Your first Really Nice pull ?

[porkchops]

Probably asked before , but couldn't find it sooooo
What would you consider your FIRST really nice pack pull ?
Here's mine :
44/66
http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/yy352/alienporkchopscards/Baseball%20and%20the%20Babe/Game%20Used/Donruss/Picture017.jpg
Ken

[ALR-bishop]

Age 9, Mantle in a 5 cent pack from local corner store. He was in first series and not hard to come by

[packs]

I remember my mom buying me a pack of 91 Upper Deck cards and pulling a Donnie Baseball. I was in heaven.

[slinger23]

Pulling that card out of a pack was such a thrill for me as a 17 year old. Reflecting back I should have kept it since it was my first significant pull but I traded it in 2000 or 2001 for a bunch of Fb rookies. Also, I didn't truly know how much upper deck produced and how tough a pull it really is. They still might be printing those 1992 base cards for all I know. LOL.

[Econteachert205]

Pulled an 83 Boggs rookie at age 5 in 1987.

[steve B]

Tough question. Going by value now? Or value when pulled?

My first pack I got A Reggie Jackson rookie. It's a bit beat now, but still one of my favorite cards.

These are the highlights, from years. Some were not much when I got them, some aren't much now.

94 I was buying signature rookies and kept getting he same guys on the signed card. 3 of this Jeter guy from NY who doesn't really look tough enough to play in NY.

9? Hologram die cut emit smith upper deck something or other. A big deal a the time.

97? Edge personal collection an early 1/1 but not marked no indication on the card as to the name of the insert set, and it took me a few years to figure out that's what it was.

The most valuable right out of the pack.


Couple years ago, either GQ or Allen and Ginter triple autograph with Pujols and a couple other really good players #/10 and was around 350 at the time.

So one of those, depending on how you look at it.

Steve B

[pokerplyr80]

I remember a couple from when I was a kid. In 94 I pulled a red holoview Manny Ramirez from an Upper Deck SP pack. Not worth much any more but I was pretty excited at the time.

In 1996 I bought a pack of the leaf signature series and pulled a Alex Rodriguez auto gold variation at a local card show. It was basically the best card you could pull from the product at the time. It had just came out and I had no idea what it was worth. I must have had offers from about every dealer at the show before I sold it for about $400. Not bad for a pack that was around 10 bucks.

[Gobucsmagic74]

'90 Leaf Frank Thomas. My mom picked the pack at a card show while we were on vacation in AZ

[7nohitter]

A Brooks Robinson auto in a (I believe) Heritage pack a few years ago.

[DHogan]

A Bobby Orr game used card from the Parkhurst Boston Original Six series.

[rgpete]

Here's mine from when I was a kid, from a local butcher who had the coke caps in separate bin

[mawitzi]

I pulled a Mickey Mantle auto out of a score pack when I was a kid. I still have it.

[pokerplyr80]

'90 Leaf Frank Thomas. My mom picked the pack at a card show while we were on vacation in AZ

Nice, when I first got back into collecting two of the first cards I bought were a 90 Leaf Thomas and an 89 Upper Deck Griffey. Never did pull one as a kid though.

[vthobby]

Back in 1976 when I was 9 years old, I bought my very first pack ever of Topps (15 cents to be exact!). Being a Red Sox fan, I was thrilled to see
Rick "Rooster" Burleson on the top of my first pack ever! Near the bottom of the pack was Denny Doyle. I played SS in little league and was absolutley thrilled at that pack. I caught the "bug" that day and have not stopped since!

While I have certainly pulled bigger and more valuable cards from packs over the years, for me, this was my most memorable!

Peace, Mike

[Rich Klein]

Jerry West signed Upper Deck card way back in circa 1991-92; paid for new glasses back in the day.

[JTysver]

New cards-
2010 Topps Duo Stamps Buster Posey. Serial numbered out of 50, or a 2013 Heritage Zach Wheeler Red Autograph serial out of 10.

Old cards- 1973 Willie Mays.

[GasHouseGang]

1971 Bob Gibson when I was a kid. Really wanted ANY Cardinal, and Bob was a real bonus!:D

[BradH]

Pulled an 83 Boggs rookie at age 5 in 1987.

