1974-ish A's baseball
coyote2
Posts: 3
I have a baseball I got signed when I was a kid at Oakland A's games at some point during their world championship years.
From the signatures, I know they weren't all the same year, because while some didn't play with the team after 1972-74, one joined the team in 1975. What do I call it when selling it?
Will it hurt that it's a National League baseball?
Can I hope the value to rise in a few decades as players pass on and their available signatures become finite?
In that case should I wait until then to have it authenticated? (I'm not sure about a few signatures; should I wait to let them identify them, or may I post pictures here?)
Thank you, sorry to be clueless noob!
From the signatures, I know they weren't all the same year, because while some didn't play with the team after 1972-74, one joined the team in 1975. What do I call it when selling it?
Will it hurt that it's a National League baseball?
Can I hope the value to rise in a few decades as players pass on and their available signatures become finite?
In that case should I wait until then to have it authenticated? (I'm not sure about a few signatures; should I wait to let them identify them, or may I post pictures here?)
Thank you, sorry to be clueless noob!
0
Comments
From a collecting standpoint, the A's just don't have much of a following.
You can find 1972-74 A's complete year team balls for $300 or less, however many of those have clubhouse signatures of many of the big stars. I got to know a couple of the bat boys in later years and they freely admit to signing the balls (the players paid them to do it).
Your ball has a number of problems. Yes, it affects the value if the signatures are spread out over the years, and yes, it affects the value being an NL ball. Also, condition is an issue. If the ball is clean white, that's good, if it's dirty or yellowed, that's bad.
The value will not rise as the years pass, in my opinion. There is a good chance there won't even be a team in Oakland in 10 years and with the younger generations less and less interested in both baseball and history, I just don't see the value going up.
I think I saw the players sign all, or almost all, of the signatures. I recall Reggie signing my ball, then my friend got in his way and Reggie stepped on his foot.
It was clean white when I started, but by the time it had been signed it is off white on 3 sides, and on the side Reggie signed it's slightly dirty.
I would guess the value is moot since you got it as a kid and will not part with it?
I wouldn't mind seeing the ball.
<< <i>I would guess the value is moot since you got it as a kid and will not part with it? >>
Now that you mention that... While it's just been in a drawer (vacuum-sealed) for decades, and I do feel
inclined to sell it at the top of it's value...even after hearing from MooseDog good reasons it might not
appreciate, I find myself reluctant to part with it sooner rather than later.
<< <i>I wouldn't mind seeing the ball. >>
My pleasure! Before each side I'll list names.
Bert ("Campy") Campaneris (64-76)
Claudell Washington (74-76)
Paul Lindblad (73-76)
Dal Maxvill (72-75)
Ted Kubiak (72-75)
Dave Hamilton (72-75)
Billy North (73-78)
Ken Holtzman (72-75)
John ("Blue Moon") Odom (64-75)
Vida Blue (69-77)
Dick Green (63-74)
Reggie Jackson (67-75)
Glenn Abbott (73-76)
Mike Norris (75-90)
? Don Hopkins (75-76)
Two photos span the last side:
Rollie Fingers (68-76)
?
? Darold Knowles (71-74)
Gene Tenace (69-76)
Pat Bourque (73-74)
Gaylen Pitts (74-75)
Sal Bando (66-76)