Sammy Thunder, YouTube Legend, Answers Some Questions

Before we get started with Sammy, after my article on SI about the 1/1 Steph Curry card, my friend Tony interviewed Trevor, who pulled the card. Check it out!

Sammy Thunder was the very first “collector” YouTube channel I discovered and subscribed to. I commented on one of his videos after I started my channel, and I believe that’s how he discovered me. I had about 75 subscribers at the time, so when he shouted me out on a video it was quite thrilling. My youngest child — 11 years old at the time — was sitting next to me on the couch and both of our jaws dropped when we heard it.

Sammy is a great vintage ambassador, and is probably best known for his card show videos. I thought it would be fun to ask him a few questions to get to know him better.

How long have you been collecting? And did you take any breaks in there?

I started collecting back in 1997. I collected for about three years but got out of the hobby as I entered high school. I got back into the hobby in 2021 after encountering some cards at a nostalgia shop. They were the 81-82 Larry Bird Card (First Solo Card) and an assortment of other stars from the same set. I got a phenomenal deal on them and since then, I’ve been latched back in. The Larry Bird card graded an 8, which I was very excited about.

What would you say you like collecting the most?

As of right now, the majority of my baseball card collection is made up of cards of Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan, Willie Mays and Christy Mathewson. A lot of my interests are rooted in some of the alternative options out there. For example, there are sets like Bazooka, Transogram, Coca-Cola, Dell, Jay Publishing, Official Team Photo Packs, etc. that I seek out at shows and shops. When it comes to Mathewson, finding postcards or some of his tobacco cards are at the top of my list. From the very beginning, a lot of it has been the aesthetic of the card. I value the design and layout a lot when it comes to making decisions for my collection.

What is your favorite card? (Not most valuable)

1952 Coca Cola Test Tips Willie Mays or 1954 Stahl Meyer Willie Mays. Really tough to decide.

What is a card you desperately want, but haven’t been able to acquire, either due to scarcity or price?

1910 E125 American Caramel Die Cuts Christy Mathewson Windup

What made you start YouTubing?

I was a musician for most of my 20s and I always look forward to performing at a show. To make videos on YouTube, a lot of those characteristics are applied in that craft as well. You’re performing in front of an audience after the video is published. Like being a musician, when you first get started, it’s a bit rough around the edges, but you learn and get better as time goes on.

What’s your favorite part of YouTubing?

Getting to know other collectors and hanging out with them at card shows. Sharing pickups and stories surrounding the pickups. Learning about different sets I didn’t know about. Feeling a part of a community. That’s the biggest thrill. Finally, the collaborations.

Why do you think you’ve become so popular in the community?

Every channel has its strengths. My strengths are my card show experiences. I go to enough card shows, both large and small, to understand the similarities and differences between them. I get to know many different dealers and see a variety of different cards. Because of those experiences, I was able to establish my channel as such.

What’s next for your channel?

Trying to connect with my audience more. Sometimes I get a bit tunnel visioned and lose sight of those around me, but I am dedicating more time to connect with my audience and continue collaborating with other collectors on the weekly livestream Cardboard & Cold Ones with co-host Jason from Everyday Card Collector. Also dedicating time to building the 4 Collectors channel with 3D80sKid (John), PepinoMan (Cesar) and Clemente Collector (Theo).

Shout out some of your favorite YouTubers with under 3,000 subscribers.

• Everyday Card Collector

• Mookie Chillson

• Value Vintage Cards

• Vintage Oddball Cards

• Legends Never Die

• Staven Sports Cards

• Vintage on Vintage

• Reindeer Studios

• A Collectors Dream

Go subscribe to Sammy’s channel!

🗣️ YouTube Comment Of The Week

Disagreeing with me will not result in me disliking your comment. In fact, a comment that is professional and well considered, like this one, will help me learn and could make me change my mind.

🎬 Upcoming Videos

I have so many things in the hopper, but I do videos based on mood for the most part.

So other than an Attic Find Friday and #97 on my ACE100 list, I’m not sure!

🎬 Channel Highlights From the Past Week

How about a lowlight? First, here’s my #98 on my ACE 100 list:

Thanks to Jason and Isaac for pointing out my stupid mistake.

Lewis made the 1980 team, but of course the United States boycotted the 1980 games, so they didn’t go and thus he didn’t debut there.

On Monday I did this video:

And then on Friday I did this one, which I am pleased to report got twice as many views:

There is a lot more to report on this one, and once I have everything I will put it here in my newsletter if I can confirm everything and feel like it’s good for the hobby to do so.

🎁 My Pickup Of The Week

I bought this gem from Brian Roth and it arrived in my mailbox two days later:

I was also the underbidder on this amazing copy of the original Mario Kart for the Super Nintendo:

👻 Brief Horror Movie Review of the Week

This week, at the recommendation of YouTube commenters @XZOL445 and @LetsStormTheTeaCupRide, I watched The Babadook, about a woman and her troubled son who are being stalked by the monster from a children’s book.

3.5 stars out of 5. Quite good and entertaining.

In the non-horror division: I also watched Bullet Train with my family, and loved it. Brad Pitt is as great as always, and the entire cast was phenomenal. Surprisingly funny movie.

4 stars out of 5.

🔗 Links:

Top 10 Iconic Baseball Rookie Cards of the 2000s, by John Dudley for SI Collectibles

Are Custom Cards the Future? by Jason for Hobby News Daily