Innholdsfortegnelse for May 1, 2024 i Sports Collectors Digest

When Hank Aaron blasted home run No. 715 on April 8, 1974, it was one of the greatest moments in baseball history. The late, great Vin Scully put it best as Aaron circled the bases after breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record. “What a marvelous moment for baseball, what a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the state of Georgia, what a marvelous moment for the country and the world,” Scully told a national television audience. As the wild celebration unfolded at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Charlie Russo, a 31-year-old fishmonger from Savannah, Ga., grabbed his video camera and followed the exuberant crowd onto the field. Russo had acquired last-minute tickets to the game with his uncle Dedi. He almost missed the historic home run while grabbing a couple of hot…

Evan Parker has always been a collector. Like a lot of us, he started with sports cards as a kid, but he collects what interests him. Besides sports cards that could mean watches, memorabilia or who knows what. He has a sports journalism background and worked as head of content for NASCAR for eight years before moving to The Athletic in 2019 as SVP and General Manager. In 2021 he was named to the Sports Business Journal's Forty Under 40 list, which honors excellence in the sports business industry. Now he's the CEO of Mantel, a new online hobby community for collectors. And just like Parker's own collection, Mantel is not just for sports card collectors. Parker wants other collectors to have access to a community for whatever their collecting…

Baseball writers, like political commentators, are supposed to be neutral. But all of us were fans growing up and most still remain partial to particular players or teams. For me, I’ve been an ardent admirer of Henry Louis Aaron since I started watching baseball, first on a black-and-white Zenith during the 1957 World Series and later as a sportswriter for The Associated Press and numerous other outlets, including SCD. Since fans collect cards of their favorite players, I made it my business to obtain every Hank Aaron card—an impossible feat because thousands of different issues, even including one from Venezuela, were published during his career (1954-1976) and for years after he retired. Although he appeared alone most of the time, Aaron also shared cards with fellow Hall of Famers Ernie…

EDITOR’S NOTE Please include your first and last name, city and state and email letters to jowens@aimmedia.com. Have you ever come across the women’s black hairpin superstition? I recall reading about a player (maybe Gabby Hartnett of the Cubs) who thought that if he found a black hairpin, it was good for a hit. He was in a slump and a teammate dumped a box of them in front of his hotel room door. He broke the slump that day. I agree. In high school, before a game, I once found three on the ground and went 3-for-4, so I am still a believer. Excellent issue (4/15/24). Thanks. Joe Shaffer Casper, Wyo. (EDITOR’S NOTE: Collecting hairpins is one of baseball’s oldest superstitions, dating back to the early days of…

There are plenty of prospects and rookies to chase this season. Here’s our top 10 to look out for, in addition to three honorable mentions, as we enter the new Major League Baseball season. 1 Elly De La Cruz (Cincinnati Reds) Technically a rookie last season, De La Cruz retains his “RC” designation—at least when it comes to trading cards—in 2024 sets. The Cincinnati Reds shortstop is the biggest chase card in Topps Series 1 on the back of last season’s strong performance, where he stole a staggering 35 bases. 2 Jackson Holliday (Baltimore Orioles) After Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman, the Orioles unveil a new rookie in budding infielder Jackson Holliday. He has several minor league cards in 2023 Bowman sets, but collectors will be eager to buy up…

For a complete listing of upcoming shows, visit www.sportscollectorsdigest.com NOTE: If you have a show listing, follow the style below and send to jowens@aimmedia.com. ALABAMA May 18 AL, Albertville. Sand Mountain Card Show, Sand Mountain Park and Amphitheater, 1325 SMPA Blvd., Albertville, AL 35950. SH: 9am-3pm. T: 100+ ($40). A: Free. Contact: Luke 256-960-1436; Brad 256-641-0895; sandmountaincard-show@gmail.com ARKANSAS May 11 AR, Conway. Conway Sports Cards Show, ELITE, 1400 Old Morrilton Hwy. #3513, Conway, AR. SH: 9am-3pm. T: 70. A: Free. Contact: Clay Winn conwaycard-show@gmail.com ARIZONA May 12 AZ, Sun City West. Diamond in the Ruff Sportscard & Collectibles Show, SCW Foundation Webb/Powell Rooms, 14465 W. RH Johnson Blvd., Sun City West, AZ 85373. SH: 1-6pm. T: 55 ($35; 2/$65; 3/$90). A: Free (raffle prizes). Contact: Joey 602-908-1597 psastud1976@yahoo.com June 1…