For USC graduate Alec Word, December turned out to be an extraordinary month, packed with more than just his academic accomplishments. The recent graduate, who earned degrees in Business Administration and Finance, found himself thrust into the sports card limelight with an unbelievable stroke of luck – snagging two rare MLB Debut Patch autograph cards that instantly solidified his status as one of the hobby’s most fortunate collectors.
Alec’s moment of glory commenced on Saturday, December 7th, when he made his inaugural visit to Jaspy’s Sports Cards & Collectibles. Delving into packs of the 2024 Topps Update Jumbo while inside the store, he stumbled upon a remarkable discovery – the 1/1 MLB Debut Patch autograph redemption card for the Baltimore Orioles All-Star, Jordan Westburg.
“At first, I didn’t quite realize the significance of what I had pulled,” Alec shared. “But the shop’s reaction quickly clued me in – they were going absolutely wild.”
Maren Jaspersen, co-owner of Jaspy’s, vividly recalled the excitement that swept through the store that day, “We were all overjoyed for him! It was his very first visit to our shop, and he walks away with an absolute gem of a hit.”
The MLB Debut Patch autograph cards were introduced in the 2023 Topps products and swiftly became one of the most sought-after items in the hobby. Each card boasts a distinctive patch taken from a player’s jersey during their MLB debut, combined with their autograph. With only one card existing for each player, these cards are undeniably rare treasures.
At the moment Alec pulled his card, around 60% of the 2024 Topps Debut Patch cards had already been accounted for by avid collectors, rendering his find even more exceptional.
But Alec’s streak of luck was far from over.
Returning to Jaspy’s on Tuesday, December 10th, Alec purchased Breaker’s Delight boxes, which boasted superior odds of containing low-numbered cards. Opening these boxes at home over FaceTime with friends, Alec struck gold once again – this time securing the live MLB Debut Patch autograph card for Jose Ferrer.
“I was in utter disbelief,” Alec exclaimed. “I started sprinting around the house, shouting with joy. It all felt surreal.”
Alec’s venture back into collecting commenced during the pandemic as a way to bond with his brother, who was in recovery from back surgery. “It’s a fun activity that we can enjoy together,” Alec remarked.
Regarding the cards, Alec has already sold the Westburg card to an avid Orioles supercollector but has decided to retain the Ferrer card for his personal collection.
Reflecting on Alec’s remarkable fortune, Maren from Jaspy’s succinctly summed it up, “We couldn’t fathom his luck. Pulling two cards of such rarity within just a few days is precisely what makes this hobby so thrilling.”
With his freshly minted degree from USC’s Marshall School of Business and a profound passion for sports, Alec aspires to channel his enthusiasm into a career in the sports industry. Whether he’s hitting the jackpot in the card world or pursuing his professional ambitions, Alec’s December will undoubtedly go down in his personal history books as one for the ages.