A couple weeks ago I picked my son up from basketball camp and we stopped by a local card shop on the way home. He bought some packs and I bought some supplies. He knows I don't really collect too many modern cards and as we looked at all the "old" wax boxes on the shelf he asked me what pack I'd want if I was going to buy one. I looked at the shelf for a minute and replied that as a kid I always loved the 1983 Topps cards. It was the first set I ever put together.

He wanted to buy a pack for me and he chose one carefully from the 1983 box. We opened our cards when we got out to the car and I was pretty surprised when I opened my pack. It had four Hall of Famers and a would-be Hall of Famer (if not for scandal):

--Wade Boggs (rookie)
--Tom Seaver (super veteran)
--Reggie Jackson
--Bruce Sutter
--Pete Rose

I complimented his pack-picking ability and told him he could keep the star cards for his HOF collection. He was thrilled and so was I.

[almostdone]

A couple weeks ago I picked my son up from basketball camp and we stopped by a local card shop on the way home. He bought some packs and I bought some supplies. He knows I don't really collect too many modern cards and as we looked at all the "old" wax boxes on the shelf he asked me what pack I'd want if I was going to buy one. I looked at the shelf for a minute and replied that as a kid I always loved the 1983 Topps cards. It was the first set I ever put together.

He wanted to buy a pack for me and he chose one carefully from the 1983 box. We opened our cards when we got out to the car and I was pretty surprised when I opened my pack. It had four Hall of Famers and a would-be Hall of Famer (if not for scandal):

--Wade Boggs (rookie)
--Tom Seaver (super veteran)
--Reggie Jackson
--Bruce Sutter
--Pete Rose

I complimented his pack-picking ability and told him he could keep the star cards for his HOF collection. He was thrilled and so was I.


Very cool story.
Drew

[brian1961]

Nice father & son outing, Brad. The fact your son wanted to buy a pack for you was especially moving. Thanks for sharing.

My first really nice pull occurred when I was 7 in 1961. My father was a very busy motion picture cameraman for NBC News. Since his work assignments took him away from home for long periods of time, any days when he was at home were special for my whole family.

I do not remember why I was out with my Dad alone, but anyway we stopped at a Wahlgreen's Drugstore in Skokie, Illinois on the way home. It was a cool late summer night with a bit of rain. He bought me one wax pack of 1961 Topps baseball cards. For whatever reason, it was just one pack, and the only pack of seventh series Topps baseball I would ever get.

However, upon opening the wrapper to see the five cards I got, I pulled the Mickey Mantle All-Star! Was I ever thrilled. Twas an unforgettable father & son outing for me on that evening.:D

I wish I had a happy ending for that wonderful moment. Being the naive, gullible kid I was then, I took the card to Powhatan Park in Skokie where I lived to show anybody who wanted to see my Mickey Mantle. This Italian kid a couple years older than I, whom I'd never met, walked over, looked at the Mantle, then raised his fist to my face. Glaring at me, he spoke ominously, "give me that card, kid, or I'll beat you up." I handed over the card to him. I wound up going to his house, and he gave me in trade as I remember three 1960 Topps cards, all commons, one being Turk Lown. I wanted my Mantle back. My Mom was furious, and told me to demand it back. I never got it back.

However, Joey and I actually became friends, and one time I remember waiting downstairs in their den while Joey and his parents ate their supper. His dad spoke with fury and was so loud I was frightened. I recall a large black 'n white photograph placed prominently of a WWII ship and all her officers and crew. I'm guessing that Joey's dad must have served our country in the Navy.

Anyway, after hearing Joey's dad somehow I had compassion for him. Later on, we were in a field with his little brother, Johnny, who was about my age. Deliberating naughty action, John opined that if he got caught, the first thing that'd happen would be "my father will kill me." I was stunned; I'd never before heard a kid speak like that about what his dad would do to him. I think it was then I mentally dropped the Mantle All-Star. Much as I wanted it back, maybe Joey needed that Mickey Mantle worse than I. Whatever. I never got Mickey back. Joey even tried to pull that trick on me again, but he broke into a grin, realizing I knew he wouldn't do anything. We'd become pals, loyal to each other.

Had the father ripped up the '61 Topps Mickey Mantle All-Star? I will never know this side of heaven.

