1958 Topps Sam Jones

It's called "The Great American Baseball Card Flipping, Trading and Bubble Gum Book." And on page 45, a 1958 Topps Sad Sam Jones.

I first saw the card when I was a kid, I knew some day I would have it. Even though he looked so sad, he made me smile.

It's not like it's a particularly expensive card. And it's not like I didn't try to get one before this beauty arrived in the mail yesterday.

A few years back I walked into my Local Baseball Card Shop and asked the clerk if he had a 1958 card of Sad Sam Jones. I know he was thinking: who? But he directed me to a box of late-50s commons. After searching for a few minutes, I found good ol' Sam. It was probably in worse condition than this card.

I asked the clerk, "How much?"

He looked into a price guide and said something to the effect of $15. I almost choked.

Needless to say, I didn't get Sad Sam that day. And then I got to thinking: When is the next time someone is going to walk into this store and ask for a 1958 Topps Sam Jones? Answer: Never.

And so I bet Sam is still sitting in that box of commons. I'm sure he'll be there forever. I don't think I ever went back to that shop for a baseball card again.

Fifteen dollars? Are you kidding me.

By the way, this card cost me $1 on eBay. Overpriced? Some may say so. But at least it didn't make me lose my lunch.