Mr. Mint is Angry!!

[Archive]

Posted By: Vincent

The Mint Man was the reason for one memorable moment for me. I attended many of the Jim Hawkin's organized shows in Plymouth Michigan, during the mid/late 1980's. As usual, I would often arrived several hours early, so as to be one of the first paying patrons to enter the show. Given the amount of time to sit idle prior to gaining entrance, I would often chat with those collectors waiting with me. One year, a gentleman stood with me, holding a brown paper grocery bag. After an hour or so of chitchat with the gentleman, I inquired as to the bag's contents. He moved closed, and whispered that it contained both Lou Gehrig home, and road jerseys. He was bringing them to show, and hopefully sell, to Mr. Mint. He asked if I'd like to hold one of the jerseys. Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity. I was surprised at how heavy the material was. They don't make them that heavy now. Any how, just before the show opened, Mr. Mint elected to take a leak before the show started. He spied the gentleman next to me with the Gehrig jerseys (still safely in the bag), realized who he was and what he was bringing, and quickly wisked the man into the show, to his both. As soon as the doors opened, I entered. And in front of lights and cameras, the sale of the Gerhig jerseys to Mr. Mint was conducted.

While holding such a jersey may not match the opportunity to swing Joe Jackson's Black Betsy (Jodi, you lucky guy !), it was likely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. And Mr. Mint, love him or hate him, was indirectly responsible for that opportunity.