Card Mensches E44 "Why We Love the Hobby"

SPEAKER 1: Hey everyone, John Newman here. Thank you for downloading this episode of Card Mentions. Myself and Danny Black of Hobby News Daily would like to remind you this is a live show.

SPEAKER 1: Every other Friday at 9 p.m. Eastern It can be found on most of our social medias.

SPEAKER 1: Danny's at the spot. Bored. Well, And Hobby News Daily, I am SportsGuard Nation. Podcast Thank And it can be found on our YouTube channels.

SPEAKER 1: At Hobby News Daily. Sports Card Nation podcast at Sports Vault.

SPEAKER 1: And at Card Matches. So with that being said, we hope to see you.

SPEAKER 1: Very soon on a Friday night.

SPEAKER 1: In our very active chat room. Now let's start the show.

SPEAKER 2: Experience Quality consistent And the quickest turnaround times in the grading industry?

SPEAKER 1: We are proud to partner with SGC Grading.

SPEAKER 2: Check them out.

SPEAKER 1: At www. Gosgc.com.

SPEAKER 2: Bye.

SPEAKER 2: Hi, I'm Dylan LeBois.

SPEAKER 1: And I'm John Newmans.

SPEAKER 2: Welcome to Card Matches. What's going on, John?

SPEAKER 2: Episode 44.

SPEAKER 1: Which was the number of the national. That we just attended.

SPEAKER 2: Good call. And I think we want to thank some of our sponsors real quick.

SPEAKER 1: Yeah, we'll start with, as you see it on the screen there. Stadium Insurance, right? Great sponsor. Listen. Thank you know, Yeah We say it all the time, right? You have anything of significance? You send or receive cards. Of significance. You gotta insure your stuff. Thank you It can make a really bad day not as bad.

SPEAKER 1: By having insurance.

SPEAKER 1: Stadium Insurance, they have an app. You can do it via the app. Very easy.

SPEAKER 1: You don't have to write everything down you can take a video of your inventory and keep it on file and Then they add to it.

SPEAKER 1: As the.

SPEAKER 2: And also CIA auctions.

SPEAKER 2: New auction house, if you know Texas Snowman, Jeremy Dodson, or Chris Sewell. Thank They have collectorinvestorauctions.com, CIA Auctions. And definitely check them out they've got some great deals and auction that I believe is starting...

SPEAKER 2: Tomorrow, man, I believe. So check them out, definitely. All right, you want to do the introductions of the show, some hellos? What's up, Ruben? What's up, Warren?

SPEAKER 1: Yeah, before we talk about what the show... Is about Let's start out with some... Thank you. As we attended the.

SPEAKER 1: Moynihan YouTube dinner which was what, Thursday?

SPEAKER 1: Lost track of days. I believe it was Thursday. And met a lot of great people. That we knew in the chat room we met him in person, and that was a real... Treat and Really cool, right, to put a face. To the name. We met people at the show. Uh... As well and so We always thank the chat room, but now... Now we know what you look like.

SPEAKER 1: If you want to make fun of us, just keep that. Just keep that in mind. The jig is up.

SPEAKER 2: See, I think it works two ways. They also know how unimpressive we are. Salves.

SPEAKER 1: Well, listen, I've always said I'm uglier in real time. And I think I proved that. I think that did. Was proven Not only Thursday.

SPEAKER 1: But all week and it gets worse every year at the National too.

SPEAKER 2: Hodge is one of the people.

SPEAKER 2: Got to see.

SPEAKER 1: Yeah. Yeah, man, that was just a... You know... And today's episode, right?

SPEAKER 1: Is What? We love about the hobby right And it's not one thing. I've got a list here.

SPEAKER 1: Ha ha! I Thank Thank Thank you, Jason.

SPEAKER 2: And Jason, thank you for the wonderful message and the Mike Boddicker card.

SPEAKER 1: So. So like You know, the hobbies. There's a lot of reasons. Why this is the greatest.

SPEAKER 1: Hobby in the world as Dr. Beckett says, right? And so we...

SPEAKER 1: We wanted to do a positive show. We didn't really want to do...

SPEAKER 1: I'm going to do wind up doing a national recap on how to be. Quick kids. Well, we didn't really want to do.

SPEAKER 1: Sort of that. On this this episode of of matches so Will the national come up in some of these things? For sure. But we didn't want him to make it. 100 where you know people are probably like winding down from it there's no shortage of national content.

SPEAKER 1: I'll add to it with a Javi Quick Hits episode. Next week.

SPEAKER 1: But we didn't want to do that today.

SPEAKER 2: One of the things I... Just to clear up in the chat room, we've got a couple different channels.

SPEAKER 2: It's one chat room. They all come together. But if you're in a chat room. And you don't see other people in the chat it's probably because they're on a different channel But you can see them all hopefully on the big board.

SPEAKER 2: All right, so where do you want to start today? You want to explain?

SPEAKER 1: I mean, I just wrote stuff down. We can kind of go tid... For Ted, these are in no order. These are just kind of... I just wrote them.

SPEAKER 1: I wrote them down.

SPEAKER 1: You know And, Thank And, you know.

SPEAKER 1: So. This is why the chat room is great. Like, you just keep us. On her toes.

SPEAKER 1: We never would get a big head because they... They wouldn't let us anyway.

SPEAKER 1: So. You know, I just wrote stuff at random. I probably left something. Out, but I'll probably think of... Of more stuff. As we go.

SPEAKER 1: You know back and forth here.

SPEAKER 1: You want to start off? You want me to start off?

SPEAKER 2: Why don't you start off? I'm having fun. Playing with chat room comments.

SPEAKER 1: One of the things I wrote. You know for why I love the hobby is. Family ties and I'm not talking about show in the 80s, right?

SPEAKER 2: Great show, by the way.

SPEAKER 1: Out?

SPEAKER 2: Great show.

SPEAKER 1: Yeah. That's not what I'm talking about, though. When I say family ties, I mean... Most of us... A family member. Or even a friend is why we're in the hobby, right? For me, it was my grandfather. Taking me to the corner store and receiving that 79. Top Spock's on the counter. Baseball. That's how it all started, right? And obviously You know, my grandfather's been gone since 1984.

SPEAKER 1: But I'll always have. That tie amongst others, right?

SPEAKER 1: If it wasn't for my grandfather. And then later with my dad. In his collection.

SPEAKER 1: You know, I probably wouldn't be here. And so...

SPEAKER 1: There's always going to be that. That Thanks family thread. In my case and i think for many others you know It's similar.

SPEAKER 1: Not in our cases.

SPEAKER 1: But I think a lot of us have. We're exposed to the hobby. From a family member or or family friend or friend. And that sort of thing. And that story, whatever it is for you.

SPEAKER 1: Out. There will never change, right? That always will be...

SPEAKER 1: The constant. Sounding a little bit like the voice in Feel the Dream. You know What It Eat that constant. To why we're here. And you know For me, it was my grandfather and again later. Later my dad. So I wrote down Family ties. And You'll never forget. Or you shouldn't forget how it started.

