What's your most prized piece of memorabilia?

[springpin]

Mike,

The design on your Cubs pennant would have made a great pin!

Best,

Paul

[MK]

Difficult to pick one, but until I see another one, I pick this pin.

[Scott Garner]

Congrats to all of you. These are really some terrific collectibles.

Not prewar, but this is still the favorite item in my collection. I have shown this before, but this is HOF'er Nolan Ryan's game used mitt from the 1989 season.
There are many reasons that I love this glove. First, it's the only known game used glove that I have ever seen in the hobby that has provenance tracing it directly to Ryan.

Best of all, The Express used this mitt en route to several career milestones in the twilight of his career:

- Ryan's was the winning pitcher in the All-Star game in Anaheim. Nolan became the oldest pitcher to get the win in the Mid-Summer classic.

- Nolan threw two 1-hitters in 1989. Additionally, he had one game with 15 K's and 2 with 13 K's

- On August 22, 1989 Ryan became the 1st and only pitcher to fan 5,000 batters. HOF great Rickey Henderson was Ryan's 5,000th K victim in front of a sellout crowd in Arlington, TX. Ryan still own this record with 5,714 K's in his career.

- On 9/30/89 Nolan became the 1st pitcher to ever have 6 300 K seasons, ending up the year with 301. Only future HOF'er Randy Johnson was able to come close, tying the record of 6 seasons with 300+ K's.

[MVSNYC]

Some great stuff guys!...David, that 1913 Yanks cap is stunning.

Here's mine...Game Used Mickey Mantle Bat circa 1955-1958.

[stewbacca]

I have been working on the Topps 40 years of baseball book since 1990. It now has over 660 autographs in it. Some years I get 50+ autographs in it, and some years have been under 10 a year, just depends on how motivated I am that year.

http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/pl...?sort=3&page=1

[Runscott]

Paul, sounds great, but no-go on the links.

[Lordstan]

Wow.
You guys have posted some great stuff.
This is such a difficult question to answer.
I've narrowed it down to 2.

Hand made frame and sig of Lou. Folk art and a nice Lou signature.




1927 type 1 Photo of Lou with Christy Walsh's son. The pics of Lou with kids always get me. There is something so innocent and pure about them.

[/URL]


As a real close runner up isn't really memorabilia in the truest sense, but you would have to kill me to take away my Kreindler.

[7nohitter]

Originally Posted by stewbacca

I have been working on the Topps 40 years of baseball book since 1990. It now has over 660 autographs in it. Some years I get 50+ autographs in it, and some years have been under 10 a year, just depends on how motivated I am that year.

http://s1332.photobucket.com/user/pl...?sort=3&page=1

Paul-what a great project...can you talk about the toughest one to get? Any interesting interactions? Do other players ever comment on all the autographs?

Andrew

[stewbacca]

In getting the Topps 40 years book signed I have run into some tough ones to get. Jeffrey Leonard blew me off countless times as the manager of the Modesto A's but I finally broke him down when he was managing in the Western Baseball League against Chico. George Hendrick would never sign for me.

George Brett was doing a animal rescue event for Tony Larussa in Oakland one year and all of his tickets were sold out. I couldn't figure out a way to get one. So when he sat down at the signing table I asked him if he could use a soda or water or something. He asked for a Diet Coke. I went to the concession stand, got them to give me a soda for Mr Brett and handed it to him through the drapes of the signing table. I then asked if he could sign my book when he was done. He said pass it up right now and he took care of in right away. That was cool.

Meeting Joe DiMaggio with my wife was fun. Recently got Travis D'Arnoud on the same day that Zack Wheeler blew me off multiple times.

I love getting the older guys because they don't mind signing all of their cards in the book. Many of them see former teammates on the cards and start to tell stories.

[Frozen in Time]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

Some great stuff guys!...David, that 1913 Yanks cap is stunning.

Here's mine...Game Used Mickey Mantle Bat circa 1955-1958.

Great stuff everyone!!!! Geeez, what a spectacular game-used Mantle bat!!!! Those poor baseballs - ouch!!!

Craig

[MVSNYC]

Thanks Craig! yes, it's pounded, and has use on both sides of the barrel, since he was a switch hitter.

[BigJJ]

Incredible pieces.
Great thread.

[BigJJ]

David, please sell me that hat.

(I bug David annually to sell it and its just about the 12 month mark)