Alec Word, a recent graduate from the University of Southern California, had a December to remember beyond just receiving his Business Administration and Finance degree. His foray into the world of sports card collecting saw him hitting the jackpot with not one but two rare MLB Debut Patch autograph cards, firmly establishing himself as one of the luckiest collectors in the hobby.
The whirlwind of incredible luck began on a Saturday, December 7th, when Alec visited Jaspy’s Sports Cards & Collectibles for the first time. While tearing into packs of the 2024 Topps Update Jumbo cards in-store, he stumbled upon a true gem – the 1/1 MLB Debut Patch autograph redemption for Baltimore Orioles All-Star Jordan Westburg.
Recalling the moment, Alec shared, “I didn’t realize what it was at first. The shop’s reaction clued me in – they were going crazy.” Maren Jaspersen, the co-owner of Jaspy’s, also remembered the excitement, 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 the 2023 Topps products, are highly sought-after in the collecting world. Each card showcases a unique patch from a player’s jersey during their MLB debut, accompanied by their signature. With only one card in existence for each player, these cards are considered true treasures by collectors.
At the time of Alec’s find, approximately 60% of the 2024 Topps Debut Patch cards had already been claimed by eager collectors, making his discovery all the more exceptional.
But Alec’s incredible streak was far from over. Just three days later, on Tuesday, December 10th, he returned to Jaspy’s and purchased Breaker’s Delight boxes, known for their higher odds of low-numbered cards. Opening the boxes at home over FaceTime with friends, Alec struck gold once again, this time pulling the live MLB Debut Patch autograph card for Jose Ferrer.
Overwhelmed by his luck, Alec exclaimed, “I couldn’t believe it. I started running around the house, yelling. It was unreal.” This double stroke of luck has left Alec with a story to cherish for a lifetime.
Alec’s resurgence into collecting was sparked during the pandemic as a means to bond with his brother, who is currently recuperating from back surgery. “It’s something fun we can do together,” Alec explained. While he 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 aptly summarized Alec’s extraordinary luck, 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 Marshall School of Business and a deep passion for sports, Alec aspires to translate his love for the game into a rewarding career in the sports industry. Whether he’s making waves in the card collecting world or chasing his professional ambitions, Alec’s December will surely be one for the record books.