SPEAKER 1: You know, 10 years from now when dementia sets in, I'll have to... This. Have someone remind me. Where it all began.

SPEAKER 2: That was very sweet. You caught me off guard.

SPEAKER 1: I didn't make you cry though, so it wasn't really a... That was super successful.

SPEAKER 2: Yeah, man. This is great.

SPEAKER 2: I think it has to do with this shirt. Did you get a side job working at Ben & Jerry's?

SPEAKER 1: This is my old Bay shirt.

SPEAKER 2: Shout out to Old Bay.

SPEAKER 1: You know, it's very small, but it's right here. It says Old Bay. Which I, you know. I had Old Bay wings the first time I went to Baltimore. And I've had Old Bay before, but not Wing. And I love Old Bay.

SPEAKER 1: I'm in on old days.

SPEAKER 1: So much so, I had to get a shirt. To represent Old Bay. Express my love and and in apparel form.

SPEAKER 2: Hey, um...

SPEAKER 2: Do you want to give a shout out to your new store?

SPEAKER 1: It's not really, I haven't released yet. I'm working on a merch store. Is what his daddy's trying to do. To You know. It's going to have... It's going to have some of the podcast stuff, but I'm... Doing some of what I think are funny shirts. Hobby related as well.

SPEAKER 2: Jason wants to know if... You're Ben and Jerry's flavor. I guess you would be Chunky Monkey.

SPEAKER 1: Yeah, or... Or as... My one kid I was telling you before we started the show.

SPEAKER 1: I'm a teacher in special ed and i went good day You know, kids that didn't want me to go to Cleveland. Gave me a big hug coming off the bus with the first day back. Thank Yeah, my nickname's Beef. Hey! Oh, my God.

SPEAKER 2: The I'm going to piggyback a little bit on yours.

SPEAKER 2: Beca but i'm gonna take it the other direction is anybody who saw me at the national, You probably saw my son with me.

SPEAKER 2: The Getting to pass it down to your kids if they're lucky enough to be interested in the hobby.

SPEAKER 2: Is definitely one of the reasons I love the hobby.

SPEAKER 2: My son spent the week. Yeah. You know, going to all the events. He loved the Diamond King movie.

SPEAKER 2: He went to dinners.

SPEAKER 2: And everything. And it was a special time with my son and I. Definitely a shout out to...

SPEAKER 2: To spending that to what you said.

SPEAKER 2: One of the good things was was having, you know... My son there. And to everybody who he harassed.

SPEAKER 2: He had a blast.

SPEAKER 2: He actually... Like meeting everybody. So thank you. Thank you to everybody for being so cold.

SPEAKER 1: Yeah, I made him laugh 25 times. I had the... John made Connor laugh.

SPEAKER 1: And the Final tally was...

SPEAKER 1: Which he tried not to, so that...

SPEAKER 1: You know, that was an accomplishment to get 25. Either laughs or chuckles. And that sort of thing.

SPEAKER 1: You know my son also Dabbles a little bit. My son's a little bit older in age. 24 and And... Will not travel. He doesn't like to travel too much, so...

SPEAKER 1: You know. I missed that. You know, I miss... That age of 12 or 13, like Connor and Zach.

SPEAKER 1: That's a great age to be a dad of, you know, I think. I mean, it's great to be a dad at any point, but... That's a fun age. For a dad, right? It's it's Pretty soon your kids will be at the age where... They think you're smart. They're smarter than you. They think they can.

SPEAKER 1: Kick your butt. Uh... And, Those are always fun covers.

SPEAKER 2: I'd like to point out that my son is also 13.

SPEAKER 1: The you you What did I say?

SPEAKER 2: No, John Keating said he bought him his first beer. I was just clarifying.

SPEAKER 1: Well, he might have. That might be a true story.

SPEAKER 2: It might have been a word beer.

SPEAKER 1: Well, maybe something happened you're not aware of. I wouldn't. You know. Good afternoon.

SPEAKER 2: And It is a sad night for Orioles fans. Not gonna argue that. All right, so...

SPEAKER 2: Do you want to go? You want me to go?

SPEAKER 1: You can throw another one out there. And then we'll do kind of a snake draft, if you will.

SPEAKER 2: What do I love about the hobby?

SPEAKER 2: Thank Set. I absolutely love set collecting.

SPEAKER 2: I have a respect for people who do it much better. Better than I do. I have respect for. People that have many more shots.

SPEAKER 2: I i fell in love with this a year or two ago i was never a heavy set collector guy And one of the most fun things I've had in the hobby so far is... Is working on completing.

SPEAKER 2: My first vintage set so It's never something I got into before but I think it's a great part of the hobby I don't think enough people talk about it and I think it's a great way at any price range to do it. So.

SPEAKER 2: That is sets. I do enjoy sets.

SPEAKER 1: You said you're not a heavyset. Collector. Bye.

SPEAKER 1: I'm not a... I am a heavyset. Collector, but I don't really collect sets.

SPEAKER 1: Anymore. So figure that one out. There's a riddle.

SPEAKER 1: When I was younger... And seem to have more room and not married and all that.

SPEAKER 1: Fun stuff.

SPEAKER 1: I did. Collect more sets.

SPEAKER 1: I eventually... Sort of moved away from that, sold most of them.

SPEAKER 1: So I'm not a set collector. But that is a great. Answer right Thank you know, You see at the shows. People helping each other out. Filling in.

SPEAKER 1: Holes hey i got these for you i don't know how many you need Take what you need. You know i'm working on this set maybe you can help me On this set in the future or now.

SPEAKER 1: And trade. That's that great camaraderie, right?

SPEAKER 1: Like that It's fun to even go to show, right? What's more fun than getting that last card? To complete the set, right? It's always the toughest one. It's always probably sometimes the most expensive. That's the one.

SPEAKER 1: In some cases but There is something there is that adrenaline rush, right? To finishing They said that sense of accomplishment, like. Hey, I did it. And not only the accomplishment in yourself, but knowing... You had some hobby friends that maybe...

SPEAKER 1: Helped you get there and we're small. Or big part of that. Potential. Right, that's a good one.

SPEAKER 1: I don't, while I don't do it anymore. I fully get it. It's a good one.

SPEAKER 2: I appreciate that. What's next on your list?

SPEAKER 1: Right, this might not apply to... Thank Everybody, it applies to me being a New York City kid, right? I think there's a...

SPEAKER 1: Good percentage i don't i was gonna say hi i don't know maybe that's there's a good percentage of us that are in the hobby not only because of what i just said with a family member or friend But because we were sports fans first, right? Even at a very young age, Danny. Five, six, seven years old. I was a baseball kid. And just starting to get even into football. So I was a...

SPEAKER 1: Sports kids. And. You know The cards give us ties. To our favorite players, our favorite... Team Right? We feel connected. There's that interconnectedness. With being a fan of a team, whether that's... A local team in the city you live. Or in my case, even though I was... You know, a Yankee fan at a very young age. I wasn't. A Jets are Giants fan of football. I became a Steeler fan.

