At first glance, baseball cards might seem like simple pieces of cardboard with colorful portraits of athletes, almost begging to be clipped between bicycle spokes to mimic the thrilling roar of a motorbike. Such was the experience of Bob Kenning, whose childhood was a symphony perpetuated by the rhythmic flutter of card-laden wheels. Fast forward to the present day, and the evocative allure of baseball cards has taken on a new dimension for his 12-year-old grandson, Keegan.
While his grandfather recalls childhood days where bikes, cards, and imaginary motorcycle antics were the norm, Keegan stands amid a sea of well-organized binders and storage boxes teeming with around 10,000 baseball cards. For Keegan, it’s not just an accessory to a bicycle adventure; it’s a cherished passion. “I would say I probably have close to 10,000 cards,” he says with a mix of pride and modesty, each card a testament to his devotion.
Their journey together on Presidents’ Day seemed like an episode from a feel-good family show. With no definitive plans and a burning curiosity, Keegan beckoned his grandfather to accompany him to the local card emporium, Hobby Den. It was supposed to be a routine escapade, orchestrated for the thrill of pack-ripping—a pastime filled with anticipation, the kind of mild adrenaline rush that any collector will tell you is half the fun.
Bob Kenning recalled the casual, yet serendipitous suggestion made by his grandson. “It was Presidents’ Day. We had nothing better to do, so Keegan called me up and said, ‘Hey Pawpaw, why don’t we go to Hobby Den?’” he recounted with warmth.
The shop, a compact haven for card aficionados, bustled quietly—a sanctuary of sorts where packs of cards held the potential for joy, surprise, and sometimes, history. The thrill for Keegan was always embedded in the unknown, the mystical allure of uncovering something extraordinary from within the folds of wax and foil.
“My favorite part is probably the thrill of pulling cards, seeing what’s inside, and hoping for something great,” Keegan explained, eyes twinkling with the vigor of anticipation.
Every pack opened is a new possibility, but what Keegan discovered that day was beyond any possible expectation. The young enthusiast laboriously unwrapped a pack, only to reveal an ultra-rare, one-of-one Babe Ruth card. Not just any card, but this particular piece of history bore the hallowed signature of the legendary “Sultan of Swat” himself.
For the likes of David Nguyen, owner of Hobby Den, the discovery was nothing short of a revelation—a rare gem in the broad expanse of card collecting. seasoned shopkeeper was well aware of the card’s potential value and uniqueness. Such a find is a collector’s dream, a series of serendipitous events leading to a treasure out of folklore.
Yet for Bob Kenning, as momentous as the discovery was, the profound essence of that afternoon lay in its simplicity—the bonding time shared between a grandfather and his grandson. To him, the true magic was never confined to potential dollar amounts or auction block prices.
“When we can share this hobby together and have a grandfather-grandson bonding time, I mean, that’s priceless right there,” Kenning reflected. His eyes, gleaming with pride, conveyed a gratitude that was indeed priceless.
And Keegan? As the youthful custodian of this remarkable artifact, his perspective was refreshingly simple and pure. The card, etched with the ornate swoops of Babe Ruth’s signature, would not be measured by its financial worth but rather cherished as a symbol; a treasured memory encapsulating the excitement and kinship that mark the essence of collecting.
The rare card will comingle with the roughly 10,000 other cards in Keegan’s collection, a tangible reminder that sometimes, the true value is not what’s measured in dollars or fame, but in shared moments and unexpected joys with the ones you love.
