Debate this

There is a contest about who can act more presidential taking place on television tonight.

In case you haven't noticed, I detest politics, and I detest even more people getting animated about politics. So I'm steering very clear of anything that has to do with the words "debate," "moderator," or "let me finish."

But I know how some people must have things to discuss and questions to answer, so I'll throw this out to you:

I received this Starting Lineup card of Fernando Valenzuela from Classon Ave. a little while ago. It was part of a package of Dodgers and oddballs, which are really the best kind of packages -- there's no debate about that.

Now, the whole Starting Lineup craze did not land in my wheelhouse. When kids were playing with their little SLU figurines, I was figuring out how anyone expected me to attend my 9 a.m. law of mass communication class if the bar was open until 4 a.m. Near as I know, there were little plastic athletic figures that came with accompanying cards.

I've managed to acquire some of the cards over the years through trades, and I'm not too impressed with their quality to be honest. Some are all right. Some are awful. The Fernando from 1988 is on the higher end of the scale. Flimsy, but serviceable.

So, I was shocked when I happened upon this same Fernando Starting Lineup card selling on Check Out My Cards for 20 dollars.

20 BUCKS? For this?

A quick ebay search put my mind a little more at ease as there's a BIN Fernando for $4.50. But even that seems a little high to me. Are Starting Lineup cards that valued?

That's what I'd like you to debate. Or, clue in the clueless collector, if you prefer. Why so much for such an unimpressive piece of cardboard?

And, why particularly, so much for the Valenzuela? The other '88 Starting Lineup cards on COMC go for not even a quarter of the Fernando.

I suppose with all those questions I just posed, that makes me the "moderator" of this "debate."

Ugh.

Let me finish.

While you're mulling that over, here are some other cards sent by Classon Ave:

Your average oddball from the late '80s.

Even more Karim Garcia cards from 1996. I'm now over the 30 mark for Karim and '96.

The Target '51-style Robinson card from a couple years ago. I had forgotten all about needing this item.

I'm thinking I was sent this card because of this post, in which I said I had no Yankee card of Spike Owen. I'll have to update the post now (yeah, like that will happen).

Finally, a couple of Chunichi Dragons cards. The Dragons were known for years for wearing their Dodger-inspired uniforms. I think they have different uniforms now.

This is from some Baseball Card Magazine issue from 1992. I have no idea what it is beyond that.

Feel free to debate exactly what that is, too.

While you're debating, I'll be over here, drinking a beer.

And watching baseball.

Not that other talky thing.