Olberman - I Wonder How Much They Paid Him?

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Posted By: BobC

The insulating wires of our hobby are smoldering.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5189532219&indexURL=1#ebayphotohosting

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Posted By: vetekbob

I was unaware that topps had sunk to such a level in making that kind of card To me that reeks of side show carnival hype. Why 206 collectors NEED that card for their set as the seller states is beyond me lol Sad to see.

basicgreatguy@hotmail.com

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Posted By: barrysloate

I believe that Keith assisted Topps in designing this set, perhaps doing some write-ups if memory serves. So I think this card was more of a gesture of thanks from the company.

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Posted By: BobC

Barry,
I would like to believe what you say is true. That being said, what assistance could be provided on the Monster not already in the public domain, particularly to a multinational corporation? As far as your supposition it's a gesture of gratitude; also a nice thought but not how large corporations work. Since we are supposing, under your scenario suppose Mr. Olberman took offense at this gesture of gratitude? Any of our attorneys care to speculate?
Not trying to create a clamor, I just don’t think it’s particularly good for our hobby.

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Posted By: barry sloate

In 2002, I think, Topps issued a set of current players that were designed in the style of T206. They commissioned Keith to help write the backs. As a gesture of thanks, they made a card of him that I know he appreciated (he is a long time friend of mine). I agree that maybe these are a bit tacky when they appear on ebay, but everything in the world is on ebay. Who are you blaming here- Topps, Keith, or the guy who is selling it?

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Posted By: Brian Lindholme

Maybe what's next is that Topps, trying to once again be the most popular card company, buys Keith's collection and inserts them randomly into boxes of Topps' 2006 set!
They will only be redeemable coupons, but all you'd have to do is buy a few cases and you'd be sure to get an Olbermann-owned card ! Then you could submit to PSA and have them stamp "From the Olbermann collection"...but I digress

Have fun,
Brian

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Posted By: barry sloate

Brian- Now you're on to something- you understand this hobby perfectly!

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Posted By: Bob C

Barry,
Not trying to assess blame. Topps is in the business of making a profit and should not have to apologize for it. My opinion is this: 1) The premise of the set is misplaced and 2) putting a contemporary sportscaster on a card form the set is, well, dumb.
Thanks.

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Posted By: barry sloate

Fair point (tackiness never stopped anyone) but it wasn't just a gratuitous gesture- he did make a major contribution to the set. Come to think of it, how were his cards distributed? Were they actually found in Topps packs? I just don't recall.

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Posted By: Zach

No, I remember getting one a few years ago..still have it... it came as a promo card in beckett.

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Posted By: Wesley

Zach is right. Those were inserted in the now defunct Vintage Beckett magazines three years ago.

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Posted By: Julie Vognar

a wee bit attractive? What's the beef? Fatty's on a Zeenut-- in our Card HOF! Why can't Olberman be on a commemorative Topps?

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Posted By: barrysloate

And Keith never was involved in a scandal like Fatty. Much higher moral ground!

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Posted By: john/z28jd

Next time one of you guys goes to a card show,stop at the shiny card table once and check out what craptacular stuff they put in packs now.I dont know who put it out but theres an autographed set called "fans of the game" and its all celebrities dressed up in their favorite teams outfits with their autographs....and people are paying alot for some of the cards

Olbermann was voted sexiest newscaster by some magazine so he deserves to have a baseball card.Maybe someday they will put together another t206 set and include cards of everyone who put together a complete set

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Posted By: Dan Koteles

lets hope that Julie is the only one interested in the sexiest sportscaster !

I suppose some of you's would want a t206 of Seymour Butts !!!

Do you want a Ron Leflore rc too, he may have been the sexiest ballplayer in prison.

Victory, Red Hindu,Jax CJ'S,Cobbs, Firesides, my last 2 Tip tops.....can you hear me calling.........helloooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Just thought that I'd give my opinion of a worthless Olberman card.....so let's hear it !!

