I field many questions about the One Million Cubs Project. The most commonly asked question: “Do you count duplicates?” I answer many of the most common One Million Cubs Project frequently asked questions.
Something I am not often asked is the actual journey in collecting one million Cubs baseball cards. While I am typically not specifically asked about it, I will try to spin stories of the chase when asked what the end game is once I reach one million Cubs cards.
Does it have to end? Sure, I’ll eventually reach the one million mark, and it will be bittersweet because I enjoy meeting new people and collectors along the way.
There are so many fun stories so far, and I am not quite halfway to my goal. I love meeting new people and hearing THEIR stories about collecting or the Cubs. And that’s what today’s story is about.
Ryan from Wichita, Kansas reached out to me recently offering up some Cubs baseball cards. He said he didn’t want anything in return, but if I was so inclined he would accept some Kansas City Royals cards.
When Ryan’s package came immediately one thing inside stuck out. Not a card, but a coin. As a side…yes, I do count Cubs coins as cards in my project.
It was a silver coin commemorating the 1990 Major League Baseball All Star Game being held at Wrigley Field. Not only did I not have this coin in my collection…I had never seen one.
That’s where the fun begins with this story. Often there are not any personal stories attached to baseball cards (or coins in this instance). Especially when you are a bulk collector like myself. So, it’s always fun to hear personal stories that are attached to the cards I receive.
Ryan shared the story of how he acquired this Cubs All Star Game coin. Here’s what he wrote.
The August after graduation me and a couple of friends flew from Kansas City to Chicago for a 4-day weekend fun time before college. We saw a 16-inning affair that saw the Cubs beat the Cardinals, 4-3, on August 11. We went to a batting cage and their tokens celebrated the all star game that was played at Wrigley the previous month. That’s how the coin I sent was acquired. I wanted to try and send something that was unique, although you probably have 20!
He was at Slugger’s, my go-to pregame bar in Wrigleyville. Although, I typically don’t go up to the batting cages rather head to the back bar on the main floor to play pop-a-shot.
What a cool story, and even better that I didn’t have one of these coins (or 20 like Ryan thought might be the case). This is what makes the One Million Cubs Project so much fun for me. The fellow baseball fans I get to meet and interact with is better than the actual cards.