What defines your collection? Why is baseball different?

[ClementeFanOh]

bk400- this is a great question, as evidenced by how thorough and serious
the responses have been. I'll add my small portion:

1) I began playing baseball in 1976, which was the same year I began
collecting cards. There are many formative memories from that time,
buoyed by an enormous amount of reading on the sport that hasn't
stopped. Unlike many folks, I didn't "move on" from collecting. I am now
able to focus on players/sets that intrigue me for any number of reasons.
I have discovered that acquiring a nice card is very fulfilling, and there's a
tangible sense of accomplishment to enjoy.

2) Your second question has been ably answered. Although I disagree with
your comment about not identifying with past players in other sports, I do
believe baseball has been in this country's consciousness in a more
pronounced way than other sports. There's something compelling
about "normal" (forgive the primitive term) guys playing a sport outside
in the sun, sans masks/"battle gear". I find it to be familiar and pleasing
at the same time- I can relate to the experience (NOT the skill level).

Trent King