It helps to have some baseball skills when you're chasing one of the biggest pieces of game-used baseball memorabilia in 2021. It also helps to have a plan. Ryan Hoefling of Ft. Myers, FL had both. The 15-year-old baseball player and Tampa Bay Rays fan has been following Wander Franco's rise from intriguing international talent to number one big league … [Read more...]
Notes: Topps 3D Set; Beckett Grading Price Hike; Lucky Zion Pull; Auction Updates; Ali Torch Donation to IOC Not “The” One
Topps has produced a 3D set, featuring 100 cards from Series 1 and 2. It was posted on the company’s website Thursday afternoon and 12,500 packs of eight cards sold out in less than an hour. Like similar issues of the past, the cards are printed using lenticular technology, giving the illusion of movement. There are image variations for ten of the base … [Read more...]
Notes: Fauci Topps NOW Card Sets Sales Record; Shop Embraces Sports Start-Up; ’52 Mantle; Dallas Show
The start of the MLB season means Topps NOW is back to producing cards for events surrounding the season. Several cards are typically produced for each day’s games. They’re priced at $9.99--but can be had for less in quantity. The release of card #2 featured Dr. Anthony Fauci and generated quite a bit of mainstream media publicity. The card sold 51,512 … [Read more...]
Notes: Dan Dischley Passes; KS Man’s 1923 Ruth World Series HR Ball; Lux Blast Rescued from Trash; Curry, Durant Jersey Auctions
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...]