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Rodrick, thank you again for doing this interview ! Everyone please take a few moments and get to know another one of FCB's great members !
1) When did you start collecting __ and why do you collect __?
I started collecting John Olerud when 90 Donruss came out. I pulled his RC from a pack and despite being a Blue Jays fan had never heard of him. I started reading newspaper and magazine articles and realized that he was a lot like me: kind of soft-spoken and introverted. He wasn't flashy but just quietly went about his business, so I identified with him. Plus he had never played in the minors so I wouldn't have to chase those "hard-to-find" minor league cards.
2) What was the turning point in your collecting __? What put you over the edge and made you completely focus on __?
Moving from Eastern Canada to Toronto in 98 opened up a new world for me. Overnight I gained access to more card shops and other local places that sold Toronto sports team stuff.
A few other collecting interests have come and gone, but I've never focused solely on Olerud.
3) What has been the high point in collecting __? The low point?
A high point would be landing my only 1-of-1 back in 2002 via a mail trade.
A low point was when Olerud appeared on the HoF ballot for the first time. He had a slim chance of getting elected, but I never thought he wouldn't even survive the first ballot!
4) What deal did you have slip through the cracks, that you regret ? Why didn't it work out ?
I had a deal worked out to purchase a few cards from another collector which just ended. The other guy stopped communicating despite the fact that we both agreed on the cards and price. He said he needed to check how much postage would be, and I never heard from him again. I don't know why it didn't work out. Maybe I should have pursued it more but I figured if he changed his mind so be it.
5) What's your favorite piece/card in your collection? Why?
My favorite pieces are the card and ticket stub I got signed when I met him in person.
6) What's your wife / significant other / family think of your obsession for __?
The best way to describe it is to say that my wife tolerates my collecting, but doesn't have any interest in it. I don't blow the budget with my hobby so she's happy. It'd be nice to get a few packs or even a box of cards for a birthday or Christmas gift once in a while though! I hope to get at least one my kids into collecting. My 4-year-old son has shown interest in hockey cards.
7) What's your white whale or just a card you can't seemingly track down or acquire ?
There are a few 1/1 or auto/patch cards that I'd love to add to my collection, but a couple of white whales are 1996 Pinnacle Aficionado First Pitch Preview and his 1999 Fleer Starting 9. I've never seen an FPP, and a Starting 9 did show up on ebay once but was way out of my budget.
8) Have you met the player you collect and what was the experience like?
I've met Olerud once, at a Jays game at which he made an appearance and had a pregame autograph session. The full story with pictures is on my website, but basically I got to the front of the line and as I held out a ball to get signed he was ushered away. I did get my autograph in the end though!
9) What is your biggest pet peeve about collecting __?
I'd love to see Olerud included in more current sets. So many other retired players still have new cards issued, and I'd love to see more autos like 2012 Topps Archives. I guess for now I'll have to be satisfied with stuff like Leaf buybacks and SP sticker autos.
10) How have forums / eBay / COMC helped your collecting of __? How have they hurt?
Those online venues have helped me immensely in finding cards I never would have found locally. 99.9% of my cards are purchased online, and in recent years the majority of those come from COMC. I can't think of any way those sources have hurt my collecting.
11) How much competition do you face in your collecting of __?
Though Olerud was never a superstar player, there is a small and dedicated group if collectors. Whenever a rare item shows up on ebay I'm surprised how high the price goes. I'm in contact with three other Olerud collectors, all of whom seem to have deeper pockets than me!
How often do you check forums / auction sites for your player ?
Since getting a smartphone a few years ago, I check ebay and COMC several times a day.
12) Any thoughts of ever giving up the collection ?
In 24 years if collecting Olerud I've never had thoughts of quitting him. It's been the only constant in my life since 1990 and I have no plan to give it up.
13) How has the generosity of FCB'ers or other forum / site members helped your collection?
I've had a couple of FCB'ers give me Olerud cards over the years. More than the "value" of adding to my PC, the generosity showed me that there are still guys out there who collect for fun, and who like to just help out another player collector. "Pay it forward" is something I try to do whenever my means allow.
Thanks Dave for asking me to participate in Collector's Showcase! I hope others feel like they know me a little better as a fellow collector and as a person.
