Hobby Musings: Hank Aaron got me collectingI started buying baseball cards when I was about eight or nine. I didn’t start collecting seriously until a few years later. While I don’t remember a lot from my early years of collecting, I do still clearly recall how I became hooked by the sports card world. In the film, The Sandlot, there’s a scene where Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez is visited by the spirit of Babe Ruth. At the end of the scene, Ruth sees a rookie card of Hank Aaron. He tells Benny he’s not sure why, but he asks if he can have it, to which Rodriguez says yes.

And that’s it. That scene and that Hank Aaron rookie card are what got me into collecting. It was a value thing or the fact that it was an important card. I just always thought it was cool that Babe Ruth asked Benny for that card in that scene. Plus, to be fair, it is a very cool card. I’ve told that story many times, including to Chauncey Leopardi, who played Squints in the film.

As I collected cards over the years, a copy of the 1954 Topps Aaron rookie card was something I always wanted. It eventually made the top four of my hobby bucket list along with a Tom Seaver rookie card, a Roberto Clemente autograph and a Honus Wagner autograph. Given how much the Aaron rookie cost though, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be able to acquire one. Every time I’d see it for sale at a show, I’d think to myself, some day I’ll have it.

My chance came at the 2018 National in Cleveland. A friend of mine happened to have a nice Aaron rookie for sale. Even cooler, the card was actually part of Hall of Famer Gary Carter’s collection. A few minutes and some negotiating later, I had it. A few years later, it’s the crown jewel of my collection and hits a little closer to home now.

I woke up last Friday to the news of Hank Aaron’s passing at the age of 86. It seemed like not too long ago, I saw pictures of him signing autographs for collectors through a private signing. Despite the countless signatures he’s written over the years, there were always more people wanting to add his autograph to their collections.

I added my first Hank Aaron signature to my collection in 1998. My dad surprised me for my birthday with a signed baseball of him. It had his signature on an ONL and came with an engraved plaque and a COA from Goldin. I’ve never told my dad this, and he’ll probably be a little bemused reading this now, but I was actually kind of disappointed at the time. I remember I had wanted a box of 1998 Topps Baseball in part to chase down a Kerry Wood rookie card. Yes, I was a stupid kid who didn’t know any better. Thankfully my dad had the foresight and wisdom to give me a gift like that. Something he knew I’d treasure in the long run. To this day, it remains a proud part of my collection.

That’s something that’s struck me today about Hank Aaron and the hobby world. The sheer pride that people feel in having his autograph, rookie card or other memorabilia. Tributes and posts have been pouring in from collectors showing off their own Aaron items. Baseball has lost a lot of greats over the past year, but Hank Aaron’s death feels different. His impact went far beyond the baseball field and being the all-time home run king for decades. For me though, Aaron and his rookie card impacted me by getting me into a hobby world that has become a large and very important part of my life. I wish I could have met him in person and told him why his rookie card meant so much to me and, simply, thank him.

Hobby Musings: Hank Aaron got me collecting – Image Gallery


Kelsey’s ability to bring hobby coverage to the mainstream sports fan has been a true asset. GTS is happy to feature his thoughts on collecting in Hobby Musings. The opinions expressed are his and do not necessarily reflect those of GTS Distribution.
Hobby Musings: Hank Aaron got me collecting
Kelsey Schroyer

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