30 Day Baseball Card Challenge

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Monday, July 30, 2012

Making It Rain!

Kirk Jacobson asked...

What is the most money you have spent on one single sports related item? We have seen a lot of your deals, when did you splurge?

If you're new to my blog, I should probably give you a little background before I divulge in my hobby finances.  So, let's get this out of the way.  I'm a middle school teacher living in the heart of Silicon Valley.  And how should I say this delicately?  Hmmm... let's just say... I don't have the opportunity to make it rain on a regular basis.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way... here's my response to Kirk's question:


The most I've ever spent on a single sports related item is $625 for a 16-box case of 2008 UD Masterpieces football.  I had just received my tax return and decided to blow some of it on cardboard.  In all honesty... I probably will never spend that much again, unless I marry a very rich sugar mama.  And that's not highly likely.

Prior to that... I purchased cases of 2008/09 Topps Signature basketball and 2009/10 Bowman 48 basketball, but neither of these broke the $500 mark.

My next highest purchase price is quite a drop. Last summer, I purchased a 16"x20" photo of The Catch, which is signed by Willie Mays for $119.95 (+ $9.49 shipping):


Now before you start showering me with feedback saying I overpaid... I had an Amazon gift card that I needed to burn and I've always wanted The Say Hey Kid's autograph. In the end, my actual out of pocket expense was $29.44.

But that's probably not what Kirk was looking for. So I'll stop beating around the bush and get to his answer. In terms of cardboard singles, my most expensive purchase was this 2003 Sweet Spot "Autograph" of Kirby Puckett:


I won this card in an auction on eBay earlier this year for $115.27 (+ $3 shipping) and it's the only card I have ever paid three figures for. But it's well worth it, because Puckett was one of my favorite players growing up and his autographs are tougher to find compared to other 80's & 90's stars.
Okay... it's your turn:
What's the most you have ever spent on a single sports related item?

1 Point - Leave your response below.
2 Points - If you've already answered this question in a past blog post, then leave a link below.
3 to 5 Points - Write your response in a new blog post.

I'll accept responses until tomorrow (Tuesday) at 3pm (PST). I look forward to reading your responses.

Happy Monday and sayonara!
at

52 comments:

  1. Mini GrooverJuly 30, 2012 at 3:04 PM

    I spent $10 bucks on a Chase Budinger Prime Patch!

    ReplyDelete
  2. NickJuly 30, 2012 at 3:10 PM

    I can't believe it myself, but I spent $60 on a Hoyt Wilhelm cut autograph for my collection. It was right after Christmas, so I decided to splurge with the extra spending cash I received.

    I mentioned it in one of the first posts on my blog. (Back when I didn't know how to scan properly.)

    http://baseballdimebox.blogspot.com/2011/12/hoyt-wilhelm-etc-part-2.html

    ReplyDelete
  3. hockey kaziJuly 30, 2012 at 3:32 PM

    My BIG purchase

    http://hockeykazi.blogspot.ca/2012/07/whats-most-you-have-ever-spent-on.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 5:48 PM

      $36 for a case of 84/85 OPC hockey? You're my hero... and I'm not worthy!

      Delete
  4. night owlJuly 30, 2012 at 3:40 PM

    Holy crap, this is the post I delayed to do your "ugliest card set" post! It's written and ready to roll tonight. The most I ever spent on a card item happened this past weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Lost CollectorJuly 30, 2012 at 4:17 PM

    $1200 on an HDTV in 2008 so I could watch all my favorite sports in HD! Dies that count?

    Otherwise I bought a partial season ticket plan fur the Yankees in 2008. It was about $400 for 16 or 17 games.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 5:49 PM

      Lol... didn't think about it that way. I wonder what's the most I've spent on sporting events.

      Delete
  6. BA BennyJuly 30, 2012 at 4:22 PM

    The most expensive single I bought was the "Legends of the Hall" single card/postcard HOFer auto I got earlier this year. I lucked out and got a Tom Seaver. $90 was the price on the box. I posted about it here back in June.

    http://babennysbaseballcardbuffet.blogspot.com/2012/06/legends-of-hall-and-contest.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 5:52 PM

      Interesting product... congratulations on pulling the Seaver.

      Delete
  7. night owlJuly 30, 2012 at 5:11 PM

    Here you are:

    http://nightowlcards.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-most-ive-ever-spent-on-single-card.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 8:50 PM

      Congratulations... the excitement in your post reminds me of when I finally purchased my 56 Robinson. Best of luck on the rest of your set.

