Klein’s Korner: Not Walking in Rhythm – One of my favorite 1970’s soul singles was “Walking in Rhythm” by The Blackbyrds. Very catchy and a great debut single; but among the other things 2020 has done is thrown off our sports rhythms. To change their lyrics a bit: “Walking in Rhythm Singing my Song. Waiting for the Sports Seasons To Get Back on“. And unlike the five minutes of your life you lost listening to “Once you Understand” you will be dancing listening to the original.

And yes, there is a definite strange feeling to be in November (which was being renamed 2020 Election Month) and have only football among the major sports on a somewhat normal schedule. Yes I know NASCAR completed their season and the Masters was held this month.

As per the most recent news, the NBA will start their season before Christmas and the NHL will likely commence shortly after 2020 bids us adieu (thank goodness!)

If the news we recently heard from Pfizer and other drug makers holds up, then for the first time in months we can truly see a light at the end of the tunnel. Sorry for the cliche but wouldn’t it be nice to turn the clock right now to 2021 and have a better year for the world than 2020 has been?

As for MLB, we’re now in standard off-season but unlike the previous couple of off-seasons there does not appear to be any really expensive free agents in this class and none of those seeking new contracts are probably going to move a hobby needle. Yes, there is a chance the Yankees or the Mets will acquire one or two of these free agents and at least generate more interest in megalopolis media market.

The good thing is we will have 2021 cards and there will be plenty of rookie cards! I can’t wait for Heritage to see what Topps does to honor the really cool psychedelic design of the original 1972 set! The advertised cards seem to be getting them off to a good start.

The positive news is the NFL season is chugging along. Yes there are some ups and downs but the rookie class appears to have some juice to help the new products and certain stars, old and new, continue to play at high competitive levels. Tom Brady, on his new team, is doing just fine while Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa seem to be the hobby best for 2020 rookie quarterbacks with Justin Herbert not far behind. Justin Jefferson is also making a nice rookie impact but his situation would improve if the Vikings start winning more games.

Klein's Korner: Not Walking in RhythmHere is Dallas, our seventh round draft pick, Ben DiNucci played acceptably and Garrett Glbert also led a major upset in their respective debuts as starters but the Cowboys season may be beyond repair at this point. I will assure having resided in the DFW for 30 years now, everyone is much happier when the Cowboys are successful. Hey wonder how many people are going back to their 2014 card piles and looking for Gilbert rookie cards.

So the NFL is doing just fine.

But for cards, what does it mean? In reality, there is the axiom of out of sight, out of mind. So if you collect cards guess what, this is a great time to buy if you do your homework and see what you think is undervalued. When the market for singles is reduced, prices settle down and can be expected to return to normalcy when the next season commences. Simply put a great time to buy if you like to buy perceived dips. Don’t be afraid to purchase an item which you might have to hold for a few weeks.

Hey 2020 has been a weird year and why not add one more quirk. Now, we are all aware about 2020 being the hottest year in the hobby for more than a generation and take advantage of this time to catch your breath and put away a few players to use to capitalize when sports resume. And then, even if a bit different, we can return to walking in the proper sports rhythm.


Rich’s vast experience and knowledge of the hobby has been well documented through the years. GTS is happy to feature his thoughts on collecting in Klein’s Korner. The opinions expressed are his and do not necessarily reflect those of GTS Distribution.
Klein’s Korner: Not Walking in Rhythm
Rich Klein

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