Member’s most precious card

[Republicaninmass]

The year was 1989, I was a 13-year-old heading to Fenway Park with my 63-year-old grandmother for her first Red Sox game. The Sox were playing the mighty Oakland A's in a late September battle. It was a Sunday afternoon to which I had been looking forward to all summer long. I had spent countless hours thinking about this day: just my second Red Sox game, and my grandmother, a diehard fan, getting her first visit to Fenway. I can't tell whether it meant more to me then or now, but the feeling is still overwhelming.

In preparation for that game, I had thumbed through countless baseball cards, in an attempt to find cards of players to ask for autographs during batting practice at the dugout. Of course my parents and grandmother thought I was a dreamer for thinking I could actually get someone to sign one of my cards, but I had heard that players would willingly sign.

Herein lies a problem I had to deal with that day: the Red Sox latest star, Nick Esasky, did not have a Red Sox card yet as he had been a recent trade. He was on a tear with 26 home runs, probably leading the team at that point, and I needed to hunt for a card of his. I could not show up empty handed in case the once in a lifetime opportunity occurred and Esasky decided to sign my card. I finally found one in my stash, a 1989 Score card of him with the Reds. Now I was ready for the game.

I entered Fenway with the wide eyes only a child could have. When I walked up that ramp and saw the green monster and the outfield grass - after watching it on television so many times - it took my breath away. The sheer size, color, and smells of the park sent me into sensory overload. With my plastic freezer bag filled with cards and a pen I headed down to the mob scene which was looking for autographs around the Red Sox dugout.

After trying and failing with many of the players, some who signed, and some who didn't, along came Esasky. I started yelling: "Mr. Esasky! Mr. Esasky!" while thumbing madly through my bag looking for his card. I don't know if it was the lack of his having a Red Sox card that helped my efforts that day, but it seemed like I was the only one yelling his name. Our eyes locked, and sure enough he came over and granted my wish.

When I got back to my seat I was wild. My grandmother couldn't believe I actually got a card signed by Nick Esasky. The only thing that could have made that day better was if he were to hit a home run after touching my card for luck. Which he did in the seventh inning.

[harperj497]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

The year was 1989, I was a 13-year-old heading to Fenway Park with my 63-year-old grandmother for her first Red Sox game. The Sox were playing the mighty Oakland A's in a late September battle. It was a Sunday afternoon to which I had been looking forward to all summer long. I had spent countless hours thinking about this day: just my second Red Sox game, and my grandmother, a diehard fan, getting her first visit to Fenway. I can't tell whether it meant more to me then or now, but the feeling is still overwhelming.

In preparation for that game, I had thumbed through countless baseball cards, in an attempt to find cards of players to ask for autographs during batting practice at the dugout. Of course my parents and grandmother thought I was a dreamer for thinking I could actually get someone to sign one of my cards, but I had heard that players would willingly sign.

Herein lies a problem I had to deal with that day: the Red Sox latest star, Nick Esasky, did not have a Red Sox card yet as he had been a recent trade. He was on a tear with 26 home runs, probably leading the team at that point, and I needed to hunt for a card of his. I could not show up empty handed in case the once in a lifetime opportunity occurred and Esasky decided to sign my card. I finally found one in my stash, a 1989 Score card of him with the Reds. Now I was ready for the game.

I entered Fenway with the wide eyes only a child could have. When I walked up that ramp and saw the green monster and the outfield grass - after watching it on television so many times - it took my breath away. The sheer size, color, and smells of the park sent me into sensory overload. With my plastic freezer bag filled with cards and a pen I headed down to the mob scene which was looking for autographs around the Red Sox dugout.

After trying and failing with many of the players, some who signed, and some who didn't, along came Esasky. I started yelling: "Mr. Esasky! Mr. Esasky!" while thumbing madly through my bag looking for his card. I don't know if it was the lack of his having a Red Sox card that helped my efforts that day, but it seemed like I was the only one yelling his name. Our eyes locked, and sure enough he came over and granted my wish.

When I got back to my seat I was wild. My grandmother couldn't believe I actually got a card signed by Nick Esasky. The only thing that could have made that day better was if he were to hit a home run after touching my card for luck. Which he did in the seventh inning.

Wow!
I’m jealous man lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rad_Hazard]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

The year was 1989, I was a 13-year-old heading to Fenway Park with my 63-year-old grandmother for her first Red Sox game. The Sox were playing the mighty Oakland A's in a late September battle. It was a Sunday afternoon to which I had been looking forward to all summer long. I had spent countless hours thinking about this day: just my second Red Sox game, and my grandmother, a diehard fan, getting her first visit to Fenway. I can't tell whether it meant more to me then or now, but the feeling is still overwhelming.

In preparation for that game, I had thumbed through countless baseball cards, in an attempt to find cards of players to ask for autographs during batting practice at the dugout. Of course my parents and grandmother thought I was a dreamer for thinking I could actually get someone to sign one of my cards, but I had heard that players would willingly sign.

