Skip to main content

A decade


Tonight, I have officially operated this blog for 10 full years.

Night Owl Cards began on Sept. 13, 2008 and I've been writing this blog for so long that it truly is difficult to imagine what I did before NOC existed.

I've never wanted to do anything more than write for a living. I knew as a youngster that I liked to write and still remember scrawling stories in pencil on lined loose leaf paper while I lay on my bed truly trying to write the great American novel according to a 12-year-old boy. Writing for me is the most natural thing in the world and for 10 years I've been able to write about something that I like a lot -- collecting cards.

When I grew older and I began to think about making a career out of writing, the road to that goal seemed almost unreachable. Even then, it wasn't easy to make a living as a writer. But I was fortunate enough to hook on with a newspaper out of college, writing about sports (can you believe it?), and I've never let go. When I'm not writing for this blog, I'm writing for a newspaper and have done so for 30 years.

But, actually, that has never been my preferred medium for writing.

My ultimate goal as a teenager was to write for Sports Illustrated. I loved the long-form articles and the in-depth profiles. I loved magazines. That was my kind of writing. I've even written some similar type stories for the newspaper but they've never felt right in a newspaper. It was almost like I was forcing the magazine style into newsprint.

But I gave up on the dream of writing for SI -- or a magazine in general -- a long time ago. And that dream of writing a story about baseball cards for a magazine, I don't think ever was a dream at any point. It was ludicrous to even think that way.

Except it's not.

I was contacted by Ryan Cracknell of Beckett Media while I was on vacation recently. As some of you know, Ryan is a former baseball card blogger, one of the few who has moved from his blog to bigger cardboard things. He said that Beckett's editorial director was interested in me writing an article for Beckett's Vintage Magazine.

Ludicrous dream meet reality.

I am now writing a piece for Beckett Vintage Magazine. It should appear at some point in October after the first of the year. (Don't bother asking me what it's about. I know magazines enough to know that they like their articles to be somewhat of a surprise to readers).

We'll see how this first article goes but if it goes well, I could be doing more in the future for them.

It's funny but now that almost nobody subscribes to magazines anymore that's when I finally get a magazine gig. But I don't care. I've respected magazines for so long, stood in front of so many magazine racks for so long and in so many different places and cities, that it's just about the coolest thing that I can think of as far as my writing career.

So, exactly 10 years into writing this blog, it's finally paid off in a magazine gig. Just hang in there for 10 years, guys!

Anyway, thanks for reading this thing all these years.

I will be celebrating the anniversary with a giveaway. I just have to figure out the particulars and I haven't had much time to do that lately. I do know that I want the giveaway to be for my regular readers and I am going to be restricting it to those who have commented on my blog posts for the last three months -- so that means from June 12 to Sept. 12 (and no retro commenting!). I can't determine every person who clicks on my blog, so commenting is what I have to go on.

I'll run a list of those who are eligible for the giveaway when I make the giveaway post next week, so stay tuned.

And stay tuned for the second decade of Night Owl Cards. We'll kick it off with a countdown of the 100 greatest cards of the 1980s in the next week or two and then who knows what's after that. The usual rubbish I suppose.

In the meantime, happy Ron Cey anniversary to me! Hey, Penguin, we made it!

