Can you imagine tearing into a pristine wax pack of 1972 Topps baseball cards and pulling a vintage card of Hammerin’ Hank Aaron? Talk about a hobby dream come true.
But for Doug, a long-time collector from Grand Rapids, MI, it’s no dream — it actually happened!
That’s just one of the many awesome memories Doug has built during nearly four decades of collecting, and he was gracious enough to share his collector’s story with us.
Enjoy the golden memories …
—
How long have you been collecting?
37 years. Since I was 7.
How did you get started collecting?
My brother introduced me to them. I loved baseball and when he first showed them to me I was in awe.
What is the first card you can remember owning or buying?
My first pack was 1977. I remember opening it and hoping for a Mark Fidrych as we were diehard Tiger fans. I didn’t get that one, but I did get a Rusty Staub. The All-Star ribbon made it seem like I hit the lottery. Loved that card.
Which sports do you collect?
Baseball and football.
What other memorabilia, besides cards, do you collect?
Not much other than some jerseys and balls.
What is the focus of your collection?
Most of what I have I have sold over the years. I keep a small portion that I have on display. 1971 is my favorite year with 1959 a close second.
Who are your favorite players?
Lou Whitaker was my favorite player growing up. I loved George Brett. Mickey Mantle and Pete Rose as well.
Which is your favorite team?
Detroit Tigers
Do you have a favorite card or set?
Top three in no particular order: 1969 Mantle, 1971 Nolan Ryan, 1977 Rose.
Do you have a collecting project or goals you’re working on now?
Nope. Been pretty quiet. I still find myself on eBay staring at cards I either had or never got the chance to own. 1959 Mantle for sure. Can’t justify buying it at my age.
Where do you buy most of your cards?
Local Meijer store and the occasional eBay purchase
Which card or set have you always wanted to own but has always eluded you?
The cards I mentioned earlier, and the set is 1977 Topps. I never was able to complete it, and it was so special to me being the first year I collected
What’s your favorite hobby memory?
Card shows. The excitement of seeing the older cards has been unmatched. I would buy Al Kalines and Mantles and Aarons and then stare at them for hours.
Do you have any other memorable hobby moments to share?
Buying an unopened pack of 1972 Topps in 1985 — opened it up to a Hank Aaron. So it was worth the $5!
Anything else you want other collectors to know about you or the hobby?
I got in it for the love of the sport and the player. Never about the money. Looking at an old card brings back so many memories. Just picturing a 1962 Lou Brock instantly reminds me of the place I bought it (card show in Grandville), the price I paid ($9!), and how it made me feel. Not many other things can do that.
—
Amen, Doug!
Who doesn’t still get chills when a favorite old card passes our way, either in real life or on the computer screen?
While Doug doesn’t have a lot of time to devote to baseball cards these days, he does keep up with the hobby through Twitter and various websites he finds there.
It’s a pull veteran collectors know well.
After all, when you’re in it for the love of game, you can’t stay away from the cardboard gods for long.
UPDATE!!
In late June 2019, I caught up with Doug again, on Twitter, and he had some interesting things to share about his hobby activity over the last couple of years.
Here’s how that conversation played out …
What have you been up to, hobbywise, since we spoke in 2017? Any projects or focus areas come into play?
Funny question. I took from my house when we got married a large amount that I kept in a storage shed at our first place. It now resides in a full closet but, I now have 5 framed shadow box holders for my favorites. I have a room upstairs with some of my Tigers sets and even New England Patriots cards from the last Super Bowl. I try to not have them all over.
1977 topps baseball cards lot (158) RC Stars An Vets Good- NM Starter Set
$69.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1977 topps baseball cards lot (26) Stars An Vets HIGH Numbers VG -NM 602. - 659
$24.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1977 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS LOT of 34 - Rudi Grich LeFlore / Jays Mariners 1st yr.
$1.49 End Date: Saturday 12/14/2024 13:14:31 EST Bid now | Add to watch list |
1977 Topps Baseball Cards (1-660) - Pick the Cards to Complete Your Set
$1.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1977 Topps Baseball Cards Complete Your Set You Pick Choose Each #1 - 300
$2.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1977 Topps Baseball Cards Complete Your Set You Pick Choose Each #301 - 660
$2.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
1966-1977 Topps Baseball cards low grade lot of (80) w/HALL OF FAMERS
$5.00 End Date: Monday 12/16/2024 10:58:50 EST Bid now | Add to watch list |
Love the write up.
And from one follow Grand Rapidian to another I say hello!
Hello! Glad to have you here.
Looking for a Fuydrich and getting a Staub, and it becomes your favorite card because of the All-Star ribbon…Love That!!! I wish I got to attend a game at Tiger Stadium. One of my favorite highlights was one of their outfielders jumping on the field level scoreboard to rob a HR. Glad you got back into the hobby. You should always do something that brings you joy. Thanks for sharing this story and the update.