For recent USC graduate Alec Word, December was an extraordinary month marked not only by the achievement of his Business Administration and Finance degree but also by his unexpected success in the world of sports card collecting. Stepping into the limelight of the hobby, Alec managed to secure two back-to-back pulls of rare MLB Debut Patch autograph cards, solidifying his position as one of the luckiest collectors around.
The magic began on Saturday, December 7th, when Alec paid his first visit to Jaspy’s Sports Cards & Collectibles. While casually opening packs of the 2024 Topps Update Jumbo in-store, he stumbled upon a true gem: the 1/1 MLB Debut Patch autograph redemption card featuring Baltimore Orioles All-Star Jordan Westburg.
Sharing his initial reaction, Alec mentioned, “I didn’t realize what it was at first. The shop’s reaction clued me in – they were going crazy.”
Co-owner of Jaspy’s, Maren Jaspersen, reminisced about the excitement in the store, stating, “We were all absolutely thrilled for him! It was his first visit to our shop, and he walks away with a massive hit.”
The MLB Debut Patch autograph cards, introduced in 2023 Topps products, are highly sought after in the collector’s world. Each card showcases a unique patch taken from a player’s jersey during their MLB debut, coupled with their autograph. With only one card in existence for each player, these cards are considered true treasures by enthusiasts.
At the time of Alec’s remarkable pull, nearly 60% of the 2024 Topps Debut Patch cards had already been accounted for by collectors, making his find even more exceptional.
However, Alec’s stroke of luck didn’t end there. Just three days later, on Tuesday, December 10th, he returned to Jaspy’s and purchased Breaker’s Delight boxes, known for their improved odds of containing low-numbered cards. Opening the boxes at home on FaceTime with friends, Alec struck gold once again, this time discovering the live MLB Debut Patch autograph card for Jose Ferrer.
Expressing his disbelief, Alec shared, “I couldn’t believe it. I started running around the house, yelling. It was unreal.”
Alec’s return to collecting cards began during the pandemic as a means to bond with his brother, who is currently recovering from back surgery. “It’s something fun we can do together,” Alec mentioned.
Although Alec has already sold the Westburg card to an Orioles supercollector, he plans to hold onto the Ferrer card for his personal collection.
Maren from Jaspy’s encapsulated the sentiment perfectly, saying, “We couldn’t believe his luck. To pull two cards like that in just a few days – it’s what makes the hobby so thrilling.”
Armed with his degree from USC’s Marshall School of Business and a profound passion for sports, Alec aspires to channel his interests into a career in the sports industry. Whether he’s hitting big in the card collecting world or pursuing his professional ambitions, Alec’s December adventures will undoubtedly go down in the books.
