Greetings Forum
Bull_Bear
Posts: 86 ✭✭
Wanted to say "hello" to the good people in the forum. I have been lurking silently the past few months and enjoying the great topics, conversations, card/collections, friendly joking, and useful information other members provide. I recently got back into collecting sports card this past November after visiting back home for Thanksgiving and discovering all of my old "junk wax" era cards stored away in my old bedroom closet. I'm 43, so my collecting began in '85 and lasted up to around '91. Between entering high school, athletics, girls, and getting my driver license coupled with the God awful mass produced junk being put out by the card companies and little star power, I took a 27 year hiatus as college and adult life soon ensued.
I was amazed at all of the memories that came rushing back at the sight of my cards. Instantly remembered mowing my grand parent's lawn for $20 to go to the hobby shop at the mall and buy a pack of '89 UD a year later for $8. Guy behind the counter asked if I wanted to pick the pack or him, I told him go a head. Hands me the pack and first card off the top was the '89 Griffey Jr. He smiled, handed me a jewel case and said, "here, you'll need this. It's on the house". Also negotiating hour long trades with friends while staying over night at their house, attempting to get every card of your favorite players, etc. I think I was more blown away by the status of cards today. Getting cards certified, inserts, etc. I think it took me several months to fully grasp and get an understanding of today's sports card collecting compared to where it was as a kid when I stepped away.
It's been tricky attempting to determine exactly what I want to collect again. I enjoyed reading and seeing photos of all the great cards from all eras in the forum. I've figured that I'm going to collect my lifetime from '85 to current (along with filling in the gaps from where I left off) while continuing until I kick the bucket. Hopefully I can pass my collection down to my children or grand children, perhaps turn some duplicates for a profit if it tickles my fancy. Baseball will always be my favorite sport and sport to collect and will continue to do so. I have not been interested in the NBA since Jordan, Magic, Bird, etc. retired and no desire to collect modern basketball cards. I've been working on '87-'92 NBA. I've also lost interest in the NFL over the past several years but love college football so maybe I'll eventually get back into football cards but do enjoying working on my '85-'90 football cards.
I do have several questions which may be idiotic and I apologize ahead of time. I have not been able to figure it out on my own. If anyone in the forum can provide answers, it will be greatly appreciated.
- The cost of Bowman compared to Topps is noticeable. Is it more so due to the # of inserts, autographs, and parallels per box?
- Pretty much the same as above but with Donruss. I believe they have copyrights with the player's union but not MLB? Their cards remind of me of the baseball cards in the mid 80's like my '85 Don Mattingly Quaker Oatmeal card. No team name, etc. What makes the price of a Donruss hobby box worth what it is compared to Topps?
- If I were one day to decide to get into modern day football and basketball cards again, which boxes would people recommend in terms of bang for the buck and rookies? For now, I'm extremely pleased and content with modern baseball.
One other thing I noticed, I seem to get more hits off blasters, and individual packs compared to all of the hobby boxes I've purchased so far.
Sorry for rambling, it's nice to find a forum and be around other's who enjoy collecting just as much as I do. Thank you for having me and I look forward to hopefully making some great friendships and connections.
Bull
"I'd walk through Hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball"
Charlie Hustle
Comments
Hiya Bull
First off - welcome!
I remember the early "junk" era well and in some ways miss it.
On the Bowman vs Topps - what years are we talking about? I'm no expert but prices are driven more by demand (rookie content e.g.) IMO.
The amount of Topps products in a year is quite daunting and price? Outrageous!
You can drop as much as 20K on a special case of Topps Transcendent Hall of Fame edition, e.g.
If not familiar? Here's Phil Hughes (retired pitcher) on youtube:
I've lost track but I'm sure Topps puts out about 30+ products a year - from Finests - Stadium Club - Heritage - Turkey Red - Chrome - Allen & Ginter - Archives - Big League - Definitive - Gallery - Fire - Gold Label - Gypsy Queen - Museum Collection - Opening Day - Tier One - Transcendent - Tribute - Triple Threads.... Can't remember any others right now but I'm sure I missed a bunch.
On price of product?
