The Shallow End

Step 1: Identify the most collected team in all of baseball. Step 2: Identify one of the most iconic parallels from the late 1990s. Step 3: Decide you want to collect the entire team run. Congrats! You've just entered the world of Dalton, aka @refractorguy812.

The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/tumblin

If you're going to chase something in sports cards, don't make it too easy. That's one of the philosophies of Kevin aka @kevin.m.cormier, whose chase of a fully signed set from the mid-1980s came with failed attempts and month-long patches with little to no movement. But he got there, eventually, and his effort landed him a unique hobby accomplishment.

The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/tumblin

The degree of difficulty undertaken by Ben (@big_devers_energy) should not be understated. In order for Ben to find the sports card he chased, the card first had to survive a gauntlet set up a decade ago by Topps. This is a chase story that has to be listened to be understood.

The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/tumblin

In his modern collecting, Chris (@venezuelan_league_stickers) likes parallels and hard-to-find cards. But in his beloved post-war vintage, not a lot of parallels are to be had. So he discovered a sector of vintage that scratches both itches: his love of vintage, and his love of scarcity.

The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/tumblin

Brandon (@flagshipchromecollector) knows that a set-build is no small commitment. He is the veteran of multiple successful completed sets. In this episode, he shares the ups and downs, highs and lows of what can only be described as a labor of love and nostalgia.

The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/tumblin

Aaron (@Irish_Sportscards_21) was always a big fan of former Boston Red Sox slugger Mo Vaughn. He knew which Vaughn card he coveted, but ever since he joined the hobby, Aaron recognized the value of fiscal responsibility. So when he decided to finally chase his Vaughn grail, he went about it the right way.

The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/tumblin

What if the sports card you were chasing did not actually exist? That was a reality Joey (@sac.kings.cards) wrestled with for some time. Once he confirmed it was, in fact, real, there was the other matter of trying to actually find a copy. It would not be easy.

The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/tumblin

For nearly four years, the card Timothy (@MonsterCollectss) wanted most was available to him in multiple quantities all day, every day. There was never a moment when over those years when he could not find his grail. It was right there! This is the story of why he waited and the satisfaction that came from waiting.

The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/tumblin

Kaushik (@TheIronSheek) is one the most plugged-in NBA collectors in all of the hobby, yet for years even Sheek hit dead end after dead end while trying to find his LeBron grail. Finally, he broke through, but along the way he picked up enough lessons and wisdom to remind us that the journey is often more important than the destination.

The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/tumblin

Anyone who's collected sports cards for a while can tell you that it's not the cards of superstars that are hardest to find. It's the older, rarer cards of second-tier stars that drive us nuts. Caleb (@calebm2034) can testify to that. This is a story of patience and persistence.

The Chase is a limited series on The Shallow End podcast feed. The Shallow End is hosted by Dave Schwartz ⁠@Iowa_Dave_Sportscards⁠

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/tumblin