Innholdsfortegnelse for June 15, 2024 i Sports Collectors Digest

For die-hard sports fans and collectors, the annual pro sports drafts are exciting events and a big deal as potential new stars—and perhaps even sports legends—enter their respective leagues and the collectibles hobby. In the last year, we have previewed the MLB and NFL drafts by reviewing the all-time No. 1 draft picks and their top rookie cards. Collector and contributing writer Brian Flinn did yeoman’s work researching the drafts of the big three sports and the rookie cards of every single pick—a mammoth task, to say the least. His latest iteration of the project (which is featured in this issue) focuses on the NBA Draft, which has produced some of the most legendary athletes in sports history. MLB can boast a few Hall of Famers who were selected with…

We continue our series on collecting No. 1 draft picks with a focus on pro basketball and the players that were selected at the top of the annual NBA draft. With the 2024 NBA Draft scheduled for June 26-27, we take a look at the rookie cards of the No. 1 picks since 1947. There are many Hall of Famers, legendary players and recognizable names on this list, but others underachieved and will make you ask, “Who?” The well-known stars all have rookie cards that will require some investment to add to your collection, while others can be found for next to nothing. Enjoy this guide as you chase the top draft picks in NBA history. 2023: Victor Wembanyama, C, San Antonio Spurs Rookie Card: 2022-23 Bowman University #51; 2023…

Willie Mays, regarded as one of the greatest baseball players ever, earned his legendary status through a combination of talent, athleticism and a passion for the game. At the heart of Mays’ greatness, however, was his extraordinary skill set, which encompassed every aspect of the game. The “Say Hey Kid” was an exceptional hitter. His quick reflexes and powerful swing allowed him to consistently make solid contact, resulting in a career batting average of .302. Mays possessed both the ability to hit for average and power, amassing 660 home runs over his 22-year career, a testament to his incredible strength and consistency. Beyond his prowess as a hitter, Mays, a centerfielder, was also a defensive marvel for the San Francisco Giants, where he spent the bulk of his major league…

THE HOBBY IS THE PEOPLE Regardless of the size of your collection, it's a pretty safe bet that it's valuable to you. It may have taken you many years to build and you are probably still adding to it. If you're like me and most collectors, you also get some of your inventory through the mail. And maybe you sell sometimes, requiring you to ship cards out as well. It's a natural cycle of collecting. What we sometimes take for granted is protecting our cards, and I'm not talking about just soft sleeves and top loaders. I recently had Dan Lorber of Stadium Insurance on the podcast to talk about protecting your cherished inventory from fire, water damage, weather, theft etc. It seems like every day we read about cards…

AUCTION NEWS Babe Ruth’s “called shot” home run in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series is one of the most famous stories—or tall tales—in baseball history. Ruth’s “called shot” against Chicago Cubs pitcher Charlie Root has been argued and debated for decades—to the point that it has almost been accepted as fact that he indeed pointed toward centerfield before blasting Root’s fifth-inning fastball into the bleachers at Wrigley Field. Whether fact, fiction or folklore, Ruth’s dramatic and controversial home run is considered one of the greatest moments in baseball history. It is about to gain even more significance and fuel for debate as the New York Yankees gray jersey Ruth wore that day is coming to auction in the Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction Aug. 23-25 at Heritage Auctions.…

NOTE: If you have a show listing, follow the style below and send to jowens@aimmedia.com. ALABAMA June 29-30 AL, Trussville (East Birmingham). The Flip Sports Card & Collectibles Trade Show, Trussville Civic center, 5381 Trussville Clay Rd., Trussville, AL 35173. SH: Sat 10am-5pm; Sunday 11am-4pm. T: 135+ ($125-150). A: $6 Contact: Daniel TheFlipTradeShow@Gmail.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 June 28 AZ, Phoenix. Diamond in the Ruff Sports Crad & Collectibles Show, Hilton Garden Inn, 1940 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Phoenix AZ, 85027. SH: 4-8:30pm (includes Trade Night). T: 35 ($35; 2/$65). A: Free. Contact: Joey 602-908-1597; psastud1976@yahoo.com CALIFORNIA June 28-30 CA, Fairfield. The…

In less than two seasons, Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Paul Skenes fast-tracked his way to the major leagues in spectacular fashion. After becoming the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, he had a whirlwind nine months during which he made stops with four minor-league teams in the Pirates’ farm system. On May 11, the 6-foot-6, 235-pound hurler toed the rubber in his major league debut. That game wasn’t quite a storybook tale for Skenes. He gave up three runs in four innings to the visiting Cubs, although he was clocked at over 100 mph on 17 pitches in the game. But one week later, the Pirates faced the Cubs again, this time at Wrigley Field. That day, fans saw why there’s been such an enormous buzz surrounding Skenes.…

Brooklyn-born Chris Mullin was a catholic high school basketball phenom and playground legend on the iconic courts of New York City. For college, Mullin didn't go far from home, attending Saint John’s University, where he led the Red Storm back to national prominence. The silky-smooth lefty was the only player in history named Big East Player of the Year three times. Mullin capped his college career by winning the 1985 Wooden Award as the nation’s top player while leading Saint John’s to the Final Four. Selected seventh overall in 1985 by the Golden State Warriors, Mullin became one of the top scorers of the era, averaging more than 25 points for five consecutive seasons. Mullin was part of the iconic Run TMC trio in Golden State, joining Tim Hardaway and…