As a sophomore in 2008, Stephen Strasburg began turning heads as the pitching ace for the San Diego State Aztecs with a dominating 1.57 ERA and 133 strikeouts in 97-1/3 innings. Under the tutelage of Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, the 2009 campaign witnessed Strasburg twirling his first no-hitter against Air Force and further overwhelming his competition with 195 strikeouts in 109 innings pitched. Coupled with his Team USA success, the fireballer was the consensus #1 pick by the Washington Nationals in the June 2009 Major League Baseball Amateur draft. With seconds to spare, the National League East squad inked Strasburg to a record breaking, four-year, $15.1 million contract. On the proverbial “fast track” to the major leagues in 2010, Strasburg continued to overmatch his minor league competition with an electric fastball and knee-buckling curve. Strasburg’s minor league starts were aired through national media outlets as he has been dubbed “the most hyped and closely watched pitching prospect in the history of baseball,” by Sports Illustrated. Advanced baseball enthusiasts and the casual spectator were amazed by his debut starts, resulting in the most strikeouts after three games by a rookie pitcher in big league history.

Long before Strasburg seized attention of the sporting public, baseball prospectors were well aware of his accolades and potential. As the “home of the rookie card,” the Bowman card is the most coveted baseball product among modern hobbyists. Fueled by interest in Strasburg, the 2010 Bowman series is of particular mention. Headlined by Strasburg, future team/battery mate Bryce Harper and several other “up and coming” luminaries, unopened cases, boxes, packs and singles of the series are trading at unprecedented sums. The “holy grail” among 2010 Bowman consumers is undoubtedly the #1/1 Stephen Strasburg parallel singles. Claimed from a humble pack by our Florida consignor, the offered 2010 Bowman Stephen Strasburg #1/1 Red Parallel Certified Autograph is perhaps the most coveted modern insert card ever produced. This example may look familiar to most as it was removed from a highly publicized internet auction and placed in our care. As the subject of numerous national news reports, blogs and message board discussions, the extreme scarcity of the Strasburg (1 of 1) parallels have transformed the modern baseball hobby. Prior to Strasburg’s emergence, the previous standard bearer for certified autographed rookie cards was the 2001 Bowman Chrome #340 Albert Pujols. With only 500 copies produced, the debut card of Pujols often surpasses $5000 in sales. With achievements and “hardware” undoubtedly coming in Strasburg’s future, the value of this one-of-a-kind relic is incalculable. This card has been professionally graded Mint 9 by Beckett Grading Service with the following subgrades:

Autograph Grade: 10
Centering: 9.5
Edges: 9
Surface: 9
Corners: 8.5