I would hit Blowout e.g. for pricing and release dates of product. LINK
I'm not a fan of cards sans team logos - so I don't buy Donruss or anything baseball from Panini.
In fact, now that the flippers have made it impossible to shop at Target or Walmart near my house? I'm not buying anything.
If you're truly just getting back into the hobby? I've got my best advice and it's simple.
Rule 1. Establish a BUDGET.
Rule 2. Establish a very "narrow" FOCUS.
Rule 3. NEVER ever, never ever break rules 1 or 2!
I have found I can enjoy the hobby way more with a narrow focus and staying on budget keeps ya from waking up screaming in the middle of the night!
Best of luck buddy.
Hey Mike,
Thanks for for the input and kind words. Appreciated!
Sorry, I suppose I meant Bowman in general compared to Topps. No specific year. I preordered a hobby box of Bowman the other day and anxiously awaiting the 4/28 release date. After reading the item description, I was thinking it might be the specific rookies and what you get in a Bowman hobby box vs Topps hobby box for the price differential.
Yes, I was blown away by the amount of Topps products produced now! It's outrageous. I do love the old school baseball card and I plan on collecting Topps Series 1, 2, and Update Series. Also enjoyed a hobby box of the Heritage Series but not very fond of all of the intentional errors, French background, etc. Little bit of overkill I feel like. But do like the look of the Heritage cards. Probably Topps Chrome and contemplating trying Topps Stadium but on the fence with Stadium still.
I'm interested in Bowman, but just don't know enough about it to make a decision collecting wise. Appreciating the advice supplied, thank you! Last time I opened a Bowman pack was 1990.
I agree, not interested in the Panini stuff but to each their own I suppose. It was funny, when I first got back into the swing, I'm like, "where did Upper Deck, Score, Fleer, etc. go?".
I learned immediately about the flippers. Usually they're sporting white sox with slide on Nike sandals. I was actually lucky enough to stop by a Walmart twice and pick up a few Topps Series 1 packs. I couldn't help but think of the idiots who buy every thing then resell it on Ebay while I was standing in front of roughly 16 packs. So I decided I would grab 3 packs and hopefully someone's kids who are getting into collecting come by and get to enjoy the other remaining packs. Plus I'm fortunate enough I don't mind paying a little more online to buy a box, etc. I think the card Gods appreciated me that day. I pulled a Jo Adell cracked green ice, Adell regular, and Bohm, and Maize from the same pack lol. But normally when I run into Walmart or Target, nothing but bare shelves. Probably 90% of my purchases have been online.
I would suggest checking out Kroger online for Topps Series 1 and Heritage 8/9 pack blasters for very fair prices. Always in stock and normally $30ish with free shipping.
I've been back into collecting since last Thanksgiving. I think it's taken this entire time to get up to speed with things.
Appreciate the advice! Had to chuckle, Literally the first thing I did when I decided to get back into collecting. Took some time and thinking but figured out my my niche. Personally, I've always levitated towards collecting the rookies of every year and then collecting all the cards of my favorite players regardless of year. I'm a southpaw, so I pitched and played 1B. Don Mattingly as a child was the obvious for me. Hope me makes the HOF one day. After Mattingly, Jeter was my favorite player and modern would be Mike Trout. Newer player would definitely be Acuna and also enjoying watching Vlad, Soto, Tatis, and Bichette develop. I was bummed Elroy got injured in spring training. There's some great young talent currently in MLB. We're pretty lucky from a fan's standpoint. Thanks again, Mike!
P.S. If anyone is looking to complete sets, trade, etc. feel free to message me, would be glad to help out!
"I'd walk through Hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball"
Charlie Hustle
Are you familiar with the Topps website? LINK
When looking at Bowman - you'll have the base brand (can't think what to call it) which has 100 base cards with Rookies; 150 Bowman Prospects and a parallel of 150 Bowman Prospect Chromes. And then there's Walmart specific "mega boxes" with their own chrome refractors e.g.
I believe the Beckett boards (if still exists?) along with the Blowout board may be a better place to read and learn about these products? Blowout LINK
Then there's also Bowman Chrome, Bowman Platinum, Bowman Draft, Bowman's Best just to name a few.