      Delete
  8. SpastikMoossJuly 30, 2012 at 6:08 PM

    My most on a card is $32.50 on a Seneca Wallace plate. It was my third and I said $30 and the $2.50 covered the shipping.

    The most in a single spot was $90, which was for 20 different Seneca cards including a plate. The plate we valued at $30, so it was basically $30 for 1 and 19 for $60, which made the 19 about $3 each. I could tolerate that and looking back it looks even better now so I'm very happy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 8:51 PM

      The best kind of purchases are those that look even better and better with age.

      Delete
  9. Dion's IP Autos onlyJuly 30, 2012 at 6:32 PM

    Fuji,
    Every Year I spend $2,500 for my Season tickets to the Baltimore Ravens. As for hobby and memorbilia related here is a post from a couple months ago which spent over $50 on one card a Harry Hopper Auto for the HOF collection.

    http://dionsipautosonly.blogspot.com/2012/05/harry-hooper-autograph.html

    ReplyDelete
  10. DawgbonesJuly 30, 2012 at 6:47 PM

    here you go my friend, enjoy:
    http://dawgbonesaphilliesphan.blogspot.com/2012/07/fuji-with-side-of-kirk-jacobson.html

    Thanks,
    Dawgbones

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 8:56 PM

      That quilt is awesome... you're a very lucky man!

      Delete
  11. Kirk JacobsonJuly 30, 2012 at 7:01 PM

    Way to call me out Fuji.

    http://www.eutawstreetcardboard.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 9:01 PM

      Sorry I called you out bro... but I'll tell you the same thing I tell my students: I do it, because I care. :-)

      And why would you try to sell a card with those three guys' autographs on it?

      Delete
  12. CommishbobJuly 30, 2012 at 7:31 PM

    This is a tough one. I've never bought a case of cards so it will be an individual item. I spent a lot on a Brooks Robinson rookie (relatively speaking, it wasn't real expensive but I was a student so it was a sacrifice). I paid through the nose for the '59 Mantle that I needed for my set. But the highest priced item I've purchased was a Baltimore Colts helmet autographed by Johnny U., Bay Berry, Lenny Moore, Gino Marchetti and about a dozen other stars from the 1958 championship team. Paid nearly $200 for it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 9:02 PM

      You paid $200... but I'm sure you could sell it for much, much more.

      Delete
  13. Zippy ZappyJuly 30, 2012 at 7:59 PM

    The most I've dished out for a single card so far is $50 for a Bryce Harper Team U.S.A. jersey relic card. This was on the day that Bryce Harper made his major league debut and his cards skyrocketted in value from their already inflated book value.
    I plan on my most expensive card purchase changing sometime in the future though, because as soon as I get a job and save up enough money I plan on getting a Bryce Harper autograph which last I checked went for $300 in the card shops I have access to.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ryan GJuly 31, 2012 at 8:40 AM

      I bet you'll be able to get a Harper autograph for less if you can wait a year or two when he gets some non RC-autos out in the mix.

      Delete
  14. Eric LJuly 30, 2012 at 8:17 PM

    I recently bought a Hochevar collection from another fella for a cool $400. But it was well worth it because I would have probably spent at least double that buying the cards in the collection individually.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eric LJuly 30, 2012 at 8:21 PM

      Oh, and I spent $800 on my library card file cabinet earlier this year. Since I was on a teacher's salary last year, it's a good thing my sugar mama lawyer wife doesn't mind me spending money on my hobbies, which can be quite expensive: golf and cards. :)

      Delete
    2. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 9:03 PM

      Damn you... I want a sugar mama lawyer wife!

      Delete
  15. SpankeeJuly 30, 2012 at 8:36 PM

    $26.99 on a Bryan Randall 2005 Bowman Gold 1/1. The only true 1/1 I own and one of my favorite all-time VT player. Less than $30 is a bargain for a card that I love that much. I may be breaking that number soon, though, since I'm looking for a David Wright A&G Auto.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 9:04 PM

      Best of luck on your hunt for the Wright A&G auto!

      Delete
  16. Captain CanuckJuly 30, 2012 at 9:09 PM

    a little under $6000 for new goalie equipment for one of my daughters. I'm really glad the other one plays soccer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 9:05 PM

      WTF? That's insane! Is her name Manon Rhéaume?

      Delete
  17. Greg ZakwinJuly 31, 2012 at 12:29 AM

    I picked up a much needed Getzlaf Dominion card for my Master Set. $83 bucks. Haven't posted on it yet though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 9:05 PM

      Congratulations on adding another Getzlaf to your collection!

