Enjoying Your Sports Card Collection
I could have been a professional athlete, in any sport. As a kid, I would visualize myself crushing a game-winning home run, catching a touchdown in overtime or hitting a buzzer-beating three. That being said, I realized very quickly that I was missing a few essentials: size, speed, strength and athletic ability, just to name a few.
The greatest athletes in the world all have something else in common. Jordan had it, Gretzky had it and you can have it too. Focus. Focus is what sets you apart on the biggest of stages. Just think the opposite of LeBron in a fourth quarter (sorry, I couldn't help myself). As collectors we need focus too. Let me explain.
I walked into my local hobby shop last week and saw quite a sight. A man was hunched over a whole jumbo case of a 2010 Bowman Chrome Baseball, tearing at it like a monkey on meth. Box after box, he snatched packs up, ripped and rifled through the cards with reckless abandon. I just stared. I soon realized he bought a case and was looking for one thing: Bryce Harper autographs. He became sweaty and started to look somewhat desperate.
Ripping as fast as he could, he never noticed the quiet gentleman that walked in beside him and purchased a Bowman Chrome hobby box of his own. The gentleman opened his box and slowly started to go through every single card methodically. Half way into the box, he stopped, looked up and said, "Cool". The owner of the shop ask what he had pulled.
The gentleman said, "Bryce Harper auto!" This got the other man's attention quick.
He gave a halfhearted, "Congrats," and continued to tear. I stayed there until the guy was done ripping the case. No Harper. I watched him try to pack up everything and in his haste he left several stacks of cards on a side table. I grabbed them and handed them to the owner, paid for my packs and left.
Blinded by the light of hype, it happens to all of us from time to time. I don't fault the man with his case or the man who bought one box and got the hit. It is great for our hobby when great athletes are highlighted. It is yet another driving force, but stay focused. Check out the other rookies and hits you pull. Do research and take the time to find out where they are at in there careers and what their future may hold. Don't be that collector that thinks that just because you didn't pull the hyped rookie or prospect that all is lost. You could have in your hand the next Albert Pujols (13th round) or Tom Brady (sixth round) and just not know it, yet.
If after you read this and for some reason you disagree, I have three words for you: Todd Van Poppel.
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Brian | Jun 15, 2011 | Reply
Monkey on meth…seen ‘em, not fun. Very insightful article! About 15 years ago I made it a goal to own every Frank Thomas card made. I paid a premium for about 300 cards total over those years in the mid 90′s. They’re practically worthless now. Talk about a “Big Hurt”! …pun intended
Jeff | Jun 15, 2011 | Reply
In my case it’s the Detroit Tigers…big hits are cool to put on ebay though and then shopping for vintage Tigers is cool even more cool! But Amen brother…if that dude just wanted a Harper auto…then go buy a Harper auto. “Collectors” that are only in it only to make money…drive me crazy.
Jeremy | Jun 15, 2011 | Reply
Nice one Brad! I’ve seen this many times at my local hobby shop. It got so bad with the “meth monkeys” that the shop finally had to ‘hide’ some boxes for the collectors who can actually appreciate all the cards.
Kenny | Jun 16, 2011 | Reply
Great article, Brad! Be a collector and grab 1 or 2 better cards every now and then but still have fun to bust packs. After all, it is about having fun while collecting. Keep up the good work……..
Randy Gaa | Jun 18, 2011 | Reply
What a great read! While I can’t see dropping the cash for a case of anything, I think it takes all types to keep our hobby afloat. I’m sure the LCS owner was happy to be selling a case, even if the customer was looking for one card. Keep up the great work.