✹The PERENNIAL Shohei Ohtani Thread✹

[Qubits]

Originally Posted by Ziggy

I'd been keeping a close eye on his Bowman RC and its gone up from $400 when I first started looking to now over double. It's mind boggling.

The last PSA 9 Gold #700 went for $999 ten days ago. I picked that card up last August for $265.

Making me wonder how much more room these prices have to keep increasing.

[ThoseBackPages]

Originally Posted by Qubits

The last PSA 9 Gold #700 went for $999 ten days ago. I picked that card up last August for $265.

Making me wonder how much more room these prices have to keep increasing.

there is no limit

[imbluestreak23]

He's good at beisbol or 野球

[zworykin]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

there is no limit

Let me help you out here.

[ThoseBackPages]

FACTS!

[Baseball4life90]

Got this one in today!
Ended up selling the Ben Baller Ohtani Auto, picked this up and still had nearly half the funds left over.

[ThoseBackPages]

smart move!

[Qubits]

I'd rather have that one + cash in the pocket than the Ben Baller. I think that was a good move for you!

[zworykin]

That's hands down a better card than a Ben Baller auto, even if you hadn't ended up with cash in hand.

[deemsterz33]

Originally Posted by Qubits

The last PSA 9 Gold #700 went for $999 ten days ago. I picked that card up last August for $265.

Making me wonder how much more room these prices have to keep increasing.

They definitely have some room. Just looking at Pop numbers, Trout has about 3 times as many US175 graded as Ohtani BC #1, yet they are still double the price.

[ThoseBackPages]

Originally Posted by deemsterz33

They definitely have some room. Just looking at Pop numbers, Trout has about 3 times as many US175 graded as Ohtani BC #1, yet they are still double the price.

cant compare the two

2011 Topps US175 is an iconic image

most will not know what 2018 BC #1 looks like without seeing it

[Baseball4life90]

Originally Posted by Qubits

I'd rather have that one + cash in the pocket than the Ben Baller. I think that was a good move for you!

I'm more of a collector for collecting, I don't care much for what brand. Curious, though, why everyone is so against Ben baller? The Ohtani auto was gorgeous, also on card, had I not received the amount I got for it, would've kept it.

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

smart move!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by zworykin

That's hands down a better card than a Ben Baller auto, even if you hadn't ended up with cash in hand.

Same question for you, lol. Why do people seem to hate the Ben Baller autos? Personally, I liked it, except for the weird Chain Logo, haha. But, as I stated above, had I not received the offer I got, would've kept it

[ThoseBackPages]

Baller is a clown. his cards were terrible for two releases, and then a lot of people loved his third try.

also, the odds are really "easy" for stuff in his release due to small print run

[Baseball4life90]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

Baller is a clown. his cards were terrible for two releases, and then a lot of people loved his third try.

also, the odds are really "easy" for stuff in his release due to small print run

Never opened up his first two years, only 2022. Yeah, I did pretty well besides for the Ohtani. Pulled an /10 card in each box, and opened three boxes I think lol. Sold all of the parallels right away, poor guy who bought them all probably couldn't get a third of what he paid.

[ThoseBackPages]

Originally Posted by Baseball4life90

Never opened up his first two years, only 2022. Yeah, I did pretty well besides for the Ohtani. Pulled an /10 card in each box, and opened three boxes I think lol. Sold all of the parallels right away, poor guy who bought them all probably couldn't get a third of what he paid.

exactly!

the stigma on his cards is real. i cannot bring myself to bid on them.

[BabaORiley]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

Baller is a clown. his cards were terrible for two releases, and then a lot of people loved his third try.

also, the odds are really "easy" for stuff in his release due to small print run

I agree with most everything said here and yet I think Baller/Topps absolutely stumbled into greatness with the 2022 Baller Chrome set. I don't believe either of them had any idea that set would turn out as nice as it did. I don't believe stylistic choices were made with precedent or collector desire in mind and yet they managed to fall ass backward into a black refractor base set with fun inserts & a loaded rookie class that is just a stunning anomaly in the "Baller" line of Topps offerings.

As a frequent wax ripper, I also don't view the last point as a negative.

I dislike the 2023 Topps design enough that I'm not sure anything can save it but the opportunity is there for Baller/Topps to improve on the base design enough to make the Baller line relevant again in 2023. Or, he could do whatever he did with that awful 2021 flagship design and just make it even less consumer friendly.

[LVDan]

The jones for the base “black refractors” is real. I didn’t buy any but I wanted to.

[ThoseBackPages]

Originally Posted by BabaORiley

I agree with most everything said here and yet I think Baller/Topps absolutely stumbled into greatness with the 2022 Baller Chrome set. I don't believe either of them had any idea that set would turn out as nice as it did. I don't believe stylistic choices were made with precedent or collector desire in mind and yet they managed to fall ass backward into a black refractor base set with fun inserts & a loaded rookie class that is just a stunning anomaly in the "Baller" line of Topps offerings.

As a frequent wax ripper, I also don't view the last point as a negative.

I dislike the 2023 Topps design enough that I'm not sure anything can save it but the opportunity is there for Baller/Topps to improve on the base design enough to make the Baller line relevant again in 2023. Or, he could do whatever he did with that awful 2021 flagship design and just make it even less consumer friendly.

if you were a non-ripper (like me and were a singles only buyer, you'd be dumbfounded on why his refractors sell for anywhere near what the real Topps Chrome refractors do. (and im not even talking about the poor card QC)

[hammertime]

Hey I like the Aoki sets so I'm certainly not going to judge anyone.

[zworykin]

To be fair, yes, the 2022 Baller product was head and shoulders (and torso and at LEAST upper legs) above the previous ones. But between the stain of the previous sets, the silly logo, the adult toy-shaped die-cut cards, and the absolutely absurd way he went about handling his special "friends and family" parallels... I can't even bring myself to be a singles buyer, even for the guys I PC. It just isn't a product for me.

Sterling, on the other hand - also generally not a product for me because of the pricing, but at least I can appreciate the cards.

[ThoseBackPages]

oh man, i forgot about those purples

i wonder how many people he screwed on twitter before he got banned

[Trueblue]

Only one homer today? What a slacker! How am I going to make gains on my low-high end collection.

[ThoseBackPages]

HAHAHA!!!

[deemsterz33]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

cant compare the two

2011 Topps US175 is an iconic image

most will not know what 2018 BC #1 looks like without seeing it

Can't argue with that. Image aside, the relative rarity + batting photo on the BC is intruiging in regards to its potential. The flagship makes all other ships rise.

[Rage]

Thank you all for keeping prices on Ben Baller Ohtani cards nice and low for me
I could care less about Ben but the cards themselves are nice when they are rare refractors of Shohei

collect what you like and have fun