Cure for the Cardboard Blues

 My daughter handed me a binder of A&G Man's Best Friend mini cards today. While it contained only twenty pieces of cardboard, it represented something I've long feared, but have known for years: my kids don't share my love for the Hobby.

Just a couple of months earlier she gave me a stack of Topps Stranger Things cards she had pulled out of a blaster I had bought for her years ago. Her explanation was that since I'm selling unwanted stuff on eBay, I could try to get some money back out of them. I guess the writing was on the wall at that point. And if you've ever enjoyed the hobby with your children, even for a short while, you know that the sadness brought on by their losing interest is just as great as the joy that's felt when they take part in your hobby.

So what's the best cure for the cardboard blues? Why, looking at baseball cards, of course! And four PWEs have arrived in the mail recently will help in doing just that.

The first three cards, shown above, came from TCDB user Mrwhite1978. First off, whenever I hear or think of the year 1978, a big smile breaks out on my face. There's just something about being nine years old: not a care in the world, experiencing things for the very first time, spending your summers playing ball. I think of Reggie Jackson and Billy Martin fighting in the dugout; of Bucky F'n Dent. I think of the Houston Oilers and Earl Campbell. Luv ya Blue! What a time to be alive. 

Next up was an envelope from user wmwynn1967, who included two additional cards from my list- including the Rufino Linares, which is an upgrade from the one in my binder. As an older collector, I hated to see what had become of the LL cards by 2017. I'm glad they've gone back to trios featured on the card. But you know what? I'm not so much of a hater when it comes to the AS inserts these days. Sure, I'd like to see a big-ass star on the players base card but if things *have* to change, this ain't a bad substitute.

This very colorful trio of cards arrived via user Carltopia. Aside from these three being knocked off my wantlists, they also provide one heck of an aesthetic. Send this photo to the Louvre.  

Finally, Corey79 (another great year, btw) sent what turned out to be the very first 2024 Heritage cards in my collection. I was really reluctant to work on this team set because I do not like the '75 Topps design (unless we're talking football). But it's not all about me and these deserves a place in my collection, just as do the original 1975 cards.