We got backlogged a little bit last week with returning back to work and also getting back from the eCON 2.0. What a great time it was to go and see all the personalities there and mingle with etoppers! I had an absolute blast and will cherish those memories for a long time. Now back on track, I am doing this week's classics. What a stir the last week IPO's have already produced, with Aaron selling out but not really reaching everyone that put an order in. The whole allotment process seems to have been hit for a week with a lot of people getting shut out. Is getting shut out a bad thing? No, I really don't think that it is such a bad thing for eTopps. We need a card every once in awhile to be in demand and to not reach everyone. However, when Joe Blow gets 10 of them and 20 or so etoppers get zero, then you have to raise an eyebrow. Personally, I fared well, which I did not expect. I was expecting something similar to Lebron where everyone got like 2 or so and figuring, with the small print run here, some people would get one and some would get none.

When you look at the allocation process you have no idea how it is done. Is it like the set picking for the 2003 hockey where they throw darts at a board to pick players? Or is it a simple thing as first who ordered got first cut of the allocations? Either way, it needs to be resolved with a better system. Several things need to be taken into account: when the order was placed in the week, does the person order IPO's weekly, the dollar value each person spends on IPO's weekly and ensuring only one person vs. one port is allocated. This would alleviate people with 30-some-odd ports from getting 30-some-odd cards. This would also encourage people to buy more at IPO and to get their orders in quicker so eTopps might be able to work these issues prior to the end of the week. However, eTopps recognized the mistake. As with any problem, once it was identified they took appropriate actions to remedy the situation, though many people will never be happy. The giving of 8 points per port that was shut out of the Aaron card was a very nice gesture for eTopps. It would have upset twice as many people to pull all the cards in and reallocate them. Not to mention the headache of reprocessing all the credit cards.

Anyways, I hope you all fared well with your collections over the past few weeks. I hope that those who sold cards at the eCON made a nice little penny and I hope you had fun. Getting together once a year and meeting with the brass is such a unique opportunity we should recognize its value and cherish the fact that eTopps does like their customers. Stay tuned for several articles pertaining to eCON 2.0 that I am working on. I am also leaning way forward in the saddle and starting the slush fund up for 2005 with fantasy football. If you have any interest you can post on the boards, in the football forum, or email me at etoppsguru@aol.com. Remember that these are only my views. Do your own research to assist in your purchases and buy wisely!

"Cool Papa" Bell (1,250 @ $9.50)

"Cool Papa" earned his nickname early in his career, when he started out as a knuckleball pitcher, after striking out Oscar Charleston. He later switched to the outfield where he regularly hit .300 and on several occasions hit over .400. He played for 29 summer seasons and 21 winter seasons with the Negro Leagues. He ranks as one of the best Negro League players ever. He was an absolute terror on the base paths and was one of the fastest players in his time. He starred on some very good teams during his time, the St. Louis Stars in the 20's, Pittsburgh Crawford's in the 30's and the Homestead Grays in the 40's. Bell was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1974 by the Veterans commission. "Cool Papa" is a great card to pick up at IPO. Most likely this card will sell about 1,100 cards and should hold value very well. BUY!

Hank Greenberg (1,250 @ $9.50)

This two-time MVP played 13 seasons of professional baseball with the Tigers and the Pirates. He lost 4 quality years due to fighting during WWII and another to a fractured wrist. Yet he still is ranked 6th for all-time slugging percentage. He hit 30 or more home runs 6 times during his short career and drove in over 1,200 runs. Highlighting his career was a 9th-inning pennant winning grand slam in 1945. Like Robin Yount, he earned his MVP awards playing two different positions. Hank was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1956. He should be in high demand but will most likely sell only about 800 cards. This would be a good pickup on the secondary market. DON'T BUY.

Jim Palmer (1,250 @ $9.50)

Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1990, this high-kicking righty is the only pitcher to win World Series games in three different decades. Jim won 268 games, including 8 seasons with 20-plus wins. His career was defined by pitching on 6 championship teams and earning 3 Cy Young awards. This card might be more sought-after than the others simply because people recognize Palmer more than the other names. However this card will be easier and cheaper to get on the secondary market. DON'T BUY.

Tris Speaker (1,250 @ $9.50)

Tris Speaker was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1937, officially emerging from the shadow of Ty Cobb, who dominated the era. Tris was a magnificent player who hit for a career average of .345. He is the only major league player to have three hitting streaks of 20+ games in a single season. Tris was known for his ability to hit doubles and led the league 8 times in this category. He is still the Major League record holder for career doubles with 793. He also played a shallow centerfield and recorded 450 assists, a feat that has not been matched to date. He helped lead Cleveland to a 1920 championship. This card is a true classic of one of our greatest players ever. This card will sell about 1,000 cards but is a great one to have! BUY!