sports collector
07-16-2009, 11:55 PM
How I got into collecting
I guess the thing that really got me started was following baseball in the first place. I remember watching McGwire with the Cardinals and thinking he was the best thing since sliced bread.
Those thoughts quickly faded as reality set in about steroids. Though he has never failed a test, he is guilty in the public eye just by not claiming innocence. I then went on to watching Albert Pujols. I then started picking up packs for $3 at quick trip. After I had gotten a lot I had 2 binders full of them. I had them organized by team and I thought they were the most valuable thing in the world.
I then moved away from the hobby for a while and focused strictly on autographs. I loved taking the six hour drive up to St. Louis to games. I loved the shot at Albert Pujols signing just one baseball, my baseball to be specific. I would later compare this to the chance at pulling that great auto from a pack of cards.
A friend introduced me to a site called fanmail.biz. I was skeptical about fan mail at first but after seeing the results he got, I had to try it. I sent out about 60 letters to athletes and a few select entertainment stars. Anyway after a while, fan mail was not satisfying me because very little of it had to do with sports. I lobbied for more sports related forums but it was no use.
I forgot who first referred me to this site but after about an hour, I was hooked! I then got into collecting cards and I learned many things.
All of these things got me into collecting but what made me stay along for the ride is what truly matters to me.
People talk about pulling a “White Whale” or getting a cut auto of players like Babe Ruth or Honus Wagoner. My expectations are much less. I have never busted a box of anything although I plan on busting a box or two around the first of August. I do regularly bust packs and I’m happy if I get any base cards that someone might need to build sets. If I do bust a box, I know that the feeling of anticipation will be better than ever.
It’s that possibility of getting that once-in-a-lifetime-pull that is amazing. Walking up to your mailbox hoping there are goodies inside is probably one of the best feelings I have ever had. Negotiating a trade that will get you that “must have” card for just a piece of cardboard. Searching around on sites like eBay for that card that you need that would bring your personal collection to the next level.
All of these things keep me in the hobby. I love these feelings and I can’t get enough of them. I don’t know what could ever beat it. I love the feeling and I don’t anticipate ever completely giving up collecting in the hobby.
Here is the "piece of cardboard" that takes my PC to the next level.
http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae223/Colbyrasmuspc/img125.jpg
Here is that must have card that I got on eBay
http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae223/Colbyrasmuspc/img100.jpg
And this is that improbable pull
http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv324/autographbucket/img110.jpg
I guess the thing that really got me started was following baseball in the first place. I remember watching McGwire with the Cardinals and thinking he was the best thing since sliced bread.
Those thoughts quickly faded as reality set in about steroids. Though he has never failed a test, he is guilty in the public eye just by not claiming innocence. I then went on to watching Albert Pujols. I then started picking up packs for $3 at quick trip. After I had gotten a lot I had 2 binders full of them. I had them organized by team and I thought they were the most valuable thing in the world.
I then moved away from the hobby for a while and focused strictly on autographs. I loved taking the six hour drive up to St. Louis to games. I loved the shot at Albert Pujols signing just one baseball, my baseball to be specific. I would later compare this to the chance at pulling that great auto from a pack of cards.
A friend introduced me to a site called fanmail.biz. I was skeptical about fan mail at first but after seeing the results he got, I had to try it. I sent out about 60 letters to athletes and a few select entertainment stars. Anyway after a while, fan mail was not satisfying me because very little of it had to do with sports. I lobbied for more sports related forums but it was no use.
I forgot who first referred me to this site but after about an hour, I was hooked! I then got into collecting cards and I learned many things.
All of these things got me into collecting but what made me stay along for the ride is what truly matters to me.
People talk about pulling a “White Whale” or getting a cut auto of players like Babe Ruth or Honus Wagoner. My expectations are much less. I have never busted a box of anything although I plan on busting a box or two around the first of August. I do regularly bust packs and I’m happy if I get any base cards that someone might need to build sets. If I do bust a box, I know that the feeling of anticipation will be better than ever.
It’s that possibility of getting that once-in-a-lifetime-pull that is amazing. Walking up to your mailbox hoping there are goodies inside is probably one of the best feelings I have ever had. Negotiating a trade that will get you that “must have” card for just a piece of cardboard. Searching around on sites like eBay for that card that you need that would bring your personal collection to the next level.
All of these things keep me in the hobby. I love these feelings and I can’t get enough of them. I don’t know what could ever beat it. I love the feeling and I don’t anticipate ever completely giving up collecting in the hobby.
Here is the "piece of cardboard" that takes my PC to the next level.
http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae223/Colbyrasmuspc/img125.jpg
Here is that must have card that I got on eBay
http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae223/Colbyrasmuspc/img100.jpg
And this is that improbable pull
http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv324/autographbucket/img110.jpg