It's Great to Have That Feeling Again

It happened.

I've mentioned several times on this blog how I yearn for the collecting days of old when we were all excited to pull plain old cards - the cards we now refer to in our after thoughts as "base cards" - of the best players of the day, rookies or our favorite teams.

Granted, what you feel is completely within your own control so I feel somewhat silly saying that I miss feeling a certain way...but you guys probably know what I mean.   As expensive as cards are nowadays and as exciting as the 'hits' and inserts can be to pull, it's tough not to feel a tad bit shorted when you manage to avoid pulling anything beyond what's promised to you on the wrapper.

Forget that - check out this sweet card I pulled from an Allen & Ginter blaster!

Well-Balanced

I'm not even a Cubs fan but I am really excited to add my first card of Anthony Rizzo to my son's collection.   I'm building the base set for him (please see NEEDS & FOR TRADE list in the side bars) so I would have come across this card anyways - but we all know there's something special about pulling a card you were hoping for from a pack.   There's no signature.   There's no swatch of jersey.   But I still dig this card.

I had been following Rizzo, his minor league offensive numbers and his potential call-up to the parent club all season.   You already know I'm a Yankees and Braves fan.   Am I a prospector?   Nah, but I AM playing fantasy baseball for the first time ever.   And loving it!   It has caused me to have some strange feelings:

"Okay.   Soriano just gave up a run.   That's okay......now he's eligible for the Save."

Twisted, right?   Yeah, it's weird but I'm enjoying the depth to which I've taken a dive back into the sport as a fan.   I haven't had a knowledge of current MLB players and their skills this comprehensive since I had recess five days a week.   And it feels great.   Mike & Mike in the morning on the drive to work?   Not anymore......my new friends are Scott, Adam and Cory - every morning on XM 87.   They fuel the statistical and fantasy sports fire.   The Roto Experts they're called.   I'm pretty sure Mrs. Ryan's Pitch thinks my brain has gone a little "roto"....but such are the tests of champions (wink).

WHOA - I've gone off course.   Let's bring 'er back.......

So I managed to pick up Rizzo in one of my two leagues as the moment approached for his call-up.   He came up and has really been a much-needed source of joy for Cubbies fans everywhere.  He represents the future and potential greatness: key ingredients as north-siders and Cubs fans everywhere await redemption.   For me, he's helped out my fantasy roster when I've dropped him into the line-up, so the guy's become a favorite for me as well (as long as it's not against my Braves!).

So I knew about him, followed him in the news and was aware that he had cards in this year's sets.   I hadn't seen one yet......but then, there it was!   Seriously, an actual "SWEET! A Rizzo!" escaped me as I thumbed through the freshly busted pack.    AH, sweet cardboard time machine.   Again - no ink, piece of clothing or fractorization required.

This Rizzo base card will probably not put my kid through college (cause it will be HIS after all, big daddy - duh).   There will be millions of them in gem mint condition in 40 years.......but for now, I am really stoked to have this card of a great ball player who may become an enduring star for the Chicago Cubs.   Oh yeah - here's the back!

Card #270: "Batting One Hundred Forty One" - Not Anymore.

And THAT is what this hobby is all about for me.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

"That's How We Roll..."

Another generous member of my new fraternity went above and beyond the call of duty when he answered my S.O.S. call for help in completing my '91 Fleer base set. That's right, Captain Canuck, our favorite Waxaholic, snuck an entire box of cards off my bloated NEEDS list across the border - and I understand the proverbial postal dogsled completed this run in record time!

Hey, wait a second!   What are those?

Oh yes....can't wait to file and cross off those bad boys.   But, wait?!   What's that?   WAX PACKS - from my era.   What a nice surprise.   '90 Fleer and '91 Score to be exact:

I've been here before....

A lot of fun.   I couldn't wait to tear into them (as you might be able to tell, I couldn't even wait until I snapped that picture).   Here were the highlights from each one:

Frank and George!

This was also Mussina's 1st Driver's License picture.   Go Rickey, GO!

Fantastic fun.   Thank you, Canuck!

Asking for nothing specific in return beyond a "just take a look through my lists", he single handedly brought my '91 Fleer quest into its final leg. It should also be noted - his selfless, LONG DISTANCE shipment of those base cards undoubtedly exceeded the 'cost' of what any of us could probably pay for a COMPLETE '91 Fleer set off of Ebay or the local flea market. The effort was completely illogical, BUT - like the Captain quipped to one of Waxaholic's faithful Lieutenants after one of his posts -

"That's how we roll."

I concur, Cap'n.......this is how we roll and I am enjoying every second of it.   Collectors helping other collectors with their pursuits.   Card by card (or in this case, box by box).   Because the story and 'players' involved in the 20+ year completion of this '91 Fleer set will be so much more colorful than a non-competitive bid on some junk wax from the Bay of E.   Indeed, this is how we roll.

Thank you for your generosity!  Another example of what I love about this hobby.  There will be some cardboard headed north SOON.   The dogs just wanted to grab some BBQ before they turned around.

Thanks for reading!