He might be the first rookie pitcher in big league history for whom everything he touches is recorded in an authenticator’s computer and saved for posterity.
Stephen Strasburg’s first start produced a mountain of memorabilia, some of it rushed onto Major League Baseball’s auction platform. Bidding closed Tuesday night with several items sold.
Tops on the list? The baseball Strasburg used to record his second big league strikeout (we assume he got the first one). Bidding began at $300 last week and ended with a winning bid of $20,010. The winning bidder’s ID would lead one to logically assume that long-time collector and MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann was the winning bidder., but we can’t confirm that. The ball includes Strasburg’s signature and “MLB Debut” notation.
Bases, lineup cards and other memorabilia from the game were also sold. A lineup card from Strasburg’s win over the Pirates brought $3010, another game-used ball went for $1031. A base used in innings 4-6, signed by Strasburg, cost the winner $3099. A signed jersey went for $1510.
And yes, the cleat cleaner and resin bag also found willing buyers at $280 and $630 respectively.
Let’s hope it’s a long career, winning bidders.
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