About My Collection
Obviously, like most young adolescents, I loved, and still love baseball. Naturally, I adored and cherished the corresponding pieces of cardboard with my favorite players pictures on them. The only thing better than a piece of cardboard with a grown man's picture on it is a piece of cardboard with a grown man's picture on it with his name scribbled on it.
Autographs were once used as proof to back up claims that you had met a famous person. Now they are collected, traded, and sold; something not anticipated by those who met George Washington in the 18th century. Yet, I only collect and trade, hoping to meet my favorite players or obtain their signatures through the mail. In my thinking, it's like they are acknowledging my fandom by signing my card.
In my early days of collecting, getting an autograph at the ballpark was the best thing that could happen to me. It didn't matter if it were Kevin Sefcik or Darren Daulton, to get an autograph of a Philly was truly tremendous. My first through the mail request was to Ken Griffey Jr. in or about 1995 as part of a second grade penpal project. Needless to say, he didn't write back. Still, better luck would inspire me. For instance, in 1996, I wrote Kevin Stocker, who signed my card and returned it. Once a year, I'd sit down and write one or two guys. My big success was in 1998 when an envelope postmarked from Denver, Colorado came to my mailbox. It was from Patrick Roy.
As I've grown older, I've regressed into my childhood. I've become an autograph seeker again out of fun, but also out of necessity. My family's move to the deepest, darkest regions of Florida has me stuck with nothing to do but continue my own baseball dreams and to write to my favorite baseball players.
My true passion is actually collecting PSA graded cards, with the 1968 Topps set being my favorite, and the 1974 Topps set coming in at a close second. I've put some links to the left to check my sets in progress out.
I hope you have fun checking out my page; I'm having tons of fun trying to add to it.