Herein lies a problem I had to deal with that day: the Red Sox latest star, Nick Esasky, did not have a Red Sox card yet as he had been a recent trade. He was on a tear with 26 home runs, probably leading the team at that point, and I needed to hunt for a card of his. I could not show up empty handed in case the once in a lifetime opportunity occurred and Esasky decided to sign my card. I finally found one in my stash, a 1989 Score card of him with the Reds. Now I was ready for the game.

I entered Fenway with the wide eyes only a child could have. When I walked up that ramp and saw the green monster and the outfield grass - after watching it on television so many times - it took my breath away. The sheer size, color, and smells of the park sent me into sensory overload. With my plastic freezer bag filled with cards and a pen I headed down to the mob scene which was looking for autographs around the Red Sox dugout.

After trying and failing with many of the players, some who signed, and some who didn't, along came Esasky. I started yelling: "Mr. Esasky! Mr. Esasky!" while thumbing madly through my bag looking for his card. I don't know if it was the lack of his having a Red Sox card that helped my efforts that day, but it seemed like I was the only one yelling his name. Our eyes locked, and sure enough he came over and granted my wish.

When I got back to my seat I was wild. My grandmother couldn't believe I actually got a card signed by Nick Esasky. The only thing that could have made that day better was if he were to hit a home run after touching my card for luck. Which he did in the seventh inning.

Incredible! Thank you for sharing. I love stories like that.

[ALR-bishop]

Neat story Ted

[raulus]

How do you pick just one??!!!

I will restrain myself and suggest that these two are the nearest to my heart, although they are not necessarily the most valuable in my collection.

Mostly because they are somewhat challenging to find, I guess. And if I ever did let them go, I suspect that I would have a hard time ever getting them back.

[mrreality68]

Many Great Cards everyone is sharing

And always tough as a collector since we do not want to give up any

For me this would be one of the hardest to part with

[CobbSpikedMe]

The first card, T206 Hannifan, was my very first prewar card, first T206, and most importantly, my first Jersey City Skeeters card. I wanted a T206 since I was a kid and at the end of my college career I decided to get one. I got a Kit Young catalog and rifled through it and got to the T206 section. There was one image as an example and then just a list of cards available. I picked this card because it was a Jersey City card and I'm from Jersey so it seemed a natural choice. I loved it when it arrived and couldn't believe I finally had a T206. It was a Sovereign back as well. No backs were listed in the catalog, it was before backs were a big thing.

This not only made me love prewar cards and start my prewar collecting, it also started my Jersey City Skeeters collection. The second card shown is my T215 Red Cross Billy Purtell Jersey City card which has one card (this card) graded by SGC and no cards graded by PSA at this time. So I'm defintiely keeping this one as I wouldn't be able to replace it any time soon even IF there are any others out there that aren't graded.

Take care fellas.




.

[harperj497]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

Many Great Cards everyone is sharing

And always tough as a collector since we do not want to give up any

For me this would be one of the hardest to part with

Love this. That’s a neat one right there !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[oldjudge]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

Many Great Cards everyone is sharing

And always tough as a collector since we do not want to give up any

For me this would be one of the hardest to part with

Jeff—Beautiful card for the grade!

[hockeyhockey]

Originally Posted by raulus

How do you pick just one??!!!

I will restrain myself and suggest that these two are the nearest to my heart, although they are not necessarily the most valuable in my collection.

Mostly because they are somewhat challenging to find, I guess. And if I ever did let them go, I suspect that I would have a hard time ever getting them back.

that mays is awesome. how rare is that? seems hard to find any 1961 dice game cards (other than the slew of remakes)

[raulus]

Originally Posted by hockeyhockey

that mays is awesome. how rare is that? seems hard to find any 1961 dice game cards (other than the slew of remakes)

There are 3 total Mays dice game items that I know of. Two in PSA holders (including this one), and one in a SGC holder. Could be that there are more, because you never know. As I understand it, until somewhat recently, there were some real questions about the maker of this issue. So I suspect it’s possible that we’ll learn more in the future, although considering how much I have tied up in this one, I hope that there’s not a gigantic stash of a few thousand that will come out from someone’s secret hidden supply.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by raulus

There are 3 total Mays dice game items that I know of. Two in PSA holders (including this one), and one in a SGC holder. Could be that there are more, because you never know. As I understand it, until somewhat recently, there were some real questions about the maker of this issue. So I suspect it’s possible that we’ll learn more in the future, although considering how much I have tied up in this one, I hope that there’s not a gigantic stash of a few thousand that will come out from someone’s secret hidden supply.

I have found that the best way to make more of a card appear, is to pay high end of market for a copy of that card. Works for me every time!

[hockeyhockey]

Originally Posted by raulus

There are 3 total Mays dice game items that I know of. Two in PSA holders (including this one), and one in a SGC holder. Could be that there are more, because you never know. As I understand it, until somewhat recently, there were some real questions about the maker of this issue. So I suspect it’s possible that we’ll learn more in the future, although considering how much I have tied up in this one, I hope that there’s not a gigantic stash of a few thousand that will come out from someone’s secret hidden supply.

amazing. i never even heard of it before seeing your copy. super cool item.

