On the left is a 1996 Pinnacle Bob Hamelin. On the right is a 2001 SPx Travis Hafner jersey/auto rookie. Hamelin has a 2.5 career WAR, and Hafner has a 25 career WAR.

Would you believe me if I told you that I paid $16 for the Hamelin and $4.25 for the Hafner - both from auctions on the same platform in the same month?

Well, it’s true. The 1996 Pinnacle Bob Hamelin has earned a cult following after an article online dubbed it “the worst card ever made.” Hard to argue after seeing Hamelin’s sad face holding up his name card atop gold foil that epitomizes the junk wax era. The card has subsequently soared in value in recent years (at least, as much as a 1996 Pinnacle base card can soar), and now you need a $20 bill to get one.

I like to think that someday this card will be my generation’s 1952 Topps Mantle. Maybe that would make Bob smile.