Am I Missing Something Here?

[z28jd]

This is slightly newer, but it's PSA and I'm sure applies to older stuff as well. Does this really say on the slab what this pass could have been used for? It's basically just naming things that happened in the AL in 1969, so they literally could have picked anything? From the sound of it, this pass may have never been used, but who knows. If that's correct, that is really strange and a little misleading for people looking for items from a certain game.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-Carlton...item3a8f692446

[Econteachert205]

I believe for these you get to specify what you want them to say. So I could have an al league pass 1969 that says Denny McClain picked his nose.

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by z28jd

This is slightly newer, but it's PSA and I'm sure applies to older stuff as well. Does this really say on the slab what this pass could have been used for? It's basically just naming things that happened in the AL in 1969, so they literally could have picked anything? From the sound of it, this pass may have never been used, but who knows. If that's correct, that is really strange and a little misleading for people looking for items from a certain game.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-Carlton...item3a8f692446

It's a season pass for Angelo Giuliani, who was a well-known player scout for the Twins. I can't speak to its authenticity, but Giuliani attended games throughout the league, evaluating players, possibly doing advance scouting, and so on. So, theoretically he could've used it to see Fisk's and Munson's first base hits, or Denny Mclain picking his nose, or any other AL game in 1969.

But... this isn't an actual ticket to any specific game and I don't see how the value would be affected at all, had Giuliani been at any of those events.

[thecatspajamas]

z, I think your initial reaction is pretty spot-on all around. I've never been a fan of these slabbed all-inclusive passes with the choose-your-own-adventure flips. To me, they cheapen the actual surviving tickets to those games.

[z28jd]

Just making sure I wasn't jumping to conclusions here. That is beyond ridiculous that you could just pick whatever you want and put it on the slab. As was said, it cheapens the actual items for those games. I was looking for anything from Carlton Fisk from 1969 and was surprised to see there were two "tickets" to his first game, only to find out they were both A.L. passes

[71buc]

I suppose the relevance and value of these passes is dependent upon each collector’s taste. However, I do believe the example you provided is ridiculously priced. I added a 1971 NL pass to my collection for $75. As you can tell by my user ID the 1971 Pirates have a special meaning to me. I have considered having my 1971 NL pass slabbed. This would be first for me. I would likely have the slip state “Valid for 1971 Pirates NL Champions 97-65”.

I also have a 1971 Pirates season ticket holder pass for all of the games played at Three Rivers. Its rarity is purely speculative; however, it is the only one I have ever come across. It is in near mint condition as none of the games have been punched. So it can be safely said it was never used to see any game that season. Oddly enough for some collectors that distinction serves to make it more valuable.

I agree with your statement, “From the sound of it, this pass may have never been used, but who knows. If that's correct, that is really strange and a little misleading for people looking for items from a certain game”. However, if you could find an unused ticket to Fisk’s first game it would cost you much more than a stub which was actually at the game. If given the choice would you pay more for an unused Fisk debut full ticket even though it had “never been used”? If so you are collecting it for the rarity not necessarily the history. Even though I already own unused full 1971 Pirates opening day ticket I recently purchased an opening day stub because I couldn’t answer that question myself.

If you look at the picture I posted below you can see that these passes were looked upon as tickets, passes, and licenses by Major League baseball. Although my 1972 Pirates Three Rivers pass was used very often as evidenced by the number of punches surrounding it’s boarders, I have no way of truly knowing if it was there on Sept 30th. PSA has slabbed 4 of these as valid for Clemente’s 3000th hit. Conversely they have slabbed 14 stubs for that date. I understand the merit of the PSA population reports is questionable; however, it’s odd that there have been three times as many stubs slabbed in comparison to the passes. There is an online seller http://www.chicagotix.com/Baseball.shtml who has advertised two stubs to that game and is asking $1,950 each or $3,795 for the pair. Ironically he also has a 1972 Pirates Three Rivers pass that he is asking $6500 for because it is in mint unused condition. I doubt he will ever sell any of these items at those prices but it does reflect his assessment of the value and rarity of an unused pass...go figure

[Scott Garner]

ChicagoTix.com (Dennis Jose) is a putz. Don't get me started...

[z28jd]

Originally Posted by 71buc

I agree with your statement, “From the sound of it, this pass may have never been used, but who knows. If that's correct, that is really strange and a little misleading for people looking for items from a certain game”. However, if you could find an unused ticket to Fisk’s first game it would cost you much more than a stub which was actually at the game. If given the choice would you pay more for an unused Fisk debut full ticket even though it had “never been used”? If so you are collecting it for the rarity not necessarily the history. Even though I already own unused full 1971 Pirates opening day ticket I recently purchased an opening day stub because I couldn’t answer that question myself.

That's a good question and one I never really thought about. I always save my game used tickets for every game I go to, but for games I haven't been to, I'd probably rather have an unused ticket for looks. Just like with the pass, it doesn't necessarily mean an unused ticket wasn't there. It's possible someone didn't show up, so someone went with an extra ticket. I know I have a couple pairs of tickets that a full stubs, but they were at games. Once we upgraded seats, once I was handed two tickets to a game by a stranger as I was walking in and already had tickets.

I forget how many tickets I bought at the time, but I used to have season tickets for the Pirates and for Andrew McCutchen's first game, I have 8-9 extra unused tickets. With the way he is playing, it looks like a great investment(I also did the same for Sean Burnett and Pedro Alvarez so it should only even out). Got the cheapest seats, got a STH discount, so they were like $6-7 each and I kept them in great condition with the idea of selling some down the line, which probably won't happen anytime soon since I figured right after he won the MVP would have been a good time to try to sell.

[btcarfagno]

Originally Posted by z28jd

(I also did the same for Sean Burnett and Pedro Alvarez so it should only even out)

Now that is funny.

I do not live in Pittsburgh but am a huge Pirates fan. My sister lived in Pitt and I helped her move. While there I was so excited to take in a Pirates game, as it was (if I remember correctly) the major league debut of their top prospect of whom great things were expected.

I was so excited I saved the ticket.

The prospect was Midre Cummings.

Oh well.

Tom C