REFLECTIONS of YOUTH

[Archive]

Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

In another Thread, us "Old Timers" have been referred to as
the "gators" or "dinosaurs" of the hobby. Well, after my 2nd
tour of 30 years in this hobby, I prefer being a dinosaur. A
Tyranosaurus Rex....indeed, a T-Rex....in fact I am thinking
of changing my ebay handle from TEDZAN to T-REX.

My 1st tour collecting BB cards started as a 9 year old with 1947
Homog. Bond Bread cards. However,the gum cards that my
most clear recollections are from is when I was tearing open
all those Red, White & Blue wax packs in 1949 containing
1949 Leafs or 1949 Bowmans.

In the fall of 1952 I opened my last pack of BB cards as a youth.
I was trying to complete my Topps set and when I opened
a 5 cent pack and saw Mantle (with other Hi#s) that was
it for me. I was 14 and girls were the new challenge for me.

Everytime I acquire a certain Bowman or Leaf or Topps card
from that era, I experience a "flashback" to my youth. It is
a great euphoric feeling that keeps me young. You see, I stay
forever young, thanks to this great hobby. And, thanks to my
dear Aunt who saved all my Base Ball cards when I was away in
the Air Force. And, I was fortunate enough to trade '50s cards
into pre-WWII and pre-WWI and 19th Century cards.

That's my story....let's hear yours....you "dinosaurs ?