National media attention does weird things to the hobby, which is exactly why I cant fault Topps for going to this level of extreme on their 2012 product. Although there is zero chance these prices continue to be replicated, the new Skip Schumaker Rally Squirrel SSP variation cards has already reached ridiculous heights on eBay.

Check out the auction here.

Lets take a time machine back to 2007, with the release of Derek Jeter’s Mickey Mantle/GW BUsh card that was “slipped accidentally” into the base set. The card got national media attention, and like this rally squirrel card, soared to astroniomical prices on the secondary market.

Fast forward to today, here.

Bottom line, this card will no doubt be on the level where some of these gimmicks are for now, but later it will be much different. Does that mean I dont like that these cards are included in the set? Not at all. I think its a great idea to have them as a way to drive value above and beyond normal. However, these prices will not be reflective of what is going to happen in the long run. If you happen to pull one, obviously get it up NOW.