Any little trading card set that includes the chance for Ken Griffey Jr. or Russell Wilson autographs has a pretty good shot at success. In Seattle, the big name sports stars are mixing with entertainers and some special kids in a new Seattle Heroes trading card set produced by Topps that’s raising money for Seattle Children’s Hospital. The boxed sets, which … [Read more...]
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Bobblehead Part of Mariners 2019 Giveaways
Thirty seasons after it became a national sensation, we’re getting a Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card bobblehead...sort of. The Seattle Mariners have partnered with a manufacturer to create an ode to Griffey’s iconic 1989 Upper Deck card and will give 20,000 of them away to fans on May 18. That’s a Saturday night game against the Minnesota Twins. (Update … [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...]
Are King Felix Cards Underrated?
Recently, a national writer asked (and answered) the following question in one of his daily columns: “Can Clayton Kershaw and Felix Hernandez Be the First All-Pitcher MVP Duo Since 1968?” That same day I had a customer who was considering a dual autograph card of Bob Gibson and Denny McLain (the 1968 MVPs), and so I mentioned the article to him and engaged in some good … [Read more...]
Why Upper Deck Turned Griffey Minor League Photo into its Signature Card
Upper Deck sent out a picture from the original photo shoot for the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. card on Monday, one which gives collectors an idea of the work that was done to the teenager's minor league uniform and cap to make him look like he was wearing the colors of the Major League club. In an interview with The Sporting News last week, Griffey talked about Upper … [Read more...]
Leyritz Selling Big Home Run Bats, Jersey, ’96 World Series Ring
Former Yankees' post-season hero Jim Leyritz is selling off what would appear to be his most valuable pieces of memorabilia, including the 1996 World Series Game 4 home run bat and ball that gave rise to the Yankees' modern era dynasty. He's consigned numerous items to Legendary Auctions where they're currently up for bid. One of the best clutch performers in postseason … [Read more...]
Vintage Authentics Owner Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Jerseys
A Minnesota-based sports memorabilia dealer arrested at the National Sports Collectors Convention last summer has pleaded guilty to federal mail fraud charges. Steve Jensen, 40, owner of Vintage Authentics, agreed to the deal with government prosecutors Thursday. A sentencing hearing has been set for May 29 and Jensen has agreed to cooperate with authorities in any ongoing … [Read more...]
Ex-Upper Deck Intern Recalls Griffey Meeting
Ken Griffey Junior's sudden retirement last week was overshadowed by the perfect game that wasn't. Now that things have settled down, shapshots of Griffey's career are making their way into print. Some 21 years after he first came on the scene, many of the memories have faded. Griffey was a fairly private player but when he was synonymous with Upper Deck, a … [Read more...]