Your first Really Nice pull ?

[BradH]

Originally Posted by Econteachert205

Pulled an 83 Boggs rookie at age 5 in 1987.

A couple weeks ago I picked my son up from basketball camp and we stopped by a local card shop on the way home. He bought some packs and I bought some supplies. He knows I don't really collect too many modern cards and as we looked at all the "old" wax boxes on the shelf he asked me what pack I'd want if I was going to buy one. I looked at the shelf for a minute and replied that as a kid I always loved the 1983 Topps cards. It was the first set I ever put together.

He wanted to buy a pack for me and he chose one carefully from the 1983 box. We opened our cards when we got out to the car and I was pretty surprised when I opened my pack. It had four Hall of Famers and a would-be Hall of Famer (if not for scandal):

--Wade Boggs (rookie)
--Tom Seaver (super veteran)
--Reggie Jackson
--Bruce Sutter
--Pete Rose

I complimented his pack-picking ability and told him he could keep the star cards for his HOF collection. He was thrilled and so was I.

[almostdone]

Originally Posted by BradH

A couple weeks ago I picked my son up from basketball camp and we stopped by a local card shop on the way home. He bought some packs and I bought some supplies. He knows I don't really collect too many modern cards and as we looked at all the "old" wax boxes on the shelf he asked me what pack I'd want if I was going to buy one. I looked at the shelf for a minute and replied that as a kid I always loved the 1983 Topps cards. It was the first set I ever put together.

He wanted to buy a pack for me and he chose one carefully from the 1983 box. We opened our cards when we got out to the car and I was pretty surprised when I opened my pack. It had four Hall of Famers and a would-be Hall of Famer (if not for scandal):

--Wade Boggs (rookie)
--Tom Seaver (super veteran)
--Reggie Jackson
--Bruce Sutter
--Pete Rose

I complimented his pack-picking ability and told him he could keep the star cards for his HOF collection. He was thrilled and so was I.

Very cool story.
Drew

[brian1961]

Nice father & son outing, Brad. The fact your son wanted to buy a pack for you was especially moving. Thanks for sharing.

My first really nice pull occurred when I was 7 in 1961. My father was a very busy motion picture cameraman for NBC News. Since his work assignments took him away from home for long periods of time, any days when he was at home were special for my whole family.

I do not remember why I was out with my Dad alone, but anyway we stopped at a Wahlgreen's Drugstore in Skokie, Illinois on the way home. It was a cool late summer night with a bit of rain. He bought me one wax pack of 1961 Topps baseball cards. For whatever reason, it was just one pack, and the only pack of seventh series Topps baseball I would ever get.

However, upon opening the wrapper to see the five cards I got, I pulled the Mickey Mantle All-Star! Was I ever thrilled. Twas an unforgettable father & son outing for me on that evening.

I wish I had a happy ending for that wonderful moment. Being the naive, gullible kid I was then, I took the card to Powhatan Park in Skokie where I lived to show anybody who wanted to see my Mickey Mantle. This Italian kid a couple years older than I, whom I'd never met, walked over, looked at the Mantle, then raised his fist to my face. Glaring at me, he spoke ominously, "give me that card, kid, or I'll beat you up." I handed over the card to him. I wound up going to his house, and he gave me in trade as I remember three 1960 Topps cards, all commons, one being Turk Lown. I wanted my Mantle back. My Mom was furious, and told me to demand it back. I never got it back.

However, Joey and I actually became friends, and one time I remember waiting downstairs in their den while Joey and his parents ate their supper. His dad spoke with fury and was so loud I was frightened. I recall a large black 'n white photograph placed prominently of a WWII ship and all her officers and crew. I'm guessing that Joey's dad must have served our country in the Navy.

Anyway, after hearing Joey's dad somehow I had compassion for him. Later on, we were in a field with his little brother, Johnny, who was about my age. Deliberating naughty action, John opined that if he got caught, the first thing that'd happen would be "my father will kill me." I was stunned; I'd never before heard a kid speak like that about what his dad would do to him. I think it was then I mentally dropped the Mantle All-Star. Much as I wanted it back, maybe Joey needed that Mickey Mantle worse than I. Whatever. I never got Mickey back. Joey even tried to pull that trick on me again, but he broke into a grin, realizing I knew he wouldn't do anything. We'd become pals, loyal to each other.

Had the father ripped up the '61 Topps Mickey Mantle All-Star? I will never know this side of heaven.

Many years later, I finally replaced the card. It was always a tough one to find in nice condition. Mine came out an SGC 88 NM/MT. When I see my Mick, I often pause to reflect on my old pals Joey and Johnny; I'm sure they somehow made it through childhood with their hot tempered dad. Still .....you wonder.

Thanks for initiating a good thread. ---Brian Powell

[dbuchan]

I'm sure when I was younger I may have pulled something valuable but the only thing that really stands out is my most recent pull. A 2015 Topps Series 2 Babe Ruth Cut Signature, first time I bought cards in 20+ years. Pack cost me $12.99 and I sold it about 2 weeks later for over $7000. I still have pictures and the start of memories to get into collecting.

[porkchops]

Originally Posted by dbuchan

I'm sure when I was younger I may have pulled something valuable but the only thing that really stands out is my most recent pull. A 2015 Topps Series 2 Babe Ruth Cut Signature, first time I bought cards in 20+ years. Pack cost me $12.99 and I sold it about 2 weeks later for over $7000. I still have pictures and the start of memories to get into collecting.

Now that's what I call "A Pull" !!!

[GasHouseGang]

Originally Posted by dbuchan

I'm sure when I was younger I may have pulled something valuable but the only thing that really stands out is my most recent pull. A 2015 Topps Series 2 Babe Ruth Cut Signature, first time I bought cards in 20+ years. Pack cost me $12.99 and I sold it about 2 weeks later for over $7000. I still have pictures and the start of memories to get into collecting.

I don't collect much of the modern. Did you sell this raw or have it graded? Would graded vs raw have made much difference on the price realized?

[dbuchan]

It was sold raw. I thought about grading but for Babe Ruth alone I was seeing 200-300 minimum fee for signature grading plus card grading. So I guess Ill never know what the difference would have been.

[JTysver]

Wow. The money was good, but it would be hard for me to part with Mr. Ruth's sig. I guess another sig could be had for that price though.