I hate/love Panini: A two-sided essay on the current king of sports cards

The weirdest thing to me about the modern sports card collecting industry, after having awakened from a 25-year slumber of sorts, is finding that an Italian sticker company previously unknown to the vast majority of American collectors had snuck in and taken over the hobby. I remember reading that Panini (like the sandwich?) had signed… Read More I hate/love Panini: A two-sided essay on the current king of sports cards

February 10, 2021May 19, 2021 Andrew3 Comments

I hate/love the trading card industry: A two-sided essay

When I started this little experiment in purchasing sports cards from my past off eBay as a way to spur my writing muscles awake from a much-too-long slumber, I said to myself, “this isn’t going to be a big new hobby, it’s more of a writing exercise. Besides, I can’t even afford to buy cards… Read More I hate/love the trading card industry: A two-sided essay

October 18, 2020October 19, 2020 Andrew4 Comments

Blast From the Packs: An ode to Fleer Flair

If you’ve been reading my posts about sports cards lately, you’ll know that I keep harping on photography as the thing that draws me to certain cards. A great photo, even if it’s of a player I’m not crazy about, will make a card much more desirable in my eyes. So when a set gives… Read More Blast From the Packs: An ode to Fleer Flair

September 15, 2020September 17, 2020 AndrewLeave a comment

Blast From the Packs: Ripping a box of 1992 Leaf baseball

As we’ve established by now, one of the greatest joys of collecting sports cards, in my book, is opening a fresh pack of cards. Ahhh yes, the moment when potential meets reality, and a sealed stack of could-be becomes part of a collection of what-is. Until recently, I had never purchased a box of packs,… Read More Blast From the Packs: Ripping a box of 1992 Leaf baseball

August 21, 2020August 21, 2020 Andrew1 Comment

Blast From the Packs: A memoir by way of the sports cards of my youth

I always loved the feeling of ripping open a fresh pack of collectible sports cards. I’d hold the foil package in my hands, turning it over and feeling the tightly packed stack of cards within. The best part was always that moment just before opening, just before the mystery and anticipation of what-could-be turns to… Read More Blast From the Packs: A memoir by way of the sports cards of my youth

August 6, 2020August 16, 2020 Andrew4 Comments

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Tag: fleer