Why do you collect baseball cards?

[2dueces]

Collecting picture of dead men is sure a great pick up line for chicks. Try it some time.

[sportscardpete]

Originally Posted by 2dueces

Collecting picture of dead men is sure a great pick up line for chicks. Try it some time.

I assume so, girls love that kind of stuff!

[Howe’s Hunter]

baseball and marketing. Have only collected t206s, but would love to have been in the room when the marketing guy said "we could get the kids hooked on tobacco by putting pictures of their favorite players in the packs. We'll make a fortune!"

[jp1216]

Good question. For the most part, I'd say the 'feeling like a kid again' aspect is the strongest (for me). I love sorting through cards, trading, scanning, displaying, attending shows and talking about them (Net54). The fact that they have financial value is nice, but doesn't drive me. I bought some cards 20 years ago 'as an investment'. I did flip them years later for a gain, but didn't enjoy it. Those cards were never 'mine'.
When my kids see me with my cards, they see the enjoyment. I love it when they say I should grow up...

[greenmonster66]

For me why I love collecting so much it takes me away from the hectic rat race of work,etc. It is my private time to enjoy and relax collecting the immortals of our past. I actually envision me going back in time to the roaring 20s or 30s and seeing these ballplayers and all close up and see a time in life when things were I guess better off perhaps??? Overall enjoyable hobby and quite relaxing to me!!

[scmavl]

My wife would say it's because "I like old things". Same reason I write with a fountain pen.

I open 80's packs to feel like a kid again.
I collect vintage for the nostalgia/history of the game.
I open modern to make money to buy more vintage.

[freakhappy]

Steven, great thread by the way.

I've collected cards ever since I was eight years old and I'm 32 now, so its been something I've done for most of my life. I've always loved sports and in the past five years or so, my passion for the hobby has exploded. I don't really buy cards for their monetary value, but do love to find the great deal. I do occasionally flip cards to make a little money to help in other areas of my collection.

All I can really say is that I've loved collecting since I was young, going to trade night at Jim's Dugout being able to see other's collections and money never being a factor at all, just liking certain players. One huge thing for me was being able to buy certain cards like Walter Payton and Wayne Gretzky's rookie because when I was young, that was only a pipedream and not reality, owning them that is. Every once in a while I go through my cards and admire them and pick up the Payton or other like cards and still marvel at them like they are a million bucks...gotta love it.

Overall, it's a hobby that I love and enjoy and there is so much to learn about it and has a great following as well. I can't say how happy I am to have found Net54 as are many others are as well...such a great site to learn and purchase cards otherwise I could not have.

Mike

[vintagecpa]

Collecting post-war cards is a hobby. Collecting pre-war cards is a disease that doesn't appear to have a cure. My wife has nearly the same reaction when I open one of my packages. Except she channels all her positive energy into raising one eyebrow, grinding her teeth and asking "now how much did that one cost?" I guess collecting cardboard pictures of dead sports figures doesn't capture everyone's imagination.

[rainier2004]

Originally Posted by freakhappy

One huge thing for me was being able to buy certain cards like Walter Payton and Wayne Gretzky's rookie because when I was young, that was only a pipedream and not reality, owning them that is. Every once in a while I go through my cards and admire them and pick up the Payton or other like cards and still marvel at them like they are a million bucks...gotta love it.

You GOTTA love it!

97man:
I dont think any of us are on track...its amazing that old cardboard can help w/ a loss as well.

[Cardboard Junkie]

......Because I'm not gay? Really because it's as close to a time machine that I have found. Aloha, Dave.

[rainier2004]

Originally Posted by jp1216

When my kids see me with my cards, they see the enjoyment. I love it when they say I should grow up...

Thats awesome!

[97manoftroy]

I started collecting cards as way to spend more time with father. He was a die had dodger fan so as way to needle him I started collecting any and everything new york yankee. We were able to share a lot of laughs and alot of great memories. After 15 years I had to liquidate my entire collection to cover his funeral expenses.

I just started thinking about collecting cards again after 11 years away from it. Reading this board has actually helped me find that kid inside again. I think thats the main reason I do it. Its just some pictures on cardboard but they all carry a story.

(sorry if I got off track there)