SPEAKER 1: And so I wasn't able to go to Steeler games. At that point. But collecting those Mean Joe Green and Jack Lamberts. And swan and stalworth and and those guys that you know the list goes on and on I was connected. To the Steelers. Even though I lived in New York City.

SPEAKER 1: It's the connection to our sports teams, right? I know we have a lot of Philly guys. In the chat room right And, you know, most of them are probably Philly fans. Of All the Phillies teams, right?

SPEAKER 1: You know, the Phillies themselves. The Flyers. And the Eagles, right? And the cards are a way to...

SPEAKER 1: Connect to the team, right? Learn the stats and that sort of thing. So.

SPEAKER 1: You know Yeah, I'm with you, Mookie.

SPEAKER 1: But But it's that connectedness to the team, right?

SPEAKER 1: That that You feel like... You know, we're all guilty of this when you're a fan of the team.

SPEAKER 1: You know, your team wins the World Series and you say... We won the World Series like you're on the team. We won. You know No, you know. The Mets won, or the Phillies won, or the Yankees won a World Series. Not you. You're getting no ring. But... Because of that connection. Whether it be through the city. The team and that card connection. We're connected to that. So.

SPEAKER 1: That's one I wrote down.

SPEAKER 2: Well, I'll go out of order on my list just because I had something. Pretty similar to that. I said that. Collecting can make you a better sports fan, and a sports fan can make you a better collector.

SPEAKER 2: That they can go hand in hand and... Oh, we cut. A lot of it comes down. To how you want a PC and stuff like that. But I don't think there's any doubt about it. Most of us... Got started with our favorite teams, our favorite players at the very beginning.

SPEAKER 2: And then it grew from there. So I think those two go hand in hand. And as somebody who who likes to, Like for kids to get involved in sports and cards. Made I like it. The they play off of each other.

SPEAKER 1: Yeah, no doubt. And here's, you know, piggybacking off that, one of the things on my list. Now, you worked for the Braves and Orioles, so you. You were fortunate to get... Sort of to get to know the players or some of them. And and and be right in, you know, up close. And personal most people don't Get that.

SPEAKER 1: Luxury so it's the closest to the players we're going to get. Is sometimes through the cards. That we acquire or opening packs, right? And then you factor in... You know, I see you here at my local. Aaa Stadium for the Syracuse Mets. You see it any major league game you go to, right?

SPEAKER 1: I say kids, but they're adults too, right? Bring in the cards. For the players to sign. And so...

SPEAKER 1: It it creates a bond even between. People and and And professional players, right? Whether they sign or not. There's that. Potential for you know, to get that card signed. And if they sign it right. You put it back in your album. Or in some cases. But some people sell it on eBay. Whatever the case may be, there's that connection, right?

SPEAKER 1: There's the story. If it's being kept for a PC type of deal. You'll always have that card, but maybe remember that game, especially if it's a I said never get player, right? Remember when so-and-so... You know responded Thank came over and signed this card, signed this ball.

SPEAKER 1: So It's that stuff. But that you can't put a price on. That's what we've seen. You know, in recent years, too, we've seen the players. I'm sure Fanatics has a little bit of a hand in that. We're seeing the players get more involved. In the hobby. We're seeing players who collect. And talk about it. And do shows about it or do segments.

SPEAKER 1: About it.

SPEAKER 1: And now it's a two-way street where I always felt before. In many moons ago, right? It was just... Kids and adults collecting cards in the players were like Hey, Top. Same. Fleer score. Just pay me. For my likeness on your cardboard and chrome, right? Now it's more to it than that.

SPEAKER 1: Now they're... Their collectors. In many cases themselves. Thanks and enjoying it. And posting about it. And a... And going to shows, right? We've seen... People take pictures and say, hey, so-and-so. You know, was that the show? Not as a signer.

SPEAKER 1: He was at the show. Buying cards and that sort of thing. We've seen more. Even parents. Of major league players openly say Hey, I'm collecting. My son or daughter's car is a professional. You know If you have any, contact me. To add to my inventory.

SPEAKER 1: You know That... That horizon has gotten more.

SPEAKER 1: Vast as well.

SPEAKER 1: You know and that That's... I kind of think that's cool. You know, I know some others might maybe not. I feel exactly the same way, but I think that's... That's a cool aspect that we've seen. More of in recent years. Then and Traditionally speaking.

SPEAKER 2: All right i'll give you one that i think unfortunately we're seeing less of in the hobby interacting with other people and learning. Learning social skills, learning...

SPEAKER 2: Interaction skills.

SPEAKER 2: You know math negotiating, you know, just... Good. Basic skills. It seems, and maybe I'm... Turning in to get off my lawn. But it seems like the kids now, it's just comps, price, are you buying, are you selling? And I get pretty effing board of that. And and you know Have some respect. Learn how to talk to him. You know, other human beings. You know, learn how to be respectful.

SPEAKER 2: And the hobby?

SPEAKER 2: My love is that it can teach people those skills. And those are skills that you can use in life.

SPEAKER 1: We had this conversation at the National, me and you, and I'm not sure I think someone else might have been there. One of the things I noticed, and I didn't go to any of the sanctioned trade nights. After the show, but they were... There was a trade night all over the place.

SPEAKER 1: There was a trade night. In the food court. There was a tree night. In the basement of the IAC Center down there where they were. Holding court. And I walked around and... And Much like you said, Danny. I saw kids When I say kids, I'm old, so kids can be.

SPEAKER 1: 12, 18, 21 years old, right? And I didn't see the attachment. They had their cards laid out. They had their Zion cases open. And it was just like, hey, I'll do these three for these two.

SPEAKER 1: I, I, it was just the financial. Deal.

SPEAKER 1: Financial, and then they'll get those. New cards. And go to the next person, not even. They might own them for five minutes and then wheel them a deal. They just became strictly like... Stocks and commodities. And I'd be sitting here and lying to you if I said that didn't. Didn't bother me.

SPEAKER 1: But you know what? It's a new era. It's a new age. You know We traded too when I was younger, you know, I would trade. Certain players were players I wanted. Certain teams. Someone else wanted for teams. I wanted to But... There was that. Thanks for connection. I wanted those cards not to in turn trade turn around and trade them away to someone else.

SPEAKER 1: I wanted to keep those. For the long term, at least in the moment. So when you see that kind of thing, what you pointed out. And we talked. About it in the moment Right. Again, I'm not going to be... Disingenuous about it. It kind of stinks to see it. On that level but that's where we are with wave cards are priced and what they can go for.

SPEAKER 1: And the money involved, right? You know, I grew up in the show where... If you had $100 and you were walking around the show. You felt like Rockefeller, right? Wow, kiddo. Now kids are making. Five-figure deals and i'm talking you know, teenagers and That's so different. It's a different hobby than, you know. Again, maybe a little bit of the old man. I'm not. Forward.

