Wax Heaven

Matt Laporta is a hot prospect at the moment, there is no doubt about that. What is a surprise though is what his second-year ‘08 Bowman Autograph just sold for. His first-year autographs don’t come close to that price! What gives?

I am not exactly going out on a limb by saying that people are extremely itchy to get their hands on ‘08 Bowman Chrome, thanks to a beautiful design and respectable checklist. Unfortunately for collectors, the two chrome cards per pack will be as good as it gets for a couple of months. Still, you know this card will not sell for that much ever again until Matt does something significant in the big leagues, if that day ever comes. In a couple of months the winning bidder is going to have some serious buyer’s remorse.

Now, If you want to see a real beauty worth thousands, check out this Superfractor. You will probably not see it again, at least not for a few years.

My story is on the front page of Beckett Media’s website. Yeah, that’s right! READ IT, people!

Also, the guys at Beckett are giving away 500 FREE issues of the “Graded Card Investor & Price Guide” along with some other goodies. Hurry up and claim your copy before it’s too late. Once you are done with it, leave them a little feedback on what you think of it.

ESPN, the kings of over-hyping players (and themselves) have labeled Yu Darvish Dice-K 2.0, you know, because one Dice-K was just not good enough. If you want to read their article, probably written by Bud Selig himself, click HERE. You can also check out his official website by going here. I don’t know about you guys but I am just not feeling this kid. I haven’t seen him pitch yet but I am choosing sides and it’s Dice-K 1.0 for me.

To keep up with the big dogs, Wax Heaven dubs light-hitting Alfredo Amezaga “Vinny Castilla 0.21″. Sorry for the crude image but I don’t have Photoshop at work. Sports bloggers, feel free to link to the image 1,000 times over. I am a publicity whore.

Don’t you just love it when sports cards predict the future? It looks like this Topps card sure did. It’s of former NFL player Troy Hambrick who was sentenced yesterday to five years in prison for making “street transactions” near Tampa, Florida. Do you need more proof that Tampa is the worst place in the world? Sorry for being a hater but I don’t like them taking away national coverage from my Florida Marlins.

The good news is that he might feel the same way.

Jacque Jones, once a 25 home run, 80 RBI man was “designated for assignment” by the Detroit Tigers after posting a .165 batting average and just 1 home run with 5 RBI in 24 games. The Tigers have until the end of the week to release him. If the Fish do pick him up, it could take care of our lead-off spot and put the “Flying Mexican” on the bench. Of course, Jacque would have to find his swing and not be a distraction in the young Marlins clubhouse. I don’t think it would hurt to pick him up, although I think Luis Gonzalez is much more deserving of a full-time position, in my opinion.

Source: Sun-Sentinel

“Jones, who can play all three outfield spots, would give the Marlins another veteran left-handed bat off the bench and a candidate to bat leadoff and start in center against right-handers. Getting the bulk of the work against righties, Alfredo Amezaga has struggled atop the order, going 5 for 29 (.172) with two runs through his first two at-bats Monday.”

So apparently some guy named “Goose” Gossage has taken offense to the future Hall of Fame, 800-game winner Joba Chamberlain and his little “dances” when he strikes batters out. Does this Goose not realize that Joba will win twenty games as a closer this year and has a rookie card that is selling for thousands of dollars on eBay? For God sakes, what does he know about pitching anyways? If it works for Joba, let him do whatever he wants. If Joba wants to urinate on the baseball and plunk David Delluci in the face afterwards, let him as long as it helps the New York Yankees win another World Series. Who is Goose to judge?

Joba is the future of baseball, Bowman Chrome, and the next 30-game winner so please don’t read this ESPN propaganda article about Goose whatshisname.

JOBA RULEZ!!!

In the second week of Wax Heaven’s existence I wrote a very “Sportscards Uncensored” article about Dick Perez’ work for ‘07 Allen & Ginter. Truth be told, I just needed something to write about and maybe help put my name out there since I was a rookie Blogger still and that was the best I could come up with. Unfortunately, I was made to look like an ass when none other than Mr. Perez came to Wax Heaven to clear things up. Trust me, this is the real thing. It was a bittersweet moment, pride and shame all at once and in the first month of Wax Heaven to boot.

All is well now and Dick even added Wax Heaven to his personal Myspace. Now, with that out of the way you must check out this profile piece about him from M.L.B’s official website. Oh, and a tip to new Bloggers: be careful what you write cause you never know who is reading.