2013 Cooperstown Baseball will have one autograph per 24-pack box—either a standard Cooperstown Signatures card or a Heroes Buy Back autograph, a concept we expect to learn more about in the coming weeks.

Panini will offer a modern era twist on what is really a nostalgia-based product by heavily utilizing its hot new Cracked Ice Parallel concept in this set with a rainbow of regular, black (1/1), gold, blue and green numbered versions part of the mix.

Cooperstown will also offer a nod to the early 20th century with Colgan’s Discs—based on the original tobacco product that featured the likes of Joe Jackson, Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner.  There will be one per box with more than 160 to chase if you desire.

Cooperstown Lumberjacks will be cards made of wood and look much like the old decal bats with two per box.   Historic Tickets (four per box), Museum Pieces (three per box) and a 5x7 Lumerbacks Die-Cut or Pennant box topper round out some of the content.

The 110-card base set of 2013 Panini Cooperstown includes 100 commons and 10 Colorized Short Prints.

[Show as slideshow]

Best Match Items Ending First Newly-Listed Items First Price + Shipping: Lowest First Price + Shipping: Highest First

TINKER EVERS CHANCE 2012 Panini Cooperstown 33 35 Chicago Cubs HOF $2.95 Time Remaining: 5h 59m Buy It Now for only: $2.95

Ozzie Smith 2012 Panini Cooperstown Baseball Autograph Auto Parallel SP Card 3 3 $99.95 Time Remaining: 8h 13m Buy It Now for only: $99.95

Eddie Collins 2012 Panini Cooperstown Baseball GREEN PRISM Parallel Card 1 1 17 $79.95 Time Remaining: 8h 21m Buy It Now for only: $79.95

2012 Panini Cooperstown Hall History 6 Roberto Clemente 1317 $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 10h 47m

2012 Panini Cooperstown High Praise 14 Cal Ripken Jr 1867 $0.99 Time Remaining: 10h 47m

2012 Panini Cooperstown High Praise Robin Yount $0.99 Time Remaining: 10h 58m

2012 PANINI COOPERSTOWN 14 BILLY WILLIAMS INDUCTION INSERT 1987 CUBS $4.00 Time Remaining: 11h 27m Buy It Now for only: $4.00

2012 PANINI COOPERSTOWN 12 AL KALINE HIGH PRAISE INSERT 1987 TIGERS $4.00 Time Remaining: 11h 32m Buy It Now for only: $4.00

2012 Panini Cooperstown Credentials 7 Robin Yount Milwaukee Brewers $1.00 Time Remaining: 11h 32m Buy It Now for only: $1.00

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The popular "Jerseys Off Their Backs" silent auction will be held through May 28 at the Astros Community Clubhouse on the main concourse of the ballpark. Fans can bid on several of the current Astros players game-worn jerseys. Winners will be announced on May 28.

Additionally, beginning this weekend, Astros players wives will sell Mystery Grab Bags containing autographed baseballs at the Community Clubhouse. 100% of all proceeds will go to the American Red Cross relief efforts for the Oklahoma tornado victims.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to those affected by the tornado," said Astros President of Business Operations Reid Ryan, son of Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. "We have close ties to that community and many friends there. Those are the folks that support us in Oklahoma City, so we're eager to do our part to help them out in a time of need."

In addition, one of the game’s top prospects is donating a pair of game-worn, autographed cleats and hoping teammates will pitch in for an eBay auction.

Pitcher Archie Bradley, an Oklahoma native whose mother is a breast cancer survivor, wore pink cleats on Mother’s Day while pitching for the Mobile BayBears, affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.  He’s put them up for bid on eBay.

Bradley said Daniel Hudson, who won 16 games last year for Arizona, indicated he’d also provide something for the auction and plans to talk to other big leaguers about contributing.

You can find the auction here.

The Ott jersey is accompanied by documentation from the consignor’s father, who was the general manager of the Burlington City Giants, a Minor League affiliate of the Giants. The jersey has a $25,000 reserve.

