L.A. SPEAK

Sports card lingo heard around Southland shops and shows:

back door n . the way new cards hit the market before their official release. “That set came in the back door; it’s supposed to be out next month.�

Beckett n. the monthly guide listing card prices. “I’ll give you half off Beckett , but that’s the best I can do.�

Charboneau n. a hot rookie card that sends buyers into a tizzy but then goes bust. Named for outfielder Joe Charboneau, Cleveland’s 1980 Rookie of the Year who was barely heard from again.

clean box n . a manufacturer’s box of sealed packs. Often rifled through in search of valuable cards. “That guy grabbed every Tim Salmon he could find; I bet there’s not a clean box left in the whole shop.�

ghost signer n . a sports celebrity who’s hired to sign autographs at card conventions but doesn’t show. “I waited in line for two hours for him to autograph his rookie card, but he turned out to be a ghost signer. “

pack wars n. a game in which players buy unopened packs and the one with the most valuable card inside wins everyone’s cards.

weekend warrior n . an amateur who sells cards, often too cheaply, at shows. “That weekend warrior should keep his day job.