Topps has made it a complicated world.
edit: are you familiar with the "rip" shows on youtube?
Vintage Breaks is live right now: (*if you want to ask questions or chat when live? You have to login to Youtube)
Jaspy's is live right now and popular:
Phil's Pulls - very popular:
Eric Jabs - also popular:
Hi welcome and welcome back to collecting! Great 1st post!
Sorry, I don't have any input with your questions.
1.) Set a budget
2.) Stick with a genre or two. It can be tempting to chase the flavor of the day
3.) Be patient; try to stick with your price targets on eBay
4.) Enjoy your hobby
5.) Highly addictive; You've been warned 😎
Mike,
Thank you very much for the useful information and the wonderful links!
I am somewhat familiar with the Topps site. I might be one of the few people who redeemed some of their Home Run Challenge Cards for fun lol. Plus I quickly realized good luck buying any boxes of cards off of the Topps site.
Thanks also in regards to the Bowman information getting up to speed. Decided I will be focusing on Topps and Bowman Baseball when it comes to modern day baseball cards.
I have watched a few “rip” shows but wasn’t privy to whom the better ones are to watch, thanks again 👍🏻 Especially like the vintage rips. I know the junk wax era gets kicked around and rightfully so, but I’m a product of the 80’s and started collecting in ‘85. So I’ll always collect ‘85-‘91 baseball, football, and basketball. Memories alone.
If you’re ever in Western PA/Ohio Valley, I owe you a few beers 🍻
Bull
"I'd walk through Hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball"
Charlie Hustle
Hi Emar,
Thank you as well for the kind words and compliment. Love the Mike Schmidt photo! Excellent 5 pieces of advice. I’m attempting to follow all 5 as closely as possible. Key word “attempting”. 😂 I admit I’ve gone through rip withdrawals awaiting new stuff to arrive.
Im sticking with 2. Childhood ‘85-‘91 baseball, basketball, and football along with present day baseball in Topps and Bowman yearly. Also filling in some key years where I have gaps of certain players. Not certain that qualifies as a 3rd? Per example, I have ‘17 through ‘20 caught up and I feel ‘13 is a good year to focus on next for rookies. I considered much older cards but part me just doesn’t have the memories since I wasn’t born yet and never got to see those players play in their prime. If that makes sense? I’m a die hard baseball fan and have a smidge of playing history into my 20’s. One thing I quickly realized is that fantasy baseball is a terrific way to follow rookies, etc. daily. Being in the financial sector with a background in international economics, I truly enjoy putting data together, predicting outcomes, etc. One more of a million reasons I love collecting.
One thing I learned immediately on the forum is it’s also very fun to hear about other’s preferences and memories,etc. The photos of some awesome cards and collections too!
If you don’t mind my asking, which sport(s)/genre do you and Mike enjoy collecting?
Bull
"I'd walk through Hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball"
Charlie Hustle
Bull, I'm a baseball HOF rookie collector. My collection starts in T206 and ends with a 2010 Trout.
Vintage era is my passion. I've never seen Mantle, Mays, & Koufax play. I enjoy analyzing the old-timers' career stats & catching a clip on youtube and trying to understand the differences to the all-time greats with today's players. Baseball is Americana at it's best. FYI and my HUMBLE opinion, fellas....Mike Trout = today's Mickey Mantle!!
My childhood collecting years began in 1983.
In 2009 I returned to card collecting after a 15 year hiatus with a desire to fill HOF rookies that I salivated over in the Beckett monthly price guide. Today I'm thankful I began my chase in '09 as prices were much, much, VERY much lower than today.
Slow and steady wins the race. Yes, I've filled many of the HOFers. Throw out a name and I've probably got him. 95% PSA, several in SGC & BVG.
My 2nd genre is rookies of the not-quite the Hall, hall-of-the-very-good, maybe-hall-someday...
Gil Hodges, Dale Murphy, Dick Allen, Lou Whitaker, etc. I often add players to this list.
My 3rd genre is modern players that will more than likely be inducted to the Hall...
