In the waning hours of 1972, a cargo plane bound for Nicaragua crashed into the ocean off the coast of Puerto Rico, taking with it a true baseball hero and casting a dark pall over the 1973 season before the New Year could even introduce itself to the world. Roberto Clemente had collected his 3000th hit just months before, on the last day of the regular season, and appeared to … [Read more...]
Hall of Fame Memory Left Indelible Mark
Long before the festivities were televised and about 10-15 years before the number of autograph seekers started to become “a crowd”, young fans could come to Hall of Fame weekend in Cooperstown and gather signatures of men who competed alongside the likes of Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth. Many were elderly, but if they could … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: The 3,000th Hit That Wasn’t
Here’s a trivia question. Which Hall of Famer gave up another Hall of Famer’s 3,000th hit—and then lost the designation seconds later? For the answer you have to go back to 1972. Roberto Clemente, sitting on 2,999 hits in a late-season series with the New York Mets, hits a bouncer to the right side. Ken Boswell chases it down but can’t get a good grip on it and Clemente … [Read more...]
Joe Jackson Bat Sells for $605,077
One of only two authenticated Shoeless Joe Jackson pro model Louisville Slugger bats dating to his days as a big leaguer sold for $605,077 early Thursday. The circa 1919-1920 era Louisville Slugger model was the headline item in Hunt Auctions’ 4th annual February Premier catalog sale. The bat includes the full “Joe Jackson” signature script impression on the barrel. … [Read more...]
Clemente Jersey, Rare Ruth Card Among Hunt Auction Highlights
Hunt Auctions’ newly launched fourth annual February Premier Auction will feature the personal collections of seven former Major League Baseball players. Most notably among the player collections are select items from a trio of former Pittsburgh Pirates players: Bill Mazeroski, Kent Tekulve and Steve Blass. The group is highlighted by a 1969 Roberto Clemente home jersey, a … [Read more...]
15 Baseball Cards of Players Who Met Tragic Endings
With more than 18,000 players in its history, baseball has seen its fair share of tragedies. From Addie Joss and Ray Chapman to Harry Agganis and Darryl Kile, the list is, unfortunately, a pretty long one. Oscar Taveras may be most fresh in our minds but sad endings have been part of the game since the 19th century. Here are 15 cards, offered in chronological order, of … [Read more...]
15 Most Valuable Baseball Cards of the 50s
It is not unusual to hear the 1950s spoken of as the “golden age” for baseball card collecting. Three successful teams in New York, a bubble-gum war between two companies vying for the allowance money of kids, players who would define baseball immortality, and other factors all combine to provide this era with the well-earned title. Of course, to speak of something as … [Read more...]
Investment Targets in Baseball’s ‘Golden Age’
They were some of the most pinned, pasted, flipped, traded and spoked cards ever. As World War II came and went, kids had fallen back in love with baseball cards and the iconic players who made their mark in the 1940s and 50s became the favorite parts of many a youngster's childhood. Today, they're still in demand and those that have survived without the pinning, pasting, … [Read more...]
Young Collector at SoCal Show Indicates Bright Hobby Future
At Saturday's Southern California Sports Collectors Show a number of families were in attendance, but one young man found himself diving into the world of pre-war issues. Unlike most kids his age who are buying the latest Apple products and video games, Asher A., 13 of Southern California, has been collecting baseball cards for six years. Collecting on a budget, he has found a … [Read more...]
Ramblings: Pieces of History or Sacrilege?
By Rich Klein The National Convention is the greatest way to reconnect in person with hobby friends. Sometimes you travel the same path and continually see certain people while walking around while at other times you never see a person during the course of a show. However, if a person has a table/booth then the connection is somewhat easier. One example of someone who I did … [Read more...]