Alright, so check it out, I’m gonna walk you through this crazy thing I did with a Dave Portnoy baseball card. Buckle up, it’s a ride.
The Hunt Begins
It all started with me just scrolling through eBay, you know, killing time. I’m a bit of a card collector, nothing serious, just for fun. Anyway, I saw this Dave Portnoy baseball card and I was like, “Huh, that’s kinda funny.” I didn’t even know these things existed.
I figured, what the heck, I’ll toss in a bid. Didn’t think I’d win, but I did! So, now I’m the proud owner of a Dave Portnoy baseball card. Cool, right?
The Grading Gamble
Now, I’m thinking, “What do I do with this thing?” I could just stick it in a binder and forget about it, but where’s the fun in that? I’ve heard about card grading, where these companies like PSA or Beckett evaluate the condition of your card and give it a score. If you get a good grade, the card can be worth a lot more.
I watched a bunch of YouTube videos about grading, read some articles, and decided to take the plunge. Figured, worst case, it comes back with a low grade and I’m out a few bucks. Best case, I get a killer grade and maybe even make a little cash!
Submitting the Card
I went with PSA, seemed like the most reputable and well-known. The process was pretty straightforward. You gotta create an account on their website, fill out a submission form, and carefully package up your card to ship it to them.
I was super careful with the packaging. Put the card in a penny sleeve, then a card saver, wrapped it in bubble wrap, and put it in a sturdy box. Didn’t want any damage during shipping!
The Waiting Game (Ugh!)
Then came the hardest part: waiting. PSA’s turnaround times can be brutal. I think it was like a month or two before I even got an update. I was checking my email constantly, refreshing the PSA website, driving myself crazy!
The Results Are In!
Finally, the email arrived! My Dave Portnoy card had been graded. I was so nervous opening the email. Drumroll please…
It got an 8! Not bad! PSA grades on a scale of 1 to 10, so an 8 is considered pretty good. It’s not a Gem Mint 10, but I’ll take it.
What to Do Now?
So, now I have a graded Dave Portnoy baseball card. I could sell it, but honestly, I’m kinda attached to it. It’s a fun little piece of sports and internet history. Maybe I’ll just keep it as a conversation starter.
Lessons Learned
- Grading cards can be a fun but risky hobby.
- Do your research before submitting to a grading company.
- Be patient, the turnaround times can be long.
- Don’t expect to get rich, it’s more about the fun of collecting.
That’s my Dave Portnoy baseball card adventure. Hope you enjoyed the ride!
