HARRISBURG, Pa. — Players for the Harrisburg Senators know all too well the impression that they can make when they autograph a baseball card for a young fan. It's because not too long ago, they were that fan.
"You know, growing up, I have a shed at home and it's full of baseball cards," recalled outfielder Dylan Crews. "A lot are older than me."
But, just like in baseball, there can be some late bloomers when it comes to sports cards.
Infielder Brady House found his passion while he was sitting out with an injury in 2022.
"I've come a long way. I'm into it 24-7," said House. "There's not one time in the day, where I haven't already looked at a card, because it starts when I wake up in the morning."
While the Washington Nationals front office believes House's talent is rare to draft him in the first round of the 2021 Draft, he's come a long way in learning what's a rare card. One of his first lessons in the hobby kind of came from a former Harrisburg Senator.
"I started off buying a Trea Turner, numbered to like 75, thinking it was going to be the best card and come to just find out it's just a paper card," House said. "It wasn't a refractor or anything like that, but I still enjoy looking at things like that."
As you would imagine, it was a big moment when he saw his first baseball card.
"It was awesome. I mean, especially getting to sign it. It's just an unreal feeling," remembered House. "I actually don't collect myself. I like to collect other people."
As for House's best pull, it happened just days before this year's Senators season opener.
"I still haven't gotten over it. I was on Fanatics Live, on the live stream, I bought the Arizona Diamondbacks and then I pulled a Corbin Carroll autograph. It's not often that you come across a Corbin Carroll auto, especially numbered to 25, so it was unbelievable," said House with a big smile.
Fans in Harrisburg hope that one day, they'll have the same reaction when they land a Brady House card, long after his time on City Island comes to a close.
House and the Senators will return to FNB Field on Tuesday to start and six-game series with the Richmond Flying Squirrels.