Whether it's about pulling a $500 Ohtani autograph out of a $3 pack or finding the final card for a forty years set build in a card show dollar bin... card collectors have a way of repeating their favorite card stories.
My buddy Mike started collecting cards back in the 80's... so he had plenty to share over the years. One of my favorites involved him purchasing a 1984 Fleer Update set with a friend and splitting it up via an old fashion card draft.
1984 Fleer Update #U-43
He didn't remember the entire draft, but he remembered using his first pick on Dwight Gooden and selecting Bret Saberhagen with his second pick. His friend walked away with Roger Clemens, Kirby Puckett, and bragging rights for the rest of their lives.
Last November, he passed away on his fifty-first birthday... so there won't be any new stories. But to remember the ones he told and to help keep them from fading away... I've decided to build a collection in his honor.
The inaugural addition is the key card (for Mike) in the story. When it came to choosing sides in the Clemens vs. Gooden debate... both of us sided with Doc. In fact I have been wanting to add this card to my collection since the 80's. I just needed a little motivation to dig into my wallet and pull out the funds.
Mike... I miss you buddy. I miss hanging out at shows, walking around flea markets, going on road trips, attending ball games, and going back and forth retelling our favorite card related stories. I'll also miss grabbing Taco Bravo with you... but don't worry. This weekend, I'll eat a few tacos in your honor.
Happy birthday buddy!
Happy Friday and sayonara!
