Any modern player collectors?

FrodoBaggins

For the first time in years, I've decided to start a modern player collection. The last time I tried was with Jeff Conine, and I gave up in '97 when 1/1's first appeared. I'm pretty sure I have a complete run of everything issued from 1988-1996

I've always enjoyed watching Stephen Drew, from his time at FSU to now with the D Backs. I recently bought his single best card, the 2005 Bowman Chrome autograph RC Superfractor 1/1. I'm thinking about starting a collection of his

I know it's impossible to be a completist when it comes to modern player collecting. There are too many parallels, 1/1's, etc out there. Hell, I was reading on the Beckett board that there are 706 and 1024 cards issued for Hanley Ramirez in 2007 and 2008 Topps Moments and Milestones alone. No thanks.

What would be the best strategy in reasonably building a collection? I'm thinking every base card, plus certain parallels from attainable sets (Topps Chrome, Heritage, Bowman Chrome, etc). It would also probably be feasible to try for every base game used card. I have little interest in chasing GU parallels from products like UD Premier, because there are numerous parallels that aren't really discernible from one another. Card numbered to 75 with silver foil stamping, card numbered to 15 with gold foil stamping, card numbered to 5 with holofoil stamping...you get the picture. As for autographs, I'm not really sure. I won't ever buy a sticker auto because they look like crap. And I usually don't bother with autos anyway. One Stephen Drew signature is enough for me. I don't need 67 autographs of the same player

Any thoughts on how to approach this?

samspop

Start with the basics. This will get you a good base to work from and, if PSA does not have a Player Set for Stephen Drew, then the basics will be what they will start with.

Keep an eye out for auctions (this has become and obsession for me...I spent way too much time on my laptop when I am on vacation!) and take advantage of the PSA specials. As you mentioned, 100% completion for modern Player Sets is nearly impossible because of all of the parallels and also the fact that it is a moving target.

Set your goals early (i.e., PSA 10's only, 80% completion, etc.). The #1 and #2 guys in the McGwire Master Set chase have 2 completely different goals, but we both seem to continue to push each other to get more and better cards.

Lastly, don't be afraid to spend what you want to spend on the cards you want. For the most part, there are no "SMR values" on the modern stuff. What SMR pricing is there, is reference only and not realistic as to what a card is worth.

GOOD LUCK!!

gstarling

You can even start with the basics from one company to get a good base. For example:

Set your minimum PSA Grade
Choose your company
Determine the base cards from that company

Cal Ripken
PSA 9+
Topps

For Ripken, this would give you just 27 (1982-2008) cards to get before you've reached your first milestone.

Another good way to start is all base cards in minimum PSA grade from a set number of years.

Ken Griffey
PSA 10
All Base from 1989-1998. This would give you roughly 120 cards to get before your first goal. If that's too many, do 5 years or limit the manufacturers.

IMO, the best way to collect something so massive is:
1. Determine your budget - and stick to it
2. Set a long term goal - what the ultimate goal this endeavor
3. Set a short term goal with a fixed end date - 3-6 months down the road
4. After your predetermined date is up. Evaluate.
Were you able to stick to your budget? Was your budget appropriate? Are you still enjoying going after this collection? Based on what you learned, and assuming you still want to go forward, set a new goal 3-6 months down the road. Rinse, repeat.

FrodoBaggins

I should have clarified....I'm doing this raw. Graded would be a financial nightmare and not worth the time and effort. And seriously, if I ever sold my collection, who would be interested in PSA 9 UD Artifacts Stephen Drew cards? Just going the old fashioned route of collecting and putting his cards in a binder

Leiascards

I have alot of Will Middlebrooks cards so far. Trying to keep up best I can as they come out.

lsutigers1973

I am sure I have quite a few extras from the last 2 years you can have. Figured with this kind of minumental task you may need a little help. Funny, only had cards for 3 years and probably 500 different cards of him already produced.

Estil

Don't give up on your Conine collection just because of the 1/1s! I mean, you could've just continued collecting all his other cards (just as you always had) and skip any numbered inserts that are serial numbered too low (like 100 or less).