SPEAKER 1: Thank And again, this is where I always say. Wow, I wish I was 30 years old again. I'm also glad I grew up. In the part of the hobby ever I did. Because I It wasn't about value. You know, when I grew up in the hobby. Now it's... Now it's kind of, it's in. Entrenched intrinsic so That part I wouldn't change. If I could... Knocked 20 years off my birth certificate. That I would change.

SPEAKER 2: I just put a question in the chat room. Let me take a step back. Jason says. That's why I think this community is great, because people are genuinely happy, interested. And what you pick up. Absolutely, without a doubt.

SPEAKER 2: I just put a question in there. I don't... Know what a flawless box goes for right now. But I've seen... Parents who are buying flawless boxes for their kids. For a good report cards. And while I'm all for good report cards. What's a box of flawless go for?

SPEAKER 1: Well, I believe it's... More figures.

SPEAKER 2: I mean, that's what I'm like. That's ridiculous to me. You know, when I grew up, if you got three A's, you could go to Pizza Hut and get a free... Personal pizza That seems about right.

SPEAKER 1: It's a different era, man.

SPEAKER 2: But the kids don't learn.

SPEAKER 2: You know, they're entering the market in $1,000 cards.

SPEAKER 1: I hear you. There's a saying, right? You can't save everybody. The the fact of the matter, right? So. You know Yep. So.

SPEAKER 2: Exactly, Mike.

SPEAKER 2: So.

SPEAKER 2: But what do I like about the hobby? And what do I love about the hobby? How about How about the first time? A kid ever hits something opening a pack. Thank The first time you hit...

SPEAKER 2: Something in a pack. Even if it's just a number, a color, an auto.

SPEAKER 2: That feeling, you're chased the rest of your life.

SPEAKER 2: Yeah.

SPEAKER 1: It's funny you say that. I wrote down Chase.

SPEAKER 2: Okay.

SPEAKER 1: For me You know, the early chase was... You know, Yankees and Thurman Munson cards. Then Reggie's. And then... You know, a little bit, a few years after that, right? It was. Manly rookie, specifically that 84 diner.

SPEAKER 1: Big face close-up Then Griffey. Then the Griffey came along. Then the... The to Mattingly Winfield. But Batting average chase, and then that card in the 85 down rust. With both of them on it, right? I remember a card. It has nothing to do with value. And I know some of these are obviously worth more than others. But that $85 ripped. Winfield-maddenley is $1.02, if that. That.

SPEAKER 1: You know and even then but it was just because of that batting average. Battle right Then the 89 Griffey, and then the 92 Bowmans. Came out. And we were chasing. Those rookies and the piazzas and the... Mariano and Streak. Clothes And, you know, and then A-Rod's and... I mean, it's almost like a Billy Joel, we didn't start the fire. Baseball. Card edition right Someone should do that.

SPEAKER 1: Not me but uh... Someone else You know, and then so on and so on, right? There was always... Something next that we chased as young collectors. And young adults.

SPEAKER 1: Collect there, Sam. And... You know, And even now, right, I don't open. Harley much at all, but when I do, right, you're... You want to hit something nice, right? It's fun. That adrenaline rush, right?

SPEAKER 1: I still have it at 51 years old. It comes in many forms. Whether I'm opening a box, a pack. Or whether I'm stepping through the show doors. On the hunt for a Tom Seaver rookie. With no guarantee of finding one. Or finding one at a price that fits the budget, right? That's the chase. So Chase doesn't have to be.

SPEAKER 1: Always in pack form. Adrenaline doesn't have to be...

SPEAKER 1: Just in pack form. Adrenaline can come in in many forms From finding that card, you're missing. Finding that last car to complete. That was sad. Finding a card. Your grail card you've always wanted and you've never owned, and now it's time. And you have that income. Adrenaline is meeting people.

SPEAKER 1: And. Getting together, whether it be at a dinner. Or social function. Right. That's the stuff in the hobby. That even goes beyond the cards, right?

SPEAKER 1: So.

SPEAKER 1: Yeah, I, you know. I agree.

SPEAKER 2: Some great comments.

SPEAKER 2: Mookie said his adrenaline rush comes from making wacky jokes in live streams.

SPEAKER 2: Yeah!

SPEAKER 1: What? Why not? It works.

SPEAKER 2: Orlando says at the National he saw parents buying. Fanatics and kids can be successful for hundreds of dollars.

SPEAKER 1: For those that... Good. Keeping score at home. Those go for under $50.

SPEAKER 2: That's.

SPEAKER 2: No comment. Thank All right.

SPEAKER 2: Tj, uh...

SPEAKER 2: Says some people are still chasing the Seaver rookie in repack.

SPEAKER 1: Thanks Okay I wasn't taking that chance.

SPEAKER 2: Yeah, I'm not allowed to. Exactly.

SPEAKER 1: You know, and... That's stuff, man, you know?

SPEAKER 1: Bye You know, the hobbies of fraternity, I've said that, you know, I know the tagline. For Sports Fair Nation, I'll be using the... People. It's a fraternity. You know Whether you call, whatever you collect. We're still in the hobby. Like, I use Logan Ward, for example.

SPEAKER 1: Very good friend of both of ours. Maybe many. In the chat room He collects... I mean, he has. Some. Baseball cards from when he was younger. He doesn't really buy baseball cards anymore. He's a NASCAR collector. But he's one of my great hobby friends. I don't collect NASCAR cards.

SPEAKER 1: I sometimes give him some. That I somehow acquire me. A collection by But... We're in the same fraternity, right? We might be.

SPEAKER 1: And different.

SPEAKER 1: You know niches of it but we're in the same hobby. Fraternity and that's a the band we share and even though i don't collect nascar cards Sometimes I'll get them. And and pass them on and vice versa. Right and so It's a hobby fraternity.

SPEAKER 1: Is something You know, I don't take lightly. I think it's a great thing. You know, that's why you see turnouts. I like more in the hands. It gets bigger. Every year that fraternity is growing. The alumnus is getting. Bigger And that's going to continue to grow.

SPEAKER 1: And, you know, I hate to say it like this. As we age out. You know, the fraternity is still going to get. Bigger than the younger. Folks will take the torch. Uh... And run with it so You know that I love that. You know, I love that fraternity aspect. Thank that the hobby gives you.

SPEAKER 2: I don't know if I should admit this. I probably spent less time with cards this national. Than I ever have. I spent more time with people and friends.

SPEAKER 2: And meeting people in person that I haven't met before. And just talking and This was one of my favorite nationals.

SPEAKER 2: So when you talk about that, you know. It's not just a fraternity, but it's a fraternity that... Every year is exciting. Yeah!

SPEAKER 1: No. No doubt. Like we circle, you know. Again, I'm not making this a national show, but right. The Nationals'Super Bowl week. Of the hobby. We all, most of us circle it. We tell our employers if we have one.

SPEAKER 1: That where Not going to be at work that week.

SPEAKER 1: It's pretty much I tell my employer. Pretty much the same week. Every year during summer school. I will be there at summer school. Except for these four or five days. And It's all good, right? So. You know, I...

