USC graduate Alec Word’s December was not only marked by his academic success but also by his remarkable streak of luck in the sports card collecting world. After receiving his Business Administration and Finance degree from USC, Alec found himself in the spotlight for pulling two rare MLB Debut Patch autograph cards, making him a standout figure in the collecting community.
Alec’s incredible journey began on Saturday, December 7th, during his first visit to Jaspy’s Sports Cards & Collectibles. While opening packs of the 2024 Topps Update Jumbo in-store, he stumbled upon a true gem: the 1/1 MLB Debut Patch autograph redemption for Baltimore Orioles All-Star Jordan Westburg. The shop’s reaction to his find made Alec realize the magnitude of his discovery, with everyone present sharing in his excitement.
Co-owner Maren Jaspersen reminisced about the thrilling moment, 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 have become highly sought-after collectibles due to their unique patches from players’ MLB debuts paired with their autographs, with only one card in existence for each player.
Despite approximately 60% of the 2024 Topps Debut Patch cards being already tracked by collectors at the time of Alec’s incredible find, his luck was far from running out. Just three days later, on December 10th, Alec returned to Jaspy’s and purchased Breaker’s Delight boxes known for their improved odds of low-numbered cards. Opening the boxes at home on FaceTime with friends, he experienced another stroke of luck by pulling the live MLB Debut Patch autograph card for Jose Ferrer.
Alec was astonished by his rare find, expressing, “I couldn’t believe it. I started running around the house, yelling. It was unreal.” Having reignited his passion for collecting during the pandemic to bond with his brother during his recovery, Alec has already sold the Westburg card to an Orioles supercollector while intending to keep the Ferrer card for his personal collection.
Maren Jaspersen summed up Alec’s incredible luck by saying, “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.” With a degree from USC’s Marshall School of Business and a deep love for sports, Alec aspires to channel his enthusiasm into a career in the sports industry. Whether he’s hitting big in the card world or pursuing his professional aspirations, Alec’s December will undoubtedly be one to remember.