Comments

Congrats on 10 years! Congrats on the Beckett gig! Kudos for both.
Wow. The only thing more incredible than a decade of blogging is being able to write an article for Beckett. Congratulations on both. Hard work definitely seems to pay off. Here's to another decade.
Jeff said…
I don't think I made it a year. NOC is still my jumping off point for reading blogs. Congrats on 10 years!
Nick Vossbrink said…
Congrats. 10 years is a long time to blog let alone stay on topic for the entire time. My blog's been a rambling mess for approaching 8 years and I'm just surprised that I'm still writing.
Section 36 said…
Congratulations on both achievements!
Mark Hoyle said…
Congrats Greg on the 10 yrs as well as the Beckett articles. I haven’t purchased one in yrs but I will search this one out.
Jeremya1um said…
Congrats on getting the Beckett gig! I can truly say that you have a way of writing that gets the point across and tells wonderful stories and I wish I could do the same. I love reading your blog.
Don’t give up on the SI thing either. You never know.
CrazieJoe said…
Big congrats on both accounts! As great as the 10 years is, it's more amazing given the quality of posts you constantly are able to provide.
Nick said…
I say it every year: without Night Owl Cards I wouldn't have a blog of my own, and, for that, I am forever indebted to you, Greg. Congrats on your Penguin Year! I'm pretty sure we carry Vintage Beckett at the bookstore where I work, and I'll definitely be picking up a copy of the October issue.
Captain Honkass said…
Congratulations on the Beckett story! Been reading you for almost the full ten years, and you inspired me to get my own blog going... Completely relate to your dream of writing for magazines, and I lament their decline every time I don't see a bookstore...

Hope Night Owl Cards has another 10 years in you!
Community Gum said…
I almost hate to comment here because there's exactly 10 as it stands. But I have to say congratulations to the man, the myth the legend! It's hard to imagine a blogosphere without you, past, present or future. I wouldn't be surprised if your blog was responsible for bringing more collectors back to the hobby, and if not that, then at least for some sticking around.

You've always been great to read, and look forward to having that moving forward for as long as you decide.

And of course, the magazine is huge! Who cares how many people might or might not read it. I remember one of my movie reviews was used in the college newspaper and I still have a stack of copies of that issue. Celebrate it and revel in it and I hope it leads to more opportunities to share your love of the hobby and your gift!
Matt said…
10 years is amazing! Congrats on the milestone and the Beckett article!
Matt said…
Congrats on 10 big years !
steelehere said…
Congratulations. I've enjoyed reading your blog(s) this past decade. It's a regular part of my nightly reading. I have to admit that when a day without a post on this sit happens, I have the same feeling as when a rerun is set to occur with my favorite prime time television show.
Brett Alan said…
Wow, that's great that you're going to be in Beckett. I just might buy that.

10 years is a great time to take stock, and you're probably the most popular and respected card blogger there is. I'm proud just that I have cards that came from you. Looking forward to more magazine articles and many more years of Night Owl Cards!
Billy Kingsley said…
Congratulations on both! I am fairly new to blogging, only having learned what they were in 2014. But I will keep reading as long as you keep publishing. Beckett Vintage is pretty good too. I have not gotten every issue but I have enjoyed what I did get.
Zippy Zappy said…
Congrats on 10 years and finally getting a chance to write about cards for a magazine, now we'll all finally have a reason to buy an issue of Beckett.
Congrats on your 10th anniversary and on the Beckett opportunity!

I'm looking forward to reading your article, and to reading NOC for another 10 years and beyond.
sg488 said…
Congrats,I always enjoy reading your blog.
Congratulations on the anniversary, and congratulations on making me think about paying money for a Beckett publication! If I remember by the time we get to October (and please remind us feeble-minded readers when he time comes), I will seek it out... and I believe that will be the first time that Beckett gets any of my money since the pocket price guide/checklist book I bought back in the early 1980's.
Angus said…
Way to hit the decade mark!

I'll have to get a copy of your Beckett. Please remind us when it is out.
Corky said…
Congratulations on 10 years of blogging and an even bigger congratulations on the Beckett article.
Commishbob said…
And the crowd picks up the chant...'Ten More Years!! Ten More Years!!'

