Upper Deck once again gave out thousands of packs of cards to San Diego area police, fire, highway patrol and border patrol agencies this year. The bags of packs were then distributed to local youngsters on Halloween. The program dates back several years with officers and other law enforcement officers joining firefighters at the company’s offices for some snacks, … [Read more...]
Most Watched Kyle Schwarber Cards on eBay
Patience pays off at the plate—and in collecting. How else to explain the revival of interest in Kyle Schwarber baseball cards now that his revival is playing out in prime time? The fourth pick in the 2014 MLB Draft was a fast riser, making his big league debut in June of 2015. A serious knee injury just after the start of the 2016 season seemed to put his career in … [Read more...]
Ernie Banks’ Hall of Fame Ring, Other Memorabilia at Auction
Ernie Banks never earned a World Series ring, but next weekend some of the other awards from his career will be up for grabs after a lengthy legal battle over ownership. Banks’ 1977 Hall of Fame induction ring is among several pieces being sold to the highest bidder by Heritage Auctions. The items are being sold by the estate of “Mr Cub,” who died at … [Read more...]
What’s Hot in the Shop? Everything
Usually I put together my What's Hot pieces between midnight at 2 AM with a full complement of Sportscenter or low-budget horror movies from the 1980s to serve as background music. This effort had the benefit of Game 5 between the Blue Jays and the Rangers (specifically the 53 minute 7th inning if you must know). It made me appreciate the difference between this year and … [Read more...]
Notes: Sports Legends Museum Closing, Doyle at $220K
The Sports Legends Museum in Baltimore closed its doors Monday after the Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation declined to renew its lease with the Maryland Stadium Authority. Located next to the Ruth Birthplace and Museum, Sports Legends has been a primary tenant in Camden Station since 2005, when the State of Maryland, the Ruth Birthplace Foundation, and private contributors … [Read more...]
Ramblings: No Such Thing as a Sure Thing
At one of the two shows I attended as a dealer last week, I traded for a couple of unopened boxes. Both shows were slow for various reasons but I did not get to open the boxes until I got home. For fun and a little trip down memory lane, I decided to open the 1996 Fleer retail box. The card that stood out was a Post-Season Glory insert of Ken Griffey Jr. While the card does … [Read more...]
Ramblings: Reality Tie Makes Our Hobby Stand Out
Back in the day when I would interact with either newspaper reporters or radio hosts while working at Beckett, a question which often arose was: "What makes sports cards different as a hobby than stamps, coins or other hobbies?" While at that time we were still heavily kid focused, I would explain how ours was connected to current events—sort of a “living hobby”. Every new … [Read more...]
Cubs Launch Wrigley Field Collection
The Cubs are using the renovation of Wrigley Field to auction off items as part of its Cubs Authentics division. The team has announced the Wrigley Field Collection, which will feature authenticated items in limited quantities up for auction and sale, including bleacher seats, flags, scoreboard tiles, signage and celebrity guest memorabilia, plus items related to Wrigley … [Read more...]
From Open Flies to Dead Guys, Topps Not Kind to 1966 Cubs
I suppose the 1966 Chicago Cubs were quite unlike their 1906 counterpart. For one, the 1906 team won 116 games and the National League pennant before being upset in the World Series by their cross-town rival White Sox. Another aspect was the manager of the Cubs in 1966, said “We are not an eighth place team”. No, the 1966 Cubs finished dead last in the National League and … [Read more...]
Photo Used for Hack Wilson’s 1933 Goudey Card Up for Bid
They may have been created by artists, but photographs are what launched many of the cards in the 1933 Goudey baseball set. Just a couple of years removed from a season for the ages, Cubs star Hack Wilson took a cut for one photographer and the result became cardboard history. Today’s Photo of the Day in conjunction with RMY Auctions is this Associated Press wire photo of … [Read more...]