Favorite player to collect?

MajorDanby

Scouring through my collection yesterday, i realized that i had an exorbitant amount of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz material. I'm a huge Big 3 fan...but i concentrate my collection mainly on Maddux. My most valuable piece of memorabilia of maddux is a game ticket of his first win and his 300th win. Got both tickets in a card show.

Do you concentrate on one player in your collection? Who is it? And what is your most valuable item of that player (and when i say valuable, i dont necessarily mean in terms of price) and how did you acquire it? Pics are always appreciated!!

Brian48

The vast majority of my card collection was stolen years ago when my house was broken into. Back then, my main players were Bobby Hull (which included a nrmt 58-59 rookie), Wayne Gretzky, Steve Carlton, and Roger Clemens. I just got back into the hobby about 6 months ago and resumed building my Clemens collection since that was the easiest. If I had to guess, I think I have about 900+ different Clemens cards thus far. This includes all of this rookies with three 84 Fleers (GAI 9.5, PSA 9, and one ungraded), a few autographed cards, and a lot of odd ball items such as unused tickets from this first and second 20K games and the game in which he got 3000K with Toronto. Still, I wouldn't consider myself a hardcore collector. Only a fraction of my time is spent on this hobby.

jskirwin

Lou Brock and Pete Rose.

I have a couple of cards signed by Brock when my dad took me to the ballpark to see the Cards play. Those were the days before autographs became a business and sports figures didn't seem to mind giving them. The cards are tattered, without COAs, but they are still here whereas the old Busch Stadium and my dad are long gone.

Pete Rose has become something of a new fave to collect. I don't know why. Maybe it's because he was one of the best at the game who really screwed up and hasn't yet accepted responsibility for his actions. He has both a greatness and self-centered arrogance that reminds me of characters from Greek tragedies. He's a complex figure, and I truly hope that he makes peace with himself - and baseball - so that he is allowed to be where he belongs: Cooperstown.

But he has to accept responsibility for his mistakes first - something that I don't believe he's done.

Stone193

MD
I am a big fan of Maddux and Glavine and have an auto ball and GU bat from Glavine. Really not interested in auto stuff of Maddux since you can't read it at all - but will get a ball because he will be in the HOF and I collect HOF autos.

thanx
your friend
Mike

DirtyDog48

No superstars here, just two guys I happen to know personally - native New Yorkers John Flaherty and Frank Seminara.

Both are pictured here on their "pre rookie" cards - John with the Pawtucket Red Sox and Frank with the Wichita Wranglers.

">City Slickers

ZodiacMindwarp

Here is the pic that Howard wanted to show. BTW, John is no relation to me.

DirtyDog48

Thanks Mike...maybe one of these days I'll learn how to do that pic thing right!

Regards,

Howard

ROCKDJRW

I collect Ozzie Guillen cards and memorabilia. My prized item would be the ticket stub from the game where Ozzie & Craig Graibeck (SP) hit back to back home runs off Nolan Ryan. Other cool items include a lifesize growth chart and an unopened maccaroni a& cheese box with Ozzie's card on it. Damn to the one person on ebay who has been beating me on a lot off Ozzie Items on Ebay (or at least making them more expensive). He can take his 56 dollar one of one 2005 Topps ozzie Guillen card and shove it! (that is my way of saying I am still mad I didn't win it a month or so later)

Knuckles

<< <i>Really not interested in auto stuff of Maddux since you can't read it at all >>


This Maddux Ball isn't too shabby if it's real. Usually his autograph is pretty horrible.

I don't collect any particular player anymore. I did collect all Gretzky and Lindros items but sold it all to focus on random vintage cards that apeal to me.

bengineno9

I collect Ozzie Smith as it is obvious. I've been chucking away on both Basic and Master sets and i'm really happy about how my collection is growing. I not only like what he did on the field but what he did off the field. He autographed a ball for me when i was a kid back in 93'. Turned off his van when he was leaving the ballpark and signed for a mob of people. I was in the back of it all and thought i had no chance. But the Wizard came through and made sure everyone left happy. I'll never forget that day and i always realize how lucky i was. I've always liked the quiet laidback guys that have class. I heard him on the Rome show awhile back. He is on a kick on getting people to eat nine servings of fruits and vegetables.

Frank Seminara! Unreal. Never thought i'd see a picture of a card on these boards of a former Wichita Wrangler. I'm a Wichitan and the only Wrangler that i can think of that made it big was Andy Benes in the early 90's. We did have the Alomar bros. when they were the Pilots. I could also add Johnny Damon and Carlos Beltran as well. Royals have an excellent Farm system here in Wichita.

Ben

Wasy

Mantle, Mantle and more Mantle. I think the wife think I love Mantle more than her!