Happy Sunday
-Dan

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Posted By: BobC

Given elitist frames of mind of many on this board when it comes to our hobby, I find the acceptance puzzling.
Not trying to take any high ground, it is just blatantly commercial in my mind.
As far as “have some fun with it”, I can’t quite get there.
Although not PT Barnum, the following quote does come to mind when I think of those who spend their money on this stuff.

“Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.”
George Carlin
US comedian and actor (1937 - )

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Posted By: barrysloate

I agree it should have no monetary value in the marketplace; but I can also say when I spoke with Keith about it, he was proud to have his picture on a baseball card. Being that cards is his passion, what's the big deal. Personally, I think Topps should have just given the batch out to him to share with his family and friends, and agree that offering them publicly is a bit of crass commercialism. Is anyone actually shelling out for them?

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Posted By: PASJD

Sheesh what's the big deal? I think it was a nice gesture if, as Barry says, he made a significant contribution to a set.

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Posted By: Greg Ecklund

I contemplated selling my entire collection because of how much this T206 Olbermann upset me, but now that I am past the initial shock, I have decided to continue collecting.

Seriously folks, Upper Deck issued a Michael Jordan card in 1991 even though all he did was take batting pratice at Comiskey Park. Score did the same thing in one of their update sets when Eric Lindros took batting practice with the Blue Jays...somehow the vintage card hobby kept on after those issues, so I think it can survive an Olbermann T206.

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Posted By: davidcycleback

Whether or not I'm going to bid on the card, I don't understand what's the big deal. As my mom would say, "If it bothers you so much, quit thinking about it." In the 1960s, Topps had a card picturing the Topps staff-- balding guys and frumpy gals standing around a desk. In 1996 Pinnacle had one had one of those flashy insert sets that included a Dan Patrick card. I beleive the set's name was based on one of his catch phrases, and the card was popular on the market. Considering Patrick and Olbermann were were ESPN partners, I'm sure Olberman was well aware of Patrick's card-- perhaps as Patrick would regularly remind that he had a card and Olberman did not.

Though I can understand the bitter tears from the young lad or lass who spends $10 on a NBA wax pack and pulls a Dick Vitale.

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Posted By: DJ

I'll be honest with you, I'm easily offended but this is a 'fitting' gesture.

I'm a Vintage Baseball Card purist. I see no harm in this. I like Keith, I've talked to him about collecting and he's like all of us but with more money and he's on TV. You can't fault 'Millionaires' and 'Celebrities' for buying Wagner's that went through the wash for unseen amounts of moolah and buying it not as an investment but buying because 'THEY LOVE' collecting baseball cards.

One thing that DRIVES me crazy is typing in T206 on eBay and seeing seller's using the Pre-1930 category to sell their Ichiro Suzuki with Drum back cards. Now that's a pet peeve!

DJ

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Posted By: Dan Koteles

I'd rather have a Vitale then an Olberman, I love color and um, personality.

Does this mean that every multi millionaire that loves and hoards pre war should have a t206 card???

gimme a break , celebrate one who has sacrificed for our country. Society as a whole has been disrupted from whom we put on a pedestal,when is the last time that you sat with your entire family at the dinner table ?

I hope 50 cent or Snoop this and Ice that doesnt start into pre war , I may have to entertain the thought that they may have a card.

I think that Olberman hit 2 singles in a tee ball game and used to live a mile from Moonlight Graham and he did fall off a bleacher was rescued by Tom Selleck and turned into a sportscaster.

Now if he was elected to a sportcasters Hall of Fame ....then maybe he would be getting a just due....t206,uh uh.

just having fun.

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Posted By: DJ

The thing I like about Keith is that he was a baseball card guy before he became an ESPN anchor and his MNBC show is actually pretty good. I remember reading his articles in a many number of sports card trade magazines before hitting it big in the very early eighties.

He just so happens to have the 'cheddar' (as 50 Cent would say) and now he can improve his collection. It's not like he became wealthy and decided to remove monies from his Stock portfolio and has instead thrown all his money on names that mean nothing to him and cards he knows nothing about but knows the time is hot--hotter than say the JDS Uniphase or Corning stock in his portfolio.

