Night Owl Cards

  One of the greatest highs in this hobby, the reason why I think it can be called a drug, is set completion. For me, nothing in collecting baseball cards will exceed the rush that I receive from finishing a set. Completion, to me, is what elevates this hobby above simple accumulation. The ability to assemble a set by the numbers on the back or the uniforms players are wearing on the front, and actually complete it, is an achievement that I think even collecting outsiders can appreciate. Completion means that this is no longer just a bunch of cards but the resolution of a pattern. The full puzzle. It's point A to point Z with all of the letters (or numbers) in between. It is an accomplishment -- however easy or difficult. Let's face it: the loan might not have gone through, or your kids might not have turned out how you wished, or you're off your diet again, but daaaaamn , look at that set in the binder!!! Don't they all match up? Don't they all look lik...

I don't expect my success on Listia to last, especially if I keep showing my successes on the blog. It's only a matter of time before people connect "free cards" with "get rid of stuff you don't want," and all I'll ever see on there anymore is 1988 Topps. Already I'm starting to struggle with finding something I want. I'm in my longest drought so far. But immediately before that came along, I enjoyed my greatest success. Josh D. at Royals and Randoms asked last night "What's Your Best Listia Card So Far?" His best card is an Eric Hosmer short-print from this year's Topps. That's pretty good. He asked if anyone could top it. I'm not sure if I can top it. It depends on your perspective. Here's a Listia card I received fairly recently. It doesn't top the Hosmer short-print, but I like it a lot. These 1995 Select Can't Miss inserts are some of the best-looking cards of the '90s. I love...