to determine if the thief simply got lucky or knew the collection was there.

Through his meticulous detective work, Mike is able to deduce that the theft was clearly not a random act. Whoever took the cards had to know they were in that closet, which narrows the pool of potential suspects. His search of the apartment also turns up a loose floorboard that was pried up, indicating the perpetrator may have entered that way when Jimmy wasn’t home. Mike questions Jimmy’s brother Chuck again about any possible enemies who would want to hurt Jimmy in this way.

Through process of elimination and interrogating neighbors, Mike’s investigation leads him to pinpoint the culprit – Marco, one of the residents Jimmy had pitched at the Sandpiper meeting. As it turns out, Marco was offended and angered by Jimmy’s sales pitch about suing the retirement home. He broke into Jimmy’s apartment as petty revenge for Jimmy trying to get the residents to join a class action. In a tense confrontation, Mike is able to extract a full confession from Marco. He even recovers most of the baseball card collection, which brings Jimmy both closure and joy upon their return.

This entire ordeal was a formative experience for Jimmy. Not only did he lose something truly precious to him, but he learned the hard way that not everyone will respond positively to his methods. It also reinforced Chuck’s criticisms that Jimmy’s unscrupulous nature could seriously backfire. At the same time, Jimmy gained a newfound respect for Mike’s skills and how he was able to solve the mystery. This incident with the stolen baseball cards planted the early seeds that would lead Jimmy down a path of operating outside the law and employing more ruthless tactics as Saul Goodman. But for now, he was simply glad to have his childhood collection back in his hands once more.

The theft of Jimmy McGill’s baseball cards by the Sandpiper resident Marco was a pivotal plot point in season 1 of Better Call Saul. It not only launched Jimmy’s relationship with private detective Mike Ehrmantraut, but taught Jimmy some hard lessons about overzealous client acquisition. Most importantly, the incident reinforced Jimmy’s passion and sense of identity tied to the game of baseball represented by his cherished card collection. So in the end, while a small crime, the baseball card theft had significant repercussions that continued shaping Jimmy into the man he would become as Saul Goodman.

HOW DO I FIND OUT HOW MUCH MY BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH

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The first step is to carefully look at each baseball card and analyze its condition and characteristics that affect its value. The most important things to examine are the grade or condition of the card, the year it was issued, the player featured on the front, the brand or set it is from, and any special markings or serial numbers.

Taking the time to document these details for each card is crucial before moving forward. Things like wear and tear on the edges or corners can significantly impact value. So take your time looking at each card under good light to assess its overall condition. You can usually gauge the condition as Near Mint (NM), Excellent (EX), Very Good (VG), Good (G), or Poor (P).

Once you’ve examined and documented the condition and identifiers for each card, the next step is to do some online research. The two most reputable websites for checking baseball card values are eBay and BaseballCardPedia. On eBay, you’ll want to search for recently sold listings of cards that match your cards in terms of year, player, brand, and condition. This will give you a good idea of what similar condition cards have actually sold for.

BaseballCardPedia has a free price guide you can search through to find value estimates. It’s best to treat these as general guidelines and to instead focus more on recent eBay sales data to get the most accurate valuation. The price guide won’t factor in individual card condition as precisely.

After checking recently sold eBay listings and consulting price guides, you should now have a good idea of the estimated value range for each of your cards in their documented condition. It’s always best to be conservative though and assume a value closer to the lower end of any range you find. Conditions can be subjective.

With larger collections, a more detailed approach is needed. Consider having valuable vintage cards professionally graded by accredited services like PSA or Beckett. This adds legitimacy and helps command higher prices. Services like PWCC or Heritage Auctions also sometimes offer free valuation consultations for larger collections.

Once you’ve completed the research, I’d recommend organizing your cards by estimated value with the most valuable ones up front. Then consider the best options for selling or consigning them depending on the total estimated value. For example, individual cards worth $50-$500 could likely be sold on eBay or through a local card shop on consignment. Valuable vintage cards or collections worth thousands might have more success being auctioned or consigned through a major auction house.

In the end, doing thorough research on each card and finding comparable recent sold transactions will help ensure you arrive at the most accurate valuation of your baseball card collection possible. With some time and effort checking websites and resources, you’ll have a solid understanding of just how much your cards are worth in today’s market. Let me know if any part of the valuation process needs more clarification or explanation.

HOW DO BASEBALL WILDCARDS WORK

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Major League Baseball institutes a playoff wildcard system to determine the teams that will qualify for the postseason in addition to the division champions. Originally, there was just one wildcard team from each league, but starting in 2012 MLB expanded it to two wildcard teams per league to add more playoff excitement and competitive balance.

The way it works is each league, the American League and National League, is divided into three divisions – East, Central, and West. At the end of the 162-game regular season, the team in each division with the best win-loss record becomes the division champion and automatically qualifies for the postseason. There are still additional playoff spots available through the wildcard system.

For each league, the two teams with the best overall record that did not win their division become the wildcard teams. Their records are compared against all other non-division winning teams in that league. So a team could finish second in its division but still have a better overall record than a third-place team from another division and claim a wildcard spot based on that.

When the regular season concludes, the two wildcard teams from each league then participate in a one-game Wild Card Round to determine who advances. This is a sudden death playoff where the higher ranked of the two wildcard teams hosts the game and needs only a victory to move on. The lower ranked wildcard team has to win on the road just to stay alive in the postseason.

The winners of the two wildcard games in each league then advance to play the division series. In the American League, the winner of the higher ranked wildcard team’s game plays the league’s top seed, usually the team with the best overall record. The winner of the lower ranked wildcard team’s game faces the second seed. It’s the same format for the National League Division Series as well.

These best-of-five Division Series matchups are very high stakes, because a single loss means elimination from the postseason. At the same time, they give the wildcard winners a chance to keep their championship hopes alive by upsetting a division winner. The league championship series and World Series then follow the traditional playoff format to determine the pennant winners and ultimate champion.

The wildcard system has added a meaningful new layer of intrigue and excitement to the MLB postseason. By doubling the number of participating teams, more cities and fan bases get to experience meaningful October baseball. Teams are incentivized to play hard until the last day of the season to try securing home field for the wildcard game or attempt climbing the standings for a better seed.

It also rewards regular season performance a bit more directly. Division winners are still recognized, but non-division winners with stellar records get a shot at a title too. And the sudden death nature of the one game wild card format ratchets up the pressure exponentially compared to a longer series. Managers need to bring their best pitchers despite limited off days.

Critics argue the system decreases the significance of winning a division. But overall, it has achieved baseball’s goal of increasing fan interest in the postseason. Even teams not in serious contention may stay engaged to see if they can play spoiler and impact the playoff race late. From a competitive standpoint, any team that meets the standard of 95+ wins deserves a seat at the table in October.

The wildcard format provides a fair, easy to understand way to determine those additional playoff participants based on overall regular season merit. While eventually there may need to be tweaks around expanded divisions or more wild cards, the current system has restored due excitement and meaning to September baseball. It’s a postseason structure that looks poised to remain a staple for MLB in the 21st century and one that has absolutely revitalized the playoff chase.

In conclusion, Major League Baseball’s wildcard playoff system takes the two clubs in each league with the best records, outside of the three division winners, and has them face off in a one-game showdown. The winners then get to extend their seasons by advancing to a high-stakes Division Series against an elite division champion. This significantly boosts the number of teams competing in the postseason, makes more pennant races thrilling to watch every day down the stretch, and appropriately rewards outstanding regular season performance across both leagues.