Hobby Musings: Jason Vass Discusses Amazing Ken Griffey Jr. Collection – Ken Griffey Jr. certainly made his mark on the baseball field and earned himself a lot of fans during his Hall of Fame career. As such, a lot of people also collected his baseball cards and memorabilia. One such collector is Jason Vass, who has amassed quite possibly the most impressive Griffey collection in the world. In catching up with Mr. Vass, it turns out there’s a pretty incredible story behind his collection.
KS: Jason, your Ken Griffey Jr. collection is beyond impressive. How did you get started with collecting him?
JV: This is the deepest part of these questions. I was born in 1973, and growing up was tough. My mom and dad split when I was 5, and by the time I was 7, my dad had met someone new. To a 7-year-old, this was a whole new world. After they married, my dad began traveling for work. My “new stepmom” then became extremely and physically abusive. She was as mean as you could be. When my father came home, I was silent for the most part out of fear. This continued. My father didn’t know what was happening. He eventually found out, and she was removed from the household. My father is one of my heroes in life.
Fast forward. In 1989, we had moved to a new neighborhood. I was making new friends during the day and reclusive at night. The issue was this. I had friends getting into some real trouble doing some real bad things, and I had other friends that were just normal kids doing dumb teenage crap. I was at a crossroads, and most kids in my situation come out on the bad side of life. HOWEVER!!! I had two friends, Aaron and Brad, who were collecting baseball cards. I didn’t know jack about it, but I thought I’d dive in with them. My first card was actually a 1989 Score by Mark McGwire. I still have it.
One night in my room, I happened to be reading a Tuff Stuff magazine and stumbled upon an article about Griffey. It told a different story that stuck with me vs. being something about someone just playing baseball. At one point, he had the same thoughts in his head as I did. He had a tough life in certain ways, but what stuck with me was that he came out on top, and he came out normal. It hit me then: If he can do it, why can’t I? I began collecting Griffey from that day on. Collecting Griffey literally saved my life. It kept me from doing bad things; it kept me going; it kept me sane; and it kept me from diving into a hole I’d never return from. This would come back into play again later in life.
In 2008, I moved from DC to Charlotte, NC, with my wife at the time. I stopped collecting for a short while. In 2010, my wife at the time had begun stepping out on me. At that time, I had given up my career; I had moved from a place I loved; I couldn’t find a job; my wife was cheating on me; I had been through so much in life already; and I was finally done. On May 10, 2010, I laid out my favorite Griffey items on a coffee table just to look at them, took a huge breather, and took handfuls of pills. I laid down and waited.
I woke up a few days later in the ICU. I stayed there for a week, then I transferred to a psychiatric hospital for another week. While there, I learned that Jr. had walked away from baseball. It sucked, to say the least. I ended up back in my hometown with zero direction and nothing but my collection. I finally found my way back to the original company I started my career with. I then started collecting again. For the second time in my life, Griffey and collecting saved my life.
I need to point out the two that also helped save my life. Aaron and Brad got me into collecting. They had no idea what was happening behind closed doors, but they really did help save a life. Aaron, Brad, and I are still very close friends. We haven’t seen each other for many years, but we still message every once in a while. Life just takes us down different roads.
KS: What is the item that turned you into a serious Griffey collector and really put you down this path?
JV: It wasn’t really an item; it was more the love of keeping my life in check and enjoying my new friendships, which continues to this day. I have met so many incredible people and have made many incredible friends all over the world.
KS: Out of all the items in your collection, do you have a favorite?
JV: Now this is funny; I love this story. In the fall of 1994, I went to see my grandmother. The previous weekend, she went to a few yard sales and flea markets. When I showed up a few days later, she handed me a card and said (not in a racist way), “Is this the little black fella you collect?” It was the Finest refractor in 1993! She bought it for $35.00. Well, I began to cry a little. She seriously thought she had done something wrong until I explained it to her. She bought a rare $1,000.00 card and got it for $35.00. Still my favorite.
KS: Which piece was the hardest to acquire?
JV: I fought for years to complete the Griffey-Mantle auto 3-Card Set. It’s my pride and joy.
KS: What do you think is the biggest challenge in being a Griffey super collector?
JV: I have never seen a challenge in it. I don’t seek one card or one item. I just get items or cards that make me happy. If anything, it’s teaching others that this hobby isn’t always about money. It’s about being happy.
KS: What’s the dream item you’d like to have in your collection?
JV: The purple and red Crusade. I have the green. I’d die for one or both.
KS: Is there anything you collect other than Ken Griffey Jr. items?
JV: Nope, 100% Griffey. All others are given away or traded. I very rarely sell the non-Griffey items I get. I like to help keep money in people’s wallets. Trading is what this hobby was built on.
KS: Looking at this a little bigger picture, what do you think is the biggest thing you’ve learned along your collecting journey?
JV: It’s taught me a few things. First, you never know what could help someone overcome obstacles. Especially when you don’t know what’s happening in someone’s life. Be kind. Bottom line. All it took was sports cards to help me, so you never know. Next. Friendships. This hobby was built around kids making new friends via trading. As an adult, it still happens today. As stated before, I now have friends all over the world because of this hobby. I mean, look at you and me. You have no idea who I am, but we’re talking, we’re looking back at life, etc. Kindness and general conversation are sometimes all it takes.
I agreed to have ESPN in my home and to have them do a story on me because it was an outlet to let others know that they aren’t alone. That meant more to me than anything. Again, because you never know what may help someone. Reading my story may help someone see they can make it past life’s issues too. After that article hit, I have had hundreds of strangers reach out and just to tell me their stories and told me that reading that helped them in different ways. I still smile when I think about it.
KS: We’re in an interesting time in the hobby with so many more people joining or coming back amid the pandemic. With that in mind, what would be your biggest piece of advice to any other collector?
JV: This is the easiest question of all. Collect what makes you happy. Don’t try to have a better collection than anyone else. If you are happy with your collection, then it’s the best collection. Use this hobby to make friends, talk to people, enjoy yourself and just have fun.
Hobby Musings: Jason Vass Discusses Amazing Ken Griffey Jr. Collection – 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.
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