Organizing a Million Cards #22 - The Brady Effect...
So I guess I have to comment on the industry now that the Tom Brady craziness is happening.
There have been a lot of conflicting opinions on this. Rod Carew even commented asking if baseball was so boring that the card industry had to resort to this? Many say it's good for the hobby as it brings more people to cards. And yet others are laughing at the unfortunate loss many of the buyers of Brady cards are going to take.
Somehow I'm reminded of Project 70...
Gimmicks don't build collectors for life. They plant the flippers and people in this for the money at the forefront. I hate to tell this to the those people, but Fanatics is laughing all the way to the bank.
A lot of hate is being given to Breakers lately too about this. Partially because the companies are leaning hits towards breakers. This isn't a real problem for me. There are some awesome breaks out there--Affordable Group Breaks, Ben's Cards and Collectibles Box Breaks and, of course, Midwest Box Breaks to name a few. If card companies want to pander hits to large breakers that's fine. That doesn't mean you can't pull gold out of retail, it just means the odds are "ever in" their favor.
What truly keeps collectors coming back isn't the chase for the 1/1 SSSSSP semi-gloss, cracked magenta refactor auto with a blood sample from the player. No. It's the build. It's the PC. It's the chance to own history and see a collection come together.
I've been in this hobby since April 8th, 1984. First card was a 1984 Topps Rick Cerone #617. I just finished this set on the 12/12/23--39 years, 7 months and 4 days later. The feeling was better than pulling any auto, relic or RC ever. Completion. That's what I crave.
People collect for different reasons. I collect to finish sets and because sorting helps sooth my PTSD. Cards have always been my escape from anything bad--starting with childhood. I know some people who collect for historical reasons, team loyalty, player loyalty and even just to be part of the community.
There is nothing wrong with flipping, breaking, stack sales (Which I love--ask ImoMitch) or any of the monetary reasons people get cards. But when the industry turns towards them and away from the collector, we have a problem.
This is one reason I love Heritage. A true set collector beast of a set. 725 cards. 125 SP's. Just like building an early 70's set with the hard to get high numbers. Minimal inserts with limited cards in each and a Chrome set. Add a parallel of each kind, a relic and an auto and I'm done. I have learned to appreciate this set for the nostalgia and hope Fanatics doesn't take it away like they did Opening Day or make the SP's so hard to get like they did with Big League.
The best thing I can say about this Brady card mania is this:
Collect for whatever reason you like. If the gimmick isn't for you, then don't buy into it. Do you and don't worry about anyone else.
With that said, if they could make a Bowman Draft lite box for set collectors, that would be great.
TOTALS:
- Main Collection: 30,535
- For Trade/Doubles - 1,105
- 1991 Topps Glow Backs - 0
- Mattingly Doubles - 0
- Total Cards Logged - 31,640
- Complete Sets - 24
- Insert Sets - 1
- Master Sets - 0
Joe
(Vonnegut37 on TCDB)