Many years later, I finally replaced the card. It was always a tough one to find in nice condition. Mine came out an SGC 88 NM/MT. When I see my Mick, I often pause to reflect on my old pals Joey and Johnny; I'm sure they somehow made it through childhood with their hot tempered dad. Still .....you wonder.

Thanks for initiating a good thread. ---Brian Powell

[dbuchan]

I'm sure when I was younger I may have pulled something valuable but the only thing that really stands out is my most recent pull. A 2015 Topps Series 2 Babe Ruth Cut Signature, first time I bought cards in 20+ years. Pack cost me $12.99 and I sold it about 2 weeks later for over $7000. I still have pictures and the start of memories to get into collecting.

[porkchops]

I'm sure when I was younger I may have pulled something valuable but the only thing that really stands out is my most recent pull. A 2015 Topps Series 2 Babe Ruth Cut Signature, first time I bought cards in 20+ years. Pack cost me $12.99 and I sold it about 2 weeks later for over $7000. I still have pictures and the start of memories to get into collecting.

Now that's what I call "A Pull" !!!

[GasHouseGang]

I'm sure when I was younger I may have pulled something valuable but the only thing that really stands out is my most recent pull. A 2015 Topps Series 2 Babe Ruth Cut Signature, first time I bought cards in 20+ years. Pack cost me $12.99 and I sold it about 2 weeks later for over $7000. I still have pictures and the start of memories to get into collecting.

I don't collect much of the modern. Did you sell this raw or have it graded? Would graded vs raw have made much difference on the price realized?

[dbuchan]

It was sold raw. I thought about grading but for Babe Ruth alone I was seeing 200-300 minimum fee for signature grading plus card grading. So I guess Ill never know what the difference would have been.

[JTysver]

Wow. The money was good, but it would be hard for me to part with Mr. Ruth's sig. I guess another sig could be had for that price though.

[sycks22]

I remember buying a 84 Topps pack when I was a kid and pulling a Donnie baseball rookie out and I was jumping around all over the parking lot. It's always fun to remember the gold ol' days when packs didn't have 3 cards and cost $50

[quinnsryche]

Bit of a long story. I bought 2 boxes of early 2000's cards off ebay. After the first one, the second had all the cards stuck together in the packs like they had been in the heat or moisture. Every card completely ruined. I contacted the seller in hopes he would do something (I don't know who's fault it was they were like that). I didn't hear anything back but a package showed up at my door. It was a box of 2000 UD Yankees Greats or Legends. A note said he was sorry and hoped this would make up for the ruined cards. A very nice gesture on his part. Me and my son started opening the box and came across a bat card of Joe Gordon. No biggie, but there was only onepull per box so that was that. I told him go ahead and tear open the rest for fun. A minute later he says "dad, I got a Babe Ruth card". Cool, nice he knows who he is and seemed excited. Base card I'm sure, nothing special. "Hey it's like the other one" What? "It's got a piece of wood on it" No it doesn't, I'm sure, he's 6 and doesn't know what he's talking about. "Yes it does" I take a look and no sh*t, it's a Babe Ruth bat card! WOW! Coolest pull ever (and since then too). I emailed the seller to say thanks and let him know how much I appreciated it. Never heard a word back. Must have been PISSED when he heard he just gave away a $300 card!
That's my story.

[freakhappy]

Impossible to beat that Ruth cut auto pull...simply amazing :eek:

I started collecting around 1987, but one of the better pulls in my collecting days was a beautiful Ernie Banks jersey auto. I pulled it out of a box of 2001 UD Cooperstown Collection or something like that. The box was under $100 and that made this pull all the better. While it's not some epic pull, it is the kind of pull anyone would be happy with. When I opened it, I was overly happy and looking back at it, it reminds me of one of the better times of collecting...when I was younger and things were simpler and opening a box meant ripping 24-36 packs and not necessarily spending $125-300 to do so. The good 'ol days! And I still have the Banks...

[midwaylandscaping]

A 1986 Donruss Jose Canseco from a 86 Donruss box back in June 1986. :D

[rjackson44]

mike nice story

[ZiggerZagger]

I was in 6th grade, flying to Florida for vacation with my family and my best friend Mike. We were headed down to see Twins Spring Training, back when the players had to walk past the fans to get into the park.

For the flight down, I had saved all of my pennies to buy a box of '91 Donruss cards to open on the way. Just after we started opening them, we hit some turbulence -- nothing big at first, but it really did turn nasty. I was oblivious to it as Mike and I ripped open packs, but my parents later told us folks around us were truly scared.

