What player, team, or sport do you collect and why?

[Scott Garner]

Great topic Andy! Thanks for suggesting this post.

I am a collector of things related to dominant pitching performances (no-hitter games, no-hitter games lost in the 9th inning, high strikeout games-18 K's or higher, high strikeout seasons, and pitching marathons).

One of the major things that I collect in this theme is baseball tickets to these games. I have tickets to 178 different no-hit games dating back to 1901 (Christy Mathewson's 1st no-hitter). I collect the signatures of all no-hit pitchers dating back to 1893.

I'm an advanced collector of all things Nolan Ryan, especially game used items, and tickets to all games that he pitched in.

In addition to Ryan, I have nice collections of Walter Johnson and Johnny Vander Meer items. The central focus of my Vander Meer collection surrounds the year 1938, the year that he threw a ML record two consecutive back-to- back no-hitters.

My interest all things related to power pitching dates back to 1968, which was the year I really started following baseball as a kid. Growing up in So Cal, I followed Don Drysdale's amazing 58 2/3 scoreless innings streak in 1968 on TV and listening to my transister radio under my pillow (when I was supposed to be sleeping)! Later that summer, I spent over a month in Michigan on a family vacation and watched Denny McLain's run towards 31 wins in 1968 with the Tigers. Bob Gibson had his amazing 1.12 ERA in '68 and he faced off against the Tigers in the World Series and struck out 17!
Amazing!! What a breakout year for pitching!! I was hooked.

Nolan Ryan was traded to my hometown Angels in 1972 for my all-time favorite Angel at the time Jim Fregosi. Watching Ryan in the 1970's with the Angels was awesome! The Angels were mostly horrible, but Ryan was tremendous to watch. Because of my interest in Ryan (the All-Time No-Hit King) I became interested in the no-hitter.

I hope to write 3 books in my future. I'm currently discussing the possibilty of a collaboration on the first one. More details on this project to follow later....

[Scott Garner]

I collect Toronto Blue Jays Memorabilia. In terms of tradition, antiquity, and overall aesthetic appeal, Blue Jays stuff just can't be beat. JK, of course... I don't think I have ever seen a Blue Jays post here, so just wanted to break the drought

Mark (Perezfan),
You almost had me for a minute there. This gave me a pretty good laugh, but ain't it the truth!!

[kdixon]

I mainly collect Zach Wheat items as he was born in my hometown. I like prewar baseball items and signed checks of Hall of famers.

[perezfan]

I collect autographs from famous baseball teams and tickets from their World Series. Currently working on the 1919 White sox, 1927 Yankees, 1934 Cardinals, 1960 Pirates, and 1961 Yankees and 1969 Cubs (because of their great collapse).

Mike (mr2686)...
I noticed the interesting reason that you collect 1969 Cubs Memorabilia. Couldn't help but ask if you'll now start collecting 2011 Red Sox stuff?

[David Atkatz]

I collect vintage Yankee material (artifacts and autographs--no cards), primarily dating from 1903-1927, or later material if it deals with players who played during that time span. I have a few Yankee items from my childhood years--late fifties thru sixties. I'm trying to complete 1903 and 1927 (done!) team autograph sets.

As far as the modern-era Steinbrenner Yankees, f#&k 'em. For the Yankees Organization being the incredibly greedy bastards they are, and for tearing down the Stadium, they can go to hell.

[mr2686]

I noticed the interesting reason that you collect 1969 Cubs Memorabilia. Couldn't help but ask if you'll now start collecting 2011 Red Sox stuff?

That would be one big NO! Although not a big Cubs fan, I did like those late 60's early 70's teams with Santo, Kessinger, Beckert, Banks, Williams etc. Just seemed like a good solid team and 1969 was one of the first years as a kid I really followed baseball as a whole and found it fascinating that a team could fall apart like that. As for the Red Sox, I think I liked them better when they were cursed. Seem like a bunch of whiners now.

[Exhibitman]

Wow, that's a hard one to answer since it requires me to f-o-c-u-s, but here goes:

Exhibit and other arcade cards: Lots of answers here. Interesting subject matter, archaic technology, attractive formats, relatively low prices, a range of easy and extremely challenging issues.



Ray Miller [boxer]: cousin. Nuf ced.

Joe Louis [Boxer]: Ten years before Jackie Robinson, there was The Brown Bomber. Lots of things to collect, wide range of items from common to very, very rare.



Boxing cards: Nearly all of them, from all over the world. The sport is my favorite, the cards are amazing.

T206: Got my 1st at age 12; can't imagine not having some.

1954 Topps: My favorite modern set. I've assembled and disassembled it multiple times over the years.

Zeenut HOFers/popular players: Minor league pre-rookies; how cool is that?

Lefty O'Doul: Great player, fascinating career. Getting one of each of his cards also gives you a very broad type card collection from the late 1920s to early 1930s.



Jim Jeffries [boxer]: Burbank's leading citizen from the early days of the 20th century. Had a farm right near my office where he held boxing and wrestling matches, amateurs. A true sportsman.



Los Angeles-related boxing photos and memorabilia: Everyone knows NYC's boxing history but LA had a heck of a thriving fight scene too. From Jeffries Barn in Burbank to Doyle's Arena in Vernon to the Olympic Auditorium downtown and in lots of smaller venues. Dovetails nicely with my interest in Hollywood history and movies too, as lots of movie executives and actors were into boxing.



1930s photo of the boxing and Hollywood glitterati at a fight in Los Angeles. Standing L to R: Dan Toby, Bud Taylor (HOF), Jackie Fields (HOF), George Raft (actor), Ceferino Garcia, Ace Hudkins, Pat O'Brien (actor), James J. Braddock (HOF), unk, unk, Jack Root (HOF), Al McCoy, Tommy Ryan, Unk. Kneeling L to R: Fidel La Barba, Jimmy McLarnin (HOF), Joe Rivers, Willie Ritchie, Gorilla Jones (HOF), Billy Coe.

Jewish athletes: a small collection, needless to say [J/K]. Shown here is the great Benny Leonard, king of the lightweights:



There's more I'm sure but this is all I can think of right now.