“Mel Ott was also the youngest player to hit 100 home runs and the first National Leaguer to hit 500 home runs – a true phenom,” said Grey Flannel Auctions’ president, Richard E. Russek.

Mantle Contract, Yankees Items

Legendary Yankee slugger and Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle signed his first $100,000 contract with New York in 1963. In so doing, he tied Joe DiMaggio as the highest-paid Yankee ballplayer in history up to that time. What the auction company believes to be the team’s copy of the actual player’s contract Mantle signed in reaching that monetary milestone is entered as Lot 75 in Grey Flannel’s sale. Letters of authenticity from PSA/DNA and JSA on Mantle’s signature are included with the four-page document. A bonus item accompanying the contract is a Feb. 27, 1963 press release on Yankees stationery announcing that the Yankees and Mantle had come to terms on a new contract. The reserve is $5,000.

Grey Flannel had been planning to offer a circa 1964 Mickey Mantle corked bat in the auction but after protests and legal threats from the family, which disputed its authenticity, the item was pulled from the company's website.  Thus far, Grey Flannel has not indicated whether it's possible the bat will eventually be sold or if they plan to challenge the family's demand that it not be sold.

Several desirable game-worn Yankees player jerseys will be auctioned, however, including a Derek Jeter game-used home jersey photo-matched to three Red Sox games from October 2012. Accompanied by a LOA from Yankees-Steiner, the jersey carries a minimum bid of $2,500.

Pete Maravich Memorabilia

A selection of more than two dozen awards, signed balls, apparel and jewelry associated with basketball superstar “Pistol” Pete Maravich will be auctioned by Grey Flannel. Items range from what Grey Flannel says is the first basketball Maravich ever used as a boy ($2,500 reserve) to a late-1960s LSU shooting shirt ($5,000 reserve), which he wore during the period that he was making his indelible mark on NCAA history as a trailblazing jump shooter and genius of offensive play. Many of the Maravich lots are accompanied by LOAs from the Maravich family, including the gold ring he received at his 1987 induction to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Its reserve is $10,000.

Larry Holmes Collection

Boxing fans will have a chance to bid on items from the career of former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes.  Many of the items come with photos of Holmes holding the actual auction article. Among the highlights are the Edward J. Neil Memorial plaque awarded to Holmes in 1978 by the Boxing Writers’ Association of New York ($2,500 reserve), and the WBC Heavyweight World Championship Belt Holmes earned that same year when he defeated Ken Norton in Las Vegas ($2,500). The belt features a massive, decorative center medallion was signed by Holmes in black felt-tipped marker: “My original WBC belt – Larry Holmes.”

Important Jim Brown Trophy

The football section of the sale includes an historic award, as well – Jim Brown’s 1957 NFL Rookie of the Year Trophy.

“It’s hard to believe, but 55 years later, Jim Brown still holds the record for total seasons leading the NFL in all-purpose yards, and he’s the only rusher in NFL history to average over 100 yards per game for a career,” said Russek.  “He was an astonishing talent, and it was obvious from the moment he came out of the gate in his rookie year.” Offered with a photo of Brown holding the award, the lot is entered in the sale with a $5,000 reserve.

Tiger's Masters Sunday Red Shirt

Grey Flannel will offer the only Tiger Woods Masters Tournament final-day “red shirt” ever to appear at auction.  Dating from the 2006 Masters as he sought his fifth green jacket, the shirt is autographed by Woods and has Upper Deck Authenticated provenance. The lot includes a photo of Woods wearing the shirt and comes with a $5,000 reserve.

Bidding in Grey Flannel's Summer Games Catalog Auction will close on June 5, 2013. All forms of absentee bids are accepted, including by phone and online through Grey Flannel's website.

Printed catalogs are free to all registered bidders while supplies last. The fully illustrated online catalog can be viewed at www.GreyFlannelAuctions.com. For additional information, call 631-288-7800, ext. 223; or email info@greyflannelauctions.com.

