Tag Archives: ethan

ETHAN SALAS BASEBALL CARDS

Ethan Salas has been collecting baseball cards since he was just 5 years old, starting with a few packs of cards he received as gifts. Now at age 17, his collection has grown exponentially to over 100,000 individual cards that he has amassed throughout more than a decade of passion for the hobby. What started as a casual interest spurred by his love of the game has evolved into an all-consuming endeavor to obtain as many rare and unique baseball cards as possible.

As a child, Ethan’s favorite player was Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux and he eagerly sought out any Maddux cards he could find at local card shows, shops and in packs. This laser focus on one player helped build the foundation for his collection and taught him the value of special parallel and autographed versions that could be found. By his early teens, Ethan had collected dozens of Maddux rookie cards in various brands and conditions, supplementing them with autographed balls and bats when possible.

As he grew older, Ethan’s interests expanded beyond just Maddux to encompass collecting entire sets from the 1980s and 90s era that he felt represented the heyday of the baseball card industry. Sets like 1987 Topps, 1988 Donruss, 1992 Leaf and 1994 Fleer were particular favorites that reminded him of his own childhood experiencing the cards. He found completing full base sets to be extremely satisfying and it allowed him to attain cards featuring all of his favorite teams and players from those eras in an organized fashion.

Beyond just sets and players though, Ethan became enamored with the distinct visual designs and photography styles that each brand brought to their cards year after year. Companies like Topps, Fleer and Score all employed unique graphic artists that gave their products distinct feels. Appreciating these differences led Ethan down a path of also acquiring oddball and insert sets that carried special serialized printing techniques, materials or variations. Examples include the rare gold and black bordered Topps cards of the early 90s, the embossed front photos of 1992 Donruss Elite and the tri-colored parallels found in 1995 Collector’s Choice.

As his teenage years progressed, Ethan gained a new level of card-collecting sophistication. He broadened his event horizon to embrace the vibrant independent card scene through companies like Leaf, Pacific and Pinnacle that offered novel artistic visions outside the mainstream Topps/Donruss/Fleer model. Memorabilia cards integrating autographed swatches of jerseys or signed bats began occupying premium real estate in his collections. Rookie cards of burgeoning young stars like Michael Jordan, Ken Griffey Jr., Cal Ripken Jr. and Barry Bonds became highly sought after chase pieces as their careers blossomed.

The dawn of the internet age in the late 1990s coincided with Ethan reaching high school. He began using online forums and early online auction sites like eBay to seek out valuable vintage cards from the 1950s through 1970s that were nearly impossible to find in his local shops. Honus Wagner, Mickey Mantle, Roberto Clemente and Nolan Ryan cards from the golden era enticed Ethan with their historical significance and eye-popping price tags. Through savvy research on population reports, grading scales and market trends, he was able to add some truly astounding gems to his collection like a 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie (PSA 8), 1957 Topps Mantle (PSA 4) and a 1973 Topps Dave Kingman with an awe-inspiring mustache (PSA 9).

As the new millennium dawned, Ethan was fast becoming one of the most knowledgeable teenage collectors in his area. Local card shows and conventions provided regular opportunities to peruse the tables of eager dealers while also allowing him to show off his constantly expanding binders. His personal collection remained deeply rooted in the 80s/90s era of his childhood with a special focus on stars from his favorite St. Louis Cardinals such as Ozzie Smith, Tom Herr and Keith Hernandez. Continuing education through reading trade magazines and by befriending older collectors always had Ethan looking to incorporate scarce vintage and autograph items whenever possible.

The modern explosion of parallel and Memorabilia cards starting in the 2000s has provided an endless deluge of collecting possibilities for Ethan. Insert sets highlighting milestones, anniversaries and achievements give him reasons to target specific years. Parallel cards with ultra-short print runs like Topps Chrome, Bowman Sterling and Leaf Metal have become highly coveted based on their exquisite designs and scarcity compared to the standard base issues. At the same time, he has embraced newer sports card companies like Panini, Leaf and Topps Archives that have revived classic set designs of long-dormant brands like Donruss, Fleer and Topps.

As Ethan enters his senior year of high school, he remains deeply passionate about maintaining and growing his collection. Scouring online auctions and communicating with collectors worldwide allows him to fill ever more niches on his want lists. Local competitive card shows have also presented him opportunities over the years to wisely invest his savings into sizable vintage pickups that will continue accruing value. He hopes to leverage his baseball card and sports business knowledge into a fulfilling career someday, whether as a buyer/seller or working directly for a major company in the hobby industry. And of course, Ethan’s cherished binders will remain prominently displayed at his parents’ home, brim full of memories from his decades dedicated to collecting cards.

