There aren't a lot of card collectors in my circle. There's one guy I get to talk to on a regular basis and I really enjoy it, but that's it. Back in the day (boy, do I sound old!), hanging out in the LCS and talking baseball and cards was the best. When I get to visit card stores now, it's just not the case anymore.
That's what makes the blogging world so awesome. I get to see things others are collecting, share what I'm collecting and get to know others who have the same kind of passion that I do. One way that has helped me are my previous "5 Questions for collectors" Part 1 and Part 2. People take the time to answer questions and we are able to build card collecting friendships! If you've answered those previous questions, I've got 5 more for you...if you haven't, click on the links and give it go! Answering the previous questions isn't a prerequisite for these!
1. Do you stop collecting a player when they leave your favorite team?
There have been players that have left my Rangers that I basically quit on. I think maybe it's how they left the team. For instance, when Ian Kinsler left, he didn't leave on good terms in my opinion. He's consulting now with the team, but I pretty much quit on him when it came to my collection. You could probably put Josh Hamilton in there too, but I think I quit on him for all of the off the field antics.
That being said, I'm still collecting Marcus Semien, Pudge Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez...all players who left the Rangers (Pudge did come back). As a matter of fact, here's 3 cards I got this week.
2. Have you ever thrown a card/cards away?
Don't judge me but, I'm sorry to say that I have actually thrown cards away. Let me preface that with they were newer cards and they were pretty jacked up. They were commons with major creases, I mean they looked really bad. I haven't and I can't imagine there being a vintage card that I would toss. Heck, half of the appeal of a vintage card is that it looks vintage!
3. How has your collecting changed since you've started collecting?
When I first started collecting it was about sets. Topps, Donruss, Fleer, etc...complete the set. I still collect sets. I don't buy completed ones, I open packs to get the majority of the set and then trade or pick up the ones I need to finish. I have added player collections. I've got a handful of players that I will pick up any of their cards. I also collect Topps playing days cards of certain players. The majority of these are newer players which makes it pretty easy to do, but I'm starting to branch out into older players. I've also added few subsets of insert cards that I try to get. It changes from year to year, but I do chase one or two for each release.
4. What's one tip that you would give a new collector?
I know this sounds cliche, but collect what makes you happy. Don't try to get everything, because there's just too much out there to chase. If you get too caught up in the chase or chase dollar signs I think you'll burn out or get frustrated and get out. Remember, its a hobby and is supposed to be fun!
5. What's one trend in the hobby that you don't like right now?
There is a growing trend that base cards are worthless and the only thing that matters are the parallels or inserts. It literally breaks my heart to watch people bust open a pack of cards, pull the inserts and leave the base cards on the counter at the LCS or to hear people say they toss them in the trash or burn them. If all you want are inserts and numbered cards, there are products out there for you. Quit wasting the other cards, there are those who want to collect them.
I guess that's it for now. I hope you take the time to answer questions. I'm all about making friends, talking cards and trading cards.
Peace,
Michael
Isaiah 40:31