Does anyone remember when Pro Set came out with a Hockey set in like 1990 and they had the 'Team Captain' sub set that included Mr. Rogers, Jim Belushi and Burton Cummings of the 'Guess Who'? That's a bad freaking idea. When I think of Washington Capitals, I should think of Larry King?

DJ

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Posted By: Jeff Lichtman

Keith does wonderful things for our hobby and for the recognition of a baseball era long past now. Who cares that he's on a baseball card? I think it's cool and I'm happy for him if it makes him happy. To the naysayers I'd simply say, "Lighten up, Francis."

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Posted By: Lentel

Heard he was invovled somehow in his college years with the Topps 1975 set. I dont know if it was stats or the trivia on the back ,but somehow he helped them with that issue. Has anyone else heard that to be true??

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Posted By: qualitycards.com

LENTEL - I thought he did the bios for the '75/'76 SSPC sets.

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Posted By: davidcycleback

When Olberman was a teenager, he wrote/edited the 1975-6 SSPC baseball card set and he is credited by name on one of the cards.

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Posted By: Andrew Parks

I hear that Topps also put Tim McCarver on a bunch of cards in the 60's and 70's...But no one is raising a stink about that...

Seriously, though, I don't see the big deal. Our hobby is supposed to be fun. I kinda think the Olberman card is just that - fun - ala Bo with a bat and shoulder pads, ala "The Chicken" in Donruss, a la "Pete and Re-Pete" from Fleer and a bunch of other "fun" cards. I think some of us take our hobby a wee too seriously...Lighten up, guys and gals!

(Now - where can I get one in a 9 holder?)

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Posted By: BobC

Alrightey then. The seller does say:
"TOPPS 206 RARE KEITH OLBERMANN PROMO T206. T206 COLLECTORS NEED THIS CARD. THIS IS THE PROMO TOPPS PUT OUT TO INTRODUCE THE NEW 206 SET. IT IS OF KEITH OLBERMANN FAMED CARD COLLECTOR. THESE PROMOS DON'T COME UP OFTEN IN AUCTION. GET IT NOW!"
Maybe it need not be in everyone's collection but to be sure it necessitates appreciation for what it is.

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Posted By: Dan Koteles

put him in a honorary sportcasters set with a bio. Otherwise, you may as well start glamorizing reprints.....ugh !!!

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Posted By: Rhett Yeakley

I find it pretty funny when people raise a stink about how this "card" is somehow bad--because it commercializes our hobby. NEWS FLASH-The only reason this hobby exists is because of commercialization. Do you think Old Judge, Peidmont, Sweet Caporal, etc. included cards "for the love of the game"? Heck no, they did it to sell their product. If Topps thinks this Olberman card will help sell their product then by all means go for it. I personally don't have a problem with sets like Topps-206, 205, Cracker Jacks sets. I think it actually is a great way for new collectors to be exposed to how cool vintage cards really are. I like them a heck of a lot better than some holo-chrome-refractor-emerald-gold-leather-ice insert set. I personally don't collect the sets, but personally can see why some do--many are pre-war collectors like you or I--because they combine todays players (I am still a fan of current baseball) and the vintage cards that we all obsess about.
-Rhett

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Posted By: CHRIS

TAKE A LOOK AT THE PHOTO! EVEN MY DAUGHTER KNOWS HOW TO HOLD THE BAT (SHE'S SIX), UNLESS HE'S LOOKIN FOR A BUNT SINGLE.

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Posted By: Matthew Jackson

Just wondering who would not love to be on their own card? If Topps came up to you & said we're going to put out a card of you, who is going to refuse? Now as for the people buying the card, that is another story. If anyone is interested in that type of card, I have several 1983 LL rookie cards of myself for sale

To Jeff L. -- freakin' hilarious.

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Posted By: Dan Koteles

what is more freakin hilarious is that is the defenders of this topic thinking that it would bother me one way or another if this guy has a card. Simply put in another post of this was that I was just having fun.

I guess I'd rather honor the idle garble in this thread and participate then to just let it ride throughout.