1) When did you start collecting __ and why do you collect __?
I started collecting John Olerud when 90 Donruss came out. I pulled his RC from a pack and despite being a Blue Jays fan had never heard of him. I started reading newspaper and magazine articles and realized that he was a lot like me: kind of soft-spoken and introverted. He wasn't flashy but just quietly went about his business, so I identified with him. Plus he had never played in the minors so I wouldn't have to chase those "hard-to-find" minor league cards.
2) What was the turning point in your collecting __? What put you over the edge and made you completely focus on __?
Moving from Eastern Canada to Toronto in 98 opened up a new world for me. Overnight I gained access to more card shops and other local places that sold Toronto sports team stuff.
A few other collecting interests have come and gone, but I've never focused solely on Olerud.
3) What has been the high point in collecting __? The low point?
A high point would be landing my only 1-of-1 back in 2002 via a mail trade.
A low point was when Olerud appeared on the HoF ballot for the first time. He had a slim chance of getting elected, but I never thought he wouldn't even survive the first ballot!
4) What deal did you have slip through the cracks, that you regret ? Why didn't it work out ?
I had a deal worked out to purchase a few cards from another collector which just ended. The other guy stopped communicating despite the fact that we both agreed on the cards and price. He said he needed to check how much postage would be, and I never heard from him again. I don't know why it didn't work out. Maybe I should have pursued it more but I figured if he changed his mind so be it.
5) What's your favorite piece/card in your collection? Why?
My favorite pieces are the card and ticket stub I got signed when I met him in person.
6) What's your wife / significant other / family think of your obsession for __?
The best way to describe it is to say that my wife tolerates my collecting, but doesn't have any interest in it. I don't blow the budget with my hobby so she's happy. It'd be nice to get a few packs or even a box of cards for a birthday or Christmas gift once in a while though! I hope to get at least one my kids into collecting. My 4-year-old son has shown interest in hockey cards.
7) What's your white whale or just a card you can't seemingly track down or acquire ?
There are a few 1/1 or auto/patch cards that I'd love to add to my collection, but a couple of white whales are 1996 Pinnacle Aficionado First Pitch Preview and his 1999 Fleer Starting 9. I've never seen an FPP, and a Starting 9 did show up on ebay once but was way out of my budget.
8) Have you met the player you collect and what was the experience like?
I've met Olerud once, at a Jays game at which he made an appearance and had a pregame autograph session. The full story with pictures is on my website, but basically I got to the front of the line and as I held out a ball to get signed he was ushered away. I did get my autograph in the end though!
9) What is your biggest pet peeve about collecting __?
I'd love to see Olerud included in more current sets. So many other retired players still have new cards issued, and I'd love to see more autos like 2012 Topps Archives. I guess for now I'll have to be satisfied with stuff like Leaf buybacks and SP sticker autos.
10) How have forums / eBay / COMC helped your collecting of __? How have they hurt?
Those online venues have helped me immensely in finding cards I never would have found locally. 99.9% of my cards are purchased online, and in recent years the majority of those come from COMC. I can't think of any way those sources have hurt my collecting.
11) How much competition do you face in your collecting of __?
Though Olerud was never a superstar player, there is a small and dedicated group if collectors. Whenever a rare item shows up on ebay I'm surprised how high the price goes. I'm in contact with three other Olerud collectors, all of whom seem to have deeper pockets than me!
How often do you check forums / auction sites for your player ?
Since getting a smartphone a few years ago, I check ebay and COMC several times a day.
12) Any thoughts of ever giving up the collection ?
In 24 years if collecting Olerud I've never had thoughts of quitting him. It's been the only constant in my life since 1990 and I have no plan to give it up.
13) How has the generosity of FCB'ers or other forum / site members helped your collection?
I've had a couple of FCB'ers give me Olerud cards over the years. More than the "value" of adding to my PC, the generosity showed me that there are still guys out there who collect for fun, and who like to just help out another player collector. "Pay it forward" is something I try to do whenever my means allow.
Thanks Dave for asking me to participate in Collector's Showcase! I hope others feel like they know me a little better as a fellow collector and as a person.