12-month Dream card(s) and three-channel Shoutout! A VR for

[@TJ_Is_Online]

Brian, thank you so much for mentioning me. I wasn’t expecting it. Started watching the video. Enjoy your “target” cards. Then I heard my name mentioned! Bam! I was floored even before you mentioned Steve Carlton & the kind words. Getting back to your target cards. Hope you find all your Maddux cards. I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around his cards being underrated. Why? When I left the hobby in late-1992, Greg’s earlier cards were HOT! I mean, the Professor’s cards were really hot and usually sold for higher than Beckett’s range at LCS & shows. When I returned in 2018 (& left again in mid-2019 only to return again in 2022) , I didn’t notice his card demand softened. So I still recall the days when Maddux & Clemens were the stud pitchers cards to buy along with Steve Avery, John Smoltz, & Ramon Martinez. By the way, I still have my childhood ‘87 Maddux cards plus a really nice ‘90 Leaf Steve Avery in the same semi-ridged it was purchased in. 😂

[@HighPopProfessor]

You totally earned the shout out, TJ! Keep doing what you’re doing! We’re loving all your content! As for Maddux being “underrated”, I wasn’t very clear about what I meant. This is probably a topic for a future video of mine about the disconnect between player performance / career numbers and “hobby status” for lack of a better phrase. You are correct about the early-mid 90s - Maddux was hot then! I remember a time after the 95 season when the 4-way tie for most valuable players in any given set were Griffey, Thomas, Ripken (after his 2131 streak in September 95), and Maddux (following his 4th consecutive Cy Young and World Series win). Looking at the 90s landscape today, the top hobby-status names are Griffey, Bonds, and Jeter, with a significant drop until you hit guys like Big Hurt, Ripken, Maddux, Gwynn, Pedro, Big Unit, etc. I don’t think that Maddux is underrated when compared to other pitchers, but I do think that in general, pitchers tend to be undervalued in the hobby when compared to hitters. This isn’t even exclusive to the 90s era - think about the Golden age guys. Mantle, Mays, and Aaron, will always command more than even Koufax, the very best of his era. Other incredible pitchers like Steve Carlton, Gaylord Perry, Juan Marichal, or Phil Niekro are FAR below that. As for ultra modern, guys like Scherzer, DeGrom, and Verlander, would we say that they are at the very top of the ultra-modern hobby? Certainly not. Ohtani is a unicorn, so we have to throw him out of the analysis and certainly the Paul Skenes phenomenon is the best counterpoint at this time, as he’s currently having his 81 Fernando Valenzuela / 85 Doc Gooden year. Skenes notwithstanding, I still think the point holds true. Thanks for your comment, and now I’ve left you a novel here to consider! 😂😂😂

[@TheBarnettCollection]

Lovin the 90's content. I admire your patience while looking for your next big card.

[@HighPopProfessor]

Thanks for the kind words! Why is being patient SO difficult sometimes? 😫😫😫 There are so many cool cards that pop up all the time - it takes discipline to maintain that focus and patience, and sometimes I’m weak! 😂

[@vintagesanctuary]

Brian, one of the cool things about this hobby is dreaming about the possibility of landing one of our tough dream cards when the stars align and the right one finally surfaces! 🤯🤯🤯Sounds like you are ready and waiting, my collecting brother! I am waiting to share in the joy of your next epic pickup! 😊👊

[@HighPopProfessor]

Thanks, Adam! I won’t lie, it was a little tough to see everyone picking up all these glorious grail cards at the National, and I wasn’t able to find any for myself. You’re right, of course - better to exercise patience and be ready to pounce when the opportunity arises! Thanks for watching, Adam!

[@JoeWoodCollector-Doug]

Excellent VR , well done 👏 Be deligent and have patience and your card will show up. Thanks for the new channel shout outs and I have to agree with you on TJ is online , Tony is great 👍

[@HighPopProfessor]

Yes! TJ makes videos like he’s been doing them for years now! Awesome stuff! Thanks for the comment, Doug!

