Card Collector Universe

Your probable 2011 World Series Game 1 starting pitchers will be C.J. Wilson for the Rangers pitching in St. Louis against Chris Carpenter.  Here are some of the best cards to collect of each of these World Series starters.

C.J. Wilson – Most of Wilson’s cards are very affordable for serious collectors.  If he performs well and the Rangers win the Series, that will no longer be the case.  At least for a certain period of time after the Series ends.  Here are three cards to collect right now.

2003 Bowman’s Best Autograph – A little more expensive than most of Wilson’s cards, but not a sky high price by any means.  You should be able to pick up this card for under $50.

2003 Bowman Chrome X-Fractor Numbered to 130 – If you’re looking for the prospect, draft pick and rookie cards to own, and you want a numbered card, check out this X-Fractor.  It’s numbered to 130 and shows Wilson as a young Texas Ranger.  You can find this card for around $25 right now.

2011 Topps Chrome Red Refractor Numbered to 25 - If you’re looking for a numbered card, this one just might be for you, especially if you’re on a budget.  You can purchase this card for probably under $10 right now.

Chris Carpenter – Carpenter’s been an ace on this staff for a while, so his elite cards won’t come cheap.

1999 SkyBox Century Autograph Numbered to 50 – This card, although it shows Carpenter in his original team’s uniform – the Blue Jays, will still not be affordable for many collectors. It would cost you somewhere near $100.  (The non-numbered version will cost you much less).

 2011 Topps Marquee Titanic Threads Patch – A nice card of Carpenter, with his current team, and a big juicy patch of jersey and lettering.  It’s numbered to only 5, so you won’t have many opportunities to purchase this, and it will cost you around $100.

1995 Bowman’s Best Rookie – This one’s going way back.  How ’bout 16 years ago, before Carpenter even broke into the big leagues.  Yeah, he’s wearing a Blue Jays uni, but so what?  It’s a rookie card.  And it will only cost you about $10.