Best Match Items Ending First Newly-Listed Items First Price + Shipping: Lowest First Price + Shipping: Highest First

1933 Goudey 127 Mel Ott RC PSA 45 New York Giants HoF Rookie $280.00 Time Remaining: 56m Buy It Now for only: $280.00

1934 36 Diamond Stars 50 MEL OTT Ex Mt PSA 6 $300.00 Time Remaining: 6h 27m Buy It Now for only: $300.00

1934 36 1935 Diamond Stars 50 Mel Ott PSA 8 New York Giants HoF $870.00 Time Remaining: 7h 8m Buy It Now for only: $870.00

Mel Ott Autographed Signed 1959 Callahan HOF Card Mets PSA DNA 83386489 $1,295.00 Time Remaining: 12h 8m Buy It Now for only: $1,295.00

1945 MEL OTT ORIGINAL AP TYPE III WIRE PHOTO PSA DNA SEALED AUTHENTIC W CAPTION $19.99 Time Remaining: 12h 28m Buy It Now for only: $19.99

MEL OTT SIGNED PSA DNA PEREZ STEELE CUT AUTOGRAPH $499.00 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 8m Buy It Now for only: $499.00

1940 NY GIANTS SIGNED BY 26 TEAM BASEBALL BALL PSA DNA MEL OTT CARL HUBBELL +++ $1,899.00 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 59m Buy It Now for only: $1,899.00

Mel Ott Autographed Signed 3x4 Photo PSA DNA Slabbed 83276753 $895.00 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 11m Buy It Now for only: $895.00

Mel Ott Autographed Signed Cut PSA DNA Slabbed 83276229 $995.00 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 11m Buy It Now for only: $995.00

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A new focus?

We've got your focus right here, pal.

If the whole sports collecting thing has you a little confused, or if you're a veteran collector feeling bored, we've channeled our inner pack rat to come up with a list of twenty-five genres of baseball memorabilia that should get your creative juices flowing.

You'll notice a theme throughout, though. We've tried to keep the cost factor in mind because not everyone is blessed with the disposable income of Bill Gates. Of course, if you do have a sizable credit limit, it's just that much more fun.

We could do a list of only baseball cards but since most of us like a little display material to go with our cardboard, we've concocted a cornucopia of cowhide marvels.

25 cool ways to collect baseball items.

Debate. Discuss. Ridicule. It's just a list...in no particular order.

1) Hall of Fame member 8x10 autographs:  The cheapest, most cost-effective way to participate in collecting autographs of Cooperstown enshrinees. eBay and dealers' monthly auctions are full of authenticated, living HOFers in living color for less than $20 each. Dead guys cost more, but they're obtainable too.

2) 1919 World Series memorabilia:  It's the most famous World Series ever--for the most unfortunate reasons. It's not cheap, but a program (around $2500) or ticket stub will become the centerpiece of your collection. You'll get chills as you wonder what the person who originally owned it was thinking as the events on the field played out.

3)Wrappers and display boxes:  I still can't figure out why so many people saved these even 75 years ago, but they did. Great for display by themselves or with your sets and still not that expensive considering the scarcity of the older items. We love wax wrappers and 1960s and 70s boxes.

4)Old team yearbooks.:Vastly underrated and underappreciated, yearbooks bring those old players and teams to life better than cards do and they're far less expensive. You can look at them without fear of messing anything up, too.

5) Team-signed baseballs. Check out any sports memorabilia auction--or eBay--and you'll see fully authenticated team baseballs with 20+ signatures selling for peanuts. It seems like prices have plummeted. Start with an All-Star ball from the 80s and work your way back. Great fun to display.

6) World Series black bats: Limited in quantity, coolness oozes from these gold and black beauties. Not functional, but a nice conversation piece no matter which team is represented.

7) Hartland Statues:  1950s-60s original versions are still easy to find (except for Dick Groat) and haven't changed much in price since the 1980s. They really do look like the players. Bonus points for having the boxes, but it's not necessary to enjoy these standing 'in action' inside a nice curio cabinet. Artist Frank Fulop did a great job for Hartland in the 1950s, sitting in stadiums and sketching. RIP, Frank.

8) 19th century baseball cards: They'll cost you plenty if you chase sets. Settle for a player from each known set. Anything over 100 years old is cool indeed.

