Player Name: Bartolo Colon
Sets From: 1995 Bowman, Bowman’s Best, Classic
Card Numbers: 22, B22 and 116
Why are these cards a must have?: From 1998 – 2005 he was one of the best arms in baseball. Capping it off in 2005 with a Cy Young award. Since then however he has had nothing but injury trouble and currently finds himself with a minor league contract with the White Sox. For the first time in 11 years he might find himself starting out in the minors. He has a heck of a resume though. He has 1 Cy Young and 2 All Star appearances, his overall career numbers are 150-97/ 4.09/1.33 with 1569 strikeouts. If he ever makes it back to the top of the mountain again, he’ll have my respect forever. Hope he plays at least one game against Durham this year so I can get is autograph.
On a scale of 1 – 10, how must have are these cards: 5, the truth is he is ordinaryon this list of great players. If he becomes as dominant as he once was I might up this to a 6 but I don’t think he can get past that number. His cards book for between $4-$5 and on eBay you can get then from anywhere from $1 – $2, the autograph might run you about $5.
Bartolo actually has an incentive laden deal with the Chicago White Sox and is likely headed for the 5th starter spot this year.