I’ve been in OBC since July 2000 and I have enjoyed many experiences while a part of the group. Enough guys have chimed in so I will do my best not to be redundant. Let me tell you about the OBC Swap meet at the National.
Imagine if you will 25+ guys hangin’ out chewin’ the fat pawing through everybody’s dupe boxes to find some cardboard gold, hollering out card numbers and literally throwing cardboard throughout the room. Some guys are pulling cardboard for someone who could not make it to the National and an auction is going on but the only acceptable bid is nothing – just stick your paw up and say I need that one and it comes your way. The pizza comes, more jawboning and collectibles fly – before you know it 4 hours have past, you’ve been forced to start 5 new sets and as much as you tried to leave with less than you came with it just never works out that way. To your amazement fans of the Tigers, Indians, Mets, Reds, Cards, Dodgers, Red Sox, Stankees and just about any team that’s hit the diamond can peacefully co-exist in this environment. It’s just a great night of camaraderie that is the highlight for my annual pilgrimage to the National year after year.
It was to this “event” that I invited Ed (a few posts ago) to, we had met through another trading group but I think that evening re-invigorated the hobby for him. You see OBC is a card collecting group but it really is more about the friends we make along the way and sharing our love for the hobby. It’s already been said “OBC is not for everyone” and it’s very true if you’re into collecting slabbed beauties and only 9’s or 10’s will do then we at OBC can offer you advice on how to liberate the cardboard from the plastic tomb but are likely to be able to help you with your collection. On the other hand, if you wish to return to the candy store steps where you ripped wax, stuffed your mouth with gum, flipped, traded, stuck a couple in the spokes of the bike and the rest in your back pocket –and those cards in “well loved” condition remind you of the friends you collected with then maybe you might want to check us out and the guys we collect with now.
See us at:
www.oldbaseball.com
BTW – Ralph I have always enjoyed trading with you and will continue to do so whether you drink the OBC kool-aid or not. BE WELL!!!!
