Player Name: Josh Hamilton
Sets From: 1999 Bowman, Bowman Chrome, and Topps Traded
Card Numbers: 431, 431, and T66
Why are these cards a must have?: I have to admit I was pretty excited about writing this post. You see Josh is a local guy down here in NC and we have all been pulling for him to make it to the bigs. Everyone knows the demons that he had to fight in order to make it back to the bigs, it truly is an amazing story. The Reds took a flyer on him in 2007 and he rewarded them with a season of 0.292/19/47 in just under 300 at bats. So it wasn’t a stretch to guess what he would do in 2008 with the Rangers. He only hit 0.304/32/130 and finished 7th in MVP voting. He led the league in RBIs and total bases which was shy he also won a Silver Slugger as well. This year he will be 28 years old, right in the prime of his career. Is he on track for the Hall of Fame? Way to early to tell. I have to say thatough I am quite impressed with his first 2 seasons. I love allof the cards pictured and also there is a Topps Traded autographed version as well. Definite must have in any collection.
On a scale of 1 – 10, how must have are these cards: 5, I am putting him smack dab in the middle. His career could go either way, but for now I’d rate it 5+, in the end he might finish as a 7 if he can keep it up on and off the field. In the book they run about $6 – $20, on eBay you can find it for around $1 – $8. Personally I like the Bowman Chrome card the best, because it just looks better than the other 2.
