Baseballs

Blockbuster Surprise – Prince Fielder for Ian Kinsler

Posted on December 1st, 2013 by Matt | Posted in Baseballs, Players

In the age of social media, it seems that there are very few surprises left when it comes to the transactions of professional sports teams. Typically, there are days or weeks of speculation and rumors before a big deal comes together – if it ever does. That was not the case when the Detroit Tigers decided to send slugging first baseman Prince Fielder, and his large contract, south to Texas for second baseman Ian Kinsler. In fact, this trade came out of positively nowhere. It was a done deal before the first rumors even broke, and suddenly the landscape of the American League had changed pretty significantly. Who got the best of this swap?

Why the Tigers Moved Fielder

By looking a little deeper, it is pretty easy to understand why the Tigers would be interested in moving a player like Fielder. For one, they had a logjam at the ‘all-bat, no-defense’ positions. In 2013, they were using the combination of Fielder/Cabrera/Martinez to play first base, third base, and DH on a nightly basis. While princeall are excellent hitters, they are equally bad defensive players. Specifically, playing Cabrera at third was a minor-disaster that certainly hurt Detroit pitching throughout the season. With this trade, Martinez can remain as the regular DH and Cabrera can slide over to first base. When prospect Nick Castellanos is ready for the big leagues, third base will be wide open for his arrival.

All of that doesn’t mention the financial implications. Detroit had well over $100 million still committed to Fielder over the next several years. They are already on the hook for a huge Verlander contract, and faced the possibility of seeing Max Scherzer walk or have to trade him. Now, they may have the dollars to resign Scherzer and keep that deadly pitching staff intact.

Why the Rangers Moved Kinsler

Just like in Detroit, Texas was working on a logjam of their own. With Elvis Andrus and Ian Kinsler in the middle infield, prospect Jurickson Profar was without a position. After the trade, Fielder adds to the power of the Rangers by filling first base, and Profar can take over second base full time. The downside for the Rangers, of course, is they have to take on a long and expensive contract kinslerfor a slugger who may be on the downward side of his career (although Detroit ate some of the salary). This trade makes sense on some level for both teams, but the Tigers seem to have gotten the ‘safer’ end of the trade.

For Collectors

For baseball card collectors, this adds a new team to the careers of both Fielder and Kinsler and new merchandise to go along with it. Fielder in a Tigers uniform may become more valuable down the line considering he only spent two seasons in the Motor City. Ian Kinsler was probably never a prime target for collectors to begin with, and this trade likely doesn’t change that fact. Rookie cards still hold the most sway in the collecting world, so Fielder with the Brewers and Kinsler in his early Texas days are probably going to remain the most valuable pieces for these two players.

Items to Protect Baseball Collectibles

Posted on September 28th, 2011 by admin | Posted in Baseball Cards, Baseballs, Bats, Gloves, Jerseys


Best Ways to Protect Baseball Collectibles

One of the great things about being a baseball fan is that there are many fantastic collectibles to choose from.  Once you get a baseball collectible, what do you do with them?  Do you stuff them away in some trunk or shoe box?  Many people who have baseball collectibles do this, and it is not a good thing to do.  Why?  The item will deteriorate over time if it is not maintained properly, and simply storing it away without any regards to protecting it will not only cause you to lose enjoyment of it in its current condition but there will also be money lost as well.  Instead of having to go through the disappointment of finding your collectibles to be in severely bad shape, make sure to get proper protection for them.  Here are five great ways to protect baseball collectibles.

Baseball Holder

A baseball holder is a great option for any baseball you may own, whether it is a foul ball or an autographed one.  There are also holders that have a combination of both a baseball and a baseball card; so for instance, if you have an autographed baseball and card from someone it would be best to get this combination.  If you have multiple baseballs there are many sports collectibles places that have a multiple baseball display case.  To preserve the life of the ball it is always best to get a baseball holder, and they can range anywhere from around a dollar to over one hundred dollars depending on how much you are looking to invest.

 

Pocket Pages

Pocket pages are a great way to protect baseball cards that are of some value.  These pages usually come with 9 pockets, although there are some on the market today that have as many as 20.  One of the great things about pocket pages is that they are relatively cheap – one can purchase a page for around a quarter.

 

Card Sleeves

Card sleeves are especially for those who don’t have very many baseball cards but are looking for a safe way to protect them from the elements.  One can find packs of them for less than a dollar at most stores today, so they are a viable alternative to pocket pages.

