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EVAN LEE BASEBALL CARDS

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Evan Lee’s Love of Baseball Cards

Evan Lee has had a passion for baseball cards since he was just a young boy. Growing up in suburban Detroit, Michigan, he would eagerly await the weekend so he could walk to the local convenience store and buy a pack or two of cards. Even back then in the 1980s and 90s, he was drawn to the nostalgia and history captured in each colorful cardboard slice. Little did he know that this early interest would blossom into a full-fledged hobby and lifelong collection.

As Evan got older, he started paying more attention to specific players and teams rather than just collecting random cards. He began to focus on star players from his favorite team, the Detroit Tigers, like Alan Trammell, Lou Whitaker, Kirk Gibson, and Jack Morris. Evan also started learning the basics of what made certain cards more valuable – things like the year, condition, rarity, and of course autographs or memorabilia pieces. His collection grew rapidly as he visited card shows, shops, and traded eagerly with friends at school and little league games.

In high school, Evan’s love for the hobby reached new heights. He joined several online baseball card forums and groups where he could discuss players, trades, and the industry with like-minded collectors all over the world. This exposed him to a whole new world of rare and valuable vintage cards from the early 20th century that had previously seemed unattainable. Evan began saving up money from his part-time job to slowly add some of these pricier antique gems to his collection, like a 1909 T206 Honus Wagner and a 1914 Cracker Jack insert of Ty Cobb.

After graduating high school in 2002, Evan decided to study sports marketing and communications at Michigan State University. During his college years, he continued amassing cards but also started getting more involved in the business side of the hobby. Evan volunteered at major card shows in the area, helping vendors set up and break down their displays. He also began writing articles and reviews for baseball card publications and websites. This allowed Evan to network with industry professionals and gain valuable experience in areas like authentication, grading, pricing, and market trends.

Upon earning his bachelor’s degree in 2006, Evan’s passion for the hobby and business skills led him to start his own online baseball card store. He began by selling duplicates from his personal collection on eBay to raise some start-up capital. Within a few short years, Evan’s business – called Evan’s Elite Cards – had grown into one of the largest and most trusted online retailers in the industry. In addition to individual card sales, Evan organized group breaks where customers could purchase random team/player spots for a chance at rare hits. He also hosted a popular blog and YouTube channel reviewing the latest releases.

As his company found success, Evan continued building one of the most impressive private baseball card collections in the world. Some highlights include a near-complete set of 1952 Topps in pristine mint condition, a 1916 Cracker Jack Honus Wagner replica, and a game-worn Babe Ruth jersey card. Evan has also amassed a huge stockpile of rare vintage rookie cards like a Mickey Mantle from 1952, a Mike Trout from 2009, and a Ken Griffey Jr. from 1989 Upper Deck. His prized possessions are a T206 Wagner from 1910 graded PSA 8 and an unopened case of 2009 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects, which contains prospects like Trout and Manny Machado.

Today at age 38, Evan Lee’s childhood hobby has become his life’s work and passion. In addition to running his thriving online business, he regularly attends and exhibits at the largest national card shows. Evan also serves on the board of directors for the Professional Sports Authentication Company, helping to ensure a fair and reputable grading process. His world-class collection is considered one of the finest private assemblages in the industry, a true testament to his three decades of dedication to the cardboard treasures of America’s pastime. Evan plans to pass down his love of baseball cards to his young son and hopes the hobby will continue to thrive for generations to come.

EVAN CARTER BASEBALL CARDS

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Evan Carter had one of the most impressive minor league debuts in recent memory in 2022, hitting .277 with 24 home runs and 88 RBI between High-A and Double-A as a 19-year old. After being selected fifth overall by the Texas Rangers in the 2021 MLB Draft, Carter immediately became one of the top prospects in all of baseball and a player collectors were eager to add to their collections.

Carter’s prospect status and breakout 2022 season have made his rookie cards some of the most sought after on the baseball card market. While he has only a single season under his belt so far in pro ball, Carter’s cards hold significant long-term value potential if he continues developing into the impact bat many scouts forecast. Here’s a closer look at some of the key Evan Carter baseball cards collectors should know:

2021 Bowman Draft Evan Carter Auto RC (BDA-EC): As Carter’s true rookie card from his draft year, the 2021 Bowman Draft Auto RC is the crown jewel of any Carter PC at the moment. Featuring Carter’s autograph on-card, these can be difficult to find in high grades like PSA 10. Ungraded examples still command over $100 due to Carter’s hype, with PSA 10s selling for upwards of $400-500 based on recent eBay sales. These are sure to increase in value if Carter lives up to expectations at the MLB level.