What is funnier is that of those who are taking in by it , when it means absolutely nothing but to Keith Olberman.

And to think that I read the full book on how to win friends and influence people !

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Posted By: Matthew Jackson

Thats my point. If anyone really likes that kind of thing, then I can sell a few of myself. They mean nothing to anyone but me & I cannot imagine anyone buying one. BTW, hilarious above refers to the STRIPES quote. I assumed everyone knew that. Hope no one took that the wrong way.

MJ

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Posted By: Dan Koteles

Im just still having fun. Sometimes it takes a thread such as this one to get some things going. It's been better then the usual of late.


Besides , I just got back from Elton John third row front and had to relax a little to this, I had to drive to and fro in a blizzard.

WHat really wasn't freakin hilarious was a big fat nasty dame blowing ass in the 2nd row , right in front or us. I had to yell loudly after the 3rd time ...which ever one of you's is passing gas , knock that **** off !....about 5 or 6 people says "wasn't me" !!!

Obviously it was the one in front of my wife and I that wouldn't turn around when I did say something and she was squenching her butt. Deviled eggs with gravy ,could have killed her ! now laugh......

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Posted By: DJ

Dan,

Are you serious?

I believe you are the only one having fun with your thread and your story and why you chose to share that story is beyond me/us.


DJ

P.S Leon, get to this in time and spare the rest of this Board.

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Posted By: leon

Quite honestly I laughed my arse off after reading Dan's last post. I know it's not vintage cards (maybe eggs though)....but let's lighten up every once in a while. To be fair Dan is a major participant so he, like the rest of us, get's a lot of slack. One time poster/rebel rousers get almost no slack. It's our community and we get can do pretty much as we want, as long as there's no personal name calling etc......regards

edited for grammar....and to get rid of that narsty egg smell...

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Posted By: Dan Koteles

Iam sorry DJ ,I really didnt believe that everyone would find it amusing. Do you think that we were amused ???

I know it was a bit much .WOuld you like me to send you a newly released Johnnie Cochran t205 ? He did an awful lot for OJ!!!! cheers

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Posted By: DJ

Leon,

I come to this Board for the eduaction and love of vintage baseball cards and I think a large majority of the board is serious by nature and all you do is encourage him. Can't wait for him to have a bowel movement he can tell us about! That will be really funny!

I don't come here to be 'grossed out'. Isn't there a public flatulence bulletin board that can appreicate his humor? Didn't flatulence stop being funny like when I was thirteen?

It's your board Leon. It's open mike night for Dan all the time now!

DJ

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Posted By: leon

Actually it's always been "our" board and I like to keep it a little light. If that wasn't fitting with your sense of humor I'm sorry. It's not open mike night butt that was just funny to me. If I look back at Dan's last numerous posts most have been informative, keeping on topic, and have added to the forum. I won't let this get to be "comic wannabe central". A little levity doesn't hurt....at least to me....take care

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Posted By: RIchard Lloyd

I would like to think Baseball cards are for the TALENTED people who deserve to have a card.. as a former minor league pro bb player for the dodgers in 80-82.. You feel special that you made it to this level..
Best
Dick
PS: lou lepset wrote several books... does he have a card??

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Posted By: DJ

Leon,

No problem. I tend to be more serious Leon but I do appreciate some of the amusing comments on the Board.

You have basically three types of people on the board. The serious ones, the ones that are amusing and those that aren't amusing but think they are. The last one can be rather irritating as they try and spin some lame joke out of every thread. "Look at me, I'm funny!"...umm, no you're not.

Of course you aren't going to please everyone and at times, this seems like a giant 'dysfunctional family' with many unknown family members who come in, start something and leave.

I think you are doing an excellent job on the Board and I frequent the Board several times each day. I owe much of my education to my visits and it has improved my fine collection as I have discovered many collecting paths that I wouldn't have if I didn't visit this Board.

