Brothers' Duo! Episode 3: Emotion in the Hobby

In episode 3 of Brothers' Duo, Iconic Al and Brian (HighPopProfessor) discuss how Emotion impacts our hobby. We discuss topics ranging from FOMO and overpaying for cards to warm fuzzies created by certain low-value cards that may seem irrational to those viewing the hobby from an outside perspective. Enjoy!

[@JeffMazur-hf9fr]

Fun video ‘son’s duo’. You both got me into collecting baseball cards and it was fun collecting together. I realize that I went overboard by collecting Barry Bonds pieces exclusively for 35 years but it was worth it in the end. It brought us closer and gave us a common interest. I’d do it all over again. Love. Dad

[@HighPopProfessor]

Present tense - It still does bring us closer together! ❤️❤️❤️ I’m glad you enjoyed our conversation and as mentioned, I’d like to feature you and your Bonds error collection in videos later this week if you’re up for it! The kids and I are pumped for our visit tomorrow!

[@thedrewavintagelegacy6455]

I really enjoy every one of these conversations. They are different than most in that you guys have a lifetime of shared memories to reminisce about. I feel like a fly on the wall overhearing a great conversation about topics that are super intriguing.

[@LegendsNeverDieCollection]

Another fun episode of Brothers Duo! Hope you can make The National Brian! Al- the approach of the “could be out of my reach in the future” top-end shopping of our respective budgets is a huge part of my approach too!

[@HighPopProfessor]

It may be the most rational manifestation of FOMO in the hobby!

[@stuke1976]

Great conversation guys!

[@HighPopProfessor]

We always have a blast discussing this kind of stuff! It’s funny, even after our conversations end, we usually keep on talking a good while longer, (although the topic may not be quite as focused). Thanks for watching, Stuke!

[@akhavari23]

Can't beat that "Brrrrothers' Duoooo" opening!

[@HighPopProfessor]

I think that now has to be our typical opening for these Brothers’ Duo videos! 😂😂😂

[@Dodgertown_76_Fungo]

I'm really digging the conversation. Great video. Cheers

[@HighPopProfessor]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!!

[@vintagesanctuary]

Great conversation, my collecting brothers! Brian, I'm stoked to hear you might make it to the National! 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@HighPopProfessor]

Thanks, Adam! We’ll have to see if I can manage it! I’ll do what I can to make it happen!

[@iconic_baseball]

Another fun one Brian - Thanks for the great chat as always!

[@HighPopProfessor]

Absolutely! I’m glad there weren’t any technical difficulties this time around! 😅

[@SplendidSports]

Awesome chat guys, Best collecting family ever right here!

[@HighPopProfessor]

Aww, I appreciate it, Adam! Thanks for watching!

[@topps85401]

Brian I would really love to see you interview my friend and your dad! My dad is gone and wish I had a chance to interview him about the hobby, he introduced me to cards in 1978. Hope to see you guys in Cleveland.

[@HighPopProfessor]

I just made it to Pittsburgh - it will happen this week, Nate! Fear not! 😃

[@LouRokTV]

easy listening fellas....

[@HighPopProfessor]

Thanks, LouRok!

[@ClementeCollector]

I’m thinking Al did this video to brag about his silver investment! 😂 Great episode guys! Very thought provoking!

[@HighPopProfessor]

Haha, you might be onto something, Theo! Well… I can’t remember if I said this during the episode or after we stopped filming, but I’ll say it here again just in case - if he found a Babe Ruth auto at the National for a silly price like $5k, I told him he should sell some of his silver to move into that. Is it a “better” investment? I’m not sure how it couldn’t be! 😂

[@ClementeCollector]

@@HighPopProfessor you didn’t say it on camera or I missed it, but I love that question! I’d agree, silver vs babe Ruth auto- I’d go Ruth! Next week Al’s going to discuss the copper market 😝

[@DoubleDvintagebaseballcards]

I really hope you guys continue to do these. Having 2 brothers talk cards is the greatest. This was such a fantastic episode. Hey Brian lay off my Frank Thomas cards 👊👊😂😂😂 your only aloud to go after Maddux 😜. Keep these coming boys 👊👊🤙🤙

[@HighPopProfessor]

Oh, I picked up a few cool 90s insert Big Hurts recently… they may be shown in future videos! Thanks, Dylan!

