My Big Thank you List
mikeschmidt
Posts: 5,756 ✭✭✭
First off, I want to apologize to any and all that I have excluded. I have met, communicated with and been helped by so many collectors over the years, that I am greatly indebted to so many that I cannot reasonably try to name them all here. Nonetheless, I shall try.
I first of all thank Marshall Fogel. A talented attorney, Marshall has a love for the hobby that seems unparalleled. I was inspired by him over five years ago when I wrote him a letter (speaking of the 1952 Topps Smoky Burgess card nonetheless) and received a handwritten reply in addition to substantial reading material and research he had done about the hobby. One who focuses more than on simply cards, Marshall is an inspiration if for nothing else than his love for the hobby. His constant research and probing mind into the hobby has provided many of us with valuable insights that had previously not been considered. That he was so kind to me so many years ago as a 22-year old collector returning to the hobby stays in my mind to this day.
To Barry Halper – I thank you for allowing me (through Score) to see your amazing collection back in 1993. I so fondly cherish those memories, and was so glad to have personally met Joe DiMaggio, even if he was a bit timid at first given the crowd size. Your collection was truly astonishing – and I thank you for allowing your collection to be so user-friendly. Allowing a 17-year old boy to swing Black Betsy was a dream come true. All that you had and contributed to the hobby – thank you.
To Dan Markel: You are one of the true gentleman of the hobby, with a desire to talk baseball, an ability to build high-grade vintage sets, and to be able to build a nice run of sets sensibly and keep your eyes and ears open throughout the hobby. I appreciate all that you have done for me, and I hope to keep in close touch with you over the next few years.
I thank Charlie Merkel. Though our conversations have been few and far between, it is absolutely amazing for me to speak with a Southern gentleman who clearly has been involved in this hobby for more than twice the number of years I have been alive. I so enjoy hearing your stories about collecting Bowman cards as a kid – what better hobby leader is there than one who can relate first-hand knowledge of the Topps and Bowman rivalry of the early 1950s and who can talk of collecting the cards back then. That your love of the hobby has persisted for so long, and that you have put together such a strong collection of cards from many eras is truly inspiring.
I thank King Kellogg. A man with a plan – you have amassed a great collection of one of the greatest times in baseball card collecting history. Today cards seem to be only about refracting, game-used, serially-numbered inserts. You have built a collection on cards honoring a breakfast cereal where the size of your collection probably had a strong positive relationship to the size of your belly. Kelloggs cards were an important part of childhood. For me, it was more the Drakes cards – but I liked Kelloggs every summer, too. I also thank you for your love of the hobby and collecting in general – not simply for money or any sort of material gain.
I thank Davalillo. A true contributor to the hobby, he is greatly missed on these boards. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting him – and I greatly thank him for (indirectly) allowing me to purchase out a fellow 1955 Bowman collector in order to upgrade my collection and, in turn, significantly help out Jim’s. (I believe we ultimately did a deal for approximately 49% of the set in PSA 8 condition.) I cannot wait for the opportunity to take you up on the offer to see your amazing collection. It is truly inspiring to see someone (anyone) try and put together such a large and comprehensive run of baseball and football sets in PSA 8 NM/MT condition. I hope that you are able to resolve your issues with PSA – and I furthermore will anxiously look through the Set Registry Updates watching you complete more and more of your sets.
I particularly thank Bob Earhart. A true collecting friend, Bob clearly has always had a passion for pristine and gem examples of cards. Though it seems like his collecting emphasis has changed somewhat over time – I am very happy that I was able to be along for the ride in watching him build an incredible run of Hall of Fame cards in GEM MINT condition. I also fondly recall a time nearly five years ago when I sold Bob the bulk of my 1969 Topps Super set – mostly GEM MINT. I applaud Bob for being at the forefront and being a hobby expert on Topps’ intriguing Supers set from 1969 through 1971. I appreciate all the camaraderie and e-mails over the past five years.