9) Regional sets. Yup, even those from the 1980s and 90s. They were hot 25 years ago and even though they may never be fully appreciated, the sets given out at ballparks or by local cops are very limited and often contain players who never made it into the mainstream sets. Zillions of different designs and usually available for less than $15 per set--sometimes a lot less.

10) Old programs;  Old baseball scorecards are more pricey, but they're just a scoresheet and some advertising. World Series programs have been great since the 1910s. Regular season programs started getting good in the 1950s and can be had for a song. Many have original art on the front. A little snapshot of a season inside, especially if they're scored.

11) Old tickets and stubs from milestone games. One of the hottest forms of collecting. Collect home run ticket stubs from your favorite player. 3,000 hit or 300 win stubs from Hall of Famers. No-hit stubs. Stadium opening stubs. The list is endless and the stubs are great to display without taking up a ton of room.

12) 1950s Redman baseball cards:  They're more expensive with the tabs on, but these 1952-55 sets are just as neat without them--and a lot cheaper. The size is a bit odd, but the artwork and write-ups are great. A much easier way to collect 1950s cards and unlike the original purchasers, you won't risk cancer.

13) Early 1900s Sporting News supplements:  Underrated, underrated, underrated. Did we mention these were incredibly undervalued and underrated? The former "baseball bible" treated customers to giant photos of the stars of the day back in the first part of the 20th century. Rare, awesome and great fun to chase. Many are dated right down to the week they were issued. They will make you remember why you're a fan..and a collector.

14) Post Cereal cards. 200 card sets. Some hard to find. Lots of variations. Most all distributed only via the back of a cereal box. Cheaper than Topps. No stats on the back. Simple, straightforward and low tech. Not works of art, but the sets are a blast to put together.

15) Vintage Wheaties cards: Wheaties pre-dated Post, of course, and was a prolific issuer of pictures on cereal box backs. Gehrig and other HOFers throughout. Extremely hard to find unless you frequent the major shows but prices really don't reflect it. Another set where type card collecting is a good idea.

16) 1964 Topps Giants:  We've touted this set before. It's not rare, but that's part of the charm. You mean I can easily put together a 45 year-old postcard-sized set jammed with Hall of Famers in brilliant color and fairly high grade for less than $300? I'm in.

17) SPORT magazines: Sort of along the lines of the baseball program idea. The stories are great, but the covers were shot by some of the best sports photographers who ever lived. Great to display and even better to read on a cold winter night. Love the baseball memorabilia ads inside, too.

18) Old board games:  They take up a little bit of space, but if they're complete, you can actually take them off your display shelf and play them. Some of the early 20th century games are incredible antiques. There are board games for every sport and some are very rare.

19) Perez-Steele postcards:  If you're not doing the Hall of Fame 8x10 autographs, this is another option. Gorgeous works of art plus a Sharpie autograph, produced when DiMaggio, Williams, Mantle, Spahn and other big names were still living. Even the lesser names are great to look at.

20) Historic baseball cards:  Another variation on type card collecting. Match the card to the accomplishment: Williams hitting .406 and DiMaggio's streak (1941 Play Ball); Yaz and the Triple Crown (1967 Topps); a 1951 Bowman Bobby Thomson; a team set of the 1959 Go-Go White Sox or the 1969 Mets. Roger Maris breaks the home run record (1961 Topps). The themes and possibilities are endless.

21) Game used bats:  Sure, you can't touch a Ruth or Mantle gamer for less than five figures but post-1960s bats for average players are dirt cheap. They take up a lot of space but they look great and you can even take them out and have some batting practice if you're not that concerned about your investment. Bats teach plenty about the game's history and reveal much about the players who use them.

22) Uncut sheets: If you've got the room, there's nothing better for your memorabilia room wall that a big ol' uncut sheet of some long-ago set. You'll stare at it--mesmerized--until your wife snaps you out of it and tells you to take out the garbage.

