I recently purchased a bunch of mostly common 1969-70 Topps hockey cards. I say mostly common because there was one Leo Boivin card in there. Leo Boivin, you see, is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. I was a little surprised to discover that because to me that would be the equivalent in baseball terms of Mark Belanger or Vic Power being enshrined in Cooperstown. To more ardent … [Read more...]
Ramblings: The Pure Fun of Packs
If you’re not just emerging from a cave, you probably know the new Star Wars movie is out and maybe you’ve already stood in line to buy a ticket. The whole concept that a movie sequence which actually began back in 1977 is more popular than ever is a truly unique aspect of the whole series. Unlike some entertainment institutions from the past, the whole enterprise wasn’t born … [Read more...]
Ramblings: Hobby Through the Eyes of the 1995 All-Star Game
I recently thought about an event I attended 20 years ago and what the hobby looked like at the time. The 1995 MLB All-Star Game came to Arlington, Texas and as a baseball fan living nearby, I wasn’t going to miss it. Our seats were, to be charitable, kind of high up in the stadium. In fact they were so high up that I swear I could have waved to the pilots on their way to DFW … [Read more...]
Ramblings: O-Pee-Chee and Free Agency in the 70s
It’s the season for mammoth new free agent contracts in baseball. Zack Greinke is a Diamondback and David Price is a member of the Boston Red Sox after signing a contract which might be worth upwards of $215 million. The reason I say “might be” is there is an opt-out clause after the first three seasons. However, if the contract goes the full length he will earn more money … [Read more...]
Ramblings: Design Matters in Marketing or Collecting
One of my standard lines whenever I walk into Nick's Sportscards is "teach me what I need to learn" or words to that effect. What I really mean by that is Debbie and Nick are the ones dealing with collectors every day and they always pay attention to what their clientele asks for. On the latest trip Debbie mentioned these two words: "looks matter". No, she wasn’t talking … [Read more...]
Ramblings: Remembering Mike Berkus
Like most long-time hobbyists, I was taken by absolute shock on a chilly November day with the startling news that Mike Berkus had passed on. Mike was a lot of things in the hobby but most of all he was a lifer. Like many of us, he was addicted to the joy of chasing items he wanted for his collection, thrilled to meet his heroes from his youth and always knew how to say the … [Read more...]
Ramblings: Moon Shots and Nickname Confusion
Last weekend marked the last Plano Card Show at the Southfork Hotel and we were a little part of history, too, as it was the last event ever held at the facility. Frankly, it was kind of bittersweet for me as the catering manager and overnight clerk made a point to come by and give me a big hug. They loved having us and we certainly enjoyed their hospitality. That type of … [Read more...]
Ramblings: Putting the Hobby in the Holidays
What is the most anticipated and most aggravating countdown? To many people, it's these words: Only __ shopping days 'til Christmas. Here in the DFW area where we still have not even come close to a freeze yet and have barely dipped into the high 40s, sometimes the holiday season seems miles away. Other times, such as when I'm doing my usual walk at a local mall and hear … [Read more...]
Ramblings: Recalling the Show Vibe of 25 Years Ago
1990 doesn’t sound like ancient history if you were a working adult back then but I guess it’s time to face facts and admit that it was 25 years ago. I was recently asked to compare what card shows were like in 1990, compared to today. The hobby itself has gone through a huge transformation since then but has continued to move forward. While it’s not likely we'll see sports … [Read more...]
Ramblings: Garfield Show Still a Hobby Favorite
Recently an old North Jersey collecting comrade of mine, Mark Marinello, invited me to join a Facebook page featuring a group of collectors who frequently meet up at the twice monthly Garfield, New Jersey shows run by Gary Sipos at the local Boy’s and Girl's Club. There were several aspects which truly struck me as wonderful even though it has now been a quarter century since … [Read more...]