2015 Leaf 25th Buyback Mike LaValliere Buyback Auto/40
If only this card would have had a "Spanky" inscription it would have easily made my top ten list. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this card hit eBay. LaValliere only had one certified auto that I knew of and it featured him in his White Sox uniform. I bought that card last year thinking it would be my only chance for a certified auto.
The guy is the epitome of world class athlete, right? The physique of a Greek God and the looks of a Hollywood star!
In all seriousness it is always exciting to see a guy like LaValliere get some love from a new set. Say what you want about the Leaf buyback process, but it is super cool that they went out of there way to get some lesser known names to sign from the 1990 set. I hope that Jay Bell will get one soon.
The card itself cost me more in shipping than auction price (around $4.25). I know Van Slyke is in the set as well, but the card is going for a little more than I'm willing to pay right now.
Yay Spanky!
Thanks for reading.
Love the buybacks and nickname cards. SPANKY!
ReplyDeleteIt is an all time great nickname.
DeleteI've gotta ask, how did he get that nickname?
ReplyDeleteIt is a Little Rascals reference.
DeleteLavalliere was always a great $1 catcher pickup in my early fantasy baseball leagues in the early 1990s.
ReplyDeleteHe was a pretty good hitter considering he had no speed or power. Average and obp were both above league average.
DeleteI just met him on Saturday. I believe he's the first player that I asked for an autograph where I called him by his nickname rather than being formal.
ReplyDeleteReally nice guy.
I've heard only good things. He has a pretty big personality that matches the persona. He still helps the Pirates a lot during spring training and the camera always seems to find him.
DeleteI the variety of players in the Leaf buy series and Topps Fan Favorites. Baseball fans like the little guys just as much as the big stars . . . sometime more!
ReplyDeleteI love the concept of Fan Favorites, but I feel their choices have been a little odd lately. I always go back to including Sid Bream as a Pirate last year. Bream is very well liked but he was probably part of the worst play in Pirates history as a member of the Braves.
DeleteThanks man!
ReplyDeleteNickname Greats is such a good concept for an autographed set.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite nickname cards were from National Treasures but the Fleer version is cool too.
DeleteI didn't know that Leaf did buybacks, that's really cool!
ReplyDeleteYou should check the list. Most are very affordable. Maybe a cool Red player that doesn't have much in the way of certified autos....
DeleteSweet card. 1990 Leaf is such an iconic set... and perfect for buyback signatures.
ReplyDeleteI love these and the Leaf Trinity set.
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