Why bother grading a 1/1?

I've been reading everyone's "Things I like that you don't" blog bat around posts and I continue to see conflicting interests in the subject of graded cards.

Some people like them.

Some people don't.

I used to only like base vintage cards graded because it gave a sense of security for the validation of a card's authentic grade.  However with all the new card doctor reports surgically adjusting their cards and sending them in for consignment, I even question that now.

I no longer have an interest in graded cards.

Now that doesn't mean I won't buy a graded card.

As a matter of fact I have picked up two major additions to the collection because they were graded.  The cards both received grades below 9.0 which made them less desirable.

The best part to me is that they are both 1 of 1s.

Despite a low grading from Beckett, no one else could claim to have this type of card.

Back before all the crazy parallels made in today's current hobby, 2005 Bowman Chrome Draft had only a handful of parallels to chase.
Refractor (not numbered)
X-Fractor /250
Blue /150
Gold /50
Red 1/1
Superfractor 1/1
That means that there is only 456 cards that were numbered and only 1 of them has the red borders like the 7.5 BGS I now own.

Compare that to 2019 Bowman Chrome which has added the colors purple, green, and orange to the numbered parallels.  The reds have been increased from 1 to 5 copies and the refractors are now numbered to 499 copies.  The 2019 Bowman Chrome has 1,079 numbered parallels compared to 456 numbered parallels from 2005.

This 1/1 red Refractor is super rare.  It (along with the traditional 1/1 Superfractor) fell 1:6,609 hobby packs.


You may remember a few years ago that my brother got me a graded 1/1 from Cutch's draft year (see this post here about the graded 1/1 2005 Bowman Heritage Draft my brother got me).

He was able to get it for a big discount due to the 8.5 grade, despite being a 1/1.




In addition to the 2005 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor 1/1 I picked up in the past few months, I have also picked up the below laundry tag booklet.

The workout jersey cards for the All-Star games are used in various products following the All-Star game.  Topps Update is where you can typically find the small swatches (with very little patches available) and the following year's Triple Threads product often has laundry tags, sleeve patches, and huge patches from the All-Star Game.

This 2013 Triple Threads booklet features the laundry tag from Cutch's workout jersey he wore during the Home Run Derby in the 2012 All-StarGame.



All 3 of the above cards were picked up for steep discounts compared to similar players mainly because of the lower grade, despite all being 1/1s.  Had the cards remained in raw form, the seller probably could have gotten twice the price.


Would you buy a 1/1 card for a discount if the grade is below average for a modern card?

Derby Day

The best event for All-Star games has to be either the slam dunk competition for basketball or the homerun derby for baseball.  The electricity caused by Bryce Harper's come from behind Derby victory last year at his home ballpark was just an absolute joy to watch. 

Hopefully some of that excitement happens tonight.  To bring more excitement and fan buzz to the event, MLB is offering a $250K prize to a fan that can correctly fill out the bracket. 

I set mine up yesterday and chose Joc Pederson to win it all beating Pirates slugger Josh Bell in the finals.

Cutch was a participant in the 2012 Home Run Derby. He hit four homers and lost in the first round to eventual champion, Prince Fielder.

I have shown off a few cards of Cutch from the Derby before, but for those that may forget here is my favorite image and card of the Derby.

I also have a program souvenir from the 2012 All-Star Game with Cutch on the cover.

The back cover can be seen below.

Here is a scan of the rosters from the AL and NL squads.  You may notice a short second baseman representing the Astros in the National League.  It feels like forever since the Astros were part of the NL. 

HR Derby

I am watching the HR Derby and am disappointed that Alex Bregman and Javy Baez are both already eliminated.

Cutch was a last minute add on for the 2012 Home Run derby.  He was eliminated in the first round when 10 non homeruns eliminated your time in the box. 

I definitely prefer the new version compared to that style.

The HomeRun Derby Cutch Style (A New 1/1)

Back in 2012, Andrew McCutchen was added to the HR Derby as a substitute for the injured Giancarlo Stanton.

In the 1st Round he hit 4 HomeRuns, 1 shy of eventual winner Prince Fielder.  During most of his at bats the focus was on Derek Jeter if I remember correctly.  It was a huge disappointment for me to see my favorite player finally start to get recognized and get overshadowed by not talking about him while batting.

Topps made a HR Derby in Updates and Highlights for Cutch and I have several of the parallels including one of my latest 1/1 plates.  Ho hum, another 1/1

The orange parallel (Top Row Middle) is very tough to find despite a large number produced (210 copies).  This is because you can only find the oranges in Factory Sealed sets.  A special pack of 5 cards were placed inside each complete set.  Trying to track down the orange is tough.

Cutch also had his 2013 Triple Threads All-Star Relic feature an image from the Derby.

I fell asleep early last night so I couldn't watch the Derby in its entirety.  I hear Aaron Judge was impressive to watch though.

Back in May I showed off my All-Star Game patches which you can see by clicking here.  I showed the 2013 above.

I wanted to show off my other Cutch ASG cards over this week, but haven't gotten around to being in the mood for scanning cardboard.

All-Star Patches

With the All-Star game voting now available, I wanted to take this opportunity and ask everyone to vote for Andrew McCutchen.  I know his stats might not be elite, but .....

I want more patch cards!!!!

Each year Triple Threads puts out a subset of All-Star patches from the previous year's All-Stars.

I have all 5 All-Star patch cards /9 from Cutch's All-Star seasons (2011-2015).

Here they are as individual cards with a quick note about how Cutch did during the game.

2011
Cutch had one at bat. He grounded out to the pitcher.

2012
Cutch was looking to be an early season MVP as he batted over .360 with 18 Home Runs.  He was a late selection for the Home Run derby, but was eliminated in the first round.

2013
This was Cutch's MVP season and he came in to the game as a pinch runner for Carlos Beltran.  He stole 2nd base as a Pinch Runner, but struck out in both his plate appearances.

2014
Cutch started his first All-Star game and in his first at bat lined a ball up the middle that Derek Jeter (in his final season) made a diving stop to almost throw out Cutch.  He would later steal second.

2015
Cutch was a starter again this year and blasted his first ASG HomeRun in his final at bat of the evening.

I have plenty more All-Star game cards of Cutch, but I will use the ASG FanFest weekend to show off those cards.

If you look at the standard counting stats, Cutch is having a terrible season, but if you look deeper into the numbers his BABIP (batting average balls in play) is almost 70 points below league average.  He has blistered a lot of balls that unfortunately have lead to outs.