Looking for ideas

[KingFisk]

Hey guys, wanted to cast a net out to the vintage intelligentsia here. I have developed a crazy notion over the last week that I should buy a Mike Trout 2009 Bowman Chrome autographed rookie card, as it appears he's going to end up as one of the greatest of all time, on his current trajectory. Then I think of others like A-Rod, Clemens, Mattingly, etc - others that derailed for one reason or another. I have the urge to make this my one big purchase for 2017 but feel like that money could be better spent on vintage. I am looking for some cards I am not thinking about that I can spend the same amount on (roughly $2K)....Could I get a nice Babe Ruth '33 Goudey for that price, any iconic cards of Gehrig, Hornsby, etc? If you have a minute - what card or cards might that $2K go to instead? Not just pre-war but post-war. Need some level headed guidance because I think $2K is way too much to spend on a card from 2009, but it's Trout. He's unbelievable.

thanks!
Carl

[EvilKing00]

If your talking about investment...

Trout is an awesome amazing player - the best player i have seen since barry bonds. BUT he could blow out his knee opening day, get caught doing roids, arrested for beating his GF, get hit by lightning, lol etc, etc

until hes retired and in the HOF, anything can happen. Doc gooden was a sure fire HOF, so were many players whos cards are now worthless.

the way i see it, Babe Ruth is the best player of all time and will always be. nothing can change that.

[Leon]

Trout is great but I always like Ruth, Cobb, Cy, The Big Train and Matty.....for me, almost in that order (though Cy and Walter could possibly be switched.)

Yes, with patience you can get a really nice looking, if not high grade, Goudey Ruth, T205 Cobby or T206 Red Cobby. I think my fave pre-war cards are the ones I have reacquired (so far)....R319 Ruth-144, E90-1 Young-Boston and T205 Cobby (still on the hunt). Good luck in making the decision and then the hunt!!

[btcarfagno]

How about a Wagner? You could get a nice M101-4 for $2k.

Tom C

[JustinD]

I don't think any card of a current player is worth that much as there is so much risk for injury or something else (like all the examples you mentioned). I have seen so many people lose big money on modern cards that I stepped away.

I don't think you will get one response on this side of the board supporting the Trout over players like Ruth, Gehrig or Cobb. It's just safe money.

No matter what the market is those three stay fairly stable. I don't trust modern till they have been enshrined and for a few years after too till the pricing settles. The manufactured scarcity cards have yet to prove long term stability in any player other than Jordan. I need to see how they perform to make a true decision, but I can't see it in the way modern collectors have consistently shown little interest in collecting players just a few years after retirement.

Jeter is a good one to watch right now. His cards are performing pretty well still, I am watching them over the next couple years to see if the interest starts to wane.

[philliesfan]

Like someone else said earlier, a lot can happen to him. Look at that sure fire future Hall Of Famer Darryl Strawberry..........Buy vintage HOFers. 1933 Goudy or a nice T206.

[Snapolit1]

Problem with Trout is there are so many issues, so many alleged 1 of 1, so many supposed rookie cards, and rookie cards with color and chrome variations, etc., etc. Seemingly ad infinitum. You could probably open a store and sell just Trout cards. I've seen a place in South Jersey where they have racks and racks and display case after display cases of Trout. Yes, there are a few cards that rise to the top, but not sure any of them will stand the test of time. The Heritage auction magazine had an interesting article on Trout rookie cards last summer. One person's opinion but pretty well done.

None of this to diminish him as a ballplayer. He's amazing. Unfortunately he's the Andrew Luck of MLB.

[engja123]

You have a lot of options with a 2k budget.
One of my personal favorites, #92 Gehrig 33 Goudey. (easily found in a PSA 3 at that price and prob a 3.5)
Another personal favorite is the Cobb Bat Off T206. (really nice example just sold on ebay around 2250)
At the end of the day, those are some of my favorites at that price point... you just have to decide what makes you happy and go for it.

[Stampsfan]

Penny Stock or Blue Chip?


That's how I compare vintage to new product.

[KingFisk]

Wow, thanks for the excellent perspective and suggestions. I think my desire to land the Trout Bowman was to have just the one iconic rookie card in perfect condition of one of the best ever. The thought had crossed my mind that the potential appreciation was already baked into the current prices. My goal here really is to both to have the icon in my personal connection while at the same time having it appreciate should I ever have to sell. All of your suggestions are excellent and I will likely look to buy one of the legends named in the thread and maybe go lower tier on a modern rookie...last year my big purchase for this $$ amount was a 52 Mathews, and really want to get something similarly fantastic for the PC. Thanks again, everyone.

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