Thanks

DJ

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Posted By: leon

I have had comments like "it's more boring than it used to be" and "where do us memorabilia guys go" etc...So I try to make it not too sterile of an environment..I do promise that I will keep it fairly well focused. I try to not take things too seriously (hey, I'm 43 and still laugh at things like what Dan said) but also want there to be a bit of entertainment value. As for our precious cards you may ask anyone on the board how addicted and serious I am about them. I only need about half a dozen to finish my ACC type set. I don't think that feat has ever been accomplished but I am within striking distance. If that damn N338-1 wouldn't already be at 15k plus the juice, in the REA, I would have been 1 card closer....take care and thanks for understanding. I think overall most of the threads stay good......regards

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

First, I thought Keith is right-handed. And, if he is then this
card depicts him at bat, batting cross-handed ? A No, No !

Anyhow, Richard LLoyd has a good point: "why is there no card
of Lew Lipset"....or Burdick, or Lionel Carter, or Frank Nagy
(or any other of the true pioneers of this hobby) in a com-
mercial set ? This Olberman card is an insult.

Don't mind me, I am no fan of Olberman, as is obvious. It goes
back 22 years ago regarding an article I co-authored in Lemke's
BaseBall Card Magazine (Spring '83). This article presented a
theory regarding the (then) mystery cards of the 1949 Bowman
set. Jim Beckett thanked us; and we received over 200 letters
nationwide complimenting Ralph Triplette and I on some great
investigative reporting on this subject.

And then there was one negative reply, Olberman wrote that we
were full of you know what ! He proceeded to criticize our major
premise; and, at that point it was obvious to me that he did not
read the entire 7 page article. I answered his skeptical letter
and he did then respond with a "qualified" apology. But, this
and his initial "rush to judgement" really told me all I needed
to know about this "hyper" dude.

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Posted By: DJ

Cool Leon.

$15K for the C.F Levy? I feel you. I simply HAD to have a N175 Large Gypsy Queen King Kelly back in 2003 and paid through the nose for one in VG+...maybe EX- condition. It sits unlovingly and neglected in a safety deposit box at the bank with it's sole image in my brain. I can see a Ben situation. I had to do some shifting (I had to say good bye to a dozen Buchner Gold Coins and a Charlie Parker album) from my collection. I drive a $3500 car that is nine years old.

I appreciate the job you do and I understand how difficult it is in pleasing all that lurk and participate. My colleagues were part of this board and left because they were 'graph guys' and were confused by the change. One still lurks but doesn't have the education to participate. Hey, too each his own, right?

DJ

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Posted By: Jeff Lichtman

Matt, thanks for catching the Stripes reference; as to the rest of those on the board who missed it, shame on you. Regarding Dan's story about the out of control farter, as bathroom humor goes I'd rate the story about a 5 1/2; that being said, I did nearly laugh out loud.

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Posted By: will watson

first off, i can't believe people are getting mad that Topps produced a one off card for Olbermann. it was never released in packs, and it isn't part of the set. please, find something else to get angry about. god knows there are enough problems in this hobby, and Keith Olbermann on a baseball card isn't one of them.

Olbermann's involvement in the hobby might surprise some of you. he is far more than a rich collector.

1972- served as "The Answer Man" in The Trader Speaks

1973- articles written in SCD (wrote sporadically until 1985)
edited one of the first hobby mags, Collector's Quarterly

1975- wrote biographies for the TCMA set- a few notes:
1. his "fee" was 100 complete TCMA sets.
2. Mike Arontstein, the "MA" part of TCMA, went on to invent plastic 9 pocket sheets and popularized autograph sessions
3. on card 630 in the set (Jimmy Reese), it says "backs edited by Keith Olbermann

1981- a few of his photographs ended up on Donruss cards. he was also pictured on '81 Topps card 219

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Posted By: Julie

on T.V. I think Costas is smarter than most.

Loved the way Bill King used to get so excited in a baseball or basketball game, he'd lose his voice. "Holy Toledo!" (Anybody but me know where that expression came from?)

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Posted By: tbob

KO may have a lot of money, as was stated above, but there are a couple of posters and lurkers here who seem to have more dispoable income for cards than he does.
Personally I understand why he felt honored by his inclusion on the 206 card but personally, I think the card looks like s#$%.