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Of all the aspects of collecting I pursue, collecting an active player is one of the most fun for me. You get to see the widest variety of cards, and, when collecting someone who has a good amount of notoriety, you always have something new to chase. So far, I've collected 2 players,Frank Thomas and Grady Sizemore, "to completion" (yes, I hear it). Thomas is obviously done, retired, and enshrined. Grady, while not officially retired, went this whole season without his number being called. I'm sure I'll continue to pick up Grady's stuff as it trickles out, and I still pick up Franks on occasion. But as of now I'm pretty much without a player. I'm more interested in baseball than I have been in the past few years, and there are a number of exciting new guys out there, with Mookie Betts, Max Kepler, and Maikel Franco topping my list. But nothing really piques my interest, and it feels like something is missing. Also, I'm about to turn 46, and I have to say the hero worship aspect of player collecting is wearing thin. I just don't get as excited about it anymore, and I don't feel the connection I used to. At least when players were my contemporaries in age, it felt OK, but chasing cards of guys 25 years younger than me feels weird. Anyone else feel that?
Anyway, I can't see myself becoming a completist collector like I was with Sizemore. I'll probably very selectively pick up the cards I like of the guys I like. For instance, I currently own 5 Franco cards, and 3 of them are #/5 or less. But the player collector in me may be done. At least for now. Maybe that next special guy will come along someday. (Yes, I hear it that, too.)
Anyway, I can't see myself becoming a completist collector like I was with Sizemore. I'll probably very selectively pick up the cards I like of the guys I like. For instance, I currently own 5 Franco cards, and 3 of them are #/5 or less. But the player collector in me may be done. At least for now. Maybe that next special guy will come along someday. (Yes, I hear it that, too.)