Why do you collect what you collect?

[BuzzD]

Life-long NYY fan. I started in 1970's trying to get a card of each player in a NYY uniform, then later, an original photo in a NYY uniform or an autograph. For some early players, I have conceded and picked up a non-uni card or photo. There are 79 players who were in only one game as a NYY. I have a card, photo and/or autograph of 61 so far. Some are rare or scarce. eg see Guy Cooper Bain photo. It is dated the day he appeared in his one game.

It is also remarkable, at least to me, that there are some later players that seem impossible to find as a NYY: Greg Harris (1994) Jeff Patterson (1995) Billy Brewer (1996). You would think that the team might have made a photo available.

I find it a lot of fun to score really obscure players rather than investment stuff. And some not so obscure. Germany Schaefer has several cards noted as NYAL but he is always in a Detroit uni. He played one game on 8.9.1916 for NYY. Couple years ago I found a great photo of him fooling around in a NYY sweater.

The what part of the question is easy. The why part is harder. At my age, I feel like I am just renting these items for a little while.