The series of articles written by Kevin Nelson, author of Operation Bullpen, and posted here over the past couple of weeks were well received.
The investigation remains one of the hobby’s darkest moments by virtue of its sheer volume.
In an era before the widespread use of exemplars and efficient online communication, it’s safe to say that thousands of unsuspecting fans, collectors and gift buyers were duped. It’s likely many of them still have Greg Marino signed photographs, baseballs, jerseys and other memorabilia displayed in their homes.
If you haven’t read the articles, or missed some of them, here again are links to each.
Absolutely Guaranteed to be 100% Fake
Operation Bullpen: The Case That Has Never Gone Away
The Babe Ruth Underpants Box and other Ruthian Forgeries
The Beautiful Forgeries That Are Commercially Toxic
The Forgers’ Credo: Give ‘Em What They Want
Nelson recapped the case and analyzed some of the events that took place during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He provided never before seen photos of some of the forgeries that were created by the Bullpen gang, complete with ‘letters of authenticity’ that made the bogus pieces easier to sell to those who wanted some sort of ‘expert proof’ their item was real. Sadly, none of them were.
If you have any questions about the Operation Bullpen investigation, the personalities involved, the FBI’s work or something you have always wanted to ask about the case and the sports collecting industry at the time, now’s your chance. Remember, there was also a counterfeit trading card element to the investigation as well, something the book chronicles in detail.
Email your questions ([email protected]). We’ll select 15 or 20 of them and Kevin will answer here, hopefully later this week or early next week.
Please make sure your question pertains to the subject and know that he is not an autograph authenticator nor an expert on current hobby trends.
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