2022 Topps Evan Carter Chrome RC (TTC-EC): As his flagship rookie card from Topps’ standard baseball release, the 2022 Topps Chrome Evan Carter RC in either paper or refractors is extremely popular. Ungraded copies typically sell in the $15-30 range on eBay. Graded PSA 10 examples have sold for $75-100, showing there is strong collector demand for high-end Carter rookies from his first Topps issue. These will remain a staple in any Carter collection for years to come.

2022 Bowman Evan Carter Chrome RC (BCP-EC): Released shortly after his impressive 2022 minor league campaign, Carter’s 2022 Bowman Chrome rookie card saw a huge spike in popularity and value. Ungraded copies routinely sell for $40-60 due to the shiny Chrome design and Carter’s breakout season creating more buzz. PSA 10 examples have reached as high as $200-300 in recent sales, a true testament to how hot the Carter market became after his breakout. These remain some of his most coveted modern rookies.

2022 Bowman’s Best Evan Carter Autographed RC (BBA-EC): For collectors seeking an on-card autograph of Carter post-2022, the Bowman’s Best release delivered with an autographed version of his standard rookie card. These signings were relatively limited compared to other Carter releases, making the autograph that much more desirable. Ungraded autos sell for $150-250 depending on card quality and market conditions. A PSA 10 could realistically reach the $500-1000 range if Carter’s star continues rising in the majors.

2022 Topps Chrome Evan Carter Refractor RC (#TTC-EC): Within the 2022 Topps Chrome set, the coveted refractors that feature a colorful stripe across Carter’s front-facing image have drawn heavy collector demand. Ungraded copies typically sell in the $75-150 range, with higher end sales approaching $300 for true gem copies. PSA 10 examples have reached as high as $500-700 already based on the limited population, showing the premium placed on these popular refractors by Carter collectors.

While still very early in his career, Evan Carter has already proven to be one of the most in-demand prospects when it comes to the baseball card hobby. As long as he continues developing, his rookie cards stand to gain even more value long-term. The above cards represent some of the core Carter rookies for any collector to consider building around in their collection as one of the game’s brightest young stars. As Carter’s career progresses, these cards are poised to become classics within the modern baseball landscape.

EVAN PHILLIPS BASEBALL CARDS

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Evan Phillips is a relief pitcher who made his Major League Baseball debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2020. While his career is still in the early stages, Phillips has already established himself as a promising young arm in MLB. As a result, Evan Phillips baseball cards have started to gain popularity among collectors.

Phillips was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 11th round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of the University of Tennessee. He spent a few years developing in Houston’s farm system before being traded to the Mariners in 2019. Phillips made his way up Seattle’s minor league ranks and received his first MLB promotion in 2020.

In his rookie season of 2020, Phillips appeared in 18 games out of the Mariners’ bullpen. He posted a 3.24 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 20 innings pitched. Phillips showed promising stuff, averaging over a strikeout per inning with a fastball that sits in the mid-90s. His debut performance got the attention of collectors looking to add young prospects to their collections.

Some of the most sought after Evan Phillips rookie cards from 2020 include issues from Topps, Bowman, and Panini. The Topps Chrome Update Blue Refractor Parallel #US262 is one of his key rookie cards, with PSA 10 gem mint examples currently selling for over $100. The Topps Chrome Update Red Refractor Parallel #US262r is equally as desirable, with a PSA 10 bringing in similar prices.

Phillips’ main rookie card is the Topps Series 2 card #660. While it has a higher print run than the refractors, it remains one of the cornerstone cards for any Evan Phillips collection. Graded examples in PSA 10 can be found trading hands for $50-75. Lower grade raw copies in excellent condition often sell in the $10-20 range.

In addition to Topps, Bowman is another highly regarded brand for rookie cards. Phillips has two main Bowman cards from 2020 – the Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects Green Refractor Parallel #BDPP56 and the standard Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects #BDPP56. PSA 10 examples of the green refractor have sold for $150+, while the base paper version in a PSA 10 gem brings $75-100.

Panini also included Phillips in their 2020 Donruss Baseball and Origins baseball card releases. The Donruss Optic Blue Refractor Parallel #107 and Origins Blue Refractor Parallel #ORI57 are some of his more valuable inserts. Low-numbered parallels like orange and red from these sets can be quite scarce and command premium prices.

After his promising debut season, collectors were eager to see how Phillips would follow it up in 2021. He continued to pitch effectively out of Seattle’s bullpen, posting a 3.59 ERA over 51 innings. Phillips struck out over 10 batters per nine innings while showing improved control. His 2021 performance solidified his status as a potential future closer, further boosting interest in his growing card portfolio.

Some of Phillips’ top cards issued in 2021 include his flagship Topps Series 2 card #660 and Topps Chrome Update cards #US262 and #US262r. Bowman Draft also included him in their 2021 set with cards like the base paper #BDPP56. For parallels, the Topps Chrome Update Green Refractor #US262g and Bowman Draft Green Refractor #BDPP56g are usually the most valuable. As Phillips establishes himself in MLB, PSA 10 examples of these second year cards could rise above $100 over time.