23) 1911 T-3 Turkey Red Cabinet cards: No, not the modern issue, although they have their fans, too. The original 1911 version is an absolute classic. Hard to find, but not impossible. Incredibly attractive pieces of baseball history. You should own at least a couple cabinet cards in your collection.

24) Baseball advertising. Maybe you can't afford the six-figure Cracker Jack or Goodwins posters that sold this year. Old magazines are full of cigarette ads featuring guys like Musial and DiMaggio with butts hanging out of their mouths. Crazy as it sounds, no one thought anything of it at the time. Great conversation pieces you can often frame for an investment of less than $25.

25) Vintage photographs. It's the most photographed sport in American history and there are all kinds of great photos, many one-of-a-kind, in dealer boxes and binders all over the country. Wire photos, fan photos, team-issues, etc. Even in black-and-white, they stand out. Many can be had for under $5.

Montreal-based Classic Auctions is selling off dozens of items that once occupied Chaulk’s home, displayed beautifully in lighted cases, preserved like the hockey history they are.  The auction opens Friday and interest is expected to be off the charts.

There’s never been a Great One other than Gretzky and it’s unlikely we’ll see anyone  quite like him again.

Chaulk’s collection includes numerous items from Gretzky milestone games, including game-worn equipment, the jersey he was wearing when he scored his 500^th goal, a wall full of sticks, mini Stanley Cup trophies and other items that will sell for big money.

The Canadian Press Caught up with Chaulk to talk about the collection, why he did it, why he’s selling and where he doesn’t want it to wind up.  Read their story here...and don't forget to watch the video.

Special "This is Our F-ing City!" bats are being sold at BigPapi.com.  The colorful sticks were specially made by Marucci, which supplies Ortiz with his game bats.  The blue barrel contains the famous quote, next to a silhouette of  Ortiz pointing to the air after a home run. Where his name would appear on the barrel, is printed "Never Forget. BOSTON STRONG. 4.15.13."

The bats cost $125 while those carrying his autograph will be $500.  All proceeds to to the One Fund and other charities which are helping those impacted by the blast at the Boston Marathon last month.

On the website, Ortiz has written a letter:

My Fellow Bostonians, 

On April 15, 2013, nearly a decade after I first came to Boston, our city was attacked during one of Boston's most beloved events. Through the great bravery of our service men and women, and the strength of our citizens, Boston has and will continue to persevere through this tragedy. I wanted to figure out a way to do something to help the victims, so I reached out to my partner Marucci Sports who have created these bats to help raise money for those affected by this tragedy. 100% of the net proceeds from these sales will go to the OneFund and other victims of this terrible event. When I gave my speech during the pregame ceremony of our first game back, I fully meant the words I said. Let's get together as a city to show everyone that "nobody is gonna dictate our freedom!"

Boston Strong,
David Ortiz

What do you think about these bats?  Let us know on our Facebook page.

Grey Flannel planned to sell the 1960's era bat, which it said has been in the hands of a long-time collector for many years and was recently consigned to the company's next catalog auction.  However, the bat was removed from the Grey Flannel website sometime in the last couple of days.  The bat has been examined by PSA/DNA authenticator John Taube who has provided x-rays that clearly show cork inside the barrel of the bat.  Evidence hasn't yet been presented that would prove when the cork entered the bat, let alone whether Mantle used the bat in a game.  The Mantle family said it had requested information on the bat's provenance and the right to do its own examination but claims the auction house hasn't responded.

There was no immediate word from Grey Flannel as to what, if any, action it may take with regard to the Mantle family's statements or whether it planned to fight the family's contention that it "promoted an outrageously false, misleading and deceptive claim, apparently for a quick buck and publicity".

“We no longer can remain silent,” Mantle’s children stated through the family’s business. “The statements and suggestions that Dad used a corked bat more than 49 years ago to cheat at the game he worshipped are false. Let us be clear: Dad didn’t need and never used a corked bat. Mickey Mantle was honest about the way he played the game that he loved and to which he devoted his professional life. He was one of the best who ever played the game because of his natural talents and abilities – and his heart. Our Dad's legacy must be protected and the injury to his reputation must be corrected - he does not deserve to be the subject of these outrageous fabrications.”