[@CollectingMaddux1987]

Just an awesome card, they don't come up too often. I'm going to guess February one will pop up. For some reason that seems to be the month they pop up. Man, you are also ripping into me and pushing the narrative that I'm a Cubs fan. I'm doing a really bad job convincing everyone I'm a Braves fan.😂 Thanks for the shout-out

[@HighPopProfessor]

Hey, I call ‘em as I see ‘em! 😂 There’s no rule saying you can’t be both a Cubs and Braves fan! They’re not mutually exclusive! We’ll see about your February prediction! It’s funny how things work out sometimes… I may be acquiring one of these sooner than I thought! 😳 I hope the shoutout brings you a little more KZbin traffic, Allen!

[@thedrewavintagelegacy6455]

Great looking cards Brian. I’m rooting for you for sure

[@HighPopProfessor]

Thanks, The Drew! Sometimes patience is tough to put into practice! I see so many other cool cards come up for auction and it takes restraint to keep my priorities in order! I’m enjoying my card stands / displays! They’re AWESOME! 🤩🤩🤩

[@brentrichardsbaseballcards]

Great vid! I’ve been looking for a couple guys in that set too. Tough and expensive!! But so awesome

[@HighPopProfessor]

Agreed! Amazing, innovative, iconic sets! They’re out there, but they don’t transact too often! Good luck hunting the guys you’re after, Brent!

[@returntocollecting]

Thanks for doing a VR Brian! Good luck on the Finest Embossed Refractor!! Thats a tough one to find!!! Great shoutouts!

[@HighPopProfessor]

Thanks, Darren! Congrats on 1000 subs! Maybe someday I’ll get there too! It was a fun VR to do, and I commend your amazing giveaway! That’s a GORGEOUS Mathewson! Gotta get myself an entry for that beauty! It’s funny how these kind of things work out sometimes… the very day I recorded this video, I learned of an Essential Credentials available on Facebook through BillTHEhofcollector. Just amazing!

[@MarksDodgersCards]

Good luck finding the goal cards and great shoutouts!

[@HighPopProfessor]

Thanks, Mark!!

[@4softcorners728]

Good luck on the chase, Brian! Such an amazing card. I hope you get it sooner than later. Nice shoutout la as well!

[@HighPopProfessor]

Thanks, Joe! I… uh… actually already got them both!! 😳😅😂 I just made a new video about how that happened!

[@4softcorners728]

@@HighPopProfessor I’m so behind on videos since the National!!! It’s in my watch later as well but I’ll bump it up the list. Congrats Brian! Can’t wait to watch

[@doug_sports_collector]

New subscriber, good luck on the Maddux hunt!

[@HighPopProfessor]

Thanks for the sub and the good luck, Doug!! I appreciate both!!

[@blixcards]

Best of luck on your goal card and in Darren's contest as well. Subbed to all 3 Channels, thank you.

[@HighPopProfessor]

Thanks! They’re great channels and excellent contributors to our hobby community, so it’s a great idea for Darren to include this as a part of his VR!

[@blixcards]

@@HighPopProfessor Absolutely! digging the content, man!

[@LouRokTV]

That would be such a sick card to get🤙🏽

[@HighPopProfessor]

Oh, absolutely! I can’t wait to finish the 90s Finest refractor run for Maddux! Thanks, LouRok!

[@SplendidSports]

1:30,000 😮. That is a magical Card

[@HighPopProfessor]

Indeed it is, Adam! Neither of these cards were at the National as far as I’m aware. And yes, 1:30000 (actually 1:28800) is pretty crazy true odds to try and track down! Interestingly, the 97 Ultra Platinum Medallion Maddux actually is 1:30000 precisely, but that card is WAY more affordable and a significantly higher print run ( /150 like the raves, but was not serial numbered that year). Thanks for watching!