There haven’t been many times in baseball history where two major milestone home runs have been hit so close to each other. Albert Pujols hit his 700th career blast on September 23. Aaron Judge hit his 62nd of the season just 11 days later. While Judge’s home run broke a 61-year-old American League record, Pujols is now one of only four players to ever reach the 700 club. Both balls wound up being hit into the stands, where they were caught by fans. Their fate remains unknown, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see both up for auction soon.
One long-time memorabilia dealer told Fox Business News that he thinks the ball Judge hit is worth more than the one hit by Pujols. A lot more.
“What amps up the price of a Judge ball is not only the insanity and the depth of a Yankee (fan) base, but the fact that the publicity that gets around from a great Yankee moment is huge, given the dollar amount,” Brandon Steiner said. “So whoever gets that ball is gonna be on every paper, every news station and radio station asking him, ‘Who is this guy and why did he buy it?’
Steiner offered his take on why he thinks Pujols lost some of his appeal.
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One of the hobby’s oldest card shops–run by the same owner since the beginning–is now under new management.
Joe Ruocco, owner of Rock’s Dugout in Wichita, has turned the keys over to one of his longtime customers, Rob Guelfi.
The 74-year-old Ruocco, a Bronx, NY native who first began dealing back in 1977, is still acting in an unofficial “Wikipedia of anything in the store” role, according to this story in the Wichita Eagle.
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NBA Auctions dipped into the vault and has launched an auction of game-used nets from the 2014, 2018 and 2022 Finals.
Nets from other special events, including games in Mexico City and London and the Rising Stars Challenge are on the block as well.
The auctions are open through October 27.
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MeiGray has partnered with the Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, Seattle Kraken and Washington Capitals for its game-worn program this season.
The company will offer jerseys, pucks and other memorabilia throughout the season for all seven teams. Company officials discussed the program in a podcast.
Related Stories:
Judge’s Record Breaking Home Run Ball Likely to be Sold Soon
Albert Pujols’ 700th Home Run Ball Headed to Auction
Rangers Fan Snares Judge’s 62nd HR Ball; Merchandise, Tickets Hit the Market
Notes: Big Sales for Pujols Topps Now Card; Bounty for Judge’s Last Homer; Beckett Grading Discount; NY Show
Albert Pujols Rookie Cards Spike with 700 Homers on Horizon
Notes: Potential $10 Million Cards; Phillies Auction; Pujols’ Nice Gesture; Josh Allen on Autographs; Mark Zuckerberg Rookie, Topps Pristine Gets NFTs
Notes: PSA Backlog Update; Stolen Cards Returned 25 Years Later; Fanatics Auction
Pujols Market Begins to Sizzle After 500th Homer
