Back in 1989 Fleer put out a card of Orioles 2nd baseman Billy Ripken that quickly became in high demand. It's not that people all the sudden confused Billy with his HOF brother Cal, but the bat he was holding in the picture had an obsenity on the handle (@!#$% Face). Today that card has about a $30 value instead of the 5-10 cents most of Billy's card go for.

Fast Foward 17 years to 2006 and it seems like the card manufacturers have made another snafu. I was reading on ESPN.com Trading card of Jets rookie RB creating a stir. It seems that Topps (in it's 2006 Bowman issue) allowed for a photograph of Leon Washington with his arms crossed holding up his middle fingers on both hands (pictured below).

Now things like this happen and we can all forgive the manufacturer and even the player for the incident. What made me do a doubletake and take notice was when I got a message form SCN member gopackwis, about a recent eBay Acution where the card had sold for.... get this.... $176.50. Are you kidding me? I know I don't buy as many new cards as many other collectors, but there is no way, I say NO WAY, I would ever consdier forking over $20 for this card. Before the hype, this card was selling for about $12 on eBay.