Can you say VEGAS baby! I missed out on the premier event for us eToppers but had my old man and brother there taking notes and had them brief me back the details. From what they told me, two people never exposed to eTopps, they were impressed with the potential of eTopps for the long term. I too am also impressed with eTopps and the long term and for several reasons. Reason number one has to be the simple fact that the people at the top are also port holders themselves. This portrays a confidence in the product and a dedication to ensure it succeeds. The second reason is the fact that they are always reading the boards on the eTopps site and listening to us and what we have to say. The third reason is that they commit themselves to the fans, collectors and investors with continuing to seek out new collectors and investors.

No matter how hard you work though, there is always areas you can approve in. I like this piece because again it is the pay me nothing advice I am giving for them to succeed. Without us there is no eTopps so the more helpful we are the better this product will be and the more successful it will become. My dad brought up some good points that I want to expand on.

First the group of guys who make up eTopps as we know it are all bright, know their business and are good in their field. However there seems to be something that is missing there. My father was not real specific but he said that the collector or investor mentality was not there. I think this goes beyond just a job as we all know. I am not saying these people who work there are not the right people, they just appeared to be the "Office Space" crew and needed to reach out or branch out more. So let me know when you need my resume. After I am done with world peace I will submit it.

My father also mentioned that the advertising campaign seemed good in the current form but needed to be broadened and perks needed to be out there for new investors. Not for us old farts already sold on eTopps, we need to have something for the new people who come on board and stay here. I know that is hard but what about a promotions group that seeks out new collectors and investors. Etopps could be billed as better than cardboard and stocks but rolled into one. Sign up and we will dish off free wares, like all these un-circulated things we hear of and see on "The Pit." Advertising is going to be the key to future growth and stability with new customers and us. It needs to be specific and goal oriented so people get the idea and fall in love with it, like a fat kid and his cake.

The last thing here is that we need to figure out what we real are as eToppers. Are we collectors or investors? The more unified we are in our approach to all this the more appealing this is going to be for the others out there looking to join. In it, I know a lot of people would rather be just a collector and not an investor but I think there could easily be a group who does one thing or another to act as a rep for us to eTopps. I know Matt and Mike already do a lot of this on their own. I think it just needs to be unified and ratified and fried with glaze on top. That way it is sexier and tastier to us Krispy Kreme guys, LOL. No I am kidding but a unified voice is a lot more powerful than a 1000 screaming babies. Just a thought. So on that note lets get into the 11th week of 2003 eTopps IPO's for this the third year!

Brad Wilkerson (3,000 @ $4.00)

What a great young player for the Expo's, something we have seen way to often only to be lost to a higher spending team with a bigger market. Brad was runner up to Jason Jennings in the Jackie Robinson NL rookie of the year as awarded by MLB but won the ORY awarded by The Sporting News. He has excellent potential in the long term. As a rookie for the Expo's, he set the new mark for Homeruns with 20 of them. This 6' 200lb centerfielder is also getting time at 1B this year, starting 20 games there. His average this year, .310, is up almost 60 points from his rookie year and up another 60 points from the previous year where he played almost 50 games. His numbers to reach his performance bonus are very reasonable and he should reach them unless he is injured. Being this is his first card with eTopps and he has a lot of potential, watch for this card to sell out. Also watch it climb anywhere from 10-15% until he reaches his PB. BUY THIS CARD!

Eric Byrnes (2,500 @ $6.50)

Eric finally broke through in 2002 with the Oakland A's. He appeared in 90 games and hit .245 with 3 HR's and 11 RBI's. This year through 49 games he is hitting .325 with 5 HR's and 25 RBI's. He definitely found his grove somewhere in the off-season and is playing with a purpose this year. He is also getting it done in the field with 80 put outs, 3 assists and no errors. Eric is one of those guys who has been around awhile and has a little more experience than a younger player. This year is his big shot and he is making the most of it. I can see him making his performance bonus easily, 2 points if you're counting. The only concern might be his OBP. Right now he is slightly above his projected outcome. But you got to love the work ethic this kid has and the ability to adapt to changes in the ever-changing A's system. First year eTopps card here that should do OK. It will probably sell around 2100-2400 IPO's and hold about 5% +/- IPO value for the remainder of the season. I am not in it for the money on this one. I like this kid and what he has to offer for eTopps. BUY THIS CARD.

