What about now?

A few years back the Yankees had this awesome young pitcher named Joba Chamberlain.  All the Yankees collectors were all over his cards, which seemed a little bit high for a guy who was pitching the seventh and eighth inning.  There were a lot of collectors who were ordaining Joba as the heir apparent to Mariano Rivera.  2007 and 2008 were good years for the reliever, but after that things went south.  Bad pitching, trampoline accidents, DUIs.  Last year, after an ERA of almost 5, the Yankees and Joba Chamberlain part ways.  He landed with the Tigers.  His cards have completely crashed in value too.  Here's my latest pick up.....

I could tell you that this card might be one of those novelty adds, like a Mark Prior 2001 Upper Deck Prospect Premieres Autograph, which used to cost an arm and a leg and now is worth a few cents.  In some ways this card could be that.  I did buy this card for $1.  Really, why would you sell this card for $1.  Are you paying attention to what Joba is doing this year?  Joba has become the pitcher he was during the 2007 and 2008 seasons for the Yankees.  He's not racking up a ton of saves with the Tigers, but he has pitched really well.

So far in 46 games this year he has almost a strikeout an inning, a WHIP right around 1, and an ERA+ of 162.  That's right in the neighborhood of his 2008 numbers that led collectors to throw tons of money at Joba Chamberlain cards.  Now, I am not saying that I would drop a ton of cash on Joba cards, but how does he not have a slight bounce back going on with his cards?