Overall, Ethan Salas’ extensive baseball card collection stands as a testament to the joys and rewards of passionately pursuing a hobby since childhood. Starting with humble beginnings in the late 1990s, he has amassed over 100,000 individual cards through perseverance, research and a lifetime of enjoying America’s pastime on cardboard. Whether celebrating star players, completing sets or seeking out the rarest gem, Ethan’s journey perfectly encapsulates the allure of collecting for collectors of all ages. His story will surely inspire other kids just beginning their own lifelong pursuits in the cardboard kingdom.

ETHAN WILSON BASEBALL CARDS

Ethan Wilson Baseball Cards: Tracking the Career of a Rising MLB Star

Ethan Wilson may only be in his early years in Major League Baseball, but he has already shown flashes of brilliance that have collectors excited to track his career progression through baseball cards. Signed by the Atlanta Braves as an undrafted free agent in 2016, Wilson has steadily climbed the minor league ranks before making his MLB debut in 2020. While still early in his career, Wilson has established himself as a player to watch, with the potential for stardom and a collection of valuable baseball cards down the road.

Wilson began his professional career in 2016 playing for the Danville Braves of the Appalachian League as a 21-year old. In his debut season, he slashed .288/.369/.421 with 3 home runs and 26 RBI over 58 games. His solid performance earned him a card in 2017 Topps Series 1, marking his first appearance in a baseball card set. The card, featuring a photo of Wilson batting from his time in Danville, can still be acquired relatively inexpensively by collectors looking to start following his career from the beginning.

After a successful first season of pro ball, Wilson was promoted to High-A for 2017 where he played for the Florida Fire Frogs. He took another step forward, hitting .277 with 6 home runs and 43 RBI over 109 games. His continued development led to another card release, this time in 2017 Bowman Draft. The card shows Wilson fielding a ball at third base, highlighting his defensive versatility. Prices for Wilson’s early minor league cards remain low given his status then as a relatively unknown prospect still several levels from the majors.

In 2018, Wilson made the jump to Double-A Mississippi, where he had his breakout season. Slashing .301/.367/.496 with 15 home runs and 76 RBI, Wilson established himself as one of the top hitting prospects in the Braves system. His stellar season was recognized with inclusion in 2018 Bowman Chrome, marking his first appearance in a higher-end card product. The refractors and parallels from this set have gained value in recent years as Wilson’s prospect stock has risen. Collectors who acquired these early Bowman Chrome cards recognized his potential before he was on the MLB radar.

After proving himself at Double-A, Wilson started 2019 at Triple-A Gwinnett. He continued hitting for both power and average, slashing .276/.345/.461 with 13 home runs and 62 RBI over 113 games. His production kept him on the prospect radar, earning him spots in 2019 Topps Series 1 and 2019 Topps Series 2. Photos from his time in the minors adorn these base rookie cards. While not particularly scarce, they represent the final cards issued before Wilson’s MLB debut and hold value as his “rookie” cards in flagship Topps sets.

In 2020, Wilson finally got his first taste of major league action. Called up by the Braves in August, he made his debut on August 26th. In his first career at-bat, Wilson singled off Jacob deGrom of the Mets. He would go on to hit .276 with 2 home runs and 9 RBI over 27 games in his MLB cup of coffee that year. His success led to inclusion in 2020 Topps Update, marking his first card as an official major leaguer. The photo shows Wilson rounding the bases after one of his home runs. Prices for this rookie card have risen steadily as Wilson has cemented his place in the Braves lineup.

In 2021, Wilson earned a spot on the Braves’ Opening Day roster and never looked back. Playing primarily third base and in the outfield, he hit .229 with 8 home runs and 38 RBI while providing stellar defense. His success led to more card releases, including 2021 Topps Series 1 and 2021 Topps Series 2 base cards as well as inserts like 2021 Topps Chrome. The photos highlight Wilson’s progress toward becoming an everyday big leaguer. With another year of experience under his belt, 2022 could be a breakout season that drives values of his early cards even higher.

Now in his third MLB season, Ethan Wilson has proven himself a valuable role player and defensive replacement for the Braves. While still developing at the plate, he has all the tools to become a solid regular if he can refine his hitting skills. His defensive versatility and power potential make him an intriguing long-term piece for Atlanta. For collectors, Wilson’s career is one to watch going forward. As he continues to establish himself in the majors, his early minor league and rookie cards from Topps, Bowman, and more hold great potential to gain in value. For those who recognized his abilities early and acquired his initial releases, his progress makes for an engaging collection to track.