Jorge Posada (3,000 @ $6.50)

Another Yankee and another question of why we cater to the NY area? Is it because eTopps headquarters is in NY and the Boss owns Topps? I don't know but that would be a good guess. However Jorge deserves a card, no doubt about it. It could have been held for a later date I am sure but he is the premier catcher in MLB right now. Look at it like this also, this is his first ever eTopps card, a big plus for me. Last year he set a franchise record for most doubles by a catcher and the Yankees have had some good ones. He has started in three straight All-Star games which itself is a testament to the fact that the fans like him. He has been around for a while but this is his 6th full season. Don't expect Jorge to hit for average, he has never hit higher than .290. He however does make up for it with his defensive work and sometimes fine hitting performances. Last year he threw out 31 base stealers on 76 attempts. For his career he has thrown out 43% of the people who try to swipe a bag on him (145 of 344). Power wise he will hit about 20ish home runs and 90 RBI's, but this year he is on a tear with 14 HR's already. SO I would expect him to top the 30 HR mark for the first time in his career. We could go on for a while about Jorge but the bottom line is this, people are going to buy this card. It will sell out and most likely drop 5%-10%. However when the postseason race starts it will climb back up. So in line with that and this being his first card, BUY THIS CARD.

Nomar Garciaparra (2,500 @ $9.50)

OK, so I go from talking bad about the Yankees and recommending Posada to bashing the Sox and Garciaparra, well yes and no. I don't want to bash this man at all he is a complete tool in the works for the Sox. He is the captain of his team and a great leader on and off the field. However, I am not going to pay $9.50 for his card. He already has two cards out there. Last years IPOed at 6.50 and is now hovering around 5 dollars. If I want a card of his I will buy two of last years for the price of one this year. Well OK, last year he also had 5090 cards printed. So this is more than half of last year. However it does not appeal to me. For three of this years cards I could buy one of his 2001 IPO's which is worth about $30 and only has 1315 of them floating around. Make your own mind up but I think that the price on this card kills it for me. As far as his PB is concerned, I doubt he will achieve it this year. His batting average is 8-point s lower right now and he needs to get on his horse and swipe some more bags. Oh yes, he is having a great year statistically but that does nothing for me at this point with Nomar, Sorry. DON'T BUY THIS CARD.

Roger Clemens (3,000 @ $9.50)

Just so I am not labeled a Yankee fan and a Red Sox basher I am going to tell you up front to wait on this card. Hold your $9.50 and get you a couple Wilkerson's. Buy this card on the secondary market. The rocket is the real deal, no doubt about it. He is headed to the Hall of Fame and he will eventually win his 300th game if he ever gets any support from the pen. What he is doing at his age is no short of miraculous. He was pitching when I was in High School. The guy is an energizer battery. However he already has 2 IPO's for eTopps. Here is a little hint for you…last years IPO came out at $9.50 also but is selling for about $6 right now on eBay. So be wise and smart here. Save your money and pick this card up on the secondary market. Now as far as Roger meeting his, Bling Bling, performance bonus, he is a long way off from 16 wins right now or even 199 K's. I would hold tight, as us Army Jumpmasters say "Standby." DON'T BUY THIS CARD.

Scott Rolen (2,000 @ $6.50)

For some reason Scott was one of the few who got passed over for a 2002 card. I will say this; it is probably better for him and the rest of his cards that he was passed over. I think this card along with his 2001 card are great buys now and in the future. Scott has no doubt found a home with the HOT corner in St Louis. Besides not having a card last year, this card has a low PR of 2000, which also makes it very attractive. Last year he made his first appearance as an all star and won his fourth gold glove in five years. This year he well on his way to reaching his PB. He has already hit 12 HR's and 50 RBI's. What a feat to do in a hitter's park like St Louis and on that note I am kidding. OK, watch this card. It is going to shoot right out when is released and settle back down for a 10-15% gain. Your going to want to get it, especially when he reaches his PB. So, BUY THIS CARD.

In closing, I would like to give big thanks to BIG RICK and all the other guys out there who read these articles and columns and use it to their benefit. I hope you all gain a little bit of a competitive edge and make some money or get some good collecting done on the side. Remember, do your homework here. Read the columns, look up the stats and try and use a little predictive analysis before you blow away your lunch money! Until next time …Long Live eTopps.