Dreams Come True with Honus Wagner

The day I learned about Honus Wagner, in the book Honus and Me, by Dan Gutman, I was intrigued about him and wanted to learn more.

Honus Wagner was one of the best shortstops of all time. It also fascinated me that even though he was an astonishing player, he doesn't come to mind at the top of most people's lists like Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle.

The most interesting thing about Honus isn't his career stats but his baseball card. The Honus Wagner T206 baseball card is the rarest in the world. It's so rare that one recently sold for more than $2.3 million.  The reason it is so rare is because he didn't want kids getting a card that came with cigarettes.  Most baseball cards in the early 1900s did.

After finding out this information, I decided that I really, really, really wanted one of these cards.  I knew that unless I came out with a book series more popular than Harry Potter, I would never have the money for one.

When my dad and I went to Pittsburgh to see the Tigers play the Pirates this summer, we went to the Heinz History Center. There was a huge exhibit about sports.  Immediately I found my way to the baseball section, hoping to see information about Honus Wagner because he played for the Pirates.  And I did.  I saw his old uniform, glove, and a baseball that he played with. There was also a cut-out where you could stick your head in an opening and wear his uniform.

Me as Honus Wagner in Pittsburgh

Today, I was at my cousin's Lauren's house for her baby's 1st birthday party. And Sean, Lauren's husband, showed me his ginormous baseball card collection.  He had thousands of box sets of cards from the 80s, which he sells.  And I thought that was a lot of baseball cards.  Then, he showed me his personal collection in another room. As soon as I walked in, I was in love. ❤ I started looking at many of the cards and saw some rare cards.  Then he showed me his most valuable three. First he showed me a Joe DiMaggio card, then a Mickey Mantle card, and finally a Babe Ruth card!

Then, I told him my dream about having a Honus Wagner baseball card, and he showed me high-grade replica Honus Wagner (the T206). Wow!  Even though it was a replica I thought it was so cool.

As we were saying goodbye, Sean asked me to come over to him.  He gave me a gift I will never forget, that replica card he showed me earlier. I was super-duper excited.  And I kissed it.

The replica of the Honus Wagner T206 Card

And though I might never have an original, I now will treasure this forever.  But, if my blog turns me into a famous author, you just never know....