[@svenpatrick1637]

My nostalgia thing is I bought Kmart baseball cards that where autographed and certified by PSA lol

[@HighPopProfessor]

I remember those! I’ll do a video showcasing some of my slabbed and autoed Diamond Kings cards from the 80s and 90s! Those give me ALL the warm fuzzies for sure! Thanks for watching!

[@Dufex_of_Life]

Pack-pulled, On-card Autos for the win ---- always....although that 1995 UD Mays was a redemption

[@HighPopProfessor]

Good call! Yeah, I just saw that expired redemption for the Mays auto sell a couple weeks back for about $65.

[@jon-eriksuermann9844]

Great video! While watching I consistently thought about “emotion” that I’m currently enduring. Curious if Brian as a Maddux super collector encounters the same. I’m an Ozzie Smith super collector. In an Ozzie Facebook group I’ve seen people share cards I’ll likely never own due to price and scarcity. While I have a very large collection it feels I am a lesser collector. I’ve recently learned of cards not listed on PSA’s Master set or TCBD. Just learning of them through the group makes me feel less educated.

[@HighPopProfessor]

Ah! This is an entirely different application of emotion in collecting that is certainly worthy of its own discussion! A few things I might address here: - I am uncertain of the technical definition of “supercollector” if there even is one for the hobby. It typically gets used to describe one of two things - someone who: A: has an astonishing quantity of a certain player’s cards. Or B: goes after the über high-end cards of that player. Personally, I don’t feel like I fit into either of the categories as a Maddux collector. I have fewer than 1000 unique Maddux cards, so a paltry completion percentage on TCDB, but this is by design. I don’t actually WANT to accumulate ALL of his cards - but only the ones that are meaningful to me in some way, like a dedicated Tiffany run, or chrome base refractor run. I don’t find myself fitting the second definition either, as I don’t really live in the deepest end of the 90s insert card pool. Cards like a Crusade red /25, PMGs, and star Rubies, while super cool, are not ones that I have in my collection, nor are planning to any time soon - they’re simply too pricey. Does this mean I’m not a “supercollector”? Maybe. But there also could be a third definition of the word: C: emphasizes that player as their primary PC within their collecting expression. I would fit this definition, except I would probably just say that I PC Maddux, and the use of the prefix “super” seems unnecessary here. To your second point, yes, I see other collectors out there (Here’s looking at you, BillTHEhofcollector 😂) who have simply ASTONISHING collections with many of the ultra high end cards that I will never have. I think the key to this, as in life, is to not let comparison be the thief of joy. This is why social media is so detrimental to people’s mental states - they see their friends and acquaintances from school / work living these amazing lives and then feel inferior when their own lives don’t live up to that artificial standard. The key is to be proud of your collection and your hobby accomplishments. Period. As with many things, there will always be those more advanced than you, and those who wish they had your amazing collection. It’s a journey that never really has to end, so have fun with it! To your final point, the fact that there’s more Ozzie’s out there that you’re still learning about AND you’re aware of this means that you’re navigating yourself nicely along the Dunning-Kruger curve. The fact that you’ve been humbled by this realization before means that you’re actually quite advanced!

[@jon-eriksuermann9844]

@@HighPopProfessor thank you for your answer, especially the depth and time you took. I suppose the term “super collector” was something that entered my mind through watching KZbin videos. I really like the way you defined player collecting because it definitely does bring a different light on ways people can and do collect. To be clear it’s not as if I’m on the verge of collecting depression. There should be something said to being vulnerable when coming out of collecting in obscurity. I always get a kick out of watching collectors such as yourself with Maddux, splendid sports with Pedro, the Clemente collector with Clemente, topps85401 with bonds and his buddy that collects McGwire, THA card story with Aaron, etc, etc, etc. because of y’all’s enthusiasm and passion for the player.

[@HighPopProfessor]

I’m honored to be mentioned in such esteemed company! It’s way more fun to listen to and watch enthusiastic people! I happen to find Dylan from Double D vintage to be probably the most enthusiastic and excited when discussing their collection, so I try to channel that kind of energy and excitement when talking about my cards to best share the joy that I feel for the hobby when collecting. Thanks for the awesome, substantive comment!

[@jon-eriksuermann9844]

@@HighPopProfessor you’re collection and videos are great to see. It’s only a matter of time before your channel blows up. Can’t wait to see what’s next.