      Delete
  18. MartynJuly 31, 2012 at 4:49 AM

    Umm 2011 Topps Series 1 Jumbo Around $100

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 9:10 PM

      Hope you pulled something special from that box.

      Delete
  19. WilsonJuly 31, 2012 at 5:32 AM

    An Ozzie Smith rookie card for $80.

    http://tenetsofwilson.blogspot.com/2012/07/hey-big-spender.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 9:09 PM

      One of the things about this contest is I keep finding cards that I want. I can't believe I've never owned this card. Ozzie was one of my favorite players growing up... mainly because of his insane defensive plays and that crazy flip he did.

      Awesome card... I'm truly envious.

      Delete
  20. Play at the PlateJuly 31, 2012 at 5:58 AM

    It's not much of a storm, but here you go.

    http://playattheplatedude.blogspot.com/2012/07/were-in-drought.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 9:15 PM

      Sorry... won't be able to make it rain anytime soon. Your story is actually quite similar to mine. I dumped a huge part of my collection about 10 years ago to pay off my credit card bills (much of the debt had a direct correlation to cardboard).

      Btw... I can imagine how you felt after busting those two boxes of SP Signature. But I have to say... I'm a huge fan of that set. I have a few cards and I love how the autographs stand out on the card.

      Delete
  21. SalJuly 31, 2012 at 6:10 AM

    $300 on a 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky rookie card, way back in 1993.

    15 years later, I found out it was a fake :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 9:17 PM

      Wow Sal... I'm pretty much speechless. The only thing that comes to mind is... I'm sorry to hear that.

      Delete
  22. gcrlJuly 31, 2012 at 6:11 AM

    i posted about it here - http://garveyceyrusselllopes.blogspot.com/2008/11/lets-bat-around-with-steve-garvey.html

    $250 or so for a 6/6 garvey patch. sorry mrmopar!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ryan GJuly 31, 2012 at 8:39 AM

    I'm even more of a cheapskate than you. Try $50.

    http://thiscardiscool.blogspot.com/2012/07/i-blew-my-wad-of-cash.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 9:25 PM

      Can't go wrong with Griffey & Ryan autographs for $50/piece. Nice finds.

      Delete
  24. AnonymousJuly 31, 2012 at 9:09 AM

    The most I've ever spent on a card is $31 for a 1954 Bowman Willie Mays.

    http://classonave.blogspot.com/2011/07/willie-mays-1954-bowman-89.html

    However, for a sports related item, my brother and I spent in the neighborhood of $535 (i don't recall the exact amount) on a game-worn Lawrence Moten Vancouver Grizzlies uniform. My whole family bleeds Orange and Moten was and remains both of our's All-Time Favorite Orangemen. It's a road uniform, shorts and jersey, from his rookie season. We can tell because it's a #7 jersey, Moten switched to #21 for his second season in Vancouver. I'm sure the auction house was very confused at the sheer number of bidders going after what they deemed to be a throwaway lot that they estimated at $50-$100. People outside of NY have no appreciation for the legend that is Lawrence Moten. (Moten remains SU's and The Big East Conference All-Time Leading Scorer with 2,334 pts).

    At some point down the road my brother and I will have to fight it out over who gets to hang the Jersey in their rec-room, but at least we've assured it's in the family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 9:27 PM

      Wow... haven't heard Moten's name since the mid 90's. Best of luck getting that uniform in your rec-room.

      Delete
  25. HairylemonJuly 31, 2012 at 10:06 AM

    http://hairylemon-7hoursfromtampabay.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/most-expensive-card.html

    There you go good sir.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 9:29 PM

      I've always been a fan of those Sweet Spot autographs... especially the ones that haven't faded. Nice card.

      Delete
  26. JafroniusJuly 31, 2012 at 12:45 PM

    Well, another question well out of my league. I can tell you I do not have the budget to spend a small fortune on a specific card, and probably never will. Purchases these days are maxed at the $20 blaster box.

    A couple of years ago, the Wife did get me a signed Derrek Lee 8 x 10 for Christmas, numbered to 100. Had the Steiner's logo on the bottom corner, so I know she got it from a legit place. She refuses to say how much she paid for it, so I'm assuming that's the most expensive item I have in the collection.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FujiJuly 31, 2012 at 9:30 PM

      I buy stuff from Steiner every now and then. They're not cheap, but at least you can feel confident with your purchase.

      Delete
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    ReplyDelete