For my 1955 Bowman set – I thank the following contributors to what has been a fantastic struggle over the past few years. Though there are many more, these individuals stand out most: Mastro Fine Sports, Chris Porter and Superior Sports, J.P. Cohen formerly of Memory Lane, Kris Keppler, Peter Lalos, Mark (can’t spell his last name) from Rusty Willy, Alan C. Munson, Barry Crowder, Robert Wetzel, a huge call-out to Craig Froehlich, Patrick Longley, Teletrade, Jim Crandell, Ron Hobbs, Mark Skerbe, B. Bilder, Lawrence Block, SportsCards Plus, bccards, Ira Hirshorn, Mike Wheat, Pete Iskowitz, Quality Cards (Wisconsin), Bob Krawetz, When it Was a Game (before their problems), surprisingly Mr. Mint, Andy Madec, Dom Terranova, John Blatner, Keith Conforti, Bruce Moreland, Jerry Cyncynatus, Kit Young, Joe Tauriello of Setbuilders, Martin Cohen and Deborah Kim
For my Mike Schmidt set – I thank the following contributors to my set, as well as those who have helped serve as an outlet for information and for trading and purchasing extra Schmidt cards (thus allowing me to submit more for all to have…): Scott Wetzel, Dave Lemon, Lew Berish, Mark Grunza, Neal Kane, Mike Ferriola (thanks for the 1972 PSA 9!!), Chris Porter of Superior Sports, David Santoni, James Kendall, Larry Bucheim, Jeb, Dartonxx75, bccards, John Rinck, Onlyme, Trademark Sportscards, Bob Earhart, DSLSports, Crazy Solomon Cramer, Dennis Pirog, Lee Iskowitz, King Kellogg, Dave Jacobs, Sean Fox, Gaspipe, Kruk Cards, Stephen Hart of BBCExchange, Rick Morse, Shoeless Joe’s, Jeanco, MintXpress, and many others
A special call out to BJ Searls and Gayle Kean of PSA. They have been extremely helpful and instrumental in bringing PSA’s Set Registry to what it is. I thank Joe Orlando for sometimes listening to the SMR advice I send him. I also thank Charlie for all of his help – he will be sorely missed by PSA.
I thank Paul Moss. A true gentleman, and someone who is willing to share information and advice with many in the hobby. He continues to be one of the greatest assets on these boards – and I think many do not realize what a resource he can be.
I thank Leon Luckey, Peter Garcia, Vorthian and others for bringing a “youth” movement of under 30-year olds interested in vintage baseball cards. Your efforts help ensure the next generation of collectors – and I thank you all for your diverse interests and involvement in the hobby.
I thank Ron Hobbs. A true hobby gentleman – it has been a pleasure speaking on the phone with you on multiple occasions. I was very happy to have finally met you at the National – and I look forward to dealing with you again in the future.
I thank Brian Seigel. You are another gentleman of the hobby. I cannot thank you enough for exhibiting your collection and Wagner card to help bring the hobby the next generation of collectors. It is a great service to the hobby. I was very happy to have met you at the National – and I want to hear more about your Philadelphia Athletics collection some day.
I thank Dave Lemon. A true Schmidt fan – you have an excellent pulse of the hobby, and I truly enjoy speaking with you. Thank you for all of your help.
And to certain other dealers, whose names I will not mention here: I thank you for allowing me to learn from your mistakes, for showing me how not to deal with customers, and how not to price inventory and maintain good client service. In my years in the hobby, I think I often learn as much about what not to do – as I do from the good examples and people that I have mentioned above.
Finally – to everyone else that I have met, transacted with, or talked to over the years, I thank you all, too. This hobby has been great to me – and I appreciate all of the relationships I have built and hope to maintain until I return to the hobby in two years.