MajorDanby

<< <i>I am a big fan of Maddux and Glavine and have an auto ball and GU bat from Glavine. >>



Whenever i can, i try to get items with all three of them on it (cards, auto, photos, etc).

gradeddream

hank blalock!

roastedcat

I like collecting Pre-50's Babe Ruth cards

Stone193

<< <i>

<< <i>Really not interested in auto stuff of Maddux since you can't read it at all >>


This Maddux Ball isn't too shabby if it's real. Usually his autograph is pretty horrible.

I don't collect any particular player anymore. I did collect all Gretzky and Lindros items but sold it all to focus on random vintage cards that apeal to me. >>


Knuck
I'm guessing, if real, it is an early auto where he actually took the time to sign it - this is more like what you get today:



He could probably get a monkey to sign better!

your friend
Mike

vikesfan40

John Unitas, Fran Tarkenton, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays.

DataDriven05

Roastedcat - Those card in your pic are all pre 1950 Babe Ruth's?? Wow... A lot of Oddball issues?? A mix?? Very nice either way.

achtey

Reggie White, I've collecting Reggie's cards for almost 7 years now and I have a good collection going. Most of these cards were aquired before I started grading so alot of them won't ever be graded but it's nice to have them.


Josh

magellan

Yaz naturally, I have a bunch of items that aren't cards (magazine covers, posters, Dell publishing pics, etc.) but the card I like the most is the '64 Standup which is currently at PSA and in the condition it's in will definitely not be my most valuable card.

Knuckles

<< <i>He could probably get a monkey to sign better! >>

Hah! No doubt. That's worse than all the other balls on eBay that I saw. If he did that to something of mine I would go bleh.. just keep it.

bookofrhymes21

I used to love collecting Peter Warrick...was an incredible explosive athlete at Florida State and his stock dropped a lot when he slipped on the basketball court when he ran his 40...I backed off a lot because his stuff isn't really highly produced, I mainly liked collecting rookies of Wide Recievers ie: Moss, Harrison, Warrick, Ward, Terrell Owens...

Peter Warrick is the Man...I have always loved his style of play, it's not like college when there aren't 11 big hitters on the field, Warrick only had to worry about 1 maybe 2 and actually tried to make the move and break a defenders ankles...College is more exciting to watch, NFL is more educational to watch, because you can notice all the hard work and dedication they put into their practices...

I also play WR at my College...Kinda like a Peter Warrick / Dante Hall Style...I still am not worthy enough to mention my name with even there initials...lol...but thats my style, and I am working at my game hard...but I do bet you I am stronger than they are...and smaller!!!

PS: Have any Warrick/Hall rookies let me know!!!

70chip

Calvin Edwin Ripken Jr, my Idol growing up and still my favorite player.....

daywalker2029

john olerud

Borst

Kirby Puckett was my favorite when growing up, I also collected (and now getting back into the hobby) Nolan Ryan, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Bert Blyleven

ChicagoGlen

I regards to Maddux's signing habbits, I have a black and white 8x10 that was given to me and signed back in his rookie year. The autograph is very clear. I was at the ChicagoRidge Mall in 1987 and Maddux and another Cubs rookie by the name of Raphiel Palmero were signing autographs where the Santa station was normally set up. The 8x10's of Palmerio and Maddux were supplied to us for free and then signed by the players in front of us. (Not sure if this is the normal procedure at shows) The Maddux is very clear but the Palmero is hard to see due to the fact that they signed in black sharpie on a black and white picture. I will scan them both tonight if anyone is interested in seeing them. I would just need help in posting a picture because I am not that savey in regards to hosting etc...

I have one question though, if I ever wanted to get these authenticated, would it help to include a description how I received them. I mean is there away to confirm this really happened since the pictures were presented to us by the Cubs and I remember where the signing took place?

Also,

Is it worth geting a black and white 8x10 autographed picture of these two authenticated? Does it help the value? Both are potential future HOF's.

Thanks,
Glen

Knuckles

<< <i>Is it worth geting a black and white 8x10 autographed picture of these two authenticated? Does it help the value? Both are potential future HOF's. >>


If you don't plan on keeping them sure it's worth it so you can get top dollar. PSA/DNA authenticated items fetch much more cash than un-authenticated items..



<< <i>would it help to include a description how I received them >>



Good question. I don't know. This made me wonder if one should submit any certificate of authenticity from other businesses/companies regarding an item to send into PSA/DNA.

ChicagoGlen

I just might get them authenticated. They are pretty unique. Both are Rookie head shot pictures in Cubs hats and jerseys. They look so young. I wonder if this effects the value at all. Do rookie picures and auto's fetch more when they are signed in their rookie year? I know from reading the SMR experts can tell within reason when the autograph was signed due to the recorded signing habits of the signer.

mreuter

Jerry Rice, Steve Young and Tim Dwight are my main football players, in baseball I take just about anybody.