Al Leiter attempts to purchase another man's used rubber.
stown
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Well, not really but it got your attention
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Leiter Still Sees Value in a Pitching Rubber
By JACK CURRY
Al Leiter does not appear at many card shows. But as he signed various items last month at a show in Secaucus, N.J., he was put in an unusual position. For the first time in his life, Leiter wanted to keep a fan’s memorabilia.
When a gray-haired man handed Leiter a pitching rubber that contained 56 signatures from players who had thrown a perfect game or a no-hitter, Leiter was smitten. He spotted Johnny Vander Meer’s signature, Sandy Koufax’s signature and Don Larsen’s signature, and he made his sales pitch.
“I told him I was honored to be on this thing,” said Leiter, who tossed a no-hitter with the Florida Marlins in 1996. “Then I asked him if he would ever consider selling it.”
The man was speechless, but his daughter was not.
“She stepped out from behind him and said, ‘Absolutely, I’ll sell it,’ ” Leiter recalled. “You could tell he didn’t want to do it. He had worked for years and years to get those signatures.”
To determine the pitching rubber’s worth, Leiter asked Andrew Levy, the president of Wish You Were Here Productions, who had signed him to appear at the show. Levy made a phone call and gave an estimate of about $2,000. Leiter was prepared to write a check for $2,500. Still, the man was hesitant.
“I told him to talk to his daughter and hang around until after the show so we could talk,” Leiter, an announcer for the YES network, said.
When the show ended, Leiter searched for the man. But he was gone. Apparently, the man’s departure was his answer.
“If he’s out there and still wants to sell it, I’m interested,” Leiter said. “Call Andrew Levy with Wish You Were Here in New York. I’d love to have it.”
So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
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Comments
I've had thoughts of doing something similar: I've wanted to start a ball signed by SF Giants managers. Might not have the same HOF names that guy's item does, but it would still be pretty cool to continue through the years. I just need to get started.
Are we sure that wasn't a bitter completely un-appreciative better-half?
ALWAYS Looking for Chris Sabo cards!
Dude was smart to bail out of there before Al put on the full court press.
<< <i>that sounds like a truly unique item, Al would have been stealing candy from a baby..shame on him...he was paid well through his years >>
Dont blame it on Al.
He asked the promoter who made a call and gave him an estimate of 2,000 and Al upped the ante to 2,500!
Kinda goes to show that the promoters are only in it for the money and dont have a clue of any items worth...
To someone who hasn't put in the time it may be worth $2500 but to the guy that put in the effort , hours standing in lines and autograph fees $2500 may not be even close to what it is worth to him
As a side note, I think the article makes the ball itself even cooler now.
So how many jokes do you think Leiter hears at an autograph signing relating to his rookie card error? I bet 1 in 5 people mention it.
Clear Skies,
Mark
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
<< <i>To someone who hasn't put in the time it may be worth $2500 but to the guy that put in the effort , hours standing in lines and autograph fees $2500 may not be even close to what it is worth to him >>
I'm biased because of my HOF bat so I agree with you 100%.