Beltre, Pujols, Cabrera. I expand this list as well.
Enjoy the hobby, be cautious of the addiction (it's easy to over-spend), share your cards on the monthly pickup thread, and good luck!
Thanx for asking Bull - everyone likes to show what they're doing.
The advice I gave you? I didn't take while collecting - so - tho I have a main focus? The "extra" stuff is all over the map.
Main focus: baseball board games - flagship of the fleet? ML "indoor" BB game - has of the 16 players displayed? 11 HOF'ers to include Honus Wagner (photo is the same used in his iconic T206)
Oddball side? According to Tim Wiles (former Dir. of Research at the HOF), I may have the most comprehensive collection of variations of the original sheet music for Take Me Out to the Ball Game - 1908 @ 29 total. The "photo inset" is what makes it different.
I'm a big fan of "coin op" machines - gum ball, skill games, exhibit card etc.
Another long wanted item? An official "player" copy of a WS trophy - not of a player but a front office person - so way more affordable.
Yes, I do collect cards but never was a true focus - do have some unopened going back as far as 1976.
I do have a mess of auto figurines: Salvino being one of the more popular brands....
That's enough - there's some here who can post on their cards - some the envy of anyone who collects...
Again, best of luck in hunt.
Welcome @Bull_Bear
Cards are fun and make sure you enjoy them. Whether you go after non sport, sport, memorabilia or anywhere in between, collect what you like at prices you can afford and remember to enjoy what you have.
Curious about the rare, mysterious and beautiful 1951 Wheaties Premium Photos?
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/987963/1951-wheaties-premium-photos-set-registry#latest
Nice niche! I agree 100%. Ken Burn's "Baseball" says it all. If that documentary doesn't send chills up your spine and make you realize that baseball IS America, then you'll never get it. Ironically, Mike Trout is my absolute favorite player. Never hot dogs, dances, flips his bat (which if I was still pitching, would be a fastball in the back next at bat) and runs full speed for balls. I have some terrific Mike Trout stories from when I lived in Newport. He's a Hell of a person. Complete opposite of Bonds (have a Bonds store I can share on how big of jerk he is if anyone's interested) or Harper. Crazy that most people don't even realize Mantle played the majority of his games injured or in pain. Just think what he may have accomplished healthy. Crazy to think he called his father in Oklahoma to pick him up because he wanted to quit.
1983 was a great year to start collecting. Sounds like you are just a few years older than I am. You mentioned Beckett Monthly and I had to crack a smile and think of childhood memories asking my mom or father to drive me to the card shop to pick up the new issues (excuse to buy a few packs too). I like your genre and way of going after it. That's pretty much my game plan as well. Rookie HOF/possible HOF rookies, favorite players, I remember watching Dale Murphy on TBS when the Braves were terrible lol.
Speaking of HOF, do you think Pete Rose will ever get inducted?
Bull
"I'd walk through Hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball"
Charlie Hustle
Terrific advice and thank you, Wheaties.
Bull
"I'd walk through Hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball"
Charlie Hustle
>
Mike,
I'm very glad I asked. I'm tipping my cap to you and your collection. The photos alone are incredible! Wow! You should be very proud, that's one Hell of a collection and you only shared a few tidbits from it.
I bet you have some wonderful stories about how you came upon some of those collection pieces and the pain and heart ache I'm sure you endured to find/get them. Would love to hear some stories if you ever feel like sharing and have a minute. Not sure if the Honus Wagner or Take Me Out To The Ball Game was my favorite one. I'm a huge history nerd so I really appreciate those types of things. They all were great! Took me several minutes to go back and forth and admire just the photos alone. Well done Sir. Well done.
Bull
"I'd walk through Hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball"
Charlie Hustle
We are around the same age, I’d guess. These look familiar?
Curious about the rare, mysterious and beautiful 1951 Wheaties Premium Photos?
