Finding "The Bird" -- a story about my most sentimental card
CW
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Finding "The Bird" -- a story about my most sentimental card
Back in '77, ate the ripe age of 7 yrs, I opened my first few packs
of baseball cards. In one of those packs I found THE card practically
every kid in the neighborhood was looking for: Mark "The Bird" Fidrych's rookie
card. I've always thought the '77 Topps set had some of the best
photography -- so many cards in that set just look perfect. Firdrych's
card was no exception, as it featured his red curly hair and that goofy
gaze, with a fittingly child-like, scribbly autograph from The Bird
himself. Plus it had that little Topps All-Star Rookie trophy in the
bottom right corner, which made it even cooler.
We've all seen the threads -- What is your favorite card, regardless of
value? Which card has the most sentimental value? I'd always pipe
into those threads and mention this card -- my Mark Fidrych rookie.
About 15 yrs ago I picked up all my old cards from my parents' attic.
I was one of the lucky ones whose Mom didn't throw out their cards.
I always figured that Fidrych card was tucked away somewhere among
those cards, some 2 or 3 thousand of them. I figured one day I'll
dig through all those cards and find that Bird rookie, so I can scan
it and share it on the forums. In the meantime, I picked up a nice
PSA 8 graded example for $35...
.... but that old card, the original one I pulled in 1977, would always
be priceless. Wherever the hell it was...
Two weeks ago I stopped by to visit my Mom, who's still going strong
at 82 yrs old. My Dad was out running errands (he's pushing 83), so
my Mom & I sat around the kitchen table drinking coffee and catching
up on the latest things. The conversation turned to the Tigers, and
my Mom asked if I wanted to see her cards. "Sure!" I said, and off
she went to get them.
She came back with a small stack of about 40 cards, and asked if I
wanted them. These were all Tigers cards, some 73 Topps, a couple
74's, but mainly 77's. "Ah, Aurelio Rodriguez," I said as I flipped
through the stack, "he had a rocket arm. Sure, I'll add them to the
collection, thanks!"
"You can have all those, but THIS one I'm saving... he's my guy!"
I looked up, and there she held in her hand The Card... the Mark
Fidrych rookie. It was twice as beat up as all the others, but it was
in a plastic holder cut out from one of those 9-card plastic sheets.
"HOLY CRAP! That's my Bird card!" I thought to myself, and there my
Mom held it, cherishing it all these years. All this time, I thought
it was tucked among my old cards in my closet at home. Little did I
know that she kept it for her collection, prized enough to keep it in
that protective holder. I obviously didn't say anything, as it was
best to just let her keep it as she wished. She probably bought me
that pack of cards back in '77 anyways.
As corny as it sounds, I have to admit I got a warm feeling during
that moment, sharing a close bond with my Mom through, of all things,
a Mark Fidrych baseball card. She raised 8 kids and cooked some of
the best meals on a tight budget. While my Dad taught us all about
discipline, respect, and determination (good things, no doubt), My Mom
instilled in us the qualities of understanding, compassion, & kindness.
And how to spot a cool looking baseball card.
I asked her if I could borrow the card for a week so I could scan it
and finally share the image here. So here it is... The Card.
Back in '77, ate the ripe age of 7 yrs, I opened my first few packs
of baseball cards. In one of those packs I found THE card practically
every kid in the neighborhood was looking for: Mark "The Bird" Fidrych's rookie
card. I've always thought the '77 Topps set had some of the best
photography -- so many cards in that set just look perfect. Firdrych's
card was no exception, as it featured his red curly hair and that goofy
gaze, with a fittingly child-like, scribbly autograph from The Bird
himself. Plus it had that little Topps All-Star Rookie trophy in the
bottom right corner, which made it even cooler.
We've all seen the threads -- What is your favorite card, regardless of
value? Which card has the most sentimental value? I'd always pipe
into those threads and mention this card -- my Mark Fidrych rookie.
About 15 yrs ago I picked up all my old cards from my parents' attic.
