I am so in love with this forum!

[the 'stache]

I don't remember exactly what I was doing a month or so ago when I first stumbled across net54baseball, but I feel so lucky that I have found it. Not only are all of you guys friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, but this forum, more than any other place I have visited on the web since I started collecting again, gives me the same rush I felt when I was a little kid opening my first wax packs. I am still, it seems, that little kid, wide eyed, pressing my nose up against the window, and net54 is my candy store.

I don't know what it is about baseball that has so resonated with me over the years. Even when I wasn't buying baseball cards, I remained passionate about the sport. I love football, I played tennis and basketball, and still follow all three. But it is baseball that has been the one constant in my life. Women have come and gone, but baseball has always been there for me. The game itself is perfect, and unique. I get anxious as spring training approaches. I can almost smell the grass, taste the peanuts, and hear the guy yelling "hot dogs here. Get your hot dogs here". I love getting my first glimpse of the next great baseball player. I marvel at the athletic ability of these men that play 162 games a year.

I have spent more hours reading baseball statistics than any grown man should. And if a game is on, even if one my teams isn't playing, I will stop what I am doing, and watch. I hear the crack of the bat, and I become Pavlov's dog (minus the slobbering). I could listen to Vin Scully, or Bob Uecker, for hours. I can turn on the MLB Network, and whatever is on, I'm fascinated. I watch Ken Burns' "Baseball" over and over, and wish I could find a DeLorean so I could go back in time and watch Jackie Robinson race around the base paths, hair on fire, cleats flying though the air as he slides into third. I'd give anything to see Mickey Mantle crush a ball, or see Clemente race over to make a catch in right, and fire a perfect strike to third. I'd love to see Bob Feller, Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and the Babe in their primes, the Iron Horse, Hammerin' Hank and Jimmy Foxx, Stan Musial, Joe DiMaggio, Say Hey, Al Kaline, Walter Johnson, Ty Cobb... I'd give my left arm to see all the greats of the game, but I know that's impossible.

But this forum is the next best thing. I log on every day not knowing what I'm going to see. Each time one of you share the latest addition to your collections, it's a piece of history. This forum makes me feel that same excitement again. It's not about "hey, I just got this card, and I'll turn around and sell it for this". This place is for people that love the game, love the hobby, and excitedly rush out to the mailbox like I do. I am constantly amazed by some of the things I have seen, and I know that I have people that will help me navigate the uncertain waters of collecting vintage cards for the first time. I can't wait to get going, and share my cards with you all.

So, I want to say a big "thank you" to everybody I have had a chance to interact with, and an even bigger thank you to Leon for making this very special place available to everybody. I am enjoying myself immensely, and look forward to what the future holds.

Batter up.