Questions from the Dugout

I've read that Blogger has been having problems and I've noticed that a lot of us bloggers don't seem to be writing as much. I know I haven't written as much. Kind of hard for me to see if blogs are being viewed as often either as I haven't written consistently and my readership numbers have never been that big anyway. No complaints, just curious as to what others think. Since I've put that out there I might as well ask some more Questons from the Dugout(new name!).

Question: What matters more to you: the player, the card design, rarity, or value?

I thought this question wouldn't be too difficult, but it wasn't an easy answer for me. After much thought, the player and the card design are the two most important aspects to me. I'm going to collect the annual Topps set, so that design and those players are a given, but when it comes to subsets, Heritage, or anything else the design is what gets me to chase it. 

I was so done trying to collect Heritage, but dang it, these cards look good. So now, I'm trying to complete the set. Along with 2023, 2024, etc...I'm a glutton for punishment!

When it comes to players, I'm going to collect the Topps playing days cards of those players that I really like. There are several out there that I want to collect that I haven't really started, but will one day. Plus there are my player collections too. 

Rarity and value are the least two. Rarity does get frustrating when I'm set building, but I get it and plow on. Value does come into play because there is only so much money to spend. Cost has really stopped me from chasing older sets that I think would just be out of my price range. 

Question: Would you rather have a great local card shop or a great card show once a month?

This one was easier for me. I'd rather have a great card show than a great local card store. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have a great LCS nearby, but I'd want it to be like the old card stores. You know, the ones that had a ballgame on the TV, cards sorted by year for set builds, stars sorted by player. You could go hang out, talk sports and look at cards. Those don't exist around here anymore. Public Service Announcement-If you have a LCS like that around you, make sure that you support it. They are a dying breed. Now back to the regularly scheduled show...

The best thing about a great monthly card show is options, options options! There are more variety of cards and more price points on something you are looking for. There's also a revolving inventory. Plus, you get to meet people from all over. The one drawback is timing. Having to wait for the monthly show and having my personal schedule cleared in order to attend.

Speaking of card shows, I picked these two cards up at a show recently.

You know how I said there were players that I haven't really started collecting yet, but I plan to? Yeah, Evoaldi is one of those. Not only is he a heck of a pitcher, but he's a Texan too!

Question: What makes you walk away from a dealer’s table?

There are two things that make me walk away from a table. First, its non-sports cards. I 've got no interest in TCG cards, president cards, pirate cards, TV shows, etc...More power to those who collect those, to each their own. As a matter of fact you don't have to worry about me competing with you for cards. 

The second thing that causes me to move on from a dealer's table is nothing but graded cards. If you've read any of my blogs, it's pretty obvious that I'm not a fan of graded cards. It won't take long for me to move on from a table that has nothing but graded cards.

In reality, there are three things. The third is no baseball cards. I don't collect football, basketball, golf or hockey. Just baseball. Now I've thought about football cards and I've even considered basketball cards, but there are just too many things to chase and there's still a ton of baseball cards to chase too. I just can't do it all. 

With a new name for the blog, comes a new format...Not as many questions at one time. I hope those of you that read the questions will answer them too! Answer one or answer all three!

Peace,

Michael

Isaiah 40:31