Remembered as one of the fiercest competitors to ever take the mound, Bob Gibson’s trademark tenacity and grit was likely forged long before he ever dreamt of becoming a major leaguer. Months before his birth, Gibson’s father passed away from tuberculosis, leaving his mother Victoria to raise seven children without a dad in a post-depression Omaha, Nebraska. Born Pack Robert … [Read more...]
Study Explores Why Millennials, Gen Z Have Fallen Hard for Sports Cards
The resurgence of sports cards has led to a variety of theories as to why collecting is suddenly trending up again. Team Whistle, which creates content for the sports entertainment audience, recently drilled down into the numbers to see what type of insights they would yield. Globally, Team Whistle garners more than 4.2 billion views and has collaborated with professional … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: Young Hoopers Before They Became Legends
It was Andy Warhol who reminded us that “The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do.” In 1981, during the third annual National Sports Festival in Syracuse, photographer Mike Greenlar snapped an image of a seven-footer from Georgetown named Patrick Ewing—regarded at the time as one of the premiere big men in the country. In an era … [Read more...]
Auction Angel Returns Johnny Bench’s Personal Memorabilia to its Rightful Owner
You never know when or where you will meet someone who will change your life forever. It’s often a chance encounter that rewrites the course of history—a reminder to us that any new friendship is worth nurturing. For Johnny Bench, it was a man named Alan Horwitz who he had met at a hypnotist show in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1967 while he was a young catcher for the Reds … [Read more...]
8 Great Roy Campanella Cards
While not always mentioned amongst baseball's all-time greats, few kids were disappointed when pulling a Roy Campanella baseball card from a pack during his brilliant career with the Brooklyn Dodgers. With Ebbets Field as a backdrop, "Campy" was a force both at the plate and behind it. Appearing on cards as a player from 1949-1957, he's among the stars of a … [Read more...]
2021 Topps Definitive Collection Preview
For those seeking a high-end product with plenty of low serial numbered cards, 2021 Topps Definitive Collection might fit the bill. Slated to arrive in late March, collectors can look forward to boxes where each card is numbered to 50 or less. A full checklist is available for download below. 2021 Topps Definitive Basics Each pack holds only eight cards but six will be … [Read more...]
Cardboard Gold’s President Provides Update on Card Saver Demand
Pandemics can cause some unusual supply shortages: toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and apparently…Card Savers. While not an essential item for living, they're among the collector necessities for grading and authentication, another industry that saw a drastic increase in sales volume during Covid-19. Prior to the shortage, card submissions were typically sleeved in “Card Saver … [Read more...]
Holy Grail of Early Derek Jeter Autographed Baseballs Coming to Auction
What may be the earliest known baseball signed by Derek Jeter as a professional is coming to auction, an iconic ball that has been cherished for 28 years by the batboy of the 1992 high school all-star game Jeter played in as a teenager in Michigan. The batboy--a 10-year old little leaguer who’s uncle coached the local varsity baseball team—was gifted the ball after the game … [Read more...]
2000-2005 MLB Showdown Cards Return to the Spotlight in Card Market Resurgence
For years, baseball card collectors have sought to test their creative limits. Before condition was so highly regarded, cards were used for dart games, inserted into the spokes of bike tires, and flipped up against walls. Some even created their own versions of a baseball simulator with their favorite cards. In 1978, Topps created the “Play Ball – Played by Two” game on the … [Read more...]
5 Career-Chronicling Cards of Willie McCovey
Generally speaking, bodies of water are named after large geographic regions, famous explorers or historical events of significance. Every once in a while, they name one after a prolific power hitter who symbolized the majestic feat of sending a baseball over a wall, an arcade, and pavilion before it comes to rest in the what is now commonly referred to as “McCovey Cove.” A … [Read more...]