Topps Chrome Strasburg Base auto even rarer than the refractor auto

[trauty]

Topps claimed on their facebook page that no autos were shortprinted in Topps Chrome. Obviously this isn't true.

I tracked all Topps Chrome Strasburg autos and all Jason Heyward TC Autos that have been listed on eBay so far. I discounted any unsold ended items since they were probably relisted (I also can't account for ones that were either not paid for/relisted or bought/relisted so I'm sure the counts aren't 100% right).

Here's what I found:

Base Auto:
Strasburg - Live Autos 15 / Redemptions 12 = 27
Heyward - 149

Refractor Autos /499:
Strasburg - 38
Heyward - 42

Blue Refractor Autos /199:
Strasburg - 11
Heyward - 17

Gold Refractor Autos /50:
Strasburg - 2
Heyward - 2

Red Refractor Autos /25:
Strasburg - 2
Heyward - 1

So based on this, the Strasburg Base Auto is over 5 times tougher to pull than the Heyward. Wow! I was thinking maybe twice as hard to pull but never 5 times as hard. Also, amazingly, the refractor auto version is quite a bit more plentiful as 38 refractors have been listed compared to only 27 base autos.

I suppose it could be even worse if the Heyward is SP'd compared to the scrubs but I don't think you could get a good feel for that on eBay since a lot of the scrubs won't ever be listed.

I'd be surprised if Topps didn't face some legal action from this. Not only did they virtually double the amount of players that had rookie autos without warning, they have severely sp'd the main draw even after they stated that there were no sp's.

With only 2 Golds/2 Reds for strasburg listed and 2 Golds/1 Red for Heyward, it is just staggering to think how much of this stuff is still sitting around unopened. I realize not all big hits find their way to eBay but I'm surprised there haven't been at least 5 reds and 10 golds listed so far.

-- Andy

[shamrocklegends]

did u consider that maybe more of the strasburgs are going into pc's? just a thought....

[solt0131]

Originally Posted by shamrocklegends

did u consider that maybe more of the strasburgs are going into pc's? just a thought....

I wouldn't worry too much about it, they were probably just sold out the back door anyway like Topps has been doing for years. No worries.

[Igman7]

...or that some of the folks who busted in large quantities might be sitting on inventory awaiting his return.

[trauty]

No chance. The disparity wouldn't be this wide. Refractor autos have been listed in basically the same quantities. Besides, what about the people holding the Heywards since he's probably the better long term bet since he's not injured or a pitcher. I have 2 Heywards I've pulled and probably won't bother listing them since they are only going for $25-35. I don't necessarily expect them to rise in value but I'm inclined to keep for now.

I will admit that there are some Strasburg's unaccounted for since some people have redeemed them but most people that sell on eBay would rather sell the redemption and let the buyer worry about redeeming it.

[D-SPADE]

Whatever the case may be, very INTERESTING research trauty- thanks for the info!

I guess I'll hold onto my Strasburg Base Auto Redemption for now.

[stumpfreeman]

I think people are sitting on them. I usually sell or trade everything that doesen't go into our PC. But I decided to sit on the Strasburg we pulled, maybe even get it graded. 2010 Topps Chrome is actually the best auto set that they've had in 4 years. Why not sit on the Strasburgs when the Heywards, Castros, Leakes, Davis, Stantons, and Jacksons are selling really decent. People remember what Strasburgs were selling for before he got hurt and may be hoping for a successful return in 2012.

[Yanks23]

I was told by LCS that talked to Topps rep that Strasburg only signed like 250 or so base autos while there are more refractors #499.

[dthimesch]

Originally Posted by Yanks23

I was told by LCS that talked to Topps rep that Strasburg only signed like 250 or so base autos while there are more refractors #499.

I wonder how true this would be, very interesting if it is true. Guess the OP has an interesting find. Maybe one should grab the base auto's first hmmmmm.....

[natbornkiller]

if true
is anyone surprised

[astrosox]

I feel somewhat inclined to state outright that there are so many assumptions going into the final conclusions from your eBay searches there and that it certainly doesn't prove anything about the actual quantities of these cards. At best it's circumstantial. I'm also not saying it's uninteresting; I just think we should be careful, as always, of overstated claims that are not well supported. Topps may seem like the faceless corporation here, but without further evidence, there's no indication of any wrongdoing.

[lisu]

I think the facts are probably true. I haven't seen many Strasburg base pulled either in box breaks.

[bboi30]

Too much time on your hands bro lol but very interesting info. Guess If I manageto pull one Ill keep it.

[yankeesfan24]

im personally disappointed in TC right now. i have seen 3 red refractor autos /25 of Ivan Nova, but YET to see a gold refractor auto /50. getting a little irritating, as you think one would have shown up by now

[bboi30]

You and me both Yankee. I dread the stuff so I bought a retail today and didnt do too bad. DOnt think im going to buy the hobby boxes anymore. Just dont see the value in it. The variation sucks too.

[BostonNut]

Man...what has this hobby come to?

SO many people out there looking for something to be wrong...

Just buy the pack/box/case, open it, and be happy! (Remember...it is YOUR choice and YOUR choice alone to spend your money this way. The card companies ARE NOT holding a gun to you head...)

[tonedef2oo8]

These topics are never made by people who pulled the card.

[tonedef2oo8]

Originally Posted by Yanks23

I was told by LCS that talked to Topps rep

If I had a dollar for every time bad information started with these words I would be very rich.