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/987963/1951-wheaties-premium-photos-set-registry#latest
Yes! Right in the wheel house! Mattingly was my favorite players as a kid growing up. Being a south paw, I didn't have many options to go with lol. Beautiful cards. I literally have an individual binder full of Mattingly cards that I was hoping to send some in to get graded but won't be able to for a while given PSA's current situation. From '84 Donruss, '85 Quaker Oats, '86 Long John Silvers, to even the "Hills Hitmen Series". I don't believe I have all the Mattingly's from his era but I'm willing to wager I have a good majority of them.
85' and '86 is when I discovered collecting cards.
"I'd walk through Hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball"
Charlie Hustle
Still remember the trade I made to get the '84 Mattingly. Took an entire night of staying over at a friend's house and an Emmit Smith Stadium Club. 1990 I believe. I want to say at the time when that card came out is was worth $20-25. We spent the entire day shoveling driveways to get money to buy some boxes. Bought a box of Stadium Club Football and had Emmit duplicates. My friend was a die hard Cowboys fan and Emmit was his favorite player. So hours later of negotiating, I was able to trade one of my Smith duplicates for the '84 Donruss Mattingly.
"I'd walk through Hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball"
Charlie Hustle
.
Thanks bull!
I'm absolutely a Phillies fan, however I'd love to see trout with a couple w.s. rings. He is amazing and a down to earth guy.
I'm approaching 50 and part of the generation that collected and rediscovered collecting after the junk era, the strike, and roid era.
Pete rose and others have been hotly debated here.
Even tho I'd love to see him in the Hall, he will probably remain in the Joe Jackson category. Banned forever, unless a commish in the future has the cahonas to issue "pardons". Shoeless should be in there as well. People don't want the hall tainted and I respect that.
Great stories in your thread so far bull!
I love reading about other collectors passions
Welcome! I'm 44. We're not far apart. Sounds like we have similar experiences with collecting. I can support the Phillies. Only issues is I can not stand Harper. Over rated and a major hot dog. But, he did marry an OSU girl from our soccer team. Being a Buckeye alumnus, this makes me like him a little since he's a huge OSU fan now and attends games. IMO. To think people actually compared him to Trout is mind blowing. Don't laugh but I think Kruk was my favorite Philly. He told a story about an at bat once, umpired called a strike on an obvious ball. Ump goes to Kruk, "sh!t, sorry Johnny that was a ball. I'll get you back on the next one". Kruk said he wanted to see if the ump would keep his word. Next pitch fastball right down the middle. Sure enough, the umpire called it ball.😂 Kruk is one hilarious guy with no filter.
As far as Rose goes, I loved Charlie Hustle as a baseball player. As a person and everything else, absolute POS. I agree, the HOF can be tricky.
Bonds story for you- The All Star game back in '94 was at old 3 Rivers Stadium. We went to the game (grew up in Western PA) prior to the game myself and all the other kids were going after autographs outside of the player's gate. They had barricades everywhere. Couldn't get near the gate. All of the players were coming up to the barricades to sign autographs for the fans except who else, Barry Bonds. Frank Thomas was probably the most friendly, he actually went around the barricades and out into the fans. Well, a new crew from San Fran was getting ready to interview Bonds, as soon as the camera light comes on, he starts signing autographs and speaking to fans. Once the interview ended and camera turned off, he literally stopped in the middle of signing an autograph for a kid, drops the program, and walks away. What a jerk.
P.S. I hope Bohm has a good season for your Phillies! I took him as a late draft pick for my fantasy league this year. Not to mention a stock pile of various Bohm rookies 😎
Bull
"I'd walk through Hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball"
Charlie Hustle
I actually have a PSA/DNA Bonds autographed ball from that exact all star game...
Nice, you weren't one of like the 4 kids who got his autograph during the interview!?
