Bad Wax

Musings of a Card Collector

A Salute to My Dad

If you have never read the JV’s blog, Treasured Never Burried, you are missing out.  He manages to learn about the meaning of life through his cards.  A truley gifted writer, I can only hope that one day I can write half as well as he does.  The post that inspired me to write this was about a card that will forever bond him to his father.

Sports and card collecting was introduced to me in 1978. I was 7 years old and started to learn the basics of baseball and I just fell in love with the sport.  It was a way for my dad and I to spend time together, a way for us to bond.  Every day after school when he came home from work I wanted to play catch and every day he did, he took me out and we threw the ball around, teaching me how to throw and catch and I got better over time.

He also started me on collecting baseball cards at that time.  My uncle and cousin were very big card collectors.  They eventually opened a card store in Morris Plains called Gordon Sports Collectibles.  I think it has gone out of business since.  I remember though the first cards I ever got were from the 1978 set.  My dad bought the whole set and then we put them in 9 card sleeves and in a binder. I still have that binder, it was from my dad’s work and everytime I see that binder a flood of happiness rolls over my body because I remember that day like it was yesterday.  Working in tandem with my dad to get it all into a binder.

Years went by and another brother and sister and my time with my dad was split by a third, but he always went out and get boxes of cards for me and him to open.  I remember how excited he always was to get these cards.  I think sometimes he was more excited than I was.  I remember we would go to Collingswood flea market in NJ and by set after set of cards.  We would go to the National Card Convention in Atlantic City and he would give me my allowance and tell me to go buy cards that I thought were going to be worth money.

We bought lots of cards, but he never kept any for himself, he always gave me and my brother the cards to keep.  I think my brother has unloaded a few of his autographs and cards.  But I kept them all.  Mainly I don’t want to get rid of them since they all remind me of the great times I had with my dad growing up.  I can’t put a price on any of the items, because if I got rid of them I feel that would be like getting rid of my childhood memories.

As I get older (I will be 37 in September), A year younger than my dad was when he introduced me to cards.  I now understand my he did what he did.  I have a lot of cards and someday I won’t be around anymore and right now I have no children but two nephews (too young to collect).  But someday I too will have to pass down my cards and bond with my son (when I have one), knowing that I may never be the perfect dad, much like my dad was never perfect as well, but atleast he will always remember the good time we had when he was younger.  Because the times I had with my dad when I was younger will be memories I will treasure forever.

So in the end, never underestimate the power of collecting cards and using it to bond with your children.  Those memories might be the strongest and earliest I still remember. This might be a couple of weeks late, but this is my father’s day give to my dad.  Thanks to JV for stirring up those memories for me and please don’t miss his blog, it is tremendous.

June 28, 2008 - Posted by chemgod | Blog News | , | 6 Comments

6 Comments »

  1. Dude, that’s an awesome story! I honestly never considered what effect this story would have on other collectors. It’s good to hear that I’m not some sappy, sentimental writer that no one “gets”. I’m glad other people can relate to this story.

    Great Post, Chem…

    Comment by jv | June 28, 2008 | Reply

  2. I have to say, I am getting tired of reading about all the memories people have attached to their cards. People that are bringing children into this hobby with an expectation of it being the same hobby it was in the 90’s, is ridiculous. You know what? That hobby is dead, and it is never coming back, and yet people have a very hard time coming to terms with that. I dont like reading Treasure Never Buried because I dont think people should be living their glory days through baseball cards. Yeah, he is a good writer, but ill tell you, he doesnt tackle anything that is relevant in today’s hobby. Its all relevant to your childhood where people collected base cards with their dad. In fact, that is a common thread ’round certain hobby blogs, where people only blog about 1995 score packs and buying cheap hits off of eBay.

    BOOORRRRING. Give me some quality writing like on TNB, but instead of blogging about old stories, give me a site where they tackle more of the most important things that collectors face each day. How about stuff like fake patches and getting screwed over by Topps redemption replacements on a daily basis? How about busting 300 bucks worth of boxes and getting 15 bucks in eBay value back? For this reason, I read Wax Heaven because Mario touches on some of these things. I also read Sports Cards Uncensored because Gellman touches on it more than anyone, but I think people are still holding back.

    Here is what I mean: Instead of telling stories and busting old packs, do some good for your collecting bretheren who actually spend money in this hobby. You guys are the voices, so crack the effing whip with people like Beckett, Topps and UD! Dont continue to try and fit into their cookie cutter molds. If you want to yell and swear like Gellman, do it! If you want to bash on Topps and their gimmicks like Mario, DO IT! Dont write to be published on Beckett’s blog or in some magazine published by people that know crap about this industry. That is not what collectors need from the people who have the power to change things for us the silent.

    Just for that, I may have to start my OWN blog, just to make sure that I counteract all the lovey dovey BS that goes on in TNB and this site.

    Comment by AngryChris | June 28, 2008 | Reply

  3. So you think I should copy other blogs? I go off on Beckett more than you think. I’ll leave that up to the boys at sports cards uncensored. They do it and do it well. Mario writes about his memories as a card collector and you don’t bust his balls. Bottom line, I like collecting simple items, base sets, autographs and game used. I talk about bargains that can be found, and break open some old wax, you know why? Because I think it’s fun and the fact I average 200 hits a day means other people like it too. I tank you for taking the time to vent, I just wish you would have simply emailed me or placed it on another post. I approved your comment because we live in a society where everyone could be heard. I just wish you didn’t do it on a post that was meant for my dad. I understand that this site is not for everyone, I hope you continue to read my blog, but in the end the hobby is not dead, the card companies are not going away and the prices are going to go up. Is there anything we can do about it? Yes, buy everything second hand from eBay and stop buying 100+ dollars of wax boxes. Since that will never happen, just sit back and enjoy the diverse cards and blogs out there. We all offer something a little different. JV’s post brought back memories of me and my father and I just felt like doing a tribute. I’m allowed, it is my blog afterall.

    Comment by chemgod | June 28, 2008 | Reply

  4. Excellent response, Chem!

    AngryChris, I will be responding to your comment on TNB very soon. This is going to sound sarcastic, but please stop by and read it. Your comments haven’t offended me and you won’t be getting a “screw you!” response. But, you’ve hit on some really good points and I plan to give you my answers.

    I don’t necessarily understand the personal attacks and I think some of your statements are unfounded, but, for the most part, you’ve hit the “nail on the head” and I say thanks…

    I wish you had picked a better spot to leave your comment though. That’s a pretty crappy thing to do considering this is dedicated to the good memories the writer was trying to convey about his personal collecting history.

    You’ll be getting some publicity at TNB very soon. You won’t be “silent” anymore, I can guarantee you that.

    Comment by jv | June 28, 2008 | Reply

  5. Chris, dude, what the hell is your deal? You really need to know where to stand your ground, and how to pick your battles.

    Listen, Im glad you read my blog, and I do agree with some of the points you made, but you need to know where to do it, and how to do it without making enemies. Chem’s post about his dad was not the place to do it, even I know that. If you want to start your own blog, great, I encourage you to join the fray. Just dont expect many friends with trash posts like this.

    Chem, I hope you tear this guy a new one.

    Comment by Gellman | June 28, 2008 | Reply

  6. Couldn’t help myself, Chem…

    http://jv33.wordpress.com/2008/06/29/angrychris/

    Comment by jv | June 29, 2008 | Reply


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