Alec Word, a recent USC graduate, had a December to remember that went far beyond the typical post-graduation celebrations. Not only did he earn his degree in Business Administration and Finance, but he also found himself thrust into the spotlight of the sports card collecting world with two remarkable pulls of rare MLB Debut Patch autograph cards, solidifying his status as one of the hobby’s luckiest collectors.
It all started on a fateful Saturday, December 7th, when Alec paid a visit to Jaspy’s Sports Cards & Collectibles for the very first time. While casually opening packs of the 2024 Topps Update Jumbo series in-store, Alec stumbled upon an extraordinary discovery: the 1/1 MLB Debut Patch autograph redemption card for none other than Baltimore Orioles All-Star Jordan Westburg.
Alec was initially unaware of the magnitude of his find, but the ecstatic reaction of the shop’s staff quickly clued him in. Maren Jaspersen, the co-owner of Jaspy’s, vividly recalled the excitement that filled the shop that day. “We were all absolutely thrilled for him! It was his maiden visit to our store, and he walks away with an incredible hit,” she exclaimed.
The MLB Debut Patch autograph cards, introduced in 2023 by Topps, have since become highly sought-after collectibles in the hobby. Featuring a distinctive patch taken from a player’s jersey during their MLB debut, coupled with their autograph, these cards are truly unique with only one in existence for each player, making them true gems for collectors.
At the time Alec pulled the card, a significant portion of the 2024 Topps Debut Patch cards had already been documented by collectors, making his discovery even more extraordinary.
But Alec’s stroke of luck didn’t end there.
Just a few days later, on Tuesday, December 10th, Alec made a return trip to Jaspy’s and purchased Breaker’s Delight boxes, known for their improved odds of containing low-numbered cards. Opening the boxes at home while on FaceTime with friends, Alec experienced yet another moment of sheer disbelief as he pulled the live MLB Debut Patch autograph card for Jose Ferrer.
Overcome with excitement, Alec shared, “I couldn’t believe it. I started running around the house, yelling. It was surreal.”
Alec’s return to the world of card collecting began during the pandemic as a means to connect with his brother, who was recovering from back surgery. “It’s something fun we can do together,” Alec reflected on their shared hobby.
As for the cards, Alec decided to sell the Westburg card to an Orioles supercollector while opting to retain the Ferrer card for his personal collection.
Maren from Jaspy’s summed up Alec’s incredible streak of luck perfectly, saying, “We couldn’t believe his luck. To pull two cards of such caliber in just a matter of days—it’s moments like these that make the hobby so exhilarating.”
Armed with his USC Marshall School of Business degree and a deep passion for sports, Alec envisions leveraging his love for the industry into a successful career. Whether he’s making big waves in the card collecting realm or striving towards his professional aspirations, Alec’s December escapades will undoubtedly go down as a chapter to remember in his life’s story.