The Mantle Family, through Mantle I.P. Holdings, Ltd, has retained the law firm of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP to “advise the Family of its rights, interests and remedies”, according to a news release.

Jonathan Halpern, a partner in Bracewell & Giuliani's New York Office, issued the following statement:

“Following Bracewell & Giuliani's intervention, on May 9th, the on-line marketer informed us that it had withdrawn the bat from sale and also had removed the bat (and related photos and statements from its web site). The marketer has made no mention on its web site of the bat’s removal from the site or the auction sale. The family has made several straightforward, common sense authenticity requests, including the right to review the purported bases for the claim; the chain of custody of the bat’s owner(s); and the right for forensic analysis and independent third-party examination. To date, we have received no response to these requests. We will continue to pursue a correction of the false claims and suggestions, vindication of Mickey Mantle’s integrity in the game and restoration of his rightful legacy.”

“This all stops now," the Mantle family stated.  "We love and are proud of our Dad. Because he can no longer defend himself, we will do it for him.”

Best Match Items Ending First Newly-Listed Items First Price + Shipping: Lowest First Price + Shipping: Highest First

Mickey Mantle Rare Mini Autographed HoF Bat Hand Painted Jessie Psa Cert 16 $555.00 Time Remaining: 37m Buy It Now for only: $555.00

1963 Jell O 15 Mickey Mantle PSA 3 hand cut New York Yankees HoF $205.00 Time Remaining: 56m Buy It Now for only: $205.00

1958 Topps 150 Mickey Mantle PSA 5 New York Yankees HoF $395.00 Time Remaining: 56m Buy It Now for only: $395.00

1953 Bowman 59 Mickey Mantle PSA 5 New York Yankees HoF $905.00 Time Remaining: 56m Buy It Now for only: $905.00

MICKEY MANTLE PEE WEE REESE DUKE SNIDER SIGNED 16 X 20 PHOTO PSA DNA $1,349.00 Time Remaining: 1h 1m Buy It Now for only: $1,349.00

2011 TOPPS 7 MICKEY MANTLE PSA 10 B1271356 $9.99 Time Remaining: 1h 5m Buy It Now for only: $9.99

2010 TOPPS 206 91 MICKEY MANTLE POP 3 PSA 10 B1271354 $35.99 Time Remaining: 1h 5m Buy It Now for only: $35.99

2007 TOPPS MANTLE STORY MMS20 MICKEY MANTLE POP 2 PSA 10 B1271340 $43.99 Time Remaining: 1h 6m Buy It Now for only: $43.99

2002 SP LEGENDARY CUTS SP LEGENDARY CUTS 53 MICKEY MANTLE POP 4 PSA 10 B1271314 $35.99 Time Remaining: 1h 7m Buy It Now for only: $35.99

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As usual, you didn't disappoint.

Within a few hours,  nearly two dozen responses were posted.  Many were quite touching.

The overall feeling was that collectors' moms have been, by and large, very good sports.

Here is a selection of some your stories.  You can see others by going to the page and, of course, you're welcome to add yours if you haven't done so yet. 

Carey Cozocar:  (In the) 1970's I think packs were 5 or 10 cents at the time, mom would give me quarter after quarter so I could run to the corner store to open packs so I could finish my set as fast as possible. Those were the days!!!!

Chet Pulaski:  1971 when I was 7 & mom giving me a dime or so for a pack of baseball cards & a bag of Doritos for my walk to school each day where I stopped at the local grocery store in Pullman, Il. Still have them all.

Victor Ross:  Mom saved all of my cards for me also. She boxed them up and kept them in her basement for at least 10 years while I "grew up". I still remember how cool it was looking through all of those 60s and 70's cards. She is the reason I have been in this great hobby for most of my life!

Brad Beneke: My mom would go to garage sales and pick up cards cheap for me. Mostly it was common cards in rubber band damage, but once she handed me a Velveeta cheese box with about 200 cards from 1971-74 in them. 2 Schmidt rookies, 3 Winfield rookies, 3 Hank Aaron home run champ ‘74 card 1. Two 73 Clementes, a 73 Ryan, 71 Reggie Jackson and a 71 McCovey, all at PSA 7 or better quality.  She paid a buck for the box and she gave it to me when I took her out for Mother's Day in ‘93.

