Ted Williams (help and story)
yanyak5
Posts: 1,383 ✭✭✭
I have a few questions on a Ted Williams Autograph Baseball but first here is a story:
When I was growing up, my dad and I always watched baseball together. He would always tell me of the guys that played back in his day. He mentioned Ted Williams A LOT! He went on and on about how Ted Williams was one of the greatest players if not the best player the game has ever seen. Ted Williams became a common name in our home as he was my dads hero. He soon became my hero even though I never got to see him play. (Dad's have that affect on their sons).
One year for my 12th birthday I received a special gift. As I unwrapped it I was thrilled to find a clean,pure, white baseball in a cube with an autograph of the greatest player in history, Ted Williams. It was awesome. I showed my friends, and the "oohs" and "awes" filled my ears. I was the coolest kid around.
I brought it down to the local card shop and the owner (which my dad and I visited frequently) was very happy for me. He told me "If you want to keep the ball pure and white, then you have to keep it out of the sun light. Otherwise it will turn yellow". I knew immediately what I had to do. I ran home and tried to find the darkest place in my room. Where could I hide this ball so I could keep it in the most pristine condition? There was no room in the closet and under the bed was too messy. Then I saw it. I had a Miami Dolphins trash can with a dark black trash bag inside it. This bag would definitely keep the light off the ball. I didn't want to just place the ball into the trash bag. That would be dumb cause I would throw trash on top of the ball. So I took the bag out of the can, placed the ball into the can and then returned the bag back to the trash can. I could still throw my trash into the can and the ball wouldn't be harmed.
One day my uncle visited from South Carolina and the subject of my williams ball came up. He asked to see it and my dad obliged. My mom snuck into my room to find the ball as I was asleep at this hour. She couldn't find it anywhere. She quietly woke me up trying not to disturb my little brother who was sleeping below me. she asked me where the ball was at. I got out of bed and climbed down the ladder. I walked to my trash can and as I started to pull the bag out, my mom's mouth dropped.
"WHY WOULD YOU PUT IT IN THE TRASH CAN?!" she yelled.
"It's underneath the bag" I said.
My mom tried to prepare herself for the disappointment I was about to incur. I looked into the can and the ball was gone. I was heart broken, devastated, and no longer the cool kid. The one thing that mattered to this 12 year old boy was gone.
Needless to say, several years later my parents bought me another Ted Williams ball for Christmas. You can see pictures of it below. There is still one Ted Williams ball floating around somewhere in a Southern-Delaware Landfill.
Here are my questions. They bought this ball through Hammacher Schlemmer. The ball came with a COA but in time I lost it. Now that I understand how important a COA is, I tried to contact Hammacher to get a replacement. They couldn't help me. I was looking at the ball today and saw on the ball a tamper proof seal. Does anyone know if this is through Upper Deck? And if so, would they have a copy by chance? I tried to call UD but they are not in today (probably for the holiday) Any help is appreciated. Oh and I was never able to keep the ball in white condition. Any Tips?
Thanks
When I was growing up, my dad and I always watched baseball together. He would always tell me of the guys that played back in his day. He mentioned Ted Williams A LOT! He went on and on about how Ted Williams was one of the greatest players if not the best player the game has ever seen. Ted Williams became a common name in our home as he was my dads hero. He soon became my hero even though I never got to see him play. (Dad's have that affect on their sons).
One year for my 12th birthday I received a special gift. As I unwrapped it I was thrilled to find a clean,pure, white baseball in a cube with an autograph of the greatest player in history, Ted Williams. It was awesome. I showed my friends, and the "oohs" and "awes" filled my ears. I was the coolest kid around.
