Most vintage baseball card collectors have a moment they can look back on and say “that’s when I got hooked.” Personally, I have a few very vivid early baseball card memories–and one more recent one that totally changed the focus of my collection. Which cards got you hooked and why?
Here are the key cards in my collecting journey–in chronological “life” order:
1978 Topps Eddie Murray
I was 5 years old when my dad brought home my first pack of baseball cards, and I had no idea who Eddie Murray was at that time. But I was 100% sure he was a badass. I was intrigued but too young to be officially hooked.
1985 Topps Dwight Gooden
1985, age 12, prime baseball playing and fandom age, and Doc was simply electric. 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA at just 20 years old! I remember this card being featured on the cover of a baseball card magazine, and I just had to have it. I built several sets chasing this card!
1969 Topps Mickey Mantle
This was also likely 1985–maybe 1986. My barber was 100 years old and had binders of beat up vintage for sale. He kept the good stuff at home, I’m sure. It’s funny to think that in 1985 this card was only 16 years old–because it looked as old as the barber. It was my first vintage purchase.
1946-47 Caramelo Deportivo Orestes (Minnie) Minoso
Fast forward to fairly recent adulthood. I was working on a Minnie Minoso run and stumbled onto the niche world of Cuban and South American cards. I saw this card at the National and just had to have it.
Since that moment I have spent almost 100% of my collecting energy tracking down Cuban cards of Negro League players. Let’s face it–most vintage cards are easy to find. With Cuban cards, the thrill of the chase was reborn!
So, which cards got you hooked on collecting? Drop your most influential cards / stories in the chat and maybe I’ll do a feature article sometime!
