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[Featured Thread] Collector's Corner Showcase, Volume 17: Mozzie22

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AmishDave

Featured Contributor, Collector Showcase, Senior M
Sep 19, 2009
12,383
37
Ely, MN
Welcome to Volume 17 of the Collector's Corner Showcase. This issue is spotlighting [MENTION=1885]Mozzie22[/MENTION] (Wade) and I want to give my sincerest thanks for taking his time in answering the questions !

Without further adieu, here's Wade's Collecting story:

[FONT=&quot]1) When did you start collecting _______ and why do you collect ______ ?
[/FONT]


[FONT=&quot]I started collecting in the fall of 1985. My family were big Cardinals fans and I naturally gravitated towards them as well. It was a fantastic time to be a Cardinals fan; “Whiteyball” was in full swing and it was exciting to watch. I’ve always been a bigger fan of defense in baseball than offense and if you’re a fan of defense and the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1980’s, Ozzie Smith is going to be your favorite player.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]

2) What was the turning point in your collecting ____ ? What put you over the edge and made you completely focus on ______ ?
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[FONT=&quot]You know, right from the beginning I was focused on getting every Ozzie card I could and the more I got the more I wanted. Remember, this was the mid-eighties and information on the hobby was not at your fingertips as it is now. I collected for years without a checklist because one simply didn’t exist as far as I knew. The thrill of seeing a new Ozzie card was what really hooked me into player collecting.[/FONT]
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3) What has been the high point in collecting ______ ? The low point ?
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[FONT=&quot]It wasn’t until recently that I thought about what the high point is. I’ve acquired so many cards I couldn’t have imagined picking up years ago. I have always loved the thrill of the hunt for the elusive cards but the high point of my collecting would honestly be the early years and acquiring cards through wax packs, flea markets, trades , etc.… The hobby was more innocent then and in many ways more satisfying. [/FONT]
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4) What deal did you have slip through the cracks, that you regret ? Why didn't it work out ?
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[FONT=&quot]I let a 1996 CC gold checklist card pass through my fingers a few years back because I thought the seller was asking too much for it. I’d gladly pay three times his asking price now. I did reconsider not long after initially denying his offer but he had sold it. Still kick myself on that one.[/FONT]
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5) What's your favorite piece / card in your collection ? Why ?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
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[FONT=&quot]Such a difficult question to answer. I love the era from 85-89 so much and could easily pick a dozen favorites just from that era. My favorite changes all the time but one card I’m partial to in particular is this:



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[FONT=&quot]This card was a promotional card created by ACE, a company that was petitioning MLB for a license in 1992. MLB denied the license and ordered the cards destroyed. The story is that the guy left the meeting and gave the cards to the players on the little league team he was coaching. Supposedly they created two cards of each player, one player from each team. I purchased this card from a long time Ozzie collector that pieced his collection out card by card about 10-12 years ago. He gave me first dibs at the cards I wanted before they went up on eBay because we had developed a friendship through email correspondence back when there was an “Ozzie Smith Collectors Club.”[/FONT][FONT=&quot]


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[FONT=&quot]6) What's your wife / significant other / family think of your obsession (or collecting) for ______ ?
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[FONT=&quot]Like many others she tolerates more than anything. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]

7) What's your white whale or just a card you can't seemingly track down or acquire ?
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[FONT=&quot]I’ve always considered a white whale a card of rarity rather than one of expense. An example: one of the few cards I still need is the 96 Select Mirror Gold. This is a common need among player collectors from this era. Although I need the card I don’t consider it a white whale because they do pop up on auction (rarely). I don’t own one because I simply can’t afford one, not because I can’t find one. That being said, I would have to say the 1996 CC gold checklist card would be my white whale. It is the only remaining card that I know exists that I don’t have. There are a few other cards that are rumored to exist and currently on my checklist but they have never been confirmed.[/FONT]
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8) Have you met the player you collect and what was the experience like ? (For set collectors, it'd be asking about meeting other set collector's of said set and having discussions with them).
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[FONT=&quot]I’ve met Ozzie Smith on three or four occasions at card shows and he is exactly what you hope for when meeting a hero. Each time he was warm, friendly, and accommodating. The last time I took my 11 year old daughter with me and he was even friendlier to her. They say “be careful meeting your hero” but I couldn’t disagree with that more.[/FONT]
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9) What is your biggest pet peeve about collecting ______ ?
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[FONT=&quot]My biggest pet peeve is some people believe the beginning and end all of collecting is the Beckett checklist. Don’t get me wrong, all of us in this hobby owe Beckett a debt of gratitude for what they’ve done over the years (especially 1984-1996), but their checklists are far from complete. It’s a great start but I would urge player collectors to develop their own checklists by compiling from multiple reference sources and personal experiences.[/FONT]
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10) How have forums / eBay / COMC helped your collecting of _____ ? How have they hurt ?
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[FONT=&quot]Ebay changed the game for all card collectors but especially player collectors. Being able to buy individual cards is fantastic. Regional issues that were nearly impossible before were suddenly obtainable. The good of these online sites have far outweighed the bad. The only downside I can see is more competition.[/FONT]
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11) How much competition do you face in your collecting of _____ ? How often do you check forums / auction sites for your player ?
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[FONT=&quot]Over the years Ozzie Smith collectors have come and gone. At any given time I would estimate there to be at least a dozen serious collectors going after his stuff. I check forums and auction sites several times every day.[/FONT]
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12) Any thoughts of ever giving up the collection ?
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[FONT=&quot]No thoughts of ever giving up the collection. It has meant too much to me over the years. I doubt I could get half of what I put into it (monetarily speaking anyhow). [/FONT]
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13) How has the generosity of FCB'ers or other forum / site members helped your collection ? Elaborate.
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[FONT=&quot]The generosity of FCB’ers has been incredible. I’ve gotten leads to cards for sale as well as freebies from other Cardinal collectors. The general knowledge on this board is unbelievable.
[/FONT]
I want to thank everyone for reading my posts over the years. If any of my posts have been educational or enjoyable for others to read then it was worth it. A few of my favorite cards.



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RStadlerASU22

Active member
Jan 2, 2013
8,881
11
Awesome as always and impressive collection. I do wish you land the last 2 you have on your CL of playing years cards.

Ryan
 

michaelstepper

Well-known member
Jan 15, 2010
8,211
519
southeast Alaska
Great read and great collection.
I agree on the white whale outlook.
The 90 donruss is a beauty. I swear every pack I opened had an Ozzie in it. (Which wasn't many for a 10 old)
 

Mark70Z

New member
Mar 26, 2011
354
0
I really enjoy the Collector's Corner Showcase and particularly enjoy reading about fellow player collectors. I also preferred the defensive part of the game so I can relate to how Wade feels toward Ozzie.

Thanks so much for taking the time to share you're collection and answering the different questions; it was a great read...
 

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