Make way for another round of no-hitter memorabilia. Homer Bailey’s gem against the Giants on Tuesday night put him into select company with multiple career no-hit, no-run games. The 280th no-hitter in Major League history also means fans will try to cash in on ticket stubs, Bailey rookie cards and other memorabilia associated with the game.
While the value of rookie cards is generally predicated on the long-term performance of the player, there is a solid market for autographs and other collectible items associated with the men who have tossed no-hitters. The list is long and includes a lot of pitchers who have passed quietly through baseball history. It’s certainly not exclusive to superstars and value goes hand-in-hand with fame sometimes, yet pitching a no-hitter does mean there are collectors who will want something from the achievement. There are collectors for whom the no-hit masters are a primary focus.
Some collect ticket stubs from such milestone games. Others chase baseballs signed by pitchers who’ve held the opponent hitless or game-used items.
Creative collectors will ask the player to add the date of the game on a ball or photo. If the player is being paid to sign, that’ll probably cost a little more.
The market for a player who throws a no-hitter can change dramatically in a matter of minutes.
Cincy Card Shows tweeted Wednesday morning that it had a hard time selling Bailey autographed balls at $35 each prior to his first no-hitter last September. In the hours afterward, they sold 22 of them…at $59 each.
Among the most expensive no-hit items being offered recently on eBay was a game-used ball from Roy Halladay’s NLDS no-no against the Reds in 2010. Authenticated that night and later sold by Hunt Auctions, the ball was pitched to Jay Bruce and resulted in a walk; the only blemish in an otherwise perfect performance. No takers have been found at the $3,000+ asking price.
Items from Sandy Koufax and Nolan Ryan no-hitters are among the most popular. Baseballs signed in recent years by the two legendary pitchers, complete with inscriptions, are worth a few hundred dollars if authenticated.
Other items can be had for a few bucks, like an original wire photo from Tom Phoebus’ 1968 gem for the Orioles, which had no bids at $14.99 or a signed 8×10 from Ray Washburn, with the date of his no-hitter for the Cardinals, also back in the ‘60’s, which sold for $6.95.
Here’s a list of a few other pieces of no-hitter memorabilia that’s made its way to auction lately:
- 1962 ticket stub from Bill Monbouquette $190
- 1991 Nolan Ryan 7th no-hitter stub $139
- Program and 2 ticket stubs from Jim Maloney (1965) $140
- Dock Ellis inscribed autographed ball $130
- Hideo Nomo full ticket (1996) $162
- 1974 Nolan Ryan 3rd no-hitter wire photo $239
1963 Sandy Koufax no-hitter program $102
- 1951 Allie Reynolds no-hitter program $61
- 1940 Bob Feller Opening Day no-hitter newspaper sports section $56
- Mark Buehrle inscribed 8×10 photo (2007) $51
- Tommy Greene inscribed 8×10 photo (1991) $4.99
- Ticket stub from Ryan’s first no-hitter (1973) $1,625
- Don Larsen 1956 World Series perfect game worn uniform $756,000
Check out the live list of ‘most watched’ no-hitter memorabilia on eBay right now.
Sorry there were no results or an error