I brought it down to the local card shop and the owner (which my dad and I visited frequently) was very happy for me. He told me "If you want to keep the ball pure and white, then you have to keep it out of the sun light. Otherwise it will turn yellow". I knew immediately what I had to do. I ran home and tried to find the darkest place in my room. Where could I hide this ball so I could keep it in the most pristine condition? There was no room in the closet and under the bed was too messy. Then I saw it. I had a Miami Dolphins trash can with a dark black trash bag inside it. This bag would definitely keep the light off the ball. I didn't want to just place the ball into the trash bag. That would be dumb cause I would throw trash on top of the ball. So I took the bag out of the can, placed the ball into the can and then returned the bag back to the trash can. I could still throw my trash into the can and the ball wouldn't be harmed.
One day my uncle visited from South Carolina and the subject of my williams ball came up. He asked to see it and my dad obliged. My mom snuck into my room to find the ball as I was asleep at this hour. She couldn't find it anywhere. She quietly woke me up trying not to disturb my little brother who was sleeping below me. she asked me where the ball was at. I got out of bed and climbed down the ladder. I walked to my trash can and as I started to pull the bag out, my mom's mouth dropped.
"WHY WOULD YOU PUT IT IN THE TRASH CAN?!" she yelled.
"It's underneath the bag" I said.
My mom tried to prepare herself for the disappointment I was about to incur. I looked into the can and the ball was gone. I was heart broken, devastated, and no longer the cool kid. The one thing that mattered to this 12 year old boy was gone.
Needless to say, several years later my parents bought me another Ted Williams ball for Christmas. You can see pictures of it below. There is still one Ted Williams ball floating around somewhere in a Southern-Delaware Landfill.
Here are my questions. They bought this ball through Hammacher Schlemmer. The ball came with a COA but in time I lost it. Now that I understand how important a COA is, I tried to contact Hammacher to get a replacement. They couldn't help me. I was looking at the ball today and saw on the ball a tamper proof seal. Does anyone know if this is through Upper Deck? And if so, would they have a copy by chance? I tried to call UD but they are not in today (probably for the holiday) Any help is appreciated. Oh and I was never able to keep the ball in white condition. Any Tips?
Thanks
Looking for an 8x10 auto photo of junior celebrating his 100 HR. lmk!
0
Comments
Great story
I actually played with this one - after I got it signed at his camp in 79/80
<< <i>on mobile so i can't see the pics but if it's uda, they will replace a missing cert for $25 >>
Yes, but you have to send in the item so they can replace the hologram with a new number and matching COA. They won't just reissue a new COA with the same old number on it. And even then, it won't show up in the online database with the new number.
<< <i>
<< <i>on mobile so i can't see the pics but if it's uda, they will replace a missing cert for $25 >>
Yes, but you have to send in the item so they can replace the hologram with a new number and matching COA. They won't just reissue a new COA with the same old number on it. And even then, it won't show up in the online database with the new number. >>
Still not a bad option for an item such as a Williams ball. Not worth the hassle for a lower tier item, but for a Williams, it's worth it.
Mike
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>on mobile so i can't see the pics but if it's uda, they will replace a missing cert for $25 >>
Yes, but you have to send in the item so they can replace the hologram with a new number and matching COA. They won't just reissue a new COA with the same old number on it. And even then, it won't show up in the online database with the new number. >>
Still not a bad option for an item such as a Williams ball. Not worth the hassle for a lower tier item, but for a Williams, it's worth it.
Mike >>
Worth it how exactly? The auto looks legit and a UDA holo is affixed to the ball, which should tell you everything you need to know. Will a piece of thin cardboard with a matching number add $25 + shipping to the value of the ball? Absolutely not.
the COA on mine is my own eyes and the memory of watching him sign it
Same as with mine. Got it at Red Sox spring training in either '88 or '89. Went through a roped off area
but he was very gracious and signed. Then he said "I've got to go see my hitters hit" & and was wisked away in a golf cart.
The next year I got Yaz at the same place.
<< <i>Worth it how exactly? The auto looks legit and a UDA holo is affixed to the ball, which should tell you everything you need to know. Will a piece of thin cardboard with a matching number add $25 + shipping to the value of the ball? Absolutely not. >>
Alirght, I'll defer to that. You are probably right, I don't know that much about graphs or the autograph market.