I recently thought about an event I attended 20 years ago and what the hobby looked like at the time. The 1995 MLB All-Star Game came to Arlington, Texas and as a baseball fan living nearby, I wasn’t going to miss it. Our seats were, to be charitable, kind of high up in the stadium. In fact they were so high up that I swear I could have waved to the pilots on their way to DFW … [Read more...] about Ramblings: Hobby Through the Eyes of the 1995 All-Star Game
Nolan Ryan
Mile High Opens Extra Innings Auction
Mile High Card Company opened its Extra Innings Auction on Monday, with over 400 items up for grabs including complete vintage card sets and unopened product, high-grade singles, autographed pieces and other items. A PSA 9 1969 Topps Nolan Ryan (second year) saw several bids placed as the auction opened on Monday. Pre-War cards on the block include Cobb, Ruth, Gehrig and a … [Read more...] about Mile High Opens Extra Innings Auction
Do U.S. Mint Baseball Coins Belong in Your Collection?
I've been a hobbyist for the better part of two decades. Although I’m mainly motivated by my love of sports, I also enjoy history, and have a sensibility for art and eye appeal. Collecting sports memorabilia (mostly baseball and basketball cards) marries all three of these interests, giving me a lifelong hobby and newfound community that shares my penchant for … [Read more...] about Do U.S. Mint Baseball Coins Belong in Your Collection?
Complete All-Star Program, Ticket Run at Auction
A complete run of Major League Baseball All-Star Game programs and ticket stubs from 1933-2013 will be up for grabs starting Monday as Huggins and Scott kicks off its third Masterpiece Auction of 2015. Each collection will be offered separately and includes scorecards and tickets from the inaugural game at Chicago’s Comiskey Park 82 years ago that featured Babe Ruth, Lou … [Read more...] about Complete All-Star Program, Ticket Run at Auction
Vintage Set of the Week: 1976 Topps Baseball
The summer of 1976 was a firecracker celebration of American excess, from the nationwide commemoration of our Bicentennial to Bruce Jenner's crowning as the "World's Greatest Athlete" when he won the decathlon at the Montreal Olympics in record fashion. On the diamond, the star-studded Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees were rocketing through the regular season and … [Read more...] about Vintage Set of the Week: 1976 Topps Baseball
10 of the Best Baseball Cards to Own
by Mike Stack Baseball cards have been printed for over 100 years. Millions have been produced but only a handful have gained iconic status. Which cards would make up a top ten list is subjective and depends on what criteria is used. But you’d have trouble arguing that there are some that should be on every collector’s want list. It’s a top ten list of the best baseball … [Read more...] about 10 of the Best Baseball Cards to Own
Vintage Set of the Week: 1980 Topps Set Marked End of an Era
Who knew, back when a few photos of baseball stars were placed onto cardboard, that the baseball card phenomenon would become an enormously competitive, large industry, one that sparked a series of legal challenges that changed the collecting landscape forever? Topps baseball cards were virtually the only game in town from 1956 through 1980. Although other companies tried … [Read more...] about Vintage Set of the Week: 1980 Topps Set Marked End of an Era
Post-War Rookie Card Investments On a Budget
There's little proof but plenty of circumstantial evidence and a lot of skepticism. Performance enhancing drugs have tentacles that reach back to the rookie card market of the 1980's, destroying values of power hitting record holders and at least one strikeout king. Even with the quantity of cards produced, the game's records are typically popular enough to fuel some … [Read more...] about Post-War Rookie Card Investments On a Budget
1993 Topps Finest Baseball Broke New Ground
More than two decades have now passed since the first of the two 1993 ‘super premium” sets were released. While many brands have come and gone unceremoniously since, 1993 Finest Baseball is now considered a landmark issue that brought manufactured scarcity into current products. Finest was first revealed at the 1993 National Sports Collectors Convention and to hobby dealers … [Read more...] about 1993 Topps Finest Baseball Broke New Ground
eBay Card of The Day: 1972 Topps Traded Jim Fregosi
One of the concepts we miss about multiple series of cards being issued during the course of a season like we had from the 1950’s through the early 70’s is seeing so many individual player cards get updated during the actual season. Yes, Topps does it now with their Update series, but it doesn’t arrive until very late in the calendar year. Things were different in the days … [Read more...] about eBay Card of The Day: 1972 Topps Traded Jim Fregosi