"I'd walk through Hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball"
Charlie Hustle
LOL...no...not sure where/when I got it actually...I think an ebay purchase 15-20 years ago. Also, I used to live in Scottsdale and back in 1996 or 1997, I took my then 5 year old son to the Giants spring training fields on Hayden Ave and put him on my shoulders to watch the players file out after practice. Some unknown (to me) player handed my son a cracked bat...we held onto it and when Bonds came out, he signed for a bunch of people and signed the bat the other player had given us. He was surly the whole time though...One guy got something signed and then went to the back of the line to try again and Bonds berated him!...LOL
Great story, Azvike! Between golf and spring training, that must have been like Heaven. Probably the best 2 autograph stories that I have would be Jerry Tarkanian the former coach of UNLV when they were the real Runnin' Rebels. I was at the Dapper Dan High School Classic in Pittsburgh, I ask The Shark for his autograph (I was 10 years old), he asks my name. I reply Michael. He goes, Mike, do you have a girlfriend yet? I tell him no. He goes, you always need 3-4 girlfriends at a time" and proceeds to personalize my autograph.
Then in '88 Tim Brown was the Heisman WR favorite out of ND. They were playing at Pittsburgh that year, 40 degrees, cold rain and ND gets smoked. Maybe 5 K stayed for the entire game. Afterwards, my father and I are at Gate A and I manage to get Tim Brown's autograph along with Tony Rice their quarter back. Fast forward to the following season when ND was #1 and went on to win the championship. They're back at Pitt and fans everywhere asking for autographs. Tony Rice comes walking out and I ask him for his autograph. He looks at me and goes, hey! weren't you the only kid out here in the poring down rain last year after we lost? I go, yeah that was me. He goes, come with me! grabs my hand and takes me into the locker room and makes everyone on the team from Lou Holtz to Barry Alvarez to Ricky Watters, etc. sign my program.
Bull
"I'd walk through Hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball"
Charlie Hustle
cant beat that story...awesome!
@Bull_Bear
Saw a Mantle reference above.
You collect him at all?
Curious about the rare, mysterious and beautiful 1951 Wheaties Premium Photos?
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/987963/1951-wheaties-premium-photos-set-registry#latest
Fun story!
Thanx Mike.
One thing that I do - as others - is complement a card with "other than card" things.
So, "companion piecing" is popular with some.
E.g. back in 1993, I pickup up this Brett RC.
Years later I picked up a game prepared ball (PSA/DNA auto/origin with letter from ump) from Brett's 3000th hit game and later picked up the ticket.
The photo's lousy - couldn't find one better.
Welcome, Mike.
Here’s my one for you- my mother helped deliver George Brett when we had born. Back then it was Reynolds Memorial Hospital in tiny Glen Dale WV. Just south of Wheeling in the northern panhandle of WV.
Loved George Brett. The pine tar incident alone is an all time great! That’s very impressive in regard to the ball and ticket. Assuming that was extremely difficult to hunt down?
Michael
"I'd walk through Hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball"
Charlie Hustle
Wheaties,
I love the Mick but I’m 43 and never got to see him play. Just the stories from my father and uncle. Lately I’ve been strongly considering collecting older cards ( ‘85 to present is my “time”) and my focus. Diversify the old portfolio some. I’ve looked at a few Mantles for sale online, I’ll prob pull the trigger in the near future. Just doing research and making observations for now. Any input or just your opinion would be appreciated.
Are you a Mantle collector? Fan?
Bull
"I'd walk through Hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball"
Charlie Hustle
Does a bear defecate in the woods?
@1951WheatiesPremium thats your cue to bring out the museum
No problem. Always happy to share...
The inside of the Coke cap is far away from the back of the Coke cap, the others are correct in sequence.
@Bull_Bear - Yes, The Commerce Comet is sorta my jam...
Curious about the rare, mysterious and beautiful 1951 Wheaties Premium Photos?
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/987963/1951-wheaties-premium-photos-set-registry#latest
One Hell of a collection! Very nice. I’m assuming that’s a lifetime of hard work to put that collection together? I took the liberty to scroll through several times and admire everything 🤓
Bull
"I'd walk through Hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball"
Charlie Hustle
Thank you. Been at it a long time, yes. I always buy on budget and most often raw. Some things I slab, others not and there’s not always a rhyme or reason to it. Hobbyist. Current prices add guilt, mostly. And make it tougher to find bargains. But they can be found.
Spend wisely.
Curious about the rare, mysterious and beautiful 1951 Wheaties Premium Photos?
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/987963/1951-wheaties-premium-photos-set-registry#latest