Matt's Most Wanted: 1954 Topps Ernie Banks

One of the things I didn't really do with my former blogs is compile a list of the cards or items I am really pursuing, but I am going to do it here. For one, it puts it out in the universe and you never know what will cause something to come across someone's radar, but also, with proper blog formatting, the list will hopefully be something that every blog reader sees every time they visit, as a reminder, just in case.

A criteria of this is list, though, is that it has to be things that can be within my reach. Of course, everyone wants a '52 Mantle and a T-206 Honus, but until I win the lottery (which I don't play), that ain't gonna happen. These may not be cheap items, but they are all things that I feel I could actually one day obtain.

Anyway, as a way to create content during times when my content supply may be running low, I figured that not only would I publish what those items are, but why those items are (or will be) special to me. Some (like this one) may be obvious, while others, bight not be so clear.

Number one on my list is an obvious card for any Cubs fan: a 1954 Topps Ernie Banks rookie card. 

For me, and any other self-respecting Chicago Cubs fan, this card is the standard-bearer, and the top card of one of the most-beloved players in franchise history. Not only did he play his entire career for the team, and remained in Chicago after his playing days were over. His catchphrase of, "It's a beautiful day for a ballgame...Let's play two," exemplifies his boyish love for the game and his desire to be on a ballfield as often as possible.

Not only is it his rookie card, but it is a beautiful card visually. Many cards from that year have a color background, but the white background of the Banks card really makes the red and the blue of his hat pop off of the cardboard and further highlights his boyish grin. Well-conditioned copies of this card can be quite pricey, though, so I will likely have to settle for a rough-looking raw card and a slabbed card with a 1 grade.