If you find yourself in an odd competition to acquire a few 1986 Topps Traded Barry Bonds cards, you might be doing 
battle with Greg Mermelli. The 53-year-old resident of Miami Beach, FL owns 5,000 of them.
Mirmelli has submitted 7,000 Bonds rookies to Beckett Grading Services (1,000 are there right now). He owns 302 of the 1,957 graded 9.5 and over one-quarter of the entire population of those graded 9.
It amounts to a six-figure expense but Mirmelli isn’t done. He buys ’86 Topps Traded cases just for the Bonds cards.
“In the last five years I started buying all the cases that I could find,” he told Forbes’ David Seideman. “Every dealer knows me. I stopped once I couldn’t buy anymore.” You’ll have to read the story to find out why he does it—and what else he owns.
Players and coaches from both the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs wore hats honoring a variety of southern California fire and law enforcement agencies during Monday night’s game at the L.A. Coliseum. Those hats—and numerous game-worn jerseys will then be auctioned off with proceeds going to fire relief efforts.
Hats carrying the logos of the California Highway Patrol, LA Police and Fire Departments and the Ventura County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department were created by New Era. Team logos are on the side.
All proceeds from the sales at NFL Auctions will go to the Conejo Valley Victims Fund and American Red Cross Southern California Wildfire Relief.
The sale of two pieces of horse racing memorabilia donated by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert generated over $67,000 in support of the Ann Hanley Parkinson’s Research Fund on Sunday at Keeneland.
A halter worn by 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify sold for $31,050, including buyer premium. Horseshoes worn by Justify and 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, framed with two Sports Illustrated magazines featuring both horses and signed by Baffert and Triple Crown-winning jockeys Mike Smith and Victor Espinoza, brought $36,800, including buyer premium. Baffert donated both items.
MeiGray has several auctions underway including the latest collection of goal pucks from NHL games.
Among those up for bid: the puck Alexander Ovechkin shot for his 611th career goal last month; another from Patrick Kane and several used in last season’s Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bidding runs through November 29 at MeiGrayAuctions.com.
Related Stories:
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Neymar Jr. Auction to Help Bring Clean Water to Those in Need
Goldin Auctions: Bonds Will Sign 762nd Home Run Ball
Notes: Fanatics’ Churchill Deal; Old Baseball Stuff Found; Graphers Miffed
Notes: Disabled Jockeys to Benefit from Poster Auction; Long Beach Expo Approaches
MLB “UMPS CARE” Auction Raises Money for Kids
NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats Auctions Will Aid Players’ Favorite Charities
Jackie Robinson Cap, Rose’s Record Bat Headline Lelands Auction
Jaguars Gold Game-Worn Jerseys Go to Auction
Is Barry Bonds Destined to be Hobby Pariah?
