Innholdsfortegnelse for June 1, 2024 i Sports Collectors Digest

LEADING OFF There is no bigger name in sports and sports collectibles than Michael Jordan, whose rookie card(s) are still among the most valuable and sought-after in the industry. Short of Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle, few athletes in the history of sports have had a bigger impact on the hobby than Jordan, whose cards and game-worn sneakers and jerseys continue to sell for six and seven figures. But 21 years after he retired from the NBA, the mild-mannered Jordan prefers to remain behind the scenes. Even as owner of the Charlotte Hornets, Jordan made few public appearances, rarely gave interviews, hardly ever signed autographs, and generally kept a very low profile. There’s only one thing that can push His Airness back into the public eye these days. NASCAR. Jordan…

Two of the most popular baseball card releases of the year hit the market in April and May, just as the 2024 season kicked into full swing. The Topps and Bowman releases were followed by a high-end Panini football set that hit just after the NFL Draft and will once again attract the attention of football card collectors. 2024 TOPPS HERITAGE BASEBALL A product that is a favorite among collectors hit the market in early April. 2024 Topps Heritage hops into the hardball time machine and goes back to celebrate the colorful 1975 Topps card design. Although you won't find any original 1975 Topps George Brett or Robin Yount rookies, you will find one autograph or relic per box as well as a special box topper. The rather large 500-card…

The biggest sports memorabilia show ever in Detroit drives into the Motor City for the three-day Detroit Sports Spectacular June 7-9 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Mich. Detroit was the host city for the second-ever National Sports Collectors Convention in 1981, with about 125 dealers and 200 tables at the suburban Plymouth Hilton Hotel. Brian Schwartz, president of Schwartz Sports Memorabilia in suburban Chicago, is spearheading the Detroit show. The show features autograph guests Barry Sanders, Joe Montana, Mike Modano, Thomas “Hit Man” Hearns, Kevin Nash, Ben Wallace, Kirk Cousins, Anthony Richardson, Vladimir Konstantinov, Thurman Thomas, Goose Gossage, and many others. There also will be signing sessions with about 10 members of the 2023 National Champion Michigan football team, plus a 40-year reunion of the 1984 World Series…

THE HOBBY IS THE PEOPLE When I was asked to write this column and highlight a person in the hobby each month, I was pleased to do so because it gives me an opportunity to shine some light on deserving people doing good things in the hobby. This issue’s subject might be the most deserving yet. Eric Hecker has a reputation as one of the nicest, most unselfish, philanthropic people the hobby can claim. A complete card set at Christmas as a youngster started his hobby journey and, like many, he has dabbled off and on collecting cards and memorabilia. He now continues that tradition with his son, whose favorite player is the Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez. The COVID crescendo exposed the good and bad the hobby sometimes offers, from…

Fanatics Collectibles recently conducted an independent randomness test to ensure collectors that high-end Topps cards are packaged and distributed randomly and not purposely directed toward specific dealers and collectors. Fanatics Collectibles CEO Mike Mahan released results of its randomness examination at the annual Topps Industry Conference in April. The tests on its manufacturing and distribution process is believed to be the first-ever conducted in the hobby. “For years, the folks who like to wear the tin-foil hats would talk about breakers or top hobby shops or famous people, celebrities getting specially designed, loaded boxes, and we started thinking about how to address that,” Fanatics CFO Greg Abovsky said in an interview with SCD. “The goal is to give people comfort that this doesn’t exist and that the process is random…

NOTE: If you have a show listing, follow the style below and send to jowens@aimmedia.com. ALABAMA June 15 AL, Daphne. The Gulf Coast Card Show, Daphne Civic Center, 2603 US Hwy 98, Daphne, AL 36526. SH: 9am -6pm. T: 100 ($125). A: Free. Contact: Nathan Ncarraway@bighitsportscards.com June 22 AL, Scottsboro. Sports Card & Memorabilia Show, Scottsboro Goose Pond Civic Center, 1165 Ed Hembree Dr, Scottsboro, AL 35769. SH: 9am-2pm. T: 150. A: Free. Contact: Stephen Moore 256-599-0989, Stephen@jacksonssportscards.com; jacksonssportscards.com ARKANSAS June 21-22 AR, Bentonville. GG2 Sports Cards Show, Four Points Hotel, 211 SE Walton Blvd., Bentonville, AR. SH: Fri: 11am-6pm; Sat: 9am-5pm. T: 145. A: Free. Contact: Matt Canaday gg2sportscards@gmail.com ARIZONA Jun 15-16 AZ, Phoenix. ESPN & Arizona Sports Radio present Front Row Card Show, Renaissance Phoenix/Glendale Hotel, 9495 W.…

In June 2023, Elly De La Cruz burst onto the MLB scene with a sweet swing, big stats and lots of swagger. In his first two months in the majors, he accounted for 37 runs, 17 stolen bases and seven homers. In the process, he lit up the memorabilia market. Collectors started paying four and five figures for his rookie cards. Then he hit a wall, batting only .200 from August through October. Well, we’ve already forgotten about De La Cruz’s second-half slump. While batting .280 over the first month of the 2024 season, De La Cruz stole an MLB-leading 18 bases through early May while also clubbing eight homers and scoring 27 runs. His nightly highlight clips also reveal a high-impact defender; De La Cruz’s cannon-like throws from shortstop…

Three weeks after the 44th annual National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland July 24-28, some of the biggest names in sports will highlight Fanatics own big hobby show in New York City. Fanatics Events, the company’s live and special event division, announced its first big flagship event—Fanatics Fest NYC. The three-day show Aug. 16-18 at New York City’s Javits Center is designed to bring together sports fans and collectors in a pop culture event similar to Comic-Con. The show will feature interactive activities, multiple stages and theaters, exclusive merchandise, product drops, major announcements, and more. The event will be headlined by such big names as: seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady; two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant; NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning; two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning; MLB…