Cheap Game Used - Dennis Eckersley
Player’s Name: Dennis Eckersley
Player’s Position: P - Starter / Closer
Player’s Current Team: Retired (Pictured with the A’s)
Price I Paid for the Card: I got this off eBay for $1.25.
Set it’s from: 2007 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Classic.
What it’s Worth: Beckett has it listed for $10.00.
Why I like this card: Here is what I like about the Eck, not only was he an amazing closer with 390 saves in 11 seasons, but he was a very good starter with 151 wins in 12 seasons. When you stop to think about the fact that he had a 20 wins season and a 50+ save season, that seems ridiculous. He won the MVP and the Cy Young in the same year. In 1990, one of his best seasons, and maybe the best single season of any closer he had an ERA of 0.61 and a WHIP of 0.614, that’s insane! Of course a lot of people remember him for one thing, letting up the homer to Kirk Gibson, in game one of the 1988 World Series. If I were picking a team and had my choice of any closer at the peak of their talent, I wouldn’t even hesitate, Eck in 1990. Just to even make it more special, he was 35 when he did that.
Why it’s a Cheap Hit: It is what I card of who I consider to be the best closer of the late 90s/early 00s. Sure Mariano in his prime might give him a run for his money, but I think overall Eck is the best hands down. Mariano never put together a 0.61 ERA or 0.61 WHIP, and he played on better teams that the Eck. To get this card of a Hall of Famer for $1.25 is a steal and what makes it better is that it’s the road uniform, which is one I didn’t have for him.
Will if ever be worth more? No, he’s done all he can do at this point. His card prices are set in stone.