Marc
I first of all thank Marshall Fogel. A talented attorney, Marshall has a love for the hobby that seems unparalleled. I was inspired by him over five years ago when I wrote him a letter (speaking of the 1952 Topps Smoky Burgess card nonetheless) and received a handwritten reply in addition to substantial reading material and research he had done about the hobby. One who focuses more than on simply cards, Marshall is an inspiration if for nothing else than his love for the hobby. His constant research and probing mind into the hobby has provided many of us with valuable insights that had previously not been considered. That he was so kind to me so many years ago as a 22-year old collector returning to the hobby stays in my mind to this day.
To Barry Halper – I thank you for allowing me (through Score) to see your amazing collection back in 1993. I so fondly cherish those memories, and was so glad to have personally met Joe DiMaggio, even if he was a bit timid at first given the crowd size. Your collection was truly astonishing – and I thank you for allowing your collection to be so user-friendly. Allowing a 17-year old boy to swing Black Betsy was a dream come true. All that you had and contributed to the hobby – thank you.
To Dan Markel: You are one of the true gentleman of the hobby, with a desire to talk baseball, an ability to build high-grade vintage sets, and to be able to build a nice run of sets sensibly and keep your eyes and ears open throughout the hobby. I appreciate all that you have done for me, and I hope to keep in close touch with you over the next few years.
I thank Charlie Merkel. Though our conversations have been few and far between, it is absolutely amazing for me to speak with a Southern gentleman who clearly has been involved in this hobby for more than twice the number of years I have been alive. I so enjoy hearing your stories about collecting Bowman cards as a kid – what better hobby leader is there than one who can relate first-hand knowledge of the Topps and Bowman rivalry of the early 1950s and who can talk of collecting the cards back then. That your love of the hobby has persisted for so long, and that you have put together such a strong collection of cards from many eras is truly inspiring.
I thank King Kellogg. A man with a plan – you have amassed a great collection of one of the greatest times in baseball card collecting history. Today cards seem to be only about refracting, game-used, serially-numbered inserts. You have built a collection on cards honoring a breakfast cereal where the size of your collection probably had a strong positive relationship to the size of your belly. Kelloggs cards were an important part of childhood. For me, it was more the Drakes cards – but I liked Kelloggs every summer, too. I also thank you for your love of the hobby and collecting in general – not simply for money or any sort of material gain.
I thank Davalillo. A true contributor to the hobby, he is greatly missed on these boards. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting him – and I greatly thank him for (indirectly) allowing me to purchase out a fellow 1955 Bowman collector in order to upgrade my collection and, in turn, significantly help out Jim’s. (I believe we ultimately did a deal for approximately 49% of the set in PSA 8 condition.) I cannot wait for the opportunity to take you up on the offer to see your amazing collection. It is truly inspiring to see someone (anyone) try and put together such a large and comprehensive run of baseball and football sets in PSA 8 NM/MT condition. I hope that you are able to resolve your issues with PSA – and I furthermore will anxiously look through the Set Registry Updates watching you complete more and more of your sets.
I particularly thank Bob Earhart. A true collecting friend, Bob clearly has always had a passion for pristine and gem examples of cards. Though it seems like his collecting emphasis has changed somewhat over time – I am very happy that I was able to be along for the ride in watching him build an incredible run of Hall of Fame cards in GEM MINT condition. I also fondly recall a time nearly five years ago when I sold Bob the bulk of my 1969 Topps Super set – mostly GEM MINT. I applaud Bob for being at the forefront and being a hobby expert on Topps’ intriguing Supers set from 1969 through 1971. I appreciate all the camaraderie and e-mails over the past five years.
