Friday, March 18, 2016

#20 Billy Loes
















#20 Billy Loes
Progress: 1st of this card
168 of 407 41.3% complete
How acquired: $4.25 on ebay
Condition: Fair

This Loes has no shortage of creases, and I think the solid red back makes them even more noticeable.  I'm 168 cards in and I still can't decide if I like the solid colored backs better or the more "scenic" ones.  Neither catagory is running away with it, with good and bad examples easy to find in both.  Ultimately, I probably prefer the "scenic" backgrounds, but I like the mix, and think it adds character to the set.  Imagine the uproar if Topps did something similar with the base in 2017.  Of course I'm sure they'd drown us, or rather, the collector's that care about that sort of thing, in variations.

Normally I wouldn't care about a card being in this condition, but this Loes is one of my favorite cards in the set, so I'll probably look to upgrade it at some point.  Not that that will be easy.  I've been trying to pick up a copy of this card for years, but the bidding on it usually goes north of $10, and I try to keep mine under $4 whenever possible.  Guess I'm not the only one that thinks it's a good looking card.

Stats: 11 seasons, All-Star, 80 wins, 3.89 ERA, 33 saves, pitched in 3 World Series ('52, '53, and '55) 

Best Hall of Fame Showing: N/A

2 comments:

  1. I prefer the 'scenic' cards but as you mentioned there are some fine examples of the solid background ones as well. I particularly like Gil Hodges' card. Bob Rush has a good one as well.

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  2. @Robert Andrews; the creamsicle orange background, like the Hodges, are cool.

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