After 12 enjoyable years of buying, selling, trading, and collecting E98s; I have finally arrived at my collecting goal of a Master Set - All 30 players in all 4 colored backgrounds - 120 in total. The "Hunt" has been the most enjoyable part of the entire project. It all started about 12 years ago, when Jeff Doll (a lurking board member
) and I took a trip to Indianapolis with my wife who was job training. We spent the day searching for card and antique shops and came across a sports auction house by the name of Slater's Americana. I registered for thier next auction and won a Green Background Connie Mack. It was my first card to the set. I still have that card in this set. OF course it is now graded by SGC along with the rest of the set. My Master Set is on the SGC registry and I will slowly post scans of all the cards tonight. Forgive my scanner. It's not very good, and it leaves hair lines down the page through the cards. Anyway, Jeff and I have been vintage collectors ever since and have ventured to the National almost every year since. Another really enjoyable part about putting this set together is learning so much from others and getting to know many fellow collectors whom I call friends. Unfortunately, there ARE bad people in our hobby, but the overwhelming number of great people whom you meet is outstanding. I wish to thank the many fellow board members and dealers who have sold or traded E98s with me over the years. I want to thank many people tonight with helping me reach my goal. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE forgive me if I have left you off this list or spelled your name wrong! There are so many of you! I know I will leave somebody off. (You can remind me if you want!) The following have helped me either by selling, trading, or just being great fellow collectors with help. Thank You Pete Costanzo, Rob Adesso, Jeff Doll, Leon Luckey, Scott Brockelman, Brian McQueen, Mike Healer, Mac Wueben, Andy Garden, Matt Pienta, Bill (Spartan!), Gary Nuchereno, Bob Marquette, Ed Hans, Jimi Thayer, Richard Masson, Tim Newcomb, Michael Peich, John Spano, Lee Behrens, Richard Wong, Rob Gordy, and MANY MANY others. Thanks you to the Auction Houses. I love it when I see E98s up for auction. Again, sorry if I forgot you...12 years is a long time.
I especially want to thank Pete Costanzo for being such a great guy. We have bought and sold to each other many E98s over the past few years and it has benefitted us both on our quest for the Master Set. Pete even sold me the last card I needed for the set, a green Young, from his near Master Set! Thanks again Pete.
I hope you enjoy looking at my Master Set as much as I do. It is in lower grades, but I collect what I enjoy and can afford at my budget. To me, these are 102 year old treasures and it's alright if they look 102 years old!
Statistics: 1st Card - Green Mack
Last Card -Green Young
Favorite Pose- Hal Chase
Favorite Cards- Cobbs; My son, Tyrus, is named after him.
Easiest Foursome to Complete - Mullin
Best Condition Card - Red Bender SGC 70
Worst Condition Card - Orange Mack Dog Chew Toy Condition
Favorite Background: Blue
Special Cards: 4 Old Put Backs - Red Young, Red Dooin, Red Brown, Blue Dooin
Blue Meyers has 2 checklists on the back. 1/2 of one 1/2 of another
4 E98s of me made by my daughter as a Birthday gift this year.