Looking ahead, collectors will be eager to see Phillips’ 2022 Topps Series 1 card, which will serve as one of his true “second year” cards. Topps Chrome and Bowman are also sure to include him again. If Phillips builds on his success and takes on a bigger role in Seattle’s bullpen in 2022, his cards could gain even more value and demand. With each solid season, Evan Phillips establishes himself as an interesting young player to follow that also offers upside for savvy baseball card investors. His cards remain some of the more affordable options for collectors looking to add quality prospects to their portfolios.

In summary, Evan Phillips has shown early promise that has translated to a growing fanbase of collectors for his rookie cards. As one of the more affordable emerging prospects in the hobby, his cards offer potential for appreciation if his career continues upward. By documenting his development at the MLB level, issues from brands like Topps, Bowman, and Panini provide a compelling investment opportunity for years to come. Phillips will aim to solidify his place in Seattle’s bullpen in 2022 and beyond, actions that would undoubtedly boost interest in his expanding baseball card collection.

EVAN GATTIS BASEBALL CARDS

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Evan Gattis has had an interesting journey to becoming an MLB All-Star catcher and outfielder. Since making his major league debut in 2013 with the Atlanta Braves, Gattis’ powerful bat and unique backstory have made him a fan favorite. His baseball cards have also gained popularity among collectors thanks to his breakout seasons and one-of-a-kind path to the big leagues.

Gattis grew up in Texas but did not begin playing organized baseball until attending Seminole State College in Oklahoma. There, he showed impressive raw power at the plate but was still quite unpolished as a baseball player. After going undrafted, Gattis gave up the sport for a time and worked various odd jobs like cooking and cleaning chimneys. He struggled with alcoholism and depression during this period away from baseball.

In 2010, Gattis got sober and decided to give professional baseball one more try. He signed with the Braves as an undrafted free agent and impressed in the low minors with his hitting. His rise up the farm system was slow at first as he continued refining his skills, but collectors started taking notice of his cards from this early minor league era as a curiosity. Sets from 2011-2012 like Bowman Chrome, Topps Pro Debut, and Topps Opening Day featured some of Gattis’ first baseball cards as a longshot prospect embarking on an unlikely journey.

Gattis broke out offensively in Triple-A in 2013 and was called up to the Braves that June. He immediately made an impact at the MLB level, batting .243 with 8 home runs in just 181 at-bats during his rookie season. This breakout performance led to increased attention and demand for Gattis’ rookie cards from 2013 sets such as Topps, Bowman, and Panini Prizm. His unique backstory of overcoming adversity to reach the majors added intrigue and made him a favorite among collectors.

In 2014, Gattis asserted himself as a full-time player by batting .263 with 21 home runs while splitting time between catcher and left field. That season further elevated the value of his rookie cards and also introduced new cards in flagship sets that captured Gattis in his breakout year, including in Topps Series 1 and 2, Bowman Chrome, and Topps Update. Parallel and autographed versions of these sophomore season cards started gaining premium prices due to Gattis’ breakout power numbers and increased popularity.

The 2015 season saw Gattis cement his status in Atlanta by batting .243 with 12 home runs in just 84 games and making his first All-Star team. He was traded to the Houston Astros that offseason in exchange for pitchers Mike Foltynewicz and Andrew Thurman. Gattis fit well with the Astros’ aggressive offensive approach and provided stability as their primary designated hitter and left fielder over the next few years.

With the Astros, Gattis enjoyed some of his best statistical seasons. He batted .253 with 27 home runs in 2016 and followed that up with a career-high .263 batting average along with 23 home runs in 2017. Cards from this Astros era, including flagship rookies from sets like Topps, Bowman, and Stadium Club, gained value as Gattis proved himself a reliable power bat in Houston’s powerful lineup. Parallel and autograph versions became especially desirable for collectors.

The peak of Gattis’ card popularity came during Houston’s 2017 championship season when he was a contributor to the team’s first-ever World Series title. Cards from that 2017 postseason, including rare hits and parallels that captured Gattis’ role in the championship run, commanded huge prices in the collectibles marketplace. The storybook aspect of Gattis helping the Astros win it all after his unconventional journey to the big leagues added to the appeal for collectors and fans.

Injuries slowed Gattis in 2018 and he became a part-time player and pinch hitter. He was traded back to the Braves that offseason, completing a circle and returning to the organization where his career began. Gattis provided valuable veteran leadership for a young Braves team in 2019 before retiring after the season at age 33. While he collected fewer new cards during his later career years, his earlier rookie and star season issues remain popular with collectors due to his unique backstory and breakout power performances.

