[Eric72]

As I wrote earlier, I have very little left from my childhood collecting days. This group of three cards is an exception…sort of. They weren’t originally mine; these cards belonged to my father.

Tom Perry was in his 30s when he got these. So, they’re not from his childhood, either. He picked them up in the 1980s, though, when Don Mattingly was all the rage. I was 16 years old and up to my eyeballs in cardboard back then. OK, so I’m still up to my eyeballs in cardboard. The point is…my dad decided to start collecting with me and he brought home a pack of 1988 Topps one day, for himself! Candidly, I was a bit surprised; however, the initial shock wore off quickly and I became excited at the prospect of doing this together.

Side note: never doubt the wisdom of parents. Along with the obvious, there was also a subtle message. I was 16 years old at that point. In Pennsylvania at least, I could begin earning my own money at that age. Terms and conditions were changing at the First National Bank of Dad. Sure, he would buy food, clothes, tickets to games, etc. However, my voracious appetite for cards became much more selective when I was the one footing the bill.

Back to that pack of 1988 Topps. As luck would have it (and as you probably guessed) there was a Don Mattingly inside. Clearly, the star of the pack. My dad and I, plus a friend of mine who happened to be there, all had the type of fun that is unique to cards and talking baseball. On that day, my dad discovered “his guy” in the hobby. My friend was a Canseco/A’s fan (in Southeastern PA…traitor) and I was (and am) a Phillies fan. Donnie Baseball and the Evil Empire (I mean, New York Yankees) weren’t spoken for within our decidedly small circle. So, my dad “claimed” him, and so began my dad’s own personal collecting journey.

Inevitably, by the way, the conversation that first day turned to Mattingly’s “best” cards. Nearly everyone who was part of the hobby back in the 80s will remember these three cards. Sure, there were others. The benefit of hindsight tells us there were scarcer things to chase. However, these three were the most popular back then, and no Mattingly collection was (or is) complete without them. It wasn’t long before my dad picked these up, the ones I’ve pictured in this thread. Yes, I realize they’re not “Gem Mint 10, dead centered, razor sharp blazers” or anything like that. That’s not what this thread is really about, though. It’s about still having cards my father got back in the 80s, when he and I collected together.

My dad’s pursuit of all things Mattingly lasted for about ten years. It’s funny how random chance can shape a decade. I think of all the hobby-related things that happened in my life during that time. I went from collector to show dealer to running a baseball card store. Collections came and went; started anew, rebuilt, sold off…again and again and again. All the while, my dad kept plugging away with incredible focus. He never sold or traded anything, something for which I am eternally grateful.

My dad passed away three years ago. I miss him quite a bit, as we shared many wonderful memories through the years. We also shared a love for baseball. Fortunately, I have that collection we put together. Unlike most baseball cards, its value transcends “book price” or “recent comps.” To me, it’s priceless. I can look through a box and find myself transported back in time. I can leaf through a binder and feel emotion welling within me. I can pick up three cards, get the irresistible urge to photograph them, and share this with all of you.

Damn, I love this hobby.