Long time first time

Giants24 · May 3, 2014 8:29PM

Please allow me to introduce myself. I am a longtime reader of these boards but this is my first real post, pathetic I know but here I am. I started collecting in 1971 as a young boy in the suburbs of San Francisco. One Saturday right before my 9th birthday my mom took me to the local toy store so I could give her an idea of what Hot Wheels set I wanted for my big day. While I was there the store manager asked me if I liked baseball, specifically the Giants, of course I answered hell yes ( ok not that but close) and he then brought me to the front of the store to meet Don Carrithers, a Young Giant from back in the day. I received his autograph and also proceeded to buy some 1971 rack packs, since it was August I assume late series (uggh). These were my virgin packs and I was HOOKED!

Fast forward through life, college, marriage, 3 kids, one US Marine in Afghanistan, and a job that required me to commute from the US to London every other week for work and here I am. Just as smitten with reliving my youth in the Bay Area now as much as I enjoyed it then. Albeit with more grey hair and a bit more money to spend. The older I get the more important it is to me to reconnect with my 10 year old self, to continue to find the passion in the fun that I used to have before life got complicated.

So that brings me here. I have been collecting all things 1976 and earlier now for years. Primarily full graded PSA sets from my glory days, baseball, football, and basketball. In addition I am an unopened box junkie. I am not a ripper I collect because it takes me back....the colors, the smells, the anticipation, the excitement....I just love it. Primarily BBCE wax but I can be coerced to buy rack and sometimes cello. Given some career success I have been blessed to have had the ability to add some pretty sweet boxes to my collection over the years. Some I have had to part with to help others (a house for my son, the US Marine back from fighting in Afghanistan most recently). My wife tolerates me and understands that as far as midlife crisis go this one is not so bad.

So this is my mea culpa and a thank you for allowing me to lurk lo these many years. This board has some interesting personalities and all around great guys. I have done business with many of you and appreciate all the good wishes. I will try to add whatever I can to the collective board IQ going forward. Thank you for listening!

Best,
Steve

Downtown1974 · May 3, 2014 8:48PM

Very nice introduction, Steve! Welcome to the boards!!!

Bob

cpamike · May 3, 2014 8:57PM

Glad you finally decided to come out of the closet.

Thanks for the introduction and looking forward to your posts!!!

skrezyna23 · May 3, 2014 9:00PM

Welcome to the board! I'm sure you will offer up some great knowledge. Again, welcome and have a blast.

RookieWax · May 3, 2014 10:58PM

Welcome....and I am sure everyone would enjoy seeing some pics of your unopened stuff here.

elsnorto · May 3, 2014 11:14PM

Welcome and thanks for the great introduction, albeit a familiar one for many of us who collected as kids... gave it up for girls, cars, and partying... only to find out way back to the hobby.

Tell your son many here are truly grateful for his service and glad to have him home safe and sound.

I look forward to your future posts and learning more about your collection.

Snorto~

jay0791 · May 3, 2014 11:16PM

welcome

dytch2220 · May 4, 2014 2:09AM

<< <i>Tell your son many here are truly grateful for his service and glad to have him home safe and sound. >>

+1

Glad to hear from you, look forward to more.

MisterBungle · May 4, 2014 2:45AM

Welcome, Steve, and a great introduction too.

I wish I had introduced myself, back 7+ years
ago, but if I had, I wouldn't be Mister Bungle
now, would I??

Love to see some pics of your unopened.

~

CocoaBeachDodgers · May 4, 2014 2:47AM

Welcome! If you were only not a Giant fan!

grote15 · May 4, 2014 3:06AM

Welcome, Steve! Good to see you posting!

70ToppsFanatic · May 4, 2014 3:25AM

Glad to have you here. Always nice to have another similarly addicted member of the group.

fiveniner · May 4, 2014 3:29AM

lawnmowerman · May 4, 2014 3:37AM

Hola Señor! Este lugar huele a viejo, queso podrido. Tenga cuidado por donde camina.

Dnice · May 4, 2014 3:44AM

Hi Steve.

Awesome introduction. Thanks for sharing. It was an enjoyable read. Glad to see another member with passion such as yours joining these boards. I look forward to see your posts as well.

Take care and i will see you around.
Marc

maddux69 · May 4, 2014 4:03AM

Welcome aboard Steve, it is good to hear the story behind a name.

I hope your first experience is a positive one!

Jason

divecchia · May 4, 2014 4:04AM

Steve,

Very nice into, glad you decided to join in.

Welcome,
Donato

galaxy27 · May 4, 2014 5:13AM

<< <i>Hola Señor! Este lugar huele a viejo, queso podrido. Tenga cuidado por donde camina. >>

Huele como el queso.....y a veces huele mierda.....pero sabe a pollo.

Sorry, I had to respond to that. Steve, great to have you with us. I completely lost my train of thought when you said unopened box junkie.

Enjoy yourself!

lawnmowerman · May 4, 2014 5:49AM

<< <i>

<< <i>Hola Señor! Este lugar huele a viejo, queso podrido. Tenga cuidado por donde camina. >>

Huele como el queso.....y a veces huele mierda.....pero sabe a pollo.

Sorry, I had to respond to that. >>

Impresionante lol

Brick · May 4, 2014 8:11AM

Hi, hello, how are ya?

robert67 · May 4, 2014 1:18PM

BLUEJAYWAY · May 4, 2014 5:46PM

I too Welcome you. I've been a member for 4 months now and have learned much "tuning" into here. Good luck with the further recapturing of your youth through this great hobby.