In summary, Evan Gattis’ nontraditional path to MLB stardom has made his baseball cards a favorite among collectors following his career. Issues from his early minor league days, rookie season with Atlanta, All-Star years in Houston, and 2017 World Series championship have all gained value due to Gattis’ compelling story and production at the plate. His cards commemorating standout seasons stand out as particularly desirable in the collectibles market. Even years after his retirement, Gattis’ one-of-a-kind journey continues captivating fans and card collectors alike.

EVAN MATHIS BASEBALL CARDS

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Evan Mathis had a 13-year career in Major League Baseball as a relief pitcher, primarily for the Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers, from 2005 to 2017. Though he never achieved superstar status, Mathis had a long and productive career as a dependable reliever and left his mark on the game. As a result, Mathis has a collection of baseball cards from his playing days that commemorate his MLB tenure.

One of the most prominent Evan Mathis baseball cards comes from his rookie season with the Reds in 2005. That year, Mathis made his MLB debut at age 26 after working his way up through the Reds’ farm system. In 2005, Topps captured Mathis’ rookie season with a standard base card as part of their main baseball card set. The card features a photo of Mathis in a Reds uniform from his rookie year. It provides stats from his debut 2005 season where he appeared in 21 games and posted a 3.38 ERA as a reliever. This rookie card from Topps is one of the most important in Mathis’ collection as it commemorates the beginning of his MLB career.

Another notable Evan Mathis baseball card comes from 2006, his first full season in the big leagues. That year, Mathis emerged as a reliable arm out of Cincinnati’s bullpen, appearing in 65 games and recording a 3.49 ERA. Upper Deck recognized Mathis’ breakout season with an “X Factor” insert card as part of their 2006 baseball card set. The X Factor insert set highlighted players who were stepping up and making an impact. The Mathis card features another action photo of him on the mound and provides stats from his impressive 2006 campaign. This Upper Deck X Factor card captured Mathis coming into his own as a valuable reliever.

In 2007, Mathis took his game to another level by posting career-best numbers. That season for the Reds, he recorded a 2.55 ERA and 1.077 WHIP over 73 innings pitched with opponents hitting just .213 against him. Mathis’ stellar 2007 season earned him recognition with baseball cards from several major manufacturers. Topps produced a standard base card of Mathis as part of their 2007 set. Meanwhile, Upper Deck included Mathis in their “Sweet Spot Signatures” insert set that year, featuring an on-card autograph of Mathis in addition to a photo and stats from 2007. Mathis’ dominance in 2007 is commemorated by these memorable baseball cards from Topps and Upper Deck.

After three strong seasons in Cincinnati, Mathis signed as a free agent with the Texas Rangers in 2008. That season, he continued pitching well and provided further value in a setup role. In recognition of Mathis joining the Rangers, Topps included him in their 2008 Texas Rangers team set with a photo of him in a Rangers uniform. Upper Deck also featured Mathis that year with a standard base card as part of their “All-Time Fan Favorites” insert set highlighting players from the past and present. These 2008 cards from Topps and Upper Deck marked Mathis’ career transition to Texas.

Mathis went on to spend five seasons with the Rangers from 2008-2012. He consistently delivered in relief, posting ERAs below 4.00 every year and averaging over 60 appearances per season. Throughout this time with Texas, Mathis garnered regular baseball cards. Topps included him in their main sets from 2009-2012, capturing Mathis’ contributions to the Rangers bullpen each year. Upper Deck also featured Mathis during this span with various inserts like “Gemstones” in 2009 and “In Action” in 2010. These cards from Topps and Upper Deck throughout Mathis’ Rangers tenure recognized his steadfast relief work in Texas.

After leaving the Rangers as a free agent, Mathis had brief stints with the Cincinnati Reds again in 2013 and Cleveland Indians in 2014. He received a few baseball cards during this time to acknowledge these late-career stops, including a 2014 Topps Indians team card. Mathis then wrapped up his 13-year MLB career with one final season back in Texas with the Rangers in 2017 before retiring at age 38. Although he never achieved All-Star status, Mathis enjoyed a long and memorable big league tenure. The various baseball cards issued over the course of his career commemorate Evan Mathis’ contributions as a reliable reliever for the Reds and Rangers.

Evan Mathis’ baseball card collection spans his entire 13-year MLB career from 2005-2017 and features cards from the major manufacturers like Topps, Upper Deck, and others. His rookie card, breakout seasons, team transitions, and late career stops are all represented. While he may not be a superstar, the breadth of Mathis’ baseball card collection reflects his enduring big league career spent as a valuable reliever mostly with Cincinnati and Texas. For collectors of Reds and Rangers cards, or those who appreciate underrated pitchers, Evan Mathis’ baseball cards provide an archive commemorating his steady MLB tenure.