Saturday, December 17, 2011

Only I would buy this card

1975 Topps #228 George Brett RC

I just got done watching the "Top 50 Most Memorable Ejections" on MLB Network. First off, let me just say how incredibly thankful I am that we have the MLB Network channel. Otherwise, I'd be relegated to the same three NFL and NBA news stories over and over again each day, and I'd hear next to nothing about the MLB "Hot Stove". It was certainly a pleasant surprise to come home for winter break last year and find out we had it after a horrendous semester at college. Thanks, Mom!

Back to George Brett. Number one on the "Most Memorable Ejections" list was indeed the "Pine Tar Game" (what else would it be?). I don't think I've ever seen anyone angrier on a baseball field than Brett on that fateful day.

As for the card displayed at the top of the post (although I'm not sure how much of a "display" it is), it certainly holds a special place in my collection. My dad always tells me that he had numerous copies of the Brett RC as a kid. But most of his collection was either given or thrown away as he got older. It's a common tale.

As I was flipping through a fifty-cent bin at a card show last month, I came across this card. (I also found another Brett card in a dime box that I'll be featuring later on this blog.) I'd guess that it was almost like going back in time for my dad when he saw it. Even with my dad's story attached to it, I almost put it back. But I just couldn't bring myself to do it. It was a card I just had to have, even though I don't even collect George Brett. So along with a 1959 Topps Billy Martin, a 1970 Topps Carl Yastrzemski, and a handful of others, I got a George Brett rookie card for fifty cents.

It's a "washer-used" card. And to top it off, it's badly mis-cut! But I don't care. As long as the card is in one piece and I need it, I'll buy it. The cheaper the better. Which is the motto of this "low-end collector".

Plus, now I can say I am the proud owner of a George Brett rookie card and not be lying about it.

8 comments:

dayf said...

OH MY GOD I WOULD STOMP LITTLE PUPPIES WHILE WEARING HOBNAIL BOOTS FOR THAT CARD.

How have I never seen this blog before??

Nick said...

Just started in the blogging business earlier this month.

Glad you like the Brett card and the blog! Good to know I'm not the only one who would've bought that "washer" George Brett!

Mike said...

Glad you posted a pic of that card....maybe its one of the ones I had in 1975 & now 36 years later it went through a few wars and came back to the family!...hahaha!!

....how much would a '52 Hoyt Wilhelm in that condition go for?

Nick said...

I remember seeing a creased and just generally crappy '52 Wilhelm on ebay for $150 a few years ago. I'd guess a '52 Wilhelm that went through the wash would still get around $20 to $50.

Josh D. said...

I just discovered your blog. Love the Brett! :-)

Nick said...

Thanks for reading!

I've also got a post of Brett's 1994 Topps card in my "Gems of Junk Wax" series that you'll probably like.

Cory said...

This blog has flown under my radar too.

Josh D. said...

http://royalsandrandoms.blogspot.com/2012/07/next-stop-backstop.html

I'm still loving the Brett. :-) I've been enjoying the blog for awhile now. Keep up the good work!