SPEAKER 1: I thought, you know, I know people... You know, I don't. Listen, don't get me started on the wife fights. 2024, figure it out, National. Support, right? For for for breakers and support for dealers for credit card transactions. Support for buyers at the show. To look up. Tchau.

SPEAKER 1: Oops. Whether you like that or not, that's the question. Landscape. And terrain of the hobby. It's 2024, man. Like... You know I got a little bit. You know, we went to the Guardians game. On on wednesday night what was it 35 40 000 people I use my phone. It was no problem.

SPEAKER 2: Yeah Oh.

SPEAKER 1: I Like... Come on, National. Figure this out. It's, it's... It should be such an old news story, and yet every year it raises... Its ugly head. And I scratch my head. And say why and how and and fix this. Like... We're not a third world country, at least I hope we're not. Maybe we're turning into one. At least on the Wi-Fi side.

SPEAKER 1: Of stuff. Then. And... Like... Figure it out, man.

SPEAKER 1: You know how many dealers you have and you know approximately... How many people are coming through the door? You know, give or take. A thousand either way. Like Get the bandwidth, get the... The infrastructure in place. You do it every year. Pretty similar numbers. Like, figure it out, man.

SPEAKER 1: I'm not going to give them a pass on that. I'll give him more of a pass on traffic. You're at the mercy. Of the location and how many exits. And entrances there are. You know I'm Hope. That's not the last Cleveland National. From for Not only... Because I enjoyed the city. But for selfish reasons.

SPEAKER 1: Full transparency too, because I can... It's only five hours and ten minutes from me here in Syracuse, and I can drive. By myself. Both ways. And not worry. About it and And so I hope. I hope we get that again. And, you know, I don't know. Are we going to have Chicago? Chicago. In Chicago.

SPEAKER 2: Next three years.

SPEAKER 1: Three years. You know, so for you Bulls fans that like the three-peats. The national fans are going to get the Chicago.

SPEAKER 1: 3p and Chicago is a great city too. It's just a little further for me.

SPEAKER 1: And not drivable and I get it. If you live near Chicago, that's a dream. You know, come true having the National. In your backyard.

SPEAKER 1: So You know, we'll see. But I like Cleveland. I hope that's not the last time. We get in Cleveland, you know, everyone says we'll never see. In Atlantic City. National gun I like the Atlantic City National. You don't have to like the city. I'm not walking the streets making like trade deals. And the in the bullocks, you know.

SPEAKER 1: I'm going to the show. I'm going back to my hotel. I'm taking a shower. And relax and go to sleep and get ready for the show the next day. You know I'm not in the bad neighborhoods looking for a fix or a score. So you know, Be careful where you, you know, get a halfway decent hotel. You know? And watch where you walk, I guess.

SPEAKER 1: Pena alta. I hope it comes back. Atlantic City someday, although... I'm not going to bet my house on it.

SPEAKER 2: Can I go to the next one on my list?

SPEAKER 2: Because I'm going positive here. Why do I love the hobby? The feeling of walking into the national.

SPEAKER 2: For the first time of the year. That first time you open the door. And you walk in and see the room. That's... I enjoy it every time.

SPEAKER 1: Yeah, you know what I enjoy? Now more. Like, obviously, this was my fifth or sixth one. I'm starting to count.

SPEAKER 1: I love talking to people.

SPEAKER 1: At the National, who was their first National. Ever. And getting there. Yeah, sometimes they can't even put into words. They're like. John, um...

SPEAKER 1: Overwhelming it's crazy You know, you hear stuff like that. I love that. Because I remember my first one. People were telling me. This is what it's like, Newman. This, it's going to be like this, do this. Here's a tip. There's a. Do this, do that, right? And you take all this information in.

SPEAKER 1: And in your mind... You think, oh, I know what it's going to be like now. I got it. I didn't see the movie, but everyone told me the plot and what happens. So nothing's going to catch me off guard. And then you walk in. For the first time. And like you just said, it's like whoosh.

SPEAKER 1: El... I don't care what anyone told you. How true it is. When it hits you...

SPEAKER 1: It's an experience, right? To the point people don't even know how to put it in words half the time. So.

SPEAKER 1: I enjoy talking to people. When is their first national? But whether it's your first national, your fifth national. Or your 44th in the case of Dr. Jim's case. Listen. That guy don't have to go to the National. He's been there, done that, right? And he still loves it, travels. You know That's what the national is. It never gets old, no matter. How many you been to?

SPEAKER 1: And you want to go.

SPEAKER 1: To the next one. And if you don't go...

SPEAKER 1: You really, you know, people didn't go like, man, I. Of I got FOMO.

SPEAKER 1: All right. You know I missed out. And I'm definitely not going to miss out. On two in a row and it's just You're not going to find another week. Where that many people were in the hobby. In the same city, in the same building. At the same time. It won't happen.

SPEAKER 1: And, you know, Fanatics Fest. I mean... Be damned. And that might turn out to be a great show. You're going here.

SPEAKER 1: I'm efforting potentially going for a day.

SPEAKER 1: Not 100%. Percent. And that might be a grade of that. It's not going to be the National. And. You know the national is is that week, right? And, um... It's fun. I look forward to every year.

SPEAKER 1: And... You know, we'll count down the days to. Chicago. And then we're counting down to days to...

SPEAKER 1: The next Chicago. Now we're counting down the days to the third Chicago.

SPEAKER 1: In a row I'm not better about that. Can you tell?

SPEAKER 2: You know When we're there, we'll enjoy it.

SPEAKER 2: ルールでない Yes.

SPEAKER 2: Quantum leap, by the way. I just want to give a shout out for the reference. Great show.

SPEAKER 2: Mike Petty, yeah. And it's not even the national. The card shows. Or are just fun.

SPEAKER 1: Yeah, that's another thing, man. Forget just putting the national label, card shows. Bye. You know you're going to the card show tomorrow, wherever it is. A small 100 table show.

SPEAKER 1: A 40-table show, right? Whether in my case, you're setting up or you're going as a consumer. Sometimes I have no trouble sleeping at night. But the day before a card show. That adrenaline, right? What am I going to buy tomorrow? I'm a dealer. You know? Am I going to do well?

SPEAKER 1: Am I going to get to buy some stuff? And acquires some... Right? All those thoughts running through your head. It's like... Christmas. For card collectors, you can't sleep. Well, you can't sleep well. And. You're looking forward to it. It's like being a kid.

SPEAKER 1: In the candy store. The Card Show. You know is is one of the the biggest adrenaline things you can have.

SPEAKER 1: In the hobby.

SPEAKER 2: Love in the comment.

SPEAKER 2: I want to get up to this one.

SPEAKER 2: Stooge says he's got his room I'd love to, right next to Donald E. Stevens Convention Center.

SPEAKER 1: I thought it said right next to Danny. I was going to say, they might want to wear earplugs.

SPEAKER 2: You know...

SPEAKER 1: I run a restaurant.

SPEAKER 2: Connor described it as a race to go to bed first.

SPEAKER 1: I won the first night. Yeah. Bad. I crashed bad.

SPEAKER 2: I would love to know if you booked that directly or through Expedia or something like that. That I will be at Fanatics Fest for a day. We'll see if it brings in...

