The Original Collectors Series: Bob, Baseball Memorabilia; Centreville, VA
“I was born in New York City and when I was 10 days old, my grandfather took me to my first baseball game. I saw the Yankees beat the Cleveland Indians, 4-1. You could say that’s when I became a devout baseball fan, I was born to be one. As a kid I picked up cards like everyone else did. I was a big Mickey Mantle fan, there’s a ring in the sale that I found in a box of Cracker Jacks around 1959. It’s one of the pieces that I’ve had since the very beginning. I love baseball because it’s a gentleman’s game, a relaxing game. So many professional sports have become really violent. Baseball’s a thinking man’s game, still played on a sunny afternoon or under the lights.
I’m a Yankees fan, but I didn’t just stick to them when I collected, I’m a baseball fan. I love the game. I would seek out obscure minor league teams, The All-American Girls Professional League; I was a big fan of the Negro Leagues and got a number of autographs from those players. I’ve been to 131 minor and major league stadiums, and I wanted a memento of each, so I’d pick up a ball, a pennant, get some autographs. I’m not a terribly shy person so I’d walk up and say “Hey, can I have that broken bat in your hand?” That’s how I got many of the pieces in my collection. I’d also find things at flea markets, yard sales and antiques stores.
I have between 3,000-4,000 items in my collection, half of which were displayed in my man cave, in the basement of my house. So many people would come by and see it – even friends of friends. They all referred to it as “Cooperstown South.” – Bob
Danbury Mint Camden Yards Baltimore Orioles Stadium Replica
Rare Cal Ripken Sr., Cal Ripken Jr., Vi Ripken, Billy Ripken, Fred Ripken Signed Baseball
Rare Vintage Mickey Mantle Cracker Jack Ring
Rare Authenticated Mickey Mantle Signed First Edition, "All My Octobers"
Brooks Robinson Autographed Baseball
Authenticated Pete Rose Autographed Photo with Steve Garvey
Eddie Matthews Autographed Baseball
Authenticated Ted Williams Autographed Boston Red Sox Photograph
Rare 1970 Washington Senators Signed Ball
Rare Vintage Washington Senators Pennant
Rare Yankee Stadium Ticketing Sign from 1973-75 Remodel
Danbury Mint New York Yankees Stadium Replica
Authenticated Yogi Berra Autographed Photo
Rare Vintage Cast Iron Mechanical Baseball Bank
Stan Musial Signed Poster
Abbott and Costello "Who's On First" Limited Collector's Edition Mechanical Dolls
Very Rare New York Yankees Cracker Jack Ring
Authenticated Pete Rose Signed Baseball
Generous Assortment of Cincinnati Reds Baseball Memorabilia
Fergie Jenkins Autographed Baseball
Negro League Vintage Pennants and Other Memorabilia
Sports Impressions Collectible Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs Figurines
Rare Duke Snider Brooklyn Dodgers Signed Baseball Bat
Sports Impressions Collectible All Star Figurines, Includes Jackie Robinson
Pair of Autographed Baseballs featuring Clark Griffith and the 2010 Bowie Baysox
All-Star Signed MLB Baseballs Including Bobby Bonds, Boog Powell, Dave Henderson, and More!
Collection of S.A.M. Yankees Hand Numbered Ceramic Bobbleheads
Three Autographed Baseballs Including Ron Guidry
Collection of Babe Ruth Baseball Memorabilia
Chicago White Sox Baseball Memorabilia
Rare All Star Autographed Pitcher's Rubber
Generous Assortment of Chicago Cubs Memorabilia
Very Rare Comerica Park Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees Signed Base
Which piece in the collection is the most rare?
There’s a baseball signed by the entire Cal Ripken family. My son and I went to a signing with Cal Ripken Sr., then the coach of the Baltimore Orioles. As he was signing the ball, a woman walked by, he winked at her and she smiled. I said "Cal, I think that’s the wife, isn’t it? Do you think she’d be interested in signing the baseball?” And he said, “I don’t know that anyone has ever asked her!” I went over and she did! It took me almost 11 years to get Cal Ripken Jr, Billy Ripken, and Fred Ripken. I had to pursue them and have the ball at the right time. The only autograph I was never able to get was their sister.
What do you love about building a collection?
What I’ve really enjoyed is going to a market or store and hoping to find something unique — the hunt is so much fun. And I love talking to the players. When the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s first game was celebrated in 1997, I went to quite a few of the Negro League reunions, where I got to sit down with the players and hear about their experiences in baseball. Even though they were going through a very difficult time with segregation, they were all very up about playing baseball. These guys were just full of stories; I listened for hours.
Do you have a favorite piece?
I started taking my son to games when he was very young and in 1993, we were at a game for the Bowie Baysox, an AA team for the Orioles. I bought him a baseball at the concession stand, and he asked if he could join the other kids in the dugout asking for autographs. There are 6 autographs on the ball, none from players who ever made it into the majors. But that’s my personal favorite, simply because it was the first ball my son ever got signed.
