Cards I Love Part 6- 2012 Topps Skip Schumaker

I really hate gimmicky variations and short prints that Topps stuffs inside of their flagship set. I think there might be a few stat variations of Cardinals and former Durham Bulls in my collection, but I generally avoid the whole scene.  No super shorts prints, photo variations, sparkles, or any of that stuff really interests me.  I decided to make an exception though for the 2012 Topps Skip Schumaker "Rally Squirrel" card.

The Rally Squirrel showed up during Game 4 of the National League Division Series.  Skip Schumaker was batting against Roy Oswalt at the time.

The 2011 Postseason was incredible to watch.  It felt like a bonus that they were even in the playoffs at first, then they started winning.  Each round got a little better.  Still hard to believe they won.  The final games of the World Series were emotionally and physically draining.  After staying up who knows how long to watch the end of Game 6, I am not sure I have ever gone to work that tired before.  A quick power nap though, and I was ready to go for Game 7.  

Easily my favorite modern Cardinals team.  

It took me a awhile to land a copy of the Rally Squirrel card.  It is a short short print, and copies of the card sold for hundreds of dollars when the set was initially released.  At some point towards the end of 2012 I ended up with a copy of the card.  The Rally Squirrel is favorite Cardinals cards that is connected to one of their Postseason teams.  It's definitely one of a kind.   

Here is the card.  

I can look at the picture on the front of the card all day long.  It's a great photograph.  There are copies of this picture floating around online, and I have seriously considered buying an 8 x 10 copy, getting Skip Schumaker to autograph it, and hanging it on the wall in my baseball card room.  I love how the squirrel is not touching the ground.  

Overall, I it's in my top 5 modern Cardinals cards.  The greatest?  I like a few of the Pujols rookies more, but that's saying something to produce a Skip Schumaker card that a Cardinals collector puts on that high of a pedestal.  

2012 Topps Skip Schumaker Squirrel Short Print

I waited a long time this past year to pick up the imfamous "Squirrel Card".  I was excited when I the 2012 Topps cards dropped and saw that such a card existed, but a little bit skeptical when the first first couple prints to sell on Ebay crossed $500.  I love the Cardinals, love that they won the World Series in 2011 after the squirrel ran on the field, but not sure that I love Skip Schumaker for $500.  I am not sure that I love Stan Musial or Albert Pujols for $500.  Luckily, the card came down in value and I was able to secure a copy about a month and a half ago.

2012 Topps Skip Schumaker Squirrel Short Print

Last week, I ran into another copy of the Skip Schumaker squirrel variation and was able to swing a trade for the card.  The card is a little bit gimmicky, but is a really cool card that will continue to remain popular and valuable.  I kind of think about it being in the same class as the 2006 Topps Alex Gordon card.  Another pretty ridiculous card, but still really popular and still highly sought after.  I was also able to pick up another sweet card in the trade too.  

2010 Topps Triple Threads Ivan Rodriguez Relic/Autograph

I was also excited to get my hands on this card.  I have used the word "dry" on my blog before in describing a card and been asked questions about it, so I will take a few minutes to explain it here, since this card is definitely a "dry" card.  Anytime you are buying, selling, or trading a card there are different reference points a collector can use to help determine the value of a card.  The least valuable is Beckett. It is archaic and dated, further the information is at least thirty days old.  Many times older, which is bad for newer cards which are often initially inflated in value.  The second place reference point is searching for completed sales.  You can ask a dealer or store owner, check out a website like Check Out My Cards, or hunt the completed listings on Ebay.  So, what happens when you cannot find the card? 

That's when you can say a card is dry.  Ivan Rodriguez currently has three Triple Threads cards on Ebay that are for sale or have sold and one on Check Out My Cards.  The completed listing on Ebay was for a triple autograph with Johnny Bench and Carlton Fisk and sold for $180.  The current two listings are for a simple three piece jersey for $24 and this card for $90.  COMC has one jersey card for just south of $20.  Find an Ivan Rodriguez collector and they will tell you that you can find lots of different autographs, but the Triple Threads are almost all gone and rarely come up for sale.  As a Matt Holliday collector I can tell you that the same thing happens with his Triple Threads autographs too.  Always nice to add a card like this to your collection.  

2012 Topps Skip Schumaker Squirrel Card

2012 Topps Skip Schumaker Squirrel Card

I first saw this card right before the first series of the 2012 Topps set was released last spring.  Those unfamiliar with the story of the Rally Squirrel may read here.    I knew that I had to have one of these cards, but was a little bit disappointed to find out that it was "super short-printed" and the first copy or two sold for over $600 on Ebay.  That's a really steep price for a card, especially one featuring Skip Schumaker.  

The price of the card slowly dropped and settled around $100 for awhile.  I saw several for trade and worked that angle for awhile, but I found it difficult to gather much traction towards closing the deal with anyone.  I kept my eye on the card throughout the summer and noticed that it continued to work it's way under $100 and is currently settled anywhere between $50 and $75.

Finally, a week ago I spotted a copy of the card in the photobucket album of a fellow trader and was able to swing a deal for a few Giants autographs.  I was happy to get my squirrel card and not break the bank to do so.