Congrats. Looking forward to getting my BVC in the mail.
Fuji said…
Congratulations on ten years of blogging! I'm not surprised one bit that you're getting the opportunity to write a magazine article. Like Joe Esposito once sang... you're the best around. Thank you for ten years worth of awesome blog posts! Here's to another ten... and hopefully a bunch of magazine articles as well.
DMA said…
Congratulations on the anniversary, and on the magazine article!
Anonymous said…
Congrats on 10 years, and congrats on the Beckett article! I look forward to reading it.
Congrats on 10! Very cool.
kcjays said…
Congratulations on reaching the 10 year mark. I enjoy reading your blog and hope you continue for many more years. Exciting news about the Beckett article. Congrats for that also. Keep up the great work.
I finally got to see Clayton Kershaw pitch last night. I think this was the first time he's pitched in St. Louis for 3 years. Of course the Dodgers won, but I can cross seeing that great leftie off my bucket-list.
Huge congratulations on reaching 10! I don't know if I'll make it that far, but I'll certainly try. As others have mentioned as well, not only have you done 10 years, but the content during those 10 (or at least the last year and a half that I've been reading blogs) has been the best I've experienced. Have fun with Beckett!
Michael Ott said…
Congratulations, and thanks for so many entertaining posts!
It's evident you love what you do, and I am surely one of many readers who appreciate your work.
EP said…
The top 100 of the 70's is what caught me, and the superb writing is what kept me. Congrats on 10 years! I hope your articles will be on Beckett's website.
GCA said…
A decade of superior quality writing. The next one will be even better.

Beckett circulation for that issue is going to skyrocket. Haven't bought a quarterly book for years, and only have recent ones that were giveaways at the National. Didn't even know they have a Vintage title...

Kid Rock is the Bullgod,
You are the Bloggod!
CaptKirk42 said…
Congrats on your 10 year blogaversary. Cheers to another 10 years.
Anonymous said…
Congratulations! Ten years is quite the accomplishment, especially considering how frequently you add content (and great content, at that!). As a child of the '80s, I look forward to your top 100 list. My name is also Greg, and I've commented here before as "Anonymous Greg", so I guess I'll keep that going. Here's to the next 10 years. -Anonymous Greg
Chris said…
Congrats on 10 years of blogging! Yours is the gold standard for baseball card discussion; I’m not at all surprised that Ryan/Beckett spotted Night Owl and gave you a feature gig. Can’t wait to read it! (I’m looking forward to your 1980s card countdown as well.)

I was able to read your earlier post about the flat rate box of cards I sent. It’s nice to know there were a few cards that fit your collection. Hopefully the Dodgers cards in there were more to your liking than the random “junk wax.” I don’t get to comment as much as I’d like-and I’m not doing it just for the contest entry, don’t feel obligated to include me-I just wanted to acknowledge your excellent writing. Here’s to 10 more years of Night Owl!
Defenders50 said…
Congrats. Ten years is a long time to do anything, and yours was the blog that got me into reading about baseball cards, and pretty much reinvigorated my interest in baseball cards this summer. I'll have to try to track down where they sell Beckett Vintage around here.
Jafronius said…
Congrats on 10 years! Like many of us, yours is probably the first blog I stumbled across, and its because of your skills, wit, and candor that keeps everyone coming back for more, as well as keeps your little corner of the internet in such high esteem. The Beckett gig is just further proof of your impact to the hobby. Keep up the great work!
Daniel Wilson said…
Congrats on 10 years and congrats on the opportunity to write for Beckett!
bbcardz said…
Way to go Greg! If you ever come out to LA to see a Dodger game (or any other reason), you have an open invitation to bunk with the fiancee and I. Seriously!
Bru said…
Congrats! It's a joy to read your blog - and of course to trade with you as well. I'm looking forward to the article.

Hmm, maybe your next goal should be to take up the Standard Catalog mantle.
Bubba said…
Wow, I'm just going back and reading through your posts over the last two weeks. This is great news. Super happy for you!
acrackedbat said…
this is tremendous news! can't wait to read your piece! Vintage is the only Beckett I buy on occasion. congrats!!
arpsmith said…
Totally missed this post, I have been absent for too long. Congrats on the anniversary and magazine gig!