Bad Wax

Player’s Name: JJ Hardy

Player’s Position: SS

Player’s Current Team: Milwaukee Brewers

Price I Paid for the Card: This was part of a six for six swap I did with Mario over at Waxheavan.

Set it’s from: 2008 Upper Deck

What it’s Worth: Beckett has it listed for $8.00.

Why I like this card: There are not enough JJ’s in professional baseball.  It’s such a great throw back name you know. Now I understand his real name is James Jerry but JJ is so much cooler.  Maybe I should start using my first two initails and go with MA.  Maybe not, I don’t want to be considered a mama’s boy.  OK so sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.  Last year was JJ’s breakout season where he went 0.277/26/80, he is off to a slow start this years that’s why I threw in the Bad / Cheap moniker.  I think that he’ll pick up as the season progresses, but just in case I’m covering myself.

Why it’s a Cheap / Bad Hit:First off, it’s cheap if he does well this season and it’s bad if he doesn’t.  Now that I got that out of the way.  I think statistically, Hardy may put up numbers like Cal Ripken’s (without the streak).  You can count on him for 0.270/25/80 on a year to year basis.  Here’s the difference, Hardy will not get to the 3000 hit milestone, he’s simply no that good.  Last year’s stats may be the product of his position in the lineup (before Fielder), now that he is hitting behind players other than Fielder, he may not get the same pitch selection he did last year.  The jury is out on this one and I am going to have to re-visit this one at the end of the year.

Will if ever be worth more? I’ll let you know at the end of the year.  My gut says yes, my head says no.  He needs to start coming on strong if he is going to be an impact guy.