Kenny Evans: I was watching a Giant football game with my Dad and four brothers in the mid-70s and my Mom came I to the room and asked if anyone wanted to hit a few yard sales with her. She didn't get much if a response so I said, "Sure, I'll go." We'll wouldn't you know it but at one if the sales was a box if baseball cards. I started digging through, mostly from 70s and was asking the owner how much for this card and how much for that card. My Mom said why don't you make an offer for the whole box (about 400 cards). I offered $5.00 and the guy said $10.00. I put my head down and walked away. My Mom saw the look on my face and handed me a $10 bill. I couldn't believe it.

I bought the box and brought it home. As j started going through the mix I discovered over 100 of the cards were from the 1950s... '56 Mantle, '57 Aaron, '55 Snider, '58 Williams and on and on. I'll never forget that day. As a 14 year old kid, it was the jump start of a baseball card collection that us over 100,000 card as well as a complete run from '59 to date as well as complete sets including '41 Play Ball, '51 Red Backs, and the '54,'55 and '56 Topps sets. Thanks Mom!

Bob Boffa:  As a kid of the 50's and 60's, my mom NEVER threw away my cards! She would say later that kept me close to her, though I moved 1600 miles away. I guess that’s what mom’s love is all about! 

Scott Lewandoske: My mother liked to take a look at the cards I would get. In 1973, I got an Indians manager and coaches card, which had Warren Spahn on it.  Spahn was my favorite player and she took that card from me. She put it in her jewelry box. When I got another one of the same card, my mother took that one toO. When I got a third one, she finally left me keep it. When my mother died years later, that Warren Spahn card was still in her jewelry box. About two years ago, I started collecting Warren Spahn cards in her memory.

Larry Mathews:  She bought me my first pack of 1985 Topps football and the first card I got was a Jerry Rice rookie card.  Boy, do I miss her being here.

Ralph McCullough:  In 1979, I stayed up late trying to put a set together,and fell asleep, face first into the cards (lol).  Woke up and found them in numerical order, sheeted and in album, with note "off to work.  I love you".  My mom was a true collector's mom, and I love her.

Noel Edward Reucroft: You would think my mom buying me a complete set of 86 Fleer basketball for $10 back in 86 would be my best memory! I must have bought at least two boxes worth of ‘84 football packs trying to get a Marino rookie but I never pulled one. For Valentine’s day back in ‘84, she bought me one single pack that yielded me the elusive Marino RC. Moms always have a knack for pulling the best packs! 

University of Portland photo

It seems an enterprising individual sent an official big league baseball to the campus ahead of his visit with a note inside asking the Dalai Lama to sign it during his stay. We assume the proper return postage was included.

Unfortunately, we don't know whether the ball was signed. The school didn't respond to our inquiry. We don't even know if they sent it back, but we do have to give the collector/dealer an 'A' for effort. We would not, however, recommend trying that strategy again considering the current climate.

We do know the Dalai Lama has been known to wear a baseball cap. In fact, once on campus, he fanned himself with a University of Portland vistor.

And, of course we all know of the Lama's fondness for golf...at least according to Carl Spackler.

Bradley owns a huge collection of Phillies memorabilia.  It's not the biggest ever assembled, but it's big enough to take up a good sized room in his New Jersey house.

He owns a rack full of game-used jerseys.  Game bats.  Equipment.  Bobble heads.  Cleats. Cans with past legends on them.  Statues.  Tickets.  Programs. Seats from Veteran's Stadium. You name it--if he wants it, he finds a way to buy it.

Remarkably, he hasn't been doing this very long at all.

"It started out as a hobby, just getting little things here and there," he says. "It's become an addiction now."

The collection recently caught the attention of Fox 29 in Philadelphia and Bradley gave reporter Colleen Wolfe a tour while Mrs. Bradley looked on.