I simply do not understand Modern - Doncic vs Mantle

[MattyC]

I am not sure most of modern is "collecting." Are there modern card buyers who actually collect? Sure. But the more I see in modern, the more it seems to me, on the whole, like a get rich quick game, something akin to gambling, for adrenaline junkies. So while both realms are comprised of cards, in modern it seems like far more of the buyers are buying solely to flip to the next man, as opposed to buying for a collection. Gambling in that sense is fine, just hanging a lantern on how it seems like it is a totally different ecosystem and culture, despite how both revolve around cards.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by MattyC

I am not sure most of modern is "collecting." Are there modern card buyers who actually collect? Sure. But the more I see in modern, the more it seems to me, on the whole, like a get rich quick game, something akin to gambling, for adrenaline junkies. So while both realms are comprised of cards, in modern it seems like far more of the buyers are buying solely to flip to the next man, as opposed to buying for a collection. Gambling in that sense is fine, just hanging a lantern on how it seems like it is a totally different ecosystem and culture, despite how both revolve around cards.

This has been such a cyclical thing since the junk wax era. I recall reading hobby press commentary 20-30 years ago about the modern investor-gambler mentality creeping so far down into the kids that they were so about the hits rather than the cards that they were leaving 'worthless' commons on tables at shows right after buying them. Today's version of it is on steroids. I'd never have thought you could sell a product that was essentially nothing but hits and have it go over well or that you could pull a card out of a pack depicting a youngster and have it skyrocket past superstar HOFers before the kid has any accomplishments. I understand chasing a touted rookie. That's time honored. But the rate of appreciation is unprecedented. No wonder idiots are beating each other to get at the retail packages.

https://youtu.be/NygeaRLnAYE

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

This has been such a cyclical thing since the junk wax era. I recall reading hobby press commentary 20-30 years ago about the modern investor-gambler mentality creeping so far down into the kids that they were so about the hits rather than the cards that they were leaving 'worthless' commons on tables at shows right after buying them. Today's version of it is on steroids. I'd never have thought you could sell a product that was essentially nothing but hits and have it go over well.

That's one of the, if not the, main things about Breakers, it's all about the hits. Just think how boring it would be for them to only ever open up boxes of base set cards where they're mostly going to be just common players. The people hosting the Breaks can only provide so much faux enthusiasm or Harry Caray imitations, to keep the audience amused and interested otherwise.

It will definitely be interesting to see if Fanatics continues long-term to produce card products that are primarily and more or less exclusively targeted for Breakers and their patrons.

[D. Bergin]

People certainly are strange.

I'm convinced if we all had access to a foolproof flash forward information engine, and found out that in 3 years time a Joe Shlabotnick Rookie card was going to be worth $5000...within a week that card would be trading at $15,000 with no ceiling in sight, and traders jockeying for position on when to short the card.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by BobC

That's one of the, if not the, main things about Breakers, it's all about the hits. Just think how boring it would be for them to only ever open up boxes of base set cards where they're mostly going to be just common players. The people hosting the Breaks can only provide so much faux enthusiasm or Harry Caray imitations, to keep the audience amused and interested otherwise.

It will definitely be interesting to see if Fanatics continues long-term to produce card products that are primarily and more or less exclusively targeted for Breakers and their patrons.

Probably why I find modern breaks so uninteresting. Buncha card queens going ape$hit over something that has no meaning to me.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Probably why I find modern breaks so uninteresting. Buncha card queens going ape$hit over something that has no meaning to me.

I actually have a couple younger friends that I knew through a place I used to work at that are fairly well-known Breakers. I even went along and helped them one year at the National in Chicago, in the Breakers pavilion the whole time. They (Breakers) aren't entirely as bad as you make them out to be, but they definitely have to try and keep interest and enthusiasm up during the breaks. They obviously don't want to come across to their patrons and customers as putting down most of the cards they open up as the not-so-valuable-crap that a lot of it really is. And they do have to play up to people to keep them coming back. For example, the one friend who does most all of the on camera work and talking, he is known for his Harry Caray impressions while doing breaks. Whatever it takes to help keep people entertained and interested.

They're sports AND business minded guys though, so they aren't really big into collecting themselves, just in doing something sports related they can make a profit at. And they do make a profit. Not my kind of collecting though. I'm not much into modern manufactured rarities. So in that respect, I'm much more like you.

[todeen]

Originally Posted by MattyC

I am not sure most of modern is "collecting." Are there modern card buyers who actually collect? Sure. But the more I see in modern, the more it seems to me, on the whole, like a get rich quick game, something akin to gambling, for adrenaline junkies. So while both realms are comprised of cards, in modern it seems like far more of the buyers are buying solely to flip to the next man, as opposed to buying for a collection. Gambling in that sense is fine, just hanging a lantern on how it seems like it is a totally different ecosystem and culture, despite how both revolve around cards.

I collect. But you are correct. My modern Reds cards are seriously worthless other than a handful, but sellers are asking ungodly amounts, even if it is just $5.... for Akiyama! He hasn't hit a HR since he came to MLB.

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