USC graduate Alec Word not only celebrated receiving his Business Administration and Finance degree in December but also found himself in the limelight of the sports card collecting world. Visiting Jaspy’s Sports Cards & Collectibles for the first time on December 7th, Alec experienced a stroke of luck that many collectors can only dream of. While opening packs of the 2024 Topps Update Jumbo cards in-store, Alec stumbled upon the holy grail of sports card collecting – a 1/1 MLB Debut Patch autograph redemption for Baltimore Orioles All-Star, Jordan Westburg.
The moment of realization was not immediate for Alec, who confessed, “I didn’t realize what it was at first.” However, the explosive reaction from the shop’s staff and fellow collectors quickly clued him in on the magnitude of his find. Maren Jaspersen, the co-owner of Jaspy’s, vividly remembered the excitement that filled the store that day. “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, which made their debut in 2023 Topps products, are among the most sought-after treasures in the card collecting community. Featuring a unique patch from a player’s MLB debut jersey paired with their autograph, these cards are truly one-of-a-kind, with only a single card in existence for each player.
Alec’s luck continued to shine a few days later when, on December 10th, he purchased Breaker’s Delight boxes from Jaspy’s. These boxes are known for having better odds of containing low-numbered cards. Opening the boxes at home while on FaceTime with friends, Alec experienced another jaw-dropping moment as he pulled the live MLB Debut Patch autograph card for Jose Ferrer.
Overwhelmed with disbelief, Alec exclaimed, “I couldn’t believe it. I started running around the house, yelling. It was unreal.” This extraordinary streak of luck has solidified Alec’s position as one of the hobby’s most fortunate collectors.
The spark that reignited Alec’s passion for collecting cards was ignited during the pandemic, providing a bonding opportunity with his brother, who was recuperating from back surgery. “It’s something fun we can do together,” Alec noted. While he has already sold the Westburg card to an Orioles supercollector, Alec plans to hold onto the Ferrer card for his personal collection, cherishing it as a reminder of his incredible fortune.
Maren from Jaspy’s summed up Alec’s remarkable feat aptly: “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.” With a degree from USC’s Marshall School of Business and a deep-rooted passion for sports, Alec aspires to blend his love for the game with a career in the sports industry. Whether hitting the jackpot in the card world or pursuing his professional ambitions, Alec’s December will be a chapter worth retelling in the annals of hobby history.
