Innholdsfortegnelse for August 15, 2023 i Sports Collectors Digest

LEADING OFF The 2021 National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago featured an eye-opening, jaw-dropping lineup of autograph signers at the TRISTAR Autograph Pavilion. It was my first National and I was personally blown away at the sports legends, Hall of Famers and other big-name sports celebrities that attracted long lines of fans and autograph seekers. But SCD writer Ross Forman warned me early in the week that I had not seen anything yet. Wait ’til Saturday, he said. Sure enough, the autograph lines on Saturday of the 2021 show were insane, swelling to more than a thousand fans crowding into the pavilion. But it wasn’t the typical sports legends and Hall of Famers they came to see. The stars of the main event, as it were, were two sports entertainers…

August and September are when the three major sports start to converge, with baseball pennant races heating up and the beginning of the NFL preseason and NBA training camps. We take a look at a new card release from each of the three sports. 2023 TOPPS CHROME BASEBALL Far and away, one of the most popular releases each baseball season is the Topps Chrome product. Stepping to the plate on July 26, the four-card, 24-pack boxes consist of 220 souped-up, shiny, chrome base cards. There is definitely something for every collector in this product as the rainbow parallels, subset and insert list is seemingly endless. Collectors go crazy for the metallic version of Topps. The Chrome parallels include: the common and classic refractors found one in every three packs; a…

THE HOBBY IS THE PEOPLE Jim Caruthers is a man on a mission as he tries to fill in his father John's missing baseball history. You might be wondering why Caruthers doesn't know about it. Did his dad pass away at a young age? Were they estranged? No, and no. An ultimatum by his father-in-law made John Caruthers give up on his baseball dream and focus on being a father. In doing so he became reluctant to talk about his baseball career, probably to avoid thinking about “what might have been.” John Caruthers passed away in 2016 at the age of 82. A few years later his step-sister found a scrapbook he kept of his career but never shared. She gave it to Jim. It was the first time he'd…

Our five “should-be” Hall of Famers each have valuable and affordable collectibles on the market, from rookie cards to game-used and signed memorable. Here’s a look at some of the best examples: TODD HELTON • Cards: Helton’s cardboard debut was a 1993 Topps Traded issue capturing him on the Team USA Olympic squad. In recent months, that card has been selling for just $100 to $200 if in Gem-Mint condition. However, a Bazooka variation graded PSA 10 brought $1,075 on eBay in June. Also worth chasing: Helton’s 1996 Topps Chrome. In two recent sales on eBay, it brought prices of $140 and $105. Then there’s Helton’s Bowman base card from 1996, typically a $75 item. • Autographs: Helton’s autograph is undervalued, typically selling for $50 to $100 on a baseball…

If the explosive power of Fred McGriff and combination of clutch hitting and top-shelf fielding displayed by Scott Rolen weren’t enough to get you collecting their memorabilia, then their Hall of Fame induction speeches on July 23 should have done the trick. Both McGriff and Rolen came across as humble, likable, gracious and appreciative — qualities we admire in our sports heroes. Both played in the shadows of “shinier” stars during their careers — headline-grabbing players like Ken Griffey Jr., Cal Ripken Jr., Frank Thomas and Derek Jeter. But McGriff and Rolen belong in the Hall with them, so it’s about time they were honored. McGriff, after playing from 1986 to 2004, first became eligible in 2010. After getting spurned by voting baseball writers for years, he finally got the…

NOTE: If you have a show listing, follow the style below and send to jowens@aimmedia.com. ALABAMA Aug 19 AL, Sheffield. Muscle Shoals Sportscards and Memorabilia Show, Clarion Inn, 4900 Hatch Boulevard, Sheffield, Al. 35660, SH: 8am-2pm. T: 30. A: Free. Contact: Leroy Willis 256-412-2184, popandhoney@yahoo.com Aug 26 AL, Birmingham. Vintage Sports Card and Memorabilia Show at Americas Oldest Ballpark — Rickwood Field, 1137 2nd Avenue W., Birmingham, 35204. SH: 9am-4pm. T:25 ($40). A: Free Contact: Mike Newton 205-616-2761 bamadadtimes2@gmail.com Aug 26 AL, Huntsville. The Flip Sports Card & Collectibles Trade Show, Von Braun Center. 700 Monroe St. SW, Huntsville, AL 35801. SH: 10am-5pm. T: 200+ ($80-95). A: $6. Contact: Daniel TheFlipTradeShow@Gmail.com ARKANSAS Aug 11-12 AR, Bentonville. GG2 Sports Cards Show, Four Points Hotel, 211 SE Walton Blvd., Bentonville, AR. SH:…