my ‘60s experience was somewhat different, ashbury. it was ALL about ripping open that 5-cent pack and rifling through the five minty-fresh cards in hope of finding killebrew, oliva, tovar or the ever-elusive mudcat grant — and the unique thrill when it actually happened. i do agree that it had nothing to do with asset appreciation. but i’d like to think that today’s 10-year-old kid can still find total satisfaction in seeking a similar needle-in-a-haystack thrill.