Thanks a lot, guys. Now I'm in love with "the monster".

[the 'stache]

*Warning, loquacious post ahead. *

Since coming back to the hobby about three years ago, I've been pretty content dealing in modern cards (specifically Bowman Chrome prospect autos). As a select few of you already know, I'm very, very passionate about baseball. I live and breathe the game 365 days a year. And a big part of that is seeing players being drafted, starting off in rookie ball, and working their way through the minors up to the Major Leagues. Whenever I get a new Baseball America in the mail, I feel downright giddy, because I can read about the stars of tomorrow. I can cheer them on and, in a way, live vicariously through them. When I go to the restroom, I take my new BBA with me, and no matter how long "the battle", I have something to hold my interest the entire time. I'll read one of those suckers end to end. Now I'm finding some of the guys I first read about three years ago have made their way to the Majors. Guys I knew would be stars. Their cards sit safely tucked away in magnet cases and graded card bags, away from the sunlight. Every time I see Bryce Harper, or Mike Trout hit a bomb, I can't help but smile. My research not only helps me to enjoy the game, and find players before everybody else in my fantasy league, it gives me an edge with my collection. It's always better to buy a card for $20 than for $200 a year later, ins't it?

But since coming back to the hobby I loved as a child, a little voice has been whispering to me:

"What about the greats of the game?"

My love of baseball started at a very early age. I was born with a bone condition called osteogenesis imperfecta. Luckily, I had the mildest form, so while I spent a lot of time in the hospital, I was a relatively healthy kid growing up. I just had a lot of casts in my day. Thanks to my wonderful family, and some incredible doctors, I grew up straight and true. And while I played baseball as a child, and until my late teens, I knew I could never pursue a career as a baseball player. I could knock the hell out of a baseball, but the likelihood of any kind of collision, and the resulting injury, kept me from playing the game I loved.

When I'd lie in bed with a cast on my leg, or wait in a doctor's office, I'd have a book about baseball with me. I spent hour after hour reading about the greatest players in the game's history. Nobody else my age knew who the hell Nap Lajoie was, or what a "Cap Anson" was. They knew Babe Ruth. Some knew Lou Gehrig. But Jimmie Foxx? Rogers Hornsby, or Walter Johnson? Nope. But this was long before the internet. It was before I had a car, and the only local baseball card shop was a long bike ride downtown. So, my exposure to vintage cards was relegated to magazines.

Before I'd ever heard of Beckett, I read Baseball Cards Magazine. As I flipped through the pages, I'd ooo and ah like a kid pressing his nose up against a candy store window. But it wasn't hard candy, or chocolate, that was making my eyes open wide. It was pictures of Mickey Mantle's baseball cards. Ted Williams' baseball cards. Hell, Don Mattingly's baseball cards. I couldn't wait to get older so I could add these to my collection. Somewhere along the way, I lost interest in the hobby when Topps, Fleer and Donruss over-saturated the hell out of the market. There just wasn't anything special about the cards that were coming out. Upper Deck held my interest for a while, but I soon ducked out of the hobby for good. Or so I thought.

A few years ago, when I hurt my back and went on long term disability, I suddenly found myself with a lot of free time, and forced into a sedentary lifestyle when one surgery after another did not solve the problem. And again, I found myself interested in baseball cards. What better time to have a hobby when you can't work, or go out an socialize with your friends the way you used to?

I got into the Chrome cards knowing they'd be next to impossible to forge. I knew, too, that the autographs on the cards were legit. But I wanted to add vintage cards to my collection. And after about a year of chasing every new release that came out, I thought to myself..."what am I really doing?". I wanted more. I wanted the cards I dreamed about as a child. But I felt so unequipped to invest in vintage cards. I searched the internet, and found Net54. I lurked for a while, then signed up, and jumped in feet first. I grew to absolutely love Leon's place, and the members of the forum. And I've found the education I need to make informed, smart decisions.

But now, after reading the forum, and pressing my nose back up against the candy store window, I find myself completely in love with the T206 cards. I've looked through the collections you all link in your signatures, and I am hooked. And I wanted to give you all a big (perhaps a tad long-winded) thank you for sharing your collections, and showing me just how incredible these little cards are. I am in love with the monster (sounds like a George Carlin line, doesn't it?). It's funny. After one hundred years of every conceivable technological advance, it's the simplest cards that are the most beautiful. There's no fancy "glossy coating", no slick photography. Just a beautiful set from back when people played and watched baseball for the love of the game.

I'm not going to give up my modern cards, but I will look to find a happy medium, collecting both new and old. Pre war, vintage, and modern. And while I will be slow to grow my collection (as I keep myself on a definite budget), I look forward to sharing my little treasures with you all. In the mean time, I will continue to find great enjoyment in what you all share. Thank you!

Bill