Player Name: Johan Santana
Set From: 2000 Bowman’s Best, Finest, Fleer Tradition Update, Fleer Mystique, Pacific Invincible, Pacific Paramount
Why are these cards a must have?: We go from one of the best hitters in the league (Sizemore) to one of the best pitchers of this generation in Johan Santana. From when he first became a regular starter in 2003, he has absolutely dominated hitters. His 162 game average is 15-7/3.08/1.10 and 220 strike outs. His hardware includes 3 All Star Selections, 2 Cy Youngs, one Golden Glove and 3 MVP top 10 finishes. Oh yeah and in 2006, when he went 19-6/2.77/1.00 with 245 strike outs, he won the pitcher’s Triple Crown. He may be one of the first pitchers where the 300 win plataeu to get into the Hall of Fame is waived since he might not even finish with 225. The most amazing part is he is only 30 so he still has another decade of baseball left in him. Oh and Marlin’s fans, how about the Marlins traded him for cash and Jared Camp. How is that for unbalanced? Some final quick stats, he is 8th all time in win percent, 17th all time in WHIP, 29th all time in hits/9 innings, 5th all time in strikouts/ 9 innings, and 127th all time in career strikouts.
On a scale of 1 – 10, how must have are these cards: 7, he is a step below being a future Hall of Famer. Right now if his career ended today, he would merrit a 7, he could go on to finish with a 10, he is just that good. In the book they run at $15 – $150, on eBay you can find it for around $10 – $110. The Finest card if you can get it for under $100 is an absolute must own. It is the jewel of all his rookie cards, although a nice alternative is the Bowman’s Best card which can be had for around $40.