SPEAKER 2: Other types of sports fans to cards. You know, talking about card shows. You know, there's people out there that are going to become new card fans.

SPEAKER 2: And if I'm boring you, John, I apologize.

SPEAKER 1: No, just... I'm still recovering, dude.

SPEAKER 2: I'm kidding.

SPEAKER 1: I'm still trying to catch up on sleep.

SPEAKER 2: I just slept for an entire day when I got home.

SPEAKER 1: I had to go right back to work.

SPEAKER 2: Yeah.

SPEAKER 2: All right, what do you have next on your list?

SPEAKER 1: You know some people are not gonna like this right.

SPEAKER 2: And let's remember what the topic is. We are discussing why we love the hobby. That is the point.

SPEAKER 1: This isn't just a... Dealer thing. But it's a big dealer thing, right? Financial Right? We love... Listen. When I'm a dealer, I love selling cards, right? I'm not going to lie about it and again, I'm not a disingenuous person. I love setting up a deal. I did my first show. That's a deal in 1987. I was 15. Years old, very shy. Did well somehow. And the rest is history. I've done shows.

SPEAKER 3: At least one show and multiple shows. Every year minus maybe a year or two.

SPEAKER 3: Since I'm 15 and I'm 51. I love setting up. I love attending them as not a dealer. But, you know, I love. Moving cards, getting some money to... Do what Buy more cards. Right? I don't think we have to apologize. For that.

SPEAKER 3: I think some people know how we try to. You know give others Oh, you sold something? I've never sold a card in my whole life. I'm a collector. Well, guess what? I'm a collector too. That sells cards. You see the cards behind me? I'm blocking them. Because... With my big body here. Oh, there's some over here. There's cars all around this room that don't go to shows with me. That are not for sale.

SPEAKER 4: Shout out to Mark Hoyle, by the way. Check that out.

SPEAKER 3: Yeah! Right? And you don't have to apologize for that. It's fun.

SPEAKER 3: You know, it's a good way to make some extra money. And it's a good way to buy more cards and keep the hobby transacting. And, You know, I had one person that it wasn't recently. I don't know, a couple years ago.

SPEAKER 3: They looked me dead in my eyes and said, John, you're not a true collector. And I said, I'm not? Like, explain that to me. Maybe you're right. Maybe I am not. Tell me why I'm not. Will you sell cards? And I'm like... All right, but I also collect cards.

SPEAKER 3: You know, what's a true collector? You know, we use that term in like... It's sports for teams. Oh, he's a true Yankee, meaning like... They drafted him. He came up through the farm system. He's never been on another team. Well, what, like, to me, like...

SPEAKER 3: I started at seven years old collecting cards.

SPEAKER 3: You know I just don't know what. What true collector. You know maybe it's different meaning for everyone but don't tell me I don't collect cards. I can show you. And a lot of cards that don't. Ever people that go to the shows I set up. Never see. So. Thank I don't like that when it happens. People are entitled. To their opinion at the same time.

SPEAKER 3: But you don't have to apologize for selling. Some of your cards maybe that you have extras or you don't have an attachment to. To buy cards you have an attachment to. Like I bought a Seaver. Right? I use some of my show money. From setting up as a dealer. Doing SGC bulk subs. Are you summer at income? The bioseber that's behind me.

SPEAKER 3: That will never... Make its way into my showcase at any show I set up at. So I wear both of those hats. Right? Dealer, collector. I don't want to sound like Chris Sewell here in a second.

SPEAKER 3: You know.

SPEAKER 3: So, like, you know, I... People, some people try to give you a guilt trip. For that. I don't know why. Maybe makes them feel better.

SPEAKER 3: But And you don't have to be a dealer, right? You can list stuff on eBay. And just sell from your house. Or online, any marketplace, right? So you don't even need necessarily a sales tax number. As I have. And you have? And you don't have to feel bad about selling that. Buy something you want. You know That's it.

SPEAKER 4: First of all, The amount of boog pal conversation that's coming up. Is making.

SPEAKER 3: Yeah, I want to shout out to my friend Alessio here. He just. You just put it. Alessio is my show.

SPEAKER 3: Roommate Like when we set up at shows. He's next to me, and it is. It is, like he says. The only downfall. He's next to me. Another little tip, we went to high school together. How crazy is that?

SPEAKER 4: That is crazy.

SPEAKER 4: Mike Petty says he's going to set up a table at Burbank. And he's selling his Boog Pal Player Run.

SPEAKER 4: I absolutely love...

SPEAKER 4: Love that, Boog Pal.

SPEAKER 4: Mike Petty, I know you know the answer.

SPEAKER 4: Can anybody tell me what position he came up in? Playing and what his real first name is. And Mike Petty, you don't count. Because I'm sure you have it.

SPEAKER 3: And here's a comment.

SPEAKER 3: We spoke with Orlando.

SPEAKER 3: Right here. No, that ain't the one. Right here. You know? Orlando. Sold and traded lots of cars. We've seen. We've seen his big purchase, right? That was great. A great acquisition, right? And he said, hey, I sold some stuff. That I liked. But I wanted this more, right? And those are the great stories.

SPEAKER 3: And that sort of stuff.

SPEAKER 3: And we don't have to feel, we shouldn't have to apologize for that, feel bad. I think the majority. I think there's more people who've sold a card. Then people will not be able to never, ever. You know, like people say. I've never sold one card. I think there's more people. Who have sold something. Even if it's for a few bucks. Somewhere then who've never sold a card. In the house.

SPEAKER 4: And I got news for you. I bought co- I brought cards intending. To possibly sell or upgrade to the national. And I wouldn't feel bad about that.

SPEAKER 3: Some people will try to make you feel. Some people will try to make you fat. Not a lot. But some people.

SPEAKER 4: No, F'em. You know it's my it's It's my journey.

SPEAKER 4: Dat is misschien een eindopening.

SPEAKER 3: They won't get an argument from me.

SPEAKER 4: Thank TJ says the Nationals some vintage DLR with a few.

SPEAKER 4: Signed, PSA Mantles, and it's displayed called No Auto Common. Yeah. No, I was ashamed that word. Mark out.

SPEAKER 3: Yeah it should have been the hall of famer oh wait Right.

SPEAKER 4: Mookie says I sold all year to be able to afford my Jackie auto.

SPEAKER 4: And I enjoyed it.

SPEAKER 3: Ah, hey man. I almost pulled the trigger.

SPEAKER 3: I don't have a Jackie Otto. Disclosure. And we talked about this. There was... There was... There was some there, you know, there was. Multiple And You know, I could have bought one and spent my money. I didn't. I'm wondering if it's something maybe I put on the list for next week. And like. Thank Mookie said, just kind of. Save all year and just Go in there knowing I'm... Come out of here.

SPEAKER 4: And By the way. One of the things I love about the hobby and the people in our chat room. Is Honestly, they're... We're all happy for each other. Happy for what Orlando got.

SPEAKER 3: Yeah, man, that's a great point.

