When I began collecting in 1993, the hobby was entirely new
to me. I had no memories of childhood collecting that most of you do. It does make me envious at times.
A lifetime Yankee with respectable career numbers, saddled with a back injury, you hung up your glove in 95 at the age of 34. Eight gold gloves, six straight all-star games, but no World Series championships and no call to the Hall.
THE FINE PRINT
I'll wait at least a week to close out this edition's commentary with my own response noting the end of this round.
Although drawn to the beauties of cardboard men, I didn’t
know ‘how’ to collect. Picking up
prospects and any players I was “supposed” to collect, my collection began to
grow rapidly. Puckett, McGwire, Griffey, Big Frank, Piazza,
Ripken and HOF guys like Cobb, Gehrig quickly filled my 3000 count boxes. Along the
way, I developed an attachment or affection if you will, to some of these men. I
also had some crazy notion that if I kept a few cards of a particular player
then I should be saving them all. I’m coming to terms with who I am as a
collector.
Over the past few months, I’ve become reacquainted with my 90s collection. I felt strangely disconnected to many of the players and found no hobby joy while going through their cards. Why am I keeping them? Among other players, I found many dupes. Still there are players I enjoyed collecting but now feel no desire to keep all their cards. I chose my favorites and put the others aside.
Over the past few months, I’ve become reacquainted with my 90s collection. I felt strangely disconnected to many of the players and found no hobby joy while going through their cards. Why am I keeping them? Among other players, I found many dupes. Still there are players I enjoyed collecting but now feel no desire to keep all their cards. I chose my favorites and put the others aside.
Don, it’s seems you’re the first contestant of Dupe, Dump or Dwindle. I wasn't watching the Yankees at the time. Your 'stache and cleft chin caught my eye. I'm certain a lot of guys found you to be a man's man, Donnie Baseball.
A lifetime Yankee with respectable career numbers, saddled with a back injury, you hung up your glove in 95 at the age of 34. Eight gold gloves, six straight all-star games, but no World Series championships and no call to the Hall.
1989 Topps - a favorite Donny
 |
| a favorite Stadium Club design -1995 |
 |
| looking antique, another favorite design - 1996 Upper Deck |
THE FINE PRINT
I’ve culled several hundred cards from my collection but
what to do with them? Well that’s where you come into play. Literally. It’s
game time!
Do you want these cards?
If so, you must be a regular reader with a USA mailing address, be the Card Papoy or a regular Canadian reader. No contest hounds. The rules are simple: determine why I’m giving away these cards. You must comment with a correct response to
have a chance via Randomizer. Your only
response choices are:
- DUPE (duplicates)
- DUMP (player booted from my collection)
- DWINDLE (player collection thinned, only select cards kept)
The next edition of Dupe, Dump or Dwindle will reveal the
reason for the removal of these cards from my collection, and our randomized winner. Remember, only correct responses will be
randomized.
The twist? You can win only ONCE every three rounds. Cards that go unclaimed won’t be offered here
again. There will be many players listed in the coming weeks but you have
no way to know who’s up next. Is Donnie
your guy? Do you need any of these cards?
Leave one of the only three correct responses
for a chance to win Don Mattingly - or pass.
I'll wait at least a week to close out this edition's commentary with my own response noting the end of this round.
Dump? I collect Donnie as a Springfield Nine guy, and hope to bump him into my Hundred Card Club sometime.
ReplyDeletewe shall see :)
DeleteI'll pass officially, but my want my guess on the record as Dwindle.
ReplyDeleteHi Matt! Thanks for the guess. Maybe you'll see a player here soon that interests you.
DeleteI have a similar problem with my Mattingly collection. He was one of my favorite players growing up, and I still have about 50 of his cards in my stars/HOFers box even though he doesn't fit my definition of a star player. I wouldn't consider him a 'common' though..and I'd prefer not to use that many binder pages on one player anyhow.
ReplyDeleteThat Triple Threads card is sweet! I've never seen that one, or the 96 UD.
He has a lot of fans. I hope one ends up with these cards. I also like the Threads.
DeleteThere's a reason Mattingly is my wallet card. Really hope he's not a dump. I'll guess Dwindle.
ReplyDeleteDonnie's a great wallet choice. I just don't have room for all his cards. Some perhaps? or none... ;)
DeleteI will pass on this contest. I will say Dwindle! I think you could pick 9 good cards and have a page of Donnie's.
ReplyDeletefun guess Fred! thanks for playing along!
DeleteI’m gonna say dwindle since so many of his cards were in the overproduction era. I’ve always loved that 1996 Upper Deck!
ReplyDeletenice action shots on the 96. I wish I'd paid more attention to his career back then.
DeleteI am not entering this time but wanted to let you know this is a very fun idea. Can't wait to read more going forward
ReplyDeletecool - thanks! i wanted to do something different with these cards since they were part of my collection. I could keep this going awhile.
DeleteCool idea for a contest. I'll pass on Mattingly, but gotta admit that 1987 Fleer Limited Edition card of Donnie Baseball is fantastic!
ReplyDeletethanks for dropping by Fuji! Great players ahead!
DeletePass, but can't wait to see who is coming up next!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tom. Perhaps you'll see something you must have!
DeletePass but I'll comment as Dwindle. It's easy with his cards to pick a few favs and then pass the rest onto a collector.
ReplyDeleteHi John! Thanks for your guess! I did/do have my favorites.
DeleteDwindle, you've got a Wade Boggs card mixed in there.
ReplyDeleteHey X - thanks for the guess. Funny thing about the Boggs - I went back through the Mattinglys. No Boggs card there! So weird! Great eye you have there!
DeleteDonnie Baseball was a terrific ballplayer, and you can't go wrong with his cards.
ReplyDeleteDwindle...I think you're preparing for a huge lot of cards showing catchers wearing their equipment.
HI John - thanks for playing along. Are you a Donnie collector too? Catcher cards are certainly becoming a large part of my collection! The older, the better!
DeleteIt's funny because Mattingly is a guy I collect only because of his Gold gloves. I never saw him play and don't really know much about him besides his famous stache and pinstripes. I'll go with dump along with a smile at the mention of my name, and I'll add that it's an awesome idea for a contest !
ReplyDeleteHey crazy French guy! Yes, Donnie is one of your fellows. I thought of you while putting this post together. Your guess is duly noted!
DeleteI'm also not entering (this one) but I love the idea! Can't wait to see who else you have up.
ReplyDeleteNacho Man! There may be some surprises along the way. HOFers for sure. I need space and want the cards in the best of hands!
DeleteI'll refrain from the Mattingly cards (my PC is pushing 300 now with hundred of dupes). Great Idea. JFF (just for fun) I'll categorize this as dwindle because you are keeping some faves, thus dump and dupes are no-gos.
ReplyDeleteHi John - interesting to know your thoughts behind the choice. Thanks for taking a peek!
DeleteWell - that's a wrap for this first edition of Dupe, Dump or Dwindle. I'll share results over the weekend. Thanks for participating!
ReplyDelete