Rise Above

I’ve been so very blessed by this hobby for the vast majority of my life, and for that I am so grateful.

I’ve met some amazing folks, held some amazing cards in my hands, and even have had the honor of owning some of these cool cards myself over the years, moving most along as part of what my true passion is — the trading card business.

From Michael Jordan rookies, to Nolan Ryan rookies to Mantles and Mays and just about everything in between.

I have loved this ride up to now, and look forward to what the future holds for me and for the hobby.

There are a pair of cards in particular, however, that stand out to me. 

One is recognizable, memorable, and clearly one of the benchmark cards in the hobby. 

The other, has a much more personal meaning.

Either way, we all have those cards that rise above the others.

And believe it or not, it’s rarely the most valuable or desired card in any collection. 

The first for me is a 1984 Topps Don Mattingly rookie.

This is the card that started it all for me way back when. 

I still remember to this day selling the card to my friend, Dave, for $6, along with a 1983 Fleer Ryne Sandberg rookie. 

We were 12 years old, and now, four decades later, I’m still doing the same thing — and loving it just as much as I did back then (maybe even more nowadays).

The second one, well, that one is none other than the iconic 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. #1 rookie card. 

By the time this card came out, my brother and I were doing local card shows every weekend, and having this card in the showcase gave me such a sense of “arriving.” Once we pulled one of these from the boxes of Upper Deck Series 1 I felt like a real sports card dealer. 

I’ve managed to get a hold of some high graded copies of each of these cards and they are part of my very select PC, and will be for a very long time.

Not because they are the most valuable cards to ever cross my path, but rather because they mean more to me than any other. 

And, honestly, that’s as important, if not more important, than anything else in the hobby.

What card or cards hold this place for you?