SPEAKER 4: See, everybody's got everybody's back on this.

SPEAKER 4: It's not jealousy. It's mutual admiration of society.

SPEAKER 4: I think we love hearing what everybody picked up.

SPEAKER 3: Listen. How many times do we try to help someone out? Right here. You know?

SPEAKER 3: I got to give credit where credit's due. Said, hey, I'm looking for a receiver rookie. People that are front-line. We're telling me, hey, there's one here. It's... Psa this and they want this much. I saw one here, right? And I've done that for other people. And out. How great is that when you look out for each other? I like that. Again. That fraternity word.

SPEAKER 3: Community, fraternity.

SPEAKER 3: That sort of thing. Friendship. I don't ever want to coin it, right?

SPEAKER 3: That's a beautiful thing. And to be looking out for one another. And you know, you post. You know Ah! Ha ha!

SPEAKER 3: I like that comment. Generally speaking, though, generally speaking, right? Like when Orlando showed us, I don't think it's a secret. Ali.

SPEAKER 3: You know, when he showed us the Walter Johnson photo.

SPEAKER 3: Signed from Walter Johns. All right. Like, how cool is that? Like, how do you not be happy for that? For Exactly. Like. You have to be a really bad... Bone person or like not be happy for someone, you know? When I got my Jackie two years ago...

SPEAKER 3: It's probably my most liked. Post ever. Now, you know, it's cool because People know what it means to you.

SPEAKER 3: And they're genuinely happy for you. And, you know, we've seen. We've seen Iowa Dave got the Jackie this year. We've seen... You know, rated rabbi, got the Hank Aaron rookie.

SPEAKER 3: This year And that's just cool. And what do we do? Hey, let me see it. Let me hold it, right? And you look, oh, man, I'm happy for Drex. Man, that really presents well. Great eye appeal, right? Would generally genuine suddenly that word becomes harder to say. For happy for whoever that person is, you know.

SPEAKER 3: And, You know, that's the way it should be.

SPEAKER 4: I like this idea.

SPEAKER 4: We should all get walkie-talkies.

SPEAKER 4: Next year is a backup for bad cell service to help each other finding cards.

SPEAKER 3: Yeah, well, we should. When Shadog and Walkie Talkie's in the one guy who actually gets self-service. We just call in all the cap lookups to him. All right, Mike. Here, we're... You know 72.

SPEAKER 3: Clemente, PSAA, what? What should it be going for?

SPEAKER 4: Boo 628. Oh. Yeah. Go, go, go, red team go. Yeah.

SPEAKER 4: No, but...

SPEAKER 4: Just, you know, the comments and just being excited for each other.

SPEAKER 4: If anybody has any pickups they want to put in the chat room in the last couple of minutes.

SPEAKER 4: Just mention that. And thank you, Brad.

SPEAKER 3: Yeah, listen. Especially the natural. Like, you can brag any day. There's no, like, there's no amnesty. Well, it is bragging a little bit, but you don't have to apologize for it. You're happy you got something. Yep. You're not bragging like you just crushed somebody in the sport. Like, yeah. You know. By the way.

SPEAKER 4: Can you hear the storm outside my house? I'm in the middle of like a wizard of Oz right now. If my house starts... Takes off and starts spinning. Yeah You'll know why.

SPEAKER 3: Well, maybe you'll land in Chicago. And you'll see him on there. Card. Chats and breads. You I told you we're not in Baltimore anymore.

SPEAKER 4: Yeah.

SPEAKER 3: Speaking of that, those shoes were at the National. The Ruby Red Slippers.

SPEAKER 4: Yeah.

SPEAKER 3: There's a segue I didn't mean to make.

SPEAKER 4: It says, I still have to do a video for my... Peters, Wieners, killer brew pickup, non-national.

SPEAKER 3: Try saying that 10 times.

SPEAKER 3: Killebrew. Yeah. Not going to happen.

SPEAKER 4: I love the Reggie proofs, by the way, as an Oriole fan.

SPEAKER 4: Love those.

SPEAKER 4: Follow the brick road to Utah Street, Danny. Absolutely. What? Thank, Should we keep going? Because I got a couple more. You want to squeeze my horn?

SPEAKER 3: Go ahead. Go ahead.

SPEAKER 3: We kind of, I... Threw a few out there at the same time, but go ahead. I got. I got one we haven't talked about.

SPEAKER 4: Okay.

SPEAKER 3: You might even mention it and then I'll...

SPEAKER 4: I enjoy the business of the hobby. I enjoy watching.

SPEAKER 4: Why do we love the hobby? I love seeing...

SPEAKER 4: It evolved. I don't have to use all of it, but I love the activity. Information we get now. I love when you look up. Pop report we're gonna have notes and i just love the evolution of the technology I love watching it grow.

SPEAKER 4: Most, not all of it's going to stay and most of it's going to fall by the wayside, but some of them are going to make it.

SPEAKER 4: And I do enjoy watching.

SPEAKER 4: Different companies come through in different ways that we can enjoy the hobby moving forward.

SPEAKER 3: Yeah.

SPEAKER 3: I do as a dealer, right? You know what? Is real popular video like content and i don't I don't. Really like or watch. What? People just... Take a camera and walk around the show. That doesn't do much for me, especially if I'm at that show. I'm there. Doing it. Like, I don't need to watch.

SPEAKER 3: You know I know they're real popular and they're... Heavily watched. I just don't. You know. It doesn't do much for me even Even the art of a deal when they actually videotape. Like. The deal going down and the negotiation. And then they come to a... Uh...

SPEAKER 3: They consummate the deal and they. Count the hundred dollar bills on the table. Thank you. Hello. You know, it's... I don't know. I don't get much from that. I think I like it more when... It's direct. And, You know, it's me making a deal or making a sale if I'm a dealer at a show.

SPEAKER 3: But people love that. I guess if you... If you can't get to the show, it's... Probably the next best thing for those folks.

SPEAKER 4: Clearly, Mike Petty and I agree on everything. Oh, for what he hates about the hobby.

SPEAKER 4: Jason, great pickups, by the way.

SPEAKER 4: I put that comment up there before, but... Let's see if I can. Throw that back up there.

SPEAKER 4: He got some nice stuff, so shout out to Jason there. Yeah. Absolutely.

SPEAKER 4: Too much Yeah. There you go. I'll leave that one just up on the screen.

SPEAKER 3: Yeah, I just, I don't... I don't...

SPEAKER 4: You don't want the video of Quinn flipping and people slamming Zion cases on display.

SPEAKER 3: Oh, man, that's... Don't get me going on that one because I have. You know, cases and, I've had to tell people politely, like... Don't you know? Because you...

SPEAKER 3: I think I've told this story before. I had a dealer friend of mine. Who was set up next to me, not Alessio. This is pre-Lessio. Days in. And someone put their case on this glass all-state. Cheers. And cracked it and walked away. No, like, my bad. I'm sorry. How can we? What can I do?

SPEAKER 3: Just was so...

SPEAKER 3: And just literally walked away. He looked at me like, can you believe that? I'm like, go.