We got down to the last few and, as I opened one of the final packs, I couldn't really process what I was seeing. The most gorgeous card I'd ever seen was sitting right in the middle of the pack, bronze foil on the front with marbled effect on the back. It was a Rickey Henderson Elite series card -- I'd heard about them, but had never seen one much less held one. Mike and I both were going ballistic, screaming, and all the while my parents trying to calm us down thinking we were terrified of this horrible turbulence.

Pulling that card, really in the days before premium cards were "a thing", was an absolutely formative childhood experience. It's not gem mint, but I'll never part with it!

[freakhappy]

I was in 6th grade, flying to Florida for vacation with my family and my best friend Mike. We were headed down to see Twins Spring Training, back when the players had to walk past the fans to get into the park.

For the flight down, I had saved all of my pennies to buy a box of '91 Donruss cards to open on the way. Just after we started opening them, we hit some turbulence -- nothing big at first, but it really did turn nasty. I was oblivious to it as Mike and I ripped open packs, but my parents later told us folks around us were truly scared.

We got down to the last few and, as I opened one of the final packs, I couldn't really process what I was seeing. The most gorgeous card I'd ever seen was sitting right in the middle of the pack, bronze foil on the front with marbled effect on the back. It was a Rickey Henderson Elite series card -- I'd heard about them, but had never seen one much less held one. Mike and I both were going ballistic, screaming, and all the while my parents trying to calm us down thinking we were terrified of this horrible turbulence.

Pulling that card, really in the days before premium cards were "a thing", was an absolutely formative childhood experience. It's not gem mint, but I'll never part with it!

Zig...great story! I absolutely loved those Elite series and Legend series inserts. They were the pull of all pulls back in the day. I remember thinking how tough those were to get and felt like they were impossible to obtain. My buddy pulled a Robin Yount Legend Series and when he sold off all of his cards, I made sure to get it from him...although by that time, it wasn't as upscale as once believed. But I still have the memory of how great they were at one time and how hard they were to pull, so to this day this Yount still means a lot to me and I'll probably never part with it.

Numbered to 10,000 to boot :p

[ZiggerZagger]

Numbered to 10,000 to boot :p

Mike--

Absolutely! To your point, the limited runs on these cards pale to the 1/1 culture in the hobby today, but they were truly tough pulls back in the day!

The only other Elite card I have is the Sandberg Signature Series -- bought it for $100 in the very early days of eBay (sending cash in an envelope, etc.). It has special significance to me as a Cubs fan though...

Numbered 1945/5,000. 1945 being the last year the Cubs won the Pennant. It was true when I bought it in '96, and it's (sadly) still true today!

[Sierra79]

Very cool. I too went through pack upon pack of this stuff when I was in middle school, but without ever finding a single one. The only ones I ever came close to seeing were in the advertised by Donruss in the Beckett's. To a middle school kid back in the day they were pretty mythical - a true white whale.

On a side note, I remember a story of my uncle buying two cases of '92 Donruss with a couple of friends looking for the elites and came up empty as well. However, my aunt who happened to be shopping, impulsively picked up a pack for him at the checkout (and then impulsively opened it before leaving). She ended up pulling the '92 Griffey Elite...of which he still has to this day in an overly thick screw-down.

[alfredoleal2001]

http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww204/alfredoleal2001/CalRipkenJrAuto.jpg (http://s720.photobucket.com/user/alfredoleal2001/media/CalRipkenJrAuto.jpg.html)

[esd10]

my first major pull was in 93 or 94 not sure but it came from the ted Williams collection it was a Michael Jordan card that looked like it was airbrushed. I sold it to the dealer right then for $30 in trade for more packs of cards and I remember how excited I was.

[Rookiemonster]

I bought the last pack of fleet ultra football and it was all inserts Reggie white , Bruce smith , Rick mierir , elway . I was pretty excited

[Peter_Spaeth]

All my luck was condensed into one day. In a store in the early 2000s, a Bird Magic (from my second pack of 81 Topps) and a Jordan (from my first pack of 86 Fleer). Not quite as good as it sounds, the Jordan was very roughly cut and off center.

Other than that, busting older packs has been an exercise in futility.