If you were an avid baseball card collector from the late 1960s to the early 1980s, you may have subscribed to The Trader Speaks. The man who published that long-running hobby publication was Dan Dischley, who left his job as a New York City cop to serve the growing subscriber base in 1976. Dischley passed away in late September at age 74. "While … [Read more...]
Goldin Auctions: Bonds Will Sign 762nd Home Run Ball
The winning bidder for Barry Bonds’ last home run ball will now have the option to add something to it: Bonds’ autograph. Bonds has agreed to sign and inscribe the ball that’s being offered as lot #61 in the current Goldin Auctions’ catalog. The high bid as of Monday afternoon was $160,000 with the auction scheduled to run through Saturday. In August 2007, … [Read more...]
Notes: Story Behind Great Great Grandpa’s Card; Signed NBA All-Star Jersey Auction; Kid Gives Milestone HR Back
It's one of only three known to exist, which stands to reason when you realize it's nearly 160 years old. There's also a pretty good story behind the 1860 Brooklyn Atlantics CDV that sold for $180,000 late Thursday night through Heritage Auctions. It was nearly cast aside after a death in the family. You can read the story at … [Read more...]
MLB Pulls Harper Home Run Derby-Winning Ball from Auction
MLB Auctions pulled the rug out from some collectors hoping to win the special red, white and blue baseball that Bryce Harper hit to win last week's All-Star Home Run Derby. As we reported, the ball was listed within minutes after it cleared the fence at Nationals Park last Monday. Bidding had passed $7,000 heading into the auction's final hours Monday but … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: Mick’s 522nd Homer Passes Ted
Like the ball that landed in the hands of young Sal Durante after being crushed by Roger Maris to set a new single-season record, it was a Bronx teenager who landed one of Mickey Mantle's last home run milestones. Playing in what would be his last season, Mantle took Sam McDowell deep in the first inning of a May 6, 1968 game against Cleveland at Yankee … [Read more...]
Let’s Make a Deal: Glyber Torres’ 1st Home Run Ball Secured
Top big league prospects are 2-for-2 in getting their potentially valuable first home run baseballs back from fans. Late last month, number one prospect Ronald Acuna's first big league homer was caught by an Atlanta card shop employee who traveled to Cincinnati to watch him play. Friday night, the game's fifth best youngster, 21-year-old Gleyber Torres of the Yankees hit a … [Read more...]
Memorable Road Trip: Georgia Card Shop Employee Snares Acuna’s 1st Home Run Ball
Luckily for Joe Webster, there isn't a lot of demand for Cincinnati Reds tickets these days, especially not in the outfield. The Atlanta area college student was so excited about Ronald Acuna's promotion to the Braves roster that he drove all night to Ohio and got himself a prime seat to watch the 19-year-old phenom play. He had the day off from his part-time job at … [Read more...]
Ohtani’s 1st Home Run Ball Won’t Be Coming to Auction
Shohei Ohtani's spring training struggles evaporated into the night air near Disneyland Tuesday. His first major league home run, belted in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, was the talk of sports world. Considering the fuss over Ohtani and the intense interest from his home country, the ball would have been worth a significant amount of money on the open market but … [Read more...]
Fan Trades Turner Home Run Ball for Memorabilia to be Named Later
The fan who caught what would have been one of the most valuable pieces of modern era Dodgers memorabilia turned it over to Justin Turner after the Dodgers’ hero beat the Cubs with a three-run blast Sunday night. Keith Hupp is a retired Southern California police officer and a collector who seems to make a habit of being at the right place at the right … [Read more...]
WATCH: Fan Gives Pujols 600th Home Run Ball
It could have been worth a big payday, maybe as much as $100,000, but Angels fan Scott Steffel opted to turn Albert Pujols' 600th home run ball back to the man who hit it. Pujols reached the milestone late Saturday night, becoming the ninth player to reach 600 and the first to do it with a grand slam. Here's some video shot from the bleachers, just steps … [Read more...]