SPEAKER 3: Like go get go track him down and say dude you just broke my case Like, are you going to say something?

SPEAKER 3: You know, he wouldn't do it. You know, I always wanted to do it for him, but it might be. You know. While he was a friend of mine, it wasn't my business.

SPEAKER 3: He's like, don't. Don't let it go. Let it go.

SPEAKER 3: Got a case. So that's a big thing when we have some, there's etiquette, right? We could probably do... Maybe that's a future show. Right? Card etiquette.

SPEAKER 3: Online and in person. Which there is. That's a lot. Becoming sometimes a lost art.

SPEAKER 3: Thank with that.

SPEAKER 4: Not a part owner of Zion. I just got to have it for free. Yeah. Thank you Oh! I guess we should say a little bit of a wrap up.

SPEAKER 3: Well, I got one more, right?

SPEAKER 4: Go for it, go for it, go for it.

SPEAKER 3: Travel, man. Traveling, I don't know, I can't speak for everyone. I still enjoy traveling and getting away from home. And listen.

SPEAKER 3: I'm going to be blunt and honest here, and I'm married 25 years, and my wife doesn't listen. Isn't it nice to get away for a week from your From your spouse? I'm gonna be brave enough. To say it on the air. I love my wife. You don't stay married for... 25 years.

SPEAKER 3: Sort of by accident. But... I look forward to that week. It's sort of like... She'll go on a girl's vacation. Three Three girls and her from work will go to... A beach for three, four days. Rent a room and have a girls getaway, right? These nationals are...

SPEAKER 3: Predominantly guys get away, not 100%. Thank you plenty of women. And we're seeing more every year, and that's a great thing. All right, it's a week to get away.

SPEAKER 3: Is to enjoy the hobby, which we love. And I'll get away from... From home for and take a break from that. And travel right See a city. I have never been. To Cleveland. Prior to to this trip. Right? Never been the progressive See you. I've never seen the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I didn't go to it, but some people went to the Christmas story.

SPEAKER 3: House It's fun to travel. Go to a place you've never been before. It's fun to travel and go to a place you have been before. If I go to Chicago next year for the National, I've been there twice already. I've actually been there four times, two for nationals. And two for other reasons So this would be my fifth. And it's still going to be fun. Even though it'll be the fifth time. I'm there. And so.

SPEAKER 3: I enjoy traveling. Getting away from home.

SPEAKER 3: And that sort of thing And not in. You know, willing to admit that and i don't think there's anything wrong with that. Much the same way my wife Takes those girls only trips.

SPEAKER 3: They don't go to card shows.

SPEAKER 3: But they go to the beach, they go out to dinner. And they do whatever they like. To do so I like the travel aspect. Of the hobby. Whether that's Going as a consumer, like I do at The National. Or in some cases where I travel. Even as a dealer to set up. It may be a show that's not my normal. Show every once in a while. I don't do that a ton. I did it more as a younger.

SPEAKER 3: Dealer then I do it now whatever once in a while I'll get asked to, hey, man. Come to the show. You know, blah, blah, blah. And then sometimes I'll I'll I'll do it. Not all the time. But Right? Traveling is fun, I think, for the most part. We make... I, you know, me and you try to make. Vacation when we travel together as we have We try to do things. Outside the hobby.

SPEAKER 3: As well and make it sort of a a vacation and a hobby. Trip as well. I think a lot of people do that.

SPEAKER 4: Thanks Well said.

SPEAKER 4: I don't. Agree with Everything?

SPEAKER 4: I have a... A wife who is willing to come to the show. She actually made the show on Sunday for a couple hours.

SPEAKER 4: She doesn't look forward to it, but she would.

SPEAKER 4: She came to Atlantic City and actually walked around the show.

SPEAKER 4: If I can convince her, I love... You know, I brought my son. I love having family there. But I'm a big dork also. So, you know, I...

SPEAKER 4: I'm the anti-.

SPEAKER 3: And not just getting away from spouses, right? So week A, I'm taking a week off from work. Right? I love. Listen, I love my class and my kids and vice versa. And when I get back, it's...

SPEAKER 3: I get the greatest hugs.

SPEAKER 3: Like they're never gonna let me go and Warms my heart. But I also enjoyed the week. Right? Where I can Catch my breath and... And not have to think about that kind of stuff for a week. And I kind of come back.

SPEAKER 3: Sort of refresh, recharge.

SPEAKER 3: And see those kids run off the bus. Running at me like they're in the Olympics.

SPEAKER 3: Giant hug which is what happened on the Monday following the national. Yep.

SPEAKER 3: That stuff. That gets to you and then and you know you know you're making an impact on on some young folks lives to. To that effect. That to be. Mushy but It's just cool. I'm not going to lie about it. But I enjoyed a week away from those kids. As well as much as i do care about them. And love. So.

SPEAKER 4: What? You He says, my wife was thrilled that I spent our anniversary in Cleveland. With middle-aged men.

SPEAKER 3: That's funny.

SPEAKER 4: She was actually cool. Good for you, Mookie. That's the type of...

SPEAKER 4: Well, if I have, although I don't know. Thank actually go on the trip.

SPEAKER 3: Speaking of Atlantic City.

SPEAKER 4: Yeah.

SPEAKER 3: I'm going to Atlantic City, I think, in two weeks with my wife.

SPEAKER 3: Stay in, you know. Little casino. Speech. Dinners, hotel room, I think for... Four or five days And I had to tell my softball team, like, Hey, I won't be there Thursday on... August 29th. And they're like... Dude, it's playoff. You I'm like, if I... If I bailed on my wife I'm getting divorced.

SPEAKER 3: Which one of you's house am I living in? Until I get my own place, right? And they're like, yeah, you better go. Awesome. So. But, you know, you know Traveling is fun, and hopefully they win without me, and then I come back. Catch up. The next one.

SPEAKER 4: Ruben says, you're sure glad you don't have these wife issues.

SPEAKER 3: I thought for a minute he said Wi-Fi. Yeah.

SPEAKER 4: Tj says, Mookie is the Rodney Dangerfield and Don Rickles of YouTube. We love you.

SPEAKER 4: All right, John.

SPEAKER 4: I think we've gone over by a couple. It's good to catch up after the national with everybody in the chat room.

SPEAKER 4: Thank If anybody is still listening and you weren't live.

SPEAKER 4: Tonight you know We really appreciated meeting everybody at the show, whether it was the YouTube get-together.

SPEAKER 3: Yeah, that never gets old.

SPEAKER 4: Yeah, it's...

SPEAKER 3: That never gets old. And even if it's... Regardless whether it's the first time or we're seeing you again. Right It's just... That's good. It's just cool it's a part of the hobby i don't think we put enough emphasis on all the time.

SPEAKER 3: But Thank It's fun, right?

SPEAKER 3: You only get to do that so many times, so I appreciate it. Each and every time.

SPEAKER 4: We appreciate all the comments All right. I think it's about to roll out. Say goodnight, John.

SPEAKER 3: Good night, John.