Sunday, February 17, 2008

Bringing Collectors Back to the Hobby

The main thing I remember about Minnie Minoso coming back to play in 1976 & 1980 was the enthusiasism he brought to the players and fans. That is what I am hoping this blogging will do is bring back the enthusiasim to the hobby!
During the late 1980's & early 1990's there were a lot of collectors, many of these people were into it more as a lottery then they were for the fun of collecting. I had a lot of concerns when I seen people paying $4-5 for a Greg Jefferies Rookie Card. I was taught by my mentor, (I will call him Larry) that it was always more important to try and collect a player that could possibly be in the "Hall of Fame" someday, rather than a "Hot" rookie. My fears came true, many people started leaving the hobby and the bottom fell out of collecting. However, there were a lot of collectors out there that really enjoyed the hobby of collecting cards. I see blogging helping to stir the interest in bringing "Old Collectors" back to the hobby. When I post my bloggs I try to explain what collecting used to be like. (Not that I actually want it to be that again.) I am sharing my in-sight on how I see the hobby has changed in the last 35 years. Even though the hobby is changing we must mantain high enthusiasim levels to keep it going! I hope bloggs can bring the enthusisaism that Minnie did, I know it has for me!

7 comments:

Jeremiah said...

I agree with your post, I notice alot of people talking about the industry not being what it used to be. But I think the industry is hitting another stride. I also agree that the blogging community is the new equivalent of hanging around the old card shops. I am very excited about the future.

Bart McClaughry said...

Yes, Jeremiah I agree and I am so very excited about the future.

capewood said...

I've been seriously collecting baseball cards since 1985. Its only a few weeks ago that it occurred to me to look and see if there are any baseball card blogs. I've found yours and a bunch of others that I read almost every day. I was even inspired to start my own blog (not exclusively baseball cards). I only know one other person who collects, but not nearly as seriously as I do. There used to be a local card shop I spent some time in but that guy went out of business 3 years ago. I enjoy all the talk on the blogs and expect to be a vocal participant. Thanks for your efforts.

www.capewood.blogspot.com

Bart McClaughry said...

Thanks Cliff! I am looking forward to your vocal participation. I am glad that the other bloggers and I were able to inspire you to start your own blogg.
Thanks again,
Bart

Uglee Card said...

What a cool card, that I've never seen before. I wish the Sox would have let Minnie take a swing in the 90s (and this year). I know it's gimmikie, but - really - no worse than sausage races. I saw bring back every fan favorite for one more at-bat, after the team is elimanted. Imagine, Brett stepping in one more time...

csd said...

Great card of Minnie. Thanks to a few of these blogs I have gotten back into the game. It looks like your strategy is working.

Bart McClaughry said...

Uglee card ,I am like you. I would like to see some of the old Guys get a chance to hit a again.
Csd ,Thanks for the compliment on the blog. Welcome back to the game!