Something To Chase For 2009

I hope that this card isn't a "preview" card. One where the images are likely to change before the actual product is released. I like the card and I hope to obtain it in 2009.

Thanks to Wax Heaven for the image. Like Mario, I am not wowed by the design for the 2009 SPx. This card did stand out. Maybe it wouldn't if there wasn't a player in a White Sox uniform. Maybe it would.

The colors almost seem complimentary to each other. The swatches of material seem to balance each other. This may mark the first time that Griffey will have a White Sox relic. I'm a bit surprised that there would be one, but I am grateful for the opportunity.

2007 SPx

I've always had a love/hate relationship with cards cut into fancy patterns. They tend to get damaged more often than other cards because of the odd dimensions. When I first saw the SPx cards, I wasn't thrilled with them.

First of all, they were priced high for the amount of cards offered in the pack. I did indulge myself on two or three packs since the product came out. I couldn't justify any more than that. The big pulls were hit and miss in my opinion. If the worth of the cards inside doesn't equal or exceed the price of the pack, it's a rip-off.

The last pack I opened only had base cards in it, even though every pack is supposedly guaranteed a hit. Grand total worth, $2.25. Certainly not worth the nearly $20 per pack price at one of my local card shops. The few "big pulls" I did get were priced around $8.00. I'll be lucky to get $5.00 for each of those. I sell off all my non White Sox cards on eBay to funnel into more White Sox cards. I'm not original, just opportunistic.

Don't get me wrong. I think the cards themselves are sharp. They have a good balanced design and the odd shaping actually works in the card's favor. The cards are packaged in such a way that I've never seen a damaged card. I pulled the Jim Thome base card in the first pack. No other White Sox cards have graced my presence from a pack, only from purchases on eBay. Maybe if I had gotten a better "big pull", I would feel better about the pricing. It is a risk you take not knowing what lies beneath the wrapper. I can live with that.

The White Sox cards (as far as I can tell) are;

Base cards:

• 8 - Jim Thome
• 9 - Paul Konerko
• 10 - Jermaine Dye

Autograph cards:

• 132 - Ryan Sweeney

Overall, I think this is a great set. If you are collecting only certain cards, I'd go through eBay first instead of going the costly pack route. The base cards can be found for excellent bargains there. So can some of the "big pulls". I just wouldn't be one to waste my money on two base cards and an underwhelming pull. Especially when they can be found on eBay cheaper than the price of a pack with shipping and insurance included.