- Thread starter
- #1
subject to change
New member
I had been getting ready to post this when I read about Jack being traded yesterday. I've been following Jack's career since his rookie season in 2001, and he instantly became my favorite player. I always enjoyed seeing Ozzie Smith play, so when I read about the Pirates young, slick fielding shortstop, I immediately found myself a new favorite player. Of my other two favorite players at the time, Warren Morris and Jason Christensen, Morris was on his way out of the majors, and Christensen had been dealt to the Cardinals, ironically in exchange for Wilson. Better yet, Wilson had no mainstream cards issues before 01, so I had a wide variety of cards to chase after. Long before I was using ebay, I was forced to scour local shops and shows for cards of the Pirates shortstop few dealers had even heard of.
Through his first few seasons, he lived up to his reputation as a great glove/no hit shortstop, but it didn't matter to me. During Jack's All-Star 04 season, Wilson's popularity took off in Pittsburgh. As is to be expected as a Pirates fan, there have certainly been quite a few ups and downs during the past nine seasons. On more than one occasion I have considered giving up on my collection, but collecting Jack has undoubtedly been the most rewarding aspect of collecting for me. Jack has been hands down one of the most personable players I have met, and I have a great deal of respect for him not only as a player, but as a person. It's going to be very strange to see him in a Mariners jersey after 9 years in black and gold. Still, I'm happy Jack will have the opportunity to be playing for a team that at least has a chance of contending. With the constant movement of players, especially in Pittsburgh, I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to see Jack playing on a daily basis for nine seasons. Sorry for the long, rambling lead in...you would think seeing your favorite player leaving town would be something Pirate fans would be used to by now, but it's still difficult each time.
With that said...I made some major additions over the past few months that I only got around to posting now. I added two game used bats to my collection. I suspect the first bat may be a bp bat, as it has fairly light use and no taping or number on the handle. The second bat is by far the most unique. I couldn't get a good picture, but where the model number and whatnot is stamped on the barrel, the team name reads Detroit Tigers. I assume a shipment was ordered during the time where the Pirates were in trade discussions with the Tigers, leading me to believe a deal was very, very close to being completed. It's a great novelty piece, and likely very rare, since I doubt more than one shipment of bats had the Tigers name stamped on the bat.
I will still be continuing my player collection, and always looking to add more cards. As of right now, I have around 65% of his available cards, with many of those remaining being either very low numbered parallels, or higher numbered parallels that nobody ever seems to list. Thanks to anyone who took the time to read through this rambling dribble.
Through his first few seasons, he lived up to his reputation as a great glove/no hit shortstop, but it didn't matter to me. During Jack's All-Star 04 season, Wilson's popularity took off in Pittsburgh. As is to be expected as a Pirates fan, there have certainly been quite a few ups and downs during the past nine seasons. On more than one occasion I have considered giving up on my collection, but collecting Jack has undoubtedly been the most rewarding aspect of collecting for me. Jack has been hands down one of the most personable players I have met, and I have a great deal of respect for him not only as a player, but as a person. It's going to be very strange to see him in a Mariners jersey after 9 years in black and gold. Still, I'm happy Jack will have the opportunity to be playing for a team that at least has a chance of contending. With the constant movement of players, especially in Pittsburgh, I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to see Jack playing on a daily basis for nine seasons. Sorry for the long, rambling lead in...you would think seeing your favorite player leaving town would be something Pirate fans would be used to by now, but it's still difficult each time.
With that said...I made some major additions over the past few months that I only got around to posting now. I added two game used bats to my collection. I suspect the first bat may be a bp bat, as it has fairly light use and no taping or number on the handle. The second bat is by far the most unique. I couldn't get a good picture, but where the model number and whatnot is stamped on the barrel, the team name reads Detroit Tigers. I assume a shipment was ordered during the time where the Pirates were in trade discussions with the Tigers, leading me to believe a deal was very, very close to being completed. It's a great novelty piece, and likely very rare, since I doubt more than one shipment of bats had the Tigers name stamped on the bat.
I will still be continuing my player collection, and always looking to add more cards. As of right now, I have around 65% of his available cards, with many of those remaining being either very low numbered parallels, or higher numbered parallels that nobody ever seems to list. Thanks to anyone who took the time to read through this rambling dribble.
