For USC graduate Alec Word, December marked a significant milestone beyond the conferral of his Business Administration and Finance degree. In a stroke of luck that would have any collector envious, Alec found himself in the spotlight of the sports card world with not one, but two incredibly rare pulls of MLB Debut Patch autograph cards.
His journey began on a fateful Saturday, December 7th, when Alec made his inaugural visit to Jaspy’s Sports Cards & Collectibles. Opening packs of the 2024 Topps Update Jumbo series in-store, his luck shone through as he stumbled upon a remarkable discovery: the elusive 1/1 MLB Debut Patch autograph redemption card featuring Baltimore Orioles All-Star Jordan Westburg.
Initially taken aback by the significance of his find, Alec later recalled, “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, reflected on the exhilaration, 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 2023 Topps products, stand among the most sought-after treasures in the hobby. Each card showcases a distinct patch from a player’s jersey during their MLB debut, coupled with their autograph. With only one card in existence for each player, these cards hold a special place in collectors’ hearts.
At the time of Alec’s fortunate pull, approximately 60% of the 2024 Topps Debut Patch cards had already found their way into collectors’ hands, further accentuating the rarity of his discovery.
Yet, Alec’s streak of luck was far from over. Returning to Jaspy’s on Tuesday, December 10th, he opted for Breaker’s Delight boxes, known for their improved odds of containing low-numbered cards. Opening the boxes at home via FaceTime with friends, Alec experienced another stroke of fortune as he unveiled the live MLB Debut Patch autograph card for Jose Ferrer.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Alec recounted. “I started running around the house, yelling. It was unreal.” His venture into card collecting reignited during the pandemic as a means to bond with his brother, who is on the mends from back surgery. “It’s something fun we can do together,” Alec remarked.
While Alec has already parted ways with the Westburg card, selling it to an Orioles supercollector, he intends to keep the Ferrer card for his personal collection. Maren from Jaspy’s captured the sentiment aptly, 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 enthusiasm into a fruitful career within the sports industry. Whether he’s making waves in the card collecting realm or pursuing his professional endeavors, Alec’s thrilling December serves as a testament to the unexpected twists and turns that life—and hobby—can offer.