Toploaders

Toploaders are for baseball cards that are more valuable than usual.  For instance, they may be a rookie card or a game worn jersey card.  One can find basic toploaders at a sports collectible store for around fifty cents.  Here is some advice: to get added protection for the card, it is always best to put the card in a card sleeve first and then put it in a toploader.  That way you have double protection for the card.  If you have a thick baseball card that may not fit inside of a regular toploader there are thick card toploaders available for around four dollars for a pack of 10.  Lastly, there are much bigger toploaders available for both regular sized pictures and documents if you are a collector of them.  These types of toploaders are a bit more expensive and can be priced around the thirty dollar range.  It is well worth the cost though if the collectible you have is at least somewhat rare.

Snaps and Holders

The ultimate protection one can provide for their baseball cards is an acrylic card holder, which is priced around four dollars just for one of them.  If you are not looking for something that fancy then a screw holder or mini snap should do the trick.  A screw holder can keep a baseball card in place better and a lot longer than a mini snap can do, and costs about fifty cents more than a mini snap does.  In any case you can be assured that your baseball card is well protected and will last for many years into the future.

Babe Ruth Autographed Baseball for Sale

Posted on June 15th, 2011 by admin | Posted in Autographed Baseballs, Baseballs, Featured


Take a look at this great deal on a baseball autographed by Babe Ruth along with 6 other White Sox hall of famers.

This Official American Association ball has the autographs of 6 fellow Hall of Famers all Chicago White Sox and was likely signed in 1947. Ruth’s resplendent blue-ink signature (“5-6”) beams—like only his scripting could—on a ball that reveals evidence of light use. When it comes to the term presents as single signed it is used and most would feel overused. This ball meets and is likely the definition of the term. While with technology lighting JSA is able to identify 14 total autographs including fellow Hall of Famers : Appling, Faber, Lyons, Schalk, Boudeau and Red Ruffing, they have long faded away and left only Ruth on the Sweet Spot as the ball appears (presents as single signed). This Babe Ruth signed baseball is accompanied by a LOA from James Spence Authentication and has no removals, trace overs or clubhouse signatures.

This outstanding piece of baseball history is priced at $5699 on eBay or best offer and is one of the best we’ve seen in this price range.

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1992 Blue Jays World Champs Bat

Posted on May 31st, 2011 by admin | Posted in Autographed Baseballs, Autographed Bats, Baseballs, Bats, Featured

Take a look at this these three incredible items from the 1992 Toronto Blue Jays World Series Champs. Each of these items is hand SIGNED by 25-26 Blue Jays players and coaches and EACH comes with it’s own certificate of authenticity from Toronto based Argus sports. All the signatures are bold and clear. Pat Borders has signed “MVP” after his name on each item. The signatures include the entire regular starting lineup, all the starting pitchers, all of the key relievers and the entire coaching staff. I have owned all of these since 1992.

1. The bat is a World Series Commemorative one and is numbered #443/1992. It is signed in black sharpie by the 26 players and coaches listed below. This does not mean there are 1992 signed bats, just that there were 1992 of this commenorative bat made. There are likely only A FEW that are also signed by the team!

2. The team photo measures 16″ x 20″ and is numbered #6/100. It is signed in black sharpie by 25 of the players and coaches listed below (no Stieb). It is a thicker photo paper rather than poster paper.

3. The Official 1992 World Series Baseball is signed in blue ball point pen by 25 of the players listed below (no Ward).

The 26 signatures on the three items are:

  • Joe Carter
  • Dave Winfield
  • Pat Borders MVP
  • John Olerud
  • Jack Morris
  • Kelly Gruber
  • David Cone
  • David Wells
  • Dave Stieb (not on the photo)
  • Devon White
  • Tom Henke
  • Jimmy Key
  • Candy Maldanado
  • Manny Lee
  • Roberto Alomar
  • Duane Ward (not on the ball)
  • Juan Guzman
  • Derek Bell
  • Mike Timlin
  • Todd Stottlemyre
  • Cito Gaston (manager)
  • Gene Tenace (bench coach)
  • Larry Hisle (hitting coach)
  • Galen Cisco (pitching coach)
  • Rich Hacker (3rd base coach)
  • Bob Bailor (1st base coach)

These items are listed for $7,999 or best offer.

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