Johnny Evers Fred Merkle Auction Baseball

The baseball from the "Merkle Boner" will go to the highest bidder at 4:00pm ET on Saturday, May 1.

My Johnny Evers interview is here and my story of the 100 year anniversary of the play that was also on Beckett.com is here.

REA is hosting the auction. I'm curious to see what it will go for.

UPDATE: The baseball sold for $65,000.

Free Comic Book Day is May 1 - Reminder

I've always liked comic books, but never really had any. I appreciate the art and story telling, but for one reason or another I didn't get into it.

I do plan on going to my local comic book store for Free Comic Book Day - Saturday, May 1. I'm taking the kids to Comic Town to pick up our free comic books. I blogged about this earlier in the month here.

If you're on twitter, check out FCBD10 and hashtag #FCBD for the latest info on comic book events in your area.

Did Topps Inspire Legos?

Is the Lego brand taking a page out of a baseball card manufacturers playbook? It's not quite the same, but it looks pretty similar.

Last year, Topps introduced the Topps 3D cards. I had a blog post about them on March 9.

This year, Lego is introducing a similar feature.



Can a box top like this be far behind for Topps?

Sure it's a little gimmicky, but how cool would it be if a box of cards you purchased had a similar feature?
- Could it be a preview of what the cards look like?
- Will audio be next?

The technology already seems to be there with the Topps 3D. Maybe this is the next step?

Proud Parenthood Hobby Moments

It's a moment we've all thought about. I wasn't sure it would happen. I didn't want to force it. If it happened great, if not, that's OK too.

On Friday, one of my boys said, "Dad, can I take my cards to school for Share Day?"

I don't think they make a Hallmark card for the event, but damn it - they should!

He didn't want to bring one or two... he wanted to bring the entire box! My answer was an emphatic YES! Bring the box in, let everyone pick them up, read the backs and check them out.

We celebrated Friday night by having Mac and Cheese for dinner. Good times.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010 Autograph Session

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has a Class of 2010 autograph session on their calendar. The Festival Schedule has Sunday, Aug. 8 (time TBD) on their site.

I think the details are in the fine print. Under the listing it says: "Members of the Class of 2010 will participate in a special autograph Session. Time TBD. Class of 2010 participants TBD."

This Sunday session is separate from the Mounted Memories session on Saturday, Aug. 7.

Does this mean that Emmitt Smith, one of the most expensive players for autographs right now, may not show up?

Last year, there was one flat fee for one autograph per HOF class member. Considering Emmitt's prices, this flat fee will have significantly jump or will will occur without him in the line-up.

Who's Blogging About the 2010 National

Who's blogging and writing about the 2010 National Sports Collectors Convention?

A discussion thread is started on the Facebook Group page for the 2010 National.

Be sure to list your blog or the favorite one you read on the discussion thread. This will be a good resource to share ideas, thoughts and opinions.

Johnny Evers Ball Auction Update - Merkle Boner Play

The baseball that Johnny Evers held on to following the Merkle Boner play is up for auction with REA.

Last year, and most recently in January, I talked to the great nephew of Johnny Evers about the baseball that played such an important role in baseball history.

Here's a link to my article about the 100 year anniversary of the play.

Today the baseball is at auction and it's currently at $35,000. You still have time, the auction ends May 1, at 4pm ET.

Remember Ray Knight's World Series Highlight

Can you be a Pete Rose fan, Mets fan and a Ray Knight fan? I really like this Topps card though.

Before Ray Knight hit the go ahead home run in Game 7 of the 1986 World Series, he became the man who replaced Pete Rose in Cincinnati. I didn't like Ray Knight for a time because of that - no fault to his, but I wasn't a fan.

And then Ray Knight smacked around Eric Davis in the early parts of the 1986 season in Riverfront Stadium.

The ejections triggered one of Davey Johnson's most memorable managing maneuvers. Roger McDowell and Jesse Orosco took turns playing the outfield and pitching through two innings until the Mets won in 14 innings.

Ray Knight signed my 1986 World Series baseball on the sweet spot when I finally got his autograph at an MAB show. He was nice to everyone and I'd like to see the Mets have a "Ray Knight Day" at Citi Field.