For Alec Word, a recent graduate of the University of Southern California (USC), December turned out to be a month he’ll never forget. Having just completed his studies in Business Administration and Finance, Alec found himself not only celebrating his academic achievements but also making waves in the world of sports card collecting. With a stroke of incredible luck, he managed to snag not one, but two rare MLB Debut Patch autograph cards, firmly establishing himself as one of the hobby’s most fortunate collectors.
It all began on Saturday, December 7th, when Alec paid a visit to Jaspy’s Sports Cards & Collectibles for the very first time. While indulging in packs of the 2024 Topps Update Jumbo series in-store, Alec stumbled upon a remarkable discovery – the 1/1 MLB Debut Patch autograph redemption card for Baltimore Orioles standout, Jordan Westburg.
Initially taken aback by his find, Alec recounted, “I didn’t realize what it was at first. The shop’s reaction clued me in – they were going crazy.” Maren Jaspersen, co-owner of Jaspy’s, fondly recalled the excitement that filled the store. “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, first introduced in the 2023 Topps product line, are highly sought after by collectors for their unique appeal. Each card boasts a distinctive patch extracted from a player’s jersey during their MLB debut, alongside their signature. With only one card in existence for each player, these cards are considered prized possessions in the collecting community.
At the time of Alec’s incredible pull, a majority of the 2024 Topps Debut Patch cards had already been accounted for by fervent collectors, making his discovery all the more extraordinary.
But Alec’s streak of good fortune was far from over.
Returning to Jaspy’s on Tuesday, December 10th, Alec decided to try his luck once more, opting for Breaker’s Delight boxes known for their increased odds of containing low-numbered cards. Opening the boxes at home via FaceTime with friends, Alec was met with another stroke of luck – he laid his hands on the live MLB Debut Patch autograph card for Jose Ferrer.
Overwhelmed by his unexpected success yet again, Alec exclaimed, “I couldn’t believe it. I started running around the house, yelling. It was unreal.”
Alec’s venture back into collecting was sparked during the pandemic as a means to bond with his brother, who was recuperating from back surgery. “It’s something fun we can do together,” Alec expressed.
While 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 eloquently summarized the situation, stating, “We couldn’t believe his luck. To pull two cards like that in just a few days—it’s what makes the hobby so exciting.”
Armed with a degree from USC’s esteemed Marshall School of Business and a profound passion for sports, Alec aspires to channel his love for the industry into a successful career. Whether he’s hitting the jackpot in the card collecting realm or pursuing his professional dreams, Alec’s December escapades will undoubtedly go down in history as truly remarkable.