For my 1955 Bowman set – I thank the following contributors to what has been a fantastic struggle over the past few years. Though there are many more, these individuals stand out most: Mastro Fine Sports, Chris Porter and Superior Sports, J.P. Cohen formerly of Memory Lane, Kris Keppler, Peter Lalos, Mark (can’t spell his last name) from Rusty Willy, Alan C. Munson, Barry Crowder, Robert Wetzel, a huge call-out to Craig Froehlich, Patrick Longley, Teletrade, Jim Crandell, Ron Hobbs, Mark Skerbe, B. Bilder, Lawrence Block, SportsCards Plus, bccards, Ira Hirshorn, Mike Wheat, Pete Iskowitz, Quality Cards (Wisconsin), Bob Krawetz, When it Was a Game (before their problems), surprisingly Mr. Mint, Andy Madec, Dom Terranova, John Blatner, Keith Conforti, Bruce Moreland, Jerry Cyncynatus, Kit Young, Joe Tauriello of Setbuilders, Martin Cohen and Deborah Kim
For my Mike Schmidt set – I thank the following contributors to my set, as well as those who have helped serve as an outlet for information and for trading and purchasing extra Schmidt cards (thus allowing me to submit more for all to have…): Scott Wetzel, Dave Lemon, Lew Berish, Mark Grunza, Neal Kane, Mike Ferriola (thanks for the 1972 PSA 9!!), Chris Porter of Superior Sports, David Santoni, James Kendall, Larry Bucheim, Jeb, Dartonxx75, bccards, John Rinck, Onlyme, Trademark Sportscards, Bob Earhart, DSLSports, Crazy Solomon Cramer, Dennis Pirog, Lee Iskowitz, King Kellogg, Dave Jacobs, Sean Fox, Gaspipe, Kruk Cards, Stephen Hart of BBCExchange, Rick Morse, Shoeless Joe’s, Jeanco, MintXpress, and many others
A special call out to BJ Searls and Gayle Kean of PSA. They have been extremely helpful and instrumental in bringing PSA’s Set Registry to what it is. I thank Joe Orlando for sometimes listening to the SMR advice I send him. I also thank Charlie for all of his help – he will be sorely missed by PSA.
I thank Paul Moss. A true gentleman, and someone who is willing to share information and advice with many in the hobby. He continues to be one of the greatest assets on these boards – and I think many do not realize what a resource he can be.
I thank Leon Luckey, Peter Garcia, Vorthian and others for bringing a “youth” movement of under 30-year olds interested in vintage baseball cards. Your efforts help ensure the next generation of collectors – and I thank you all for your diverse interests and involvement in the hobby.
I thank Ron Hobbs. A true hobby gentleman – it has been a pleasure speaking on the phone with you on multiple occasions. I was very happy to have finally met you at the National – and I look forward to dealing with you again in the future.
I thank Brian Seigel. You are another gentleman of the hobby. I cannot thank you enough for exhibiting your collection and Wagner card to help bring the hobby the next generation of collectors. It is a great service to the hobby. I was very happy to have met you at the National – and I want to hear more about your Philadelphia Athletics collection some day.
I thank Dave Lemon. A true Schmidt fan – you have an excellent pulse of the hobby, and I truly enjoy speaking with you. Thank you for all of your help.
And to certain other dealers, whose names I will not mention here: I thank you for allowing me to learn from your mistakes, for showing me how not to deal with customers, and how not to price inventory and maintain good client service. In my years in the hobby, I think I often learn as much about what not to do – as I do from the good examples and people that I have mentioned above.
Finally – to everyone else that I have met, transacted with, or talked to over the years, I thank you all, too. This hobby has been great to me – and I appreciate all of the relationships I have built and hope to maintain until I return to the hobby in two years.
Marc
I am actively buying MIKE SCHMIDT gem mint baseball cards. Also looking for any 19th century cabinets of Philadephia Nationals. Please PM with additional details.
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Comments
When I say that you will be sorely missed on these boards, that is no understatement
11 months and counting to the next National...
24 months and counting for the return of a great collector...
See 'ya when you get back.....I'll hold all these Schmitty 10's for you....ha....
Larry
email....emards4457@msn.com
CHEERS!!
Always looking for 1957 Topps BB in PSA 9!