I was one of the lucky ones whose Mom didn't throw out their cards.
I always figured that Fidrych card was tucked away somewhere among
those cards, some 2 or 3 thousand of them. I figured one day I'll
dig through all those cards and find that Bird rookie, so I can scan
it and share it on the forums. In the meantime, I picked up a nice
PSA 8 graded example for $35...
.... but that old card, the original one I pulled in 1977, would always
be priceless. Wherever the hell it was...
Two weeks ago I stopped by to visit my Mom, who's still going strong
at 82 yrs old. My Dad was out running errands (he's pushing 83), so
my Mom & I sat around the kitchen table drinking coffee and catching
up on the latest things. The conversation turned to the Tigers, and
my Mom asked if I wanted to see her cards. "Sure!" I said, and off
she went to get them.
She came back with a small stack of about 40 cards, and asked if I
wanted them. These were all Tigers cards, some 73 Topps, a couple
74's, but mainly 77's. "Ah, Aurelio Rodriguez," I said as I flipped
through the stack, "he had a rocket arm. Sure, I'll add them to the
collection, thanks!"
"You can have all those, but THIS one I'm saving... he's my guy!"
I looked up, and there she held in her hand The Card... the Mark
Fidrych rookie. It was twice as beat up as all the others, but it was
in a plastic holder cut out from one of those 9-card plastic sheets.
"HOLY CRAP! That's my Bird card!" I thought to myself, and there my
Mom held it, cherishing it all these years. All this time, I thought
it was tucked among my old cards in my closet at home. Little did I
know that she kept it for her collection, prized enough to keep it in
that protective holder. I obviously didn't say anything, as it was
best to just let her keep it as she wished. She probably bought me
that pack of cards back in '77 anyways.
As corny as it sounds, I have to admit I got a warm feeling during
that moment, sharing a close bond with my Mom through, of all things,
a Mark Fidrych baseball card. She raised 8 kids and cooked some of
the best meals on a tight budget. While my Dad taught us all about
discipline, respect, and determination (good things, no doubt), My Mom
instilled in us the qualities of understanding, compassion, & kindness.
And how to spot a cool looking baseball card.
I asked her if I could borrow the card for a week so I could scan it
and finally share the image here. So here it is... The Card.
0
Comments
Thanks for sharing. -- Sonny
Thanks for sharing!
http://www.unisquare.com/store/brick/
Ralph
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
Thanks,
David (LD_Ferg)
1985 Topps Football (starting in psa 8) - #9 - started 05/21/06
Glad I could share.
my card is the '85 Topps Gooden
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
Great story and thanks for sharing it...Donato
Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set
Successful transactions: Shrub68 (Jim), MWallace (Mike)
My sentemental card I would have to say was 59 Topps Murray Dickson/Red Wison were part of first pack I ever bought.
Tony
I got that card recently in the Topps million card giveaway. I've had more offers for that card than I have for the 52 high #
RIP Mark
edit - just sent a link to this over to the Million Card Giveaway story section
1951 Topps Red backs psa 8 only!
1960 Golden Press Presidential set Psa 8 's - Psa 9's
1961 Golden Press psa 9's
1976 Topps baseball psa 9 Stars
1980 Kelloggs baseball Psa 9's - Psa 10's
1988-1989 Fleer Basketball psa 9's
1988-1989 Fleer Stickers psa 9's
1989-1990 Fleer Basketball psa 10's
1992 Coca-Cola Donruss Nolan Ryan 1-26 Psa 10 only Gpa 9.80++ E-mail Newyork00007@aol.com
Thank you
excellent story.
<< <i>Thanks for your story. It reminds me of discussions about the Brooklyn Dodgers I've had with my mother. Anyway, I thought you would appreciate this scan. Pete
Whoa.... cool card! Never saw the OPC version before, and that one is stellar!
<< <i>It would have been funnier if you had knocked her down, grabbed the card out of her hand and ran out the door! >>
Thanks again for the comments, all.