3 Years a Redemption.

A slew of Matt Kemp redemptions have hit eBay and collectors' mailboxes over the last couple of months, with many dating all the way back to 2011. Dutch recently found one waiting for him, and from the same 2011 Panini Playoff Contenders release comes the below beaut which showed up on my doorstep not too long ago. Numbered 22/99 -- hey, it's a Clayton Kershaw variation 1/1!!!! -- this Bison Season Ticket John Hancock is one I never thought I'd actually see or hold.

I picked up the redemption via eBay and redeemed it in April of 2012. I waited, and waited, and waited, checking in with Panini multiple times. Then, something funny happened around late 2013 or so as some Kemp autos were returned to Panini, including some which hailed from other '11 Contenders' subsets. This one was noticeably absent, but Mattycakes eventually came through. Based on what they're going for now, I overpaid, but it was so long ago that I'm simply thrilled to add another Kemp signature to my PC of the (now) left fielder.