Tuesday, November 03

Hello! Welcome to another edition of the A’s beat newsletter.

WEST SACRAMENTO – Looking for ways to fight boredom this offseason back home in Texas, Shea Langeliers innocently ordered a pack of Marvel collectible trading cards.

Langeliers is a big Marvel fan, so he figured it would be fun to see if he could pull a card or two of his favorite superheroes. Less than a year later, that card-collecting has turned into a full-blown hobby.

Just how vast is that collection now?

“Two suitcases full,” Langeliers said with a laugh. “So, a decent amount.”

Langeliers is one of many ballplayers who have become avid card collectors in recent years. Marvel trading cards were just the gateway. Soon after, the Athletics’ All-Star catcher began dabbling in other types of cards.

“Then I started getting into sports,” Langeliers said. “Football first. Then I started baseball, and eventually I started collecting my own cards.”

Langeliers has a personal collection of his own cards. As far as baseball cards, there are several he has pulled that he takes great pride in. His most prized find so far is a rare card of Pirates star pitcher Paul Skenes.

“My best card, I’ve got a Topps 2024 Dynasty Paul Skenes rookie card out of 10 signed,” Langeliers said. “It’s, like, a relic card, too. It’s awesome.”

For those unfamiliar with card collector lingo, “out of 10” means there are only 10 total copies of that exact card that exist around the world.

Langeliers is not the only A’s player into cards. He’s also gotten Nick Kurtz, a fellow Marvel fan, into the hobby. Those two, along with others such as Tyler Soderstrom and Jacob Wilson, have been known to “rip packs” inside the clubhouse throughout the season.

What is it about card-collecting that has become such a popular trend amongst players?

“I think just the idea of collecting stuff and having your own personal collection,” Langeliers said. “The more you know guys around the league, you can ask them to sign cards. It’s just cool.”

Card-collecting has even managed to bring division rivals together. Earlier this season during an A’s road series in Seattle, Mariners right-hander George Kirby sent some cards from his personal collection over to the visiting clubhouse for players to look at and potentially purchase.

“It’s kind of, like, a cool way to keep up with guys,” Langeliers said. “There are some guys on the Whatnot channel watching those streams and bidding on cards and stuff. It’s pretty cool.”

There are always some cards any collector dreams of one day getting in their possession. For Langeliers, he already has one in his Marvel collection. It’s a 1-of-1 Dr. Doom Comic Cut card.

In Marvel card lingo, “Comic Cut” is a rare trading card containing an actual, physical piece cut directly from a vintage or classic Marvel comic book.

“I’m super excited for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ to come out,” Langeliers said. “I was trying to get a Dr. Doom card this offseason. It wasn’t the picture on the card that I necessarily wanted, but it’s still really cool.”

So, with the card collection at two suitcases full and quickly growing, what does Langeliers plan to do with all these cards?

“Eventually, when we get our forever home and I build my man cave, they’ll be on display,” Langeliers said. “Or, at least, all my good ones.”

Where are they currently?

“Just under my bed,” Langeliers said with a smile. “It’s a work in progress.”

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