Wish I was going to the National this year

schr1st · July 4, 2009 11:48PM

for while the shopping is probably going to to be pretty good, the drama potential there just got raised (and I didn't think that was possible!):

Story about Mastro / Legendary / SGC's president in today's New York Daily News.

slantycouch · July 4, 2009 11:55PM

That whole situation is just a cluster.

MBMiller25 · July 5, 2009 12:59AM

Its unfortunate that some of the major players in this business cast such a dark cloud over our hobby. After reading the book "The Card", nothing that Bill Mastro and crew does surprises me though.

WarHoundR69 · July 5, 2009 1:41AM

I wonder if Joe Orlando collects comic books?

otwcards · July 5, 2009 1:51AM

<< <i>Its unfortunate that some of the major players in this business cast such a dark cloud over our hobby. After reading the book "The Card", nothing that Bill Mastro and crew does surprises me though. >>

Keep in mind that Michael O'Keefe is the same "writer/reporter" that wrote "The Card" and has seemingly had a woody for all things negative about Bill Mastro. It seems almost that O'Keefe's only purpose in life is to paint a negative picture about Mastro and the sportscard industry/hobby.

I have never read anything that O'Keefe has written that isn't complaining about some one or something. He acts like he's the hobby watchdog but sadly, his facts are often erroneous and/or grossly slanted.

BTW, I'm not dismissing that there are some very dark corners in this business. There are.

schr1st · July 5, 2009 2:25AM

While O'Keefe may have it out for him/them, it doesn't seem like he has to seach long or hard for material.

<< <i>

<< <i>Its unfortunate that some of the major players in this business cast such a dark cloud over our hobby. After reading the book "The Card", nothing that Bill Mastro and crew does surprises me though. >>

Keep in mind that Michael O'Keefe is the same "writer/reporter" that wrote "The Card" and has seemingly had a woody for all things negative about Bill Mastro. It seems almost that O'Keefe's only purpose in life is to paint a negative picture about Mastro and the sportscard industry/hobby.

I have never read anything that O'Keefe has written that isn't complaining about some one or something. He acts like he's the hobby watchdog but sadly, his facts are often erroneous and/or grossly slanted.

BTW, I'm not dismissing that there are some very dark corners in this business. There are. >>

Ironmanfan · July 5, 2009 2:29AM

don't you love the people that like to shoot the messenger?

otwcards · July 5, 2009 12:03PM

I agree that O'Keefe need not look far or dig too deeply to find the stench that now eminates from what was once one of the premier auction houses, but his narrow-minded focus and assault without detailing the other issues seems quite stale.

If O'Keefe were someone BREAKING the news rather than reporting after the patient died, I'd have a bit more respect for his information.

Granted, his NYDN pieces are great for those that have limited knowledge of what's going on and they provide great fodder for those that are uninvolved, but they are little more than closing the door after the cows have left the barn.

If O'Keefe REALLY wanted to make his bones, there are at least four specific people that he could talk to that could provide specifics on shill bidding, alterations to consignments and knowingly misrepresented items that have been significant or featured items in recent catalogs and in-person auctions. If O'Keefe really was a reporter worth his salt, this is the information he should be investigating and providing and not waiting for the court transcripts to be released or following up on something that was forwarded to him from a message board.

What Mastro Auctions has done is criminal. What they continue to do is unethical. What O'Keefe does is grade school journalism at best.

divecchia · July 5, 2009 1:35PM

<< <i>Its unfortunate that some of the major players in this business cast such a dark cloud over our hobby. After reading the book "The Card", nothing that Bill Mastro and crew does surprises me though. >>

I could not agree more...Donato

Wish I was going to the National this year

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