[Lucas00]

Originally Posted by hockeyhockey

that mays is awesome. how rare is that? seems hard to find any 1961 dice game cards (other than the slew of remakes)

They are one of the rarest post war releases ever made. I don’t think a single card has above 3 or 4 examples graded in the set.
My friend is a big Musial collector, after he saw the dice game scarcity and price he told me “I’ll just pretend like I never saw that one”

[Kutcher55]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

The year was 1989, I was a 13-year-old heading to Fenway Park with my 63-year-old grandmother for her first Red Sox game. The Sox were playing the mighty Oakland A's in a late September battle. It was a Sunday afternoon to which I had been looking forward to all summer long. I had spent countless hours thinking about this day: just my second Red Sox game, and my grandmother, a diehard fan, getting her first visit to Fenway. I can't tell whether it meant more to me then or now, but the feeling is still overwhelming.

In preparation for that game, I had thumbed through countless baseball cards, in an attempt to find cards of players to ask for autographs during batting practice at the dugout. Of course my parents and grandmother thought I was a dreamer for thinking I could actually get someone to sign one of my cards, but I had heard that players would willingly sign.

Herein lies a problem I had to deal with that day: the Red Sox latest star, Nick Esasky, did not have a Red Sox card yet as he had been a recent trade. He was on a tear with 26 home runs, probably leading the team at that point, and I needed to hunt for a card of his. I could not show up empty handed in case the once in a lifetime opportunity occurred and Esasky decided to sign my card. I finally found one in my stash, a 1989 Score card of him with the Reds. Now I was ready for the game.

I entered Fenway with the wide eyes only a child could have. When I walked up that ramp and saw the green monster and the outfield grass - after watching it on television so many times - it took my breath away. The sheer size, color, and smells of the park sent me into sensory overload. With my plastic freezer bag filled with cards and a pen I headed down to the mob scene which was looking for autographs around the Red Sox dugout.

After trying and failing with many of the players, some who signed, and some who didn't, along came Esasky. I started yelling: "Mr. Esasky! Mr. Esasky!" while thumbing madly through my bag looking for his card. I don't know if it was the lack of his having a Red Sox card that helped my efforts that day, but it seemed like I was the only one yelling his name. Our eyes locked, and sure enough he came over and granted my wish.

When I got back to my seat I was wild. My grandmother couldn't believe I actually got a card signed by Nick Esasky. The only thing that could have made that day better was if he were to hit a home run after touching my card for luck. Which he did in the seventh inning.

Cool story! Nick Esasky was terrific that year and seemed destined for stardom before he got hit with vertigo and never could make it back.

[scooter729]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

The year was 1989, I was a 13-year-old heading to Fenway Park with my 63-year-old grandmother for her first Red Sox game. The Sox were playing the mighty Oakland A's in a late September battle. It was a Sunday afternoon to which I had been looking forward to all summer long. I had spent countless hours thinking about this day: just my second Red Sox game, and my grandmother, a diehard fan, getting her first visit to Fenway. I can't tell whether it meant more to me then or now, but the feeling is still overwhelming.

In preparation for that game, I had thumbed through countless baseball cards, in an attempt to find cards of players to ask for autographs during batting practice at the dugout. Of course my parents and grandmother thought I was a dreamer for thinking I could actually get someone to sign one of my cards, but I had heard that players would willingly sign.

Herein lies a problem I had to deal with that day: the Red Sox latest star, Nick Esasky, did not have a Red Sox card yet as he had been a recent trade. He was on a tear with 26 home runs, probably leading the team at that point, and I needed to hunt for a card of his. I could not show up empty handed in case the once in a lifetime opportunity occurred and Esasky decided to sign my card. I finally found one in my stash, a 1989 Score card of him with the Reds. Now I was ready for the game.

I entered Fenway with the wide eyes only a child could have. When I walked up that ramp and saw the green monster and the outfield grass - after watching it on television so many times - it took my breath away. The sheer size, color, and smells of the park sent me into sensory overload. With my plastic freezer bag filled with cards and a pen I headed down to the mob scene which was looking for autographs around the Red Sox dugout.

After trying and failing with many of the players, some who signed, and some who didn't, along came Esasky. I started yelling: "Mr. Esasky! Mr. Esasky!" while thumbing madly through my bag looking for his card. I don't know if it was the lack of his having a Red Sox card that helped my efforts that day, but it seemed like I was the only one yelling his name. Our eyes locked, and sure enough he came over and granted my wish.

When I got back to my seat I was wild. My grandmother couldn't believe I actually got a card signed by Nick Esasky. The only thing that could have made that day better was if he were to hit a home run after touching my card for luck. Which he did in the seventh inning.

Hey Ted - love it! Your story sent me scouring through my attic for an old photo.

I loved Esasky as well in that summer of '89. I was a dorky (as you can see below) high school kid, who would ride my bike a few miles after school to hang out at Fenway and collect autographs.

I was lucky enough to get a photo with Esasky, then on a different day had him sign it. I remember him being super nice and great about signing, which was awesome because he was having such a great season.

It was a bummer when he left after that '89 season, and even worse to see vertigo end his career shortly after. But it is nice to know he created wonderful memories for at least two young fans that summer!