Top 10 Pickups of 2012

Another year has come and gone, but 2012 was my first "card-free" year so to speak. Outside of some non-sport wrestling autographs, I might have only bought 3 or 4 sports cards in 2012. I sold off a huge chunk of my collection and was able to enhance my game used/autograph collection like I'd never imagine. Here are my top 10 pickups of 2012.

#10 Frank Thomas Game Used Bat

One of my first purchases in 2012, growing up "The Big Hurt" and Ken Griffey Jr were my two favorite baseball players. I won this on Mears December 30th auction 2011 auction, but it didn't come in until 2012.

#9 Evan Longoria 2011 Autographed Game Used Jersey (MLB Authenticated)

I think this was an underrated purchase as Longoria has a bright future ahead of him. He's already had an impressive start to his career as a 3 time all star and Rookie of the Year. This is a game used autographed jersey that is also MLB Authenticated. Can't get any better than that. I won this in Heritage Auction's October Premier Auction.

#8 Chris Paul 08-09 Game Used Jersey (NBA Live Europe Tour) (Meigray Certified)

 

The only reason this isn't higher it's actually a game used preseason jersey, so it loses a little luster. The unique thing about it though is it's from the NBA Europe Tour so it has unique patches that set it aside from regular game used jerseys. It's still a gamer from one of the best point guards in the game today.

#7 Ken Griffey Jr. Autographed Game Used Bat

Ken Griffey Jr. is my favorite baseball player of all time. Earlier in the year I also bought a game used autographed cap in a Mears Auction, but I really wanted a game used bat or jersey. Finally in October I got one my wishes. This is a 1999 autographed game used bat used by Griffey that I won off of Paragon Auctions October auction. It comes with his own personal LOA and also a PSA/DNA LOA grading the bat an 8. Maybe in 2013, I'll add a game used jersey to complete the trifecta.

#6 Pete Maravich Autographed Check (PSA/DNA Certified)

This is where it gets super tough. Maravich is undoubtedly a very tough sig to get and to have his own personal check is pretty awesome. Not only PSA/DNA certified but also came with a LOA from Pete's wife Jackie. As far as B-Ball Autographs go, it's very hard to argue that there is any better than Pistol Pete.

#5 Roberto Clemente Historic Autographs Cut Signature (PSA/DNA Certified)

 Add this to the list of autographs I thought I'd never ever own in a million years. Again, it's very hard to chose which is better, and it's really nitpicking. Is #5 too low for a Clemente cut? Maybe, but I have reasons for it only placing 5th.

#4 Wilt Chamberlain/Bill Russell Dual Autograph Framed Photo (PSA/DNA Certified)

  Two reasons this makes it over the Maravich and Clemente. 1)It's a nice display piece, it actually features images of the athletes unlike a check or cut and 2)Two Hall of Famers, and one of the biggest rivalries in NBA History. This is a beautiful piece that I won off SCP Auctions during the year. Chamberlain and Russell, together. Just an amazing piece of NBA History. 

#3 Jason Kidd 11-12 Game Used Jersey (Meigray Certified)

 Just added it Christmas Day, and it's already a top 3 pickup of the year and how can't it be. It's a game used jersey of one the greatest point guards in NBA History. For me, Game Used will always trump autographs. Meigray certified of course. It was a great way to end the year with this pick up.

#2 11-12 Carmelo Anthony Game Used Jersey (Meigray Certified)

 This was a late November addition as Meigray was having their annual Holiday Sale and I decided why not add a Melo Knicks Game Used Jersey to my collection! This was worn February 3rd, 2012 against the Celtics and Melo had 26 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds in the 2 point loss. The way Melo's been playing this year makes this purchase even better.

#1 Kevin Durant 11-12 Game Used Jersey (Meigray Certified)

And the no brainer #1 is the crown jewel of my entire collection. A Kevin Durant game used jersey that is Meigray Certified! Durant had a monster game while wearing this jersey scoring 37 points and grabbing 14 rebounds on January 27th against the Warriors!

As you can see 2012 will be very hard to top. This list doesn't even include honorable mentions like a Kobe Bryant "Black Mamba" Autographed Ball, A Kevin Durant "Durantula" Autographed Ball both Panini Certified. Game Used Bats of Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder and much much more. I can only hope 2013 brings just as much good fortune!