Better Know a Blogger: Adam (from Cardboard Clubhouse)

1. Your name (or alias):  Adam

2. Your blog website:  Cardboard Clubhouse

3. What kind of collector do you consider yourself (team collector, player collector, set collector, etc.). Why do you collect that way?

I don't think I really fit into a collecting category as I collect a little bit of everything that fits into my budget. In terms of buying, I'll buy vintage singles and then turn around and buy packs of new, moderately priced baseball or hockey cards. I'm also currently trying my hand at building some sets and if that's successful, I might be a set collector as well. 

4. In your opinion, what could the major card companies (Topps, Panini, etc.) do to make your style of collecting better for you?

Being a collector on a budget is tough but I would think lowering pack prices by maybe 50 cents to a dollar would be a great benefit for collectors like me. Also, there are too many refractors, inserts, and numbered cards and those should be cut back. I don’t mind getting an insert in every few packs but I don’t need a ton of insert sets, maybe just one or two per product.

5. What is your favorite part of your collection?  This could be one specific item, or a binder of cards, etc.

Right now I would have to say that my favorite part of my collection are my Reds cards from the 60s with the likes of Wally Post, Joe Nuxhall, and Vada Pinson.

6. Most of us have a favorite song that we like for no good reason – heck, it might even be embarrassing.  Do you have a favorite baseball card that might fit that bill? 

That's easy ... 1991 Fleer Dennis Eckersley. The picture on that card with him in mid pitch is completely crazy.

7. If you were forced to part with your entire collection except for one card, which card would you keep?

My 1974 Topps Willie McCovey Washington National League error card ... if I can find it that is.

8. Many of the blogs (including my own at times) seem to decry Topps’ lack of vision and creativity.  Can you think of something creative that could be done for an upcoming card set?  

I really don’t mind Topps products right now but if I had to think of something to improve their product, I would say try not to release Heritage and Series 1 right near each other as the checklists and player selection looks almost identical.

9. What is your profession?  How did you end up there?  If you are in school, what do you plan to major in and/or what job do you hope to get after graduating?

My profession is nothing exciting, just a normal 9-5 office job. I also work a part time job to supplement as my wife is a stay at home mom with our two-year-old. In college, I studied history, political science, and liberal arts at local colleges.

10. What is your favorite place that you’ve ever visited?  Why?  

Gatlinburg, TN mainly because our family always went there on vacations when I was young.

11. Many of us have favorite foods or customs that are somewhat local to where we live.  Do you have any such things that you particularly love?  A website link to specific products would be spectacular.

Cincinnati offers a lot of cool food options both major chains and local places. My favorite of the chains include Skyline Chili and Frisch’s Big Boy. As far as local places go, there’s Paxton’s Grill in Loveland (best cheeseburger ever), J. Austin’s Riverbank Cafe in Hamilton, Walt’s Barbeque in Hamiton, and Richard’s Pizza in Hamilton and Trenton.

12. Do you have any other hobbies besides card collecting?

Yes. I’m a big fan of pro wrestling, although I don’t follow it as closely as I used to the past few years. I also collect old WWF VHS tapes. I also enjoy studying baseball history and American history.

13. Tell me something interesting about yourself (that we haven’t covered in the first twelve questions).

My first ever job was in a baseball card shop when I was 17 years old. I bugged the guy until he gave me job and I worked there until the shop closed two years later. I worked card shows, conventions, a day or two in the store, and the flea market booth on Saturdays. It was one of the best jobs I ever had.

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Once again, another big thanks to our latest volunteer in my ongoing Better Know a Blogger series.  I will say that this series is (finally) all but completed...only two more entries remain (including my answers)!  I probably would have been able to finish off the entire series last week if I hadn't gotten one of the nastiest head colds that I've had in a long, long time.  In fact, I was so sick I had to call off work for two days last week...and I barely made it through days 3 and 4 last week.  Happily, I finally seem to be turning the corner and kicking the cold - just in time for raking leaves!