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Starting an autographed baseball collection....

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gamebird

New member
Jul 12, 2017
9
0
Hi guys, first time poster.
Im Pete from upstate NY and just now going to get into baseball autograph collecting. I have the great opportunity in starting this because of my location near Cooperstown NY.I am planning on attending the HOF weekend and would like to start my collection then. Now, I do not have an unlimited budget, but would like peoples opinion on which players may be good to start with. Im guessing that based on players age and health (ability to get future signings) would be a big factor. I would like to post the names of signers and would love if people would chime in on their opinion of who the begin with. I have purchased Official Major League Baseballs and have also purchased blue ball point pens and UV protection ball qubes. If you would/could post your top 10 in the order in which you would get them. Here is a list...in NO specific order.

Rod Carew
Al Kaline
John*Smoltz
Mike Piazza
Wade Boggs (also, available in Saratoga Springs in September)
Orlando Cepeda
Craig Biggio
Andre Dawson
Dennis Eckersely
Jim Rice
Brooks Robinson
Bruce Sutter
Ozzie Smith
Ryne Sandberg
Eddie Murray
Doc Gooden
Robin Yount
Tom Glavine
Frank Thomas
Tony LaRussa
Barry Larkin
Jim Leyritz
Roberto Alomar
Johnny Bench
Billy Williams
Dave Winfield
Whitey Herzog
Rickey Henderson
Fergie Jenkins
Gaylord Perry
Juan Marichal
Rollie Fingers
Pete Rose
Joe Morgan
Tony Perez

My purpose of starting my collection would be to have them worth something to leave for my daughter. I know they wont be worth anything near a Ty Cobb or a Babe Ruth, but you have to start some where...lol Thanks for anyones input and ideas.
Pete
 

tramers

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2008
23,285
2,283
hickory nc
price on some will be real high . Of list Whitey Herzog should be one of the older , Gaylord signs on tour but is getting older . Ozzie Smith , Brooks Robinson and Al Kaline would be on list . I've had the chance to talk to Gaylord and get FREE auto .
I would start with team you like . None of these played on teams I like
 

michaelstepper

Well-known member
Jan 15, 2010
8,211
519
southeast Alaska
Hi guys, first time poster.
Im Pete from upstate NY and just now going to get into baseball autograph collecting. I have the great opportunity in starting this because of my location near Cooperstown NY.I am planning on attending the HOF weekend and would like to start my collection then. Now, I do not have an unlimited budget, but would like peoples opinion on which players may be good to start with. Im guessing that based on players age and health (ability to get future signings) would be a big factor. I would like to post the names of signers and would love if people would chime in on their opinion of who the begin with. I have purchased Official Major League Baseballs and have also purchased blue ball point pens and UV protection ball qubes. If you would/could post your top 10 in the order in which you would get them. Here is a list...in NO specific order.

Rod Carew
Al Kaline
John*Smoltz
Mike Piazza
Wade Boggs (also, available in Saratoga Springs in September)
Orlando Cepeda
Craig Biggio
Andre Dawson
Dennis Eckersely
Jim Rice
Brooks Robinson
Bruce Sutter
Ozzie Smith
Ryne Sandberg
Eddie Murray
Doc Gooden
Robin Yount
Tom Glavine
Frank Thomas
Tony LaRussa
Barry Larkin
Jim Leyritz
Roberto Alomar
Johnny Bench
Billy Williams
Dave Winfield
Whitey Herzog
Rickey Henderson
Fergie Jenkins
Gaylord Perry
Juan Marichal
Rollie Fingers
Pete Rose
Joe Morgan
Tony Perez

My purpose of starting my collection would be to have them worth something to leave for my daughter. I know they wont be worth anything near a Ty Cobb or a Babe Ruth, but you have to start some where...lol Thanks for anyones input and ideas.
Pete

my must haves would be:
Kaline
Robinson
yount
bench
marichal
frank thomas
piazza
Smith
carew
Perez

couldn't go wrong with any of them really. best of luck
 

dano7

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2008
13,325
3,847
Roanoke, VA
Also, it might depend on who you have the opportunity to get. The list that [MENTION=4030]michaelstepper[/MENTION] gave is a perfect group, but also go by age, as some may not be able to sign in the future. Any HOFer is going to be a great addition to a collection.
 

Pinbreaker

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2008
10,131
287
Laguna Niguel, CA
I'd look up the ages of the list you have and start working on the older ones.. due to the fact they are older they don't get the respect that they should as the younger kids only care about Bryce Harper, Kris Bryant, etc..

You can get some deals on EBAY.. I have snagged some players that were around $20 to $30 or so.. (the cost of a ball is around $10, so they aren't that much really)

Good luck,
 

gamebird

New member
Jul 12, 2017
9
0
I have been watching some on Ebay....but forgeries scare the S*** out of me. I'm not experienced enough yet to pick out the fakes yet. I do agree with the "age" thing...Ill have to google to see who is oldest to youngest. I do wish I could trust Ebay. There is even concern with those posted with COA's....some have said that even the "highly reputable" authenticity companies are suspect.
 

RStadlerASU22

Active member
Jan 2, 2013
8,881
11
Buy PSA/DNA or JSA and you'll be fine. A few others are good too. But those 2 are pretty solid and many if those players listed shouldn't be to costly. SigAuctions.com has weekly auctions that have players like this available.

Ryan
Will Clark / Mike Brown Collector
 

Pinbreaker

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2008
10,131
287
Laguna Niguel, CA
I have auto'd baseballs from:

UDA: Upper Deck Authenticated
PSA/DNA
Harmon Killebrew Authentication
Reggie Jackson Authentication
JSA Authentication
Millcreeksports
 

tramers

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2008
23,285
2,283
hickory nc
BTW ; I have 350 plus signed minor league baseballs signed - 5% maybe made it . These are game hit by player .
 

gmarutiak

Active member
Jul 23, 2010
1,386
2
Baltimore, MD
Buy PSA/DNA or JSA and you'll be fine. A few others are good too. But those 2 are pretty solid and many if those players listed shouldn't be to costly. SigAuctions.com has weekly auctions that have players like this available.

Ryan
Will Clark / Mike Brown Collector

OP, I totally agree with this post, especially since you stated that you're looking to leave them for your daughter. Getting the autographs in person will be WAY more expensive than getting them on ebay. On the other hand, if you have a favorite player or two, and you're looking forward to the experience of meeting them in person, then it might be worth the extra money to get the autographs in Cooperstown.
 

Brewer Andy

Active member
Aug 10, 2008
9,634
21
I believe Sandberg, Boggs, Robinson, Kaline, and Dawson will all sign a ball in the mail for a small donation to charity (usually way cheaper than a sit down signing). So no reason to stand in line and pay a Cooperstown fee for those guys IMO. Baseballs can be sent pretty easily in a ziplock baggie inside a bubble mailer through the mail (not a bad idea to send a desired pen in the package too).

And don't overpay for Pete Rose. Those are practically free lol


Sent from my iPhone using Freedom Card Board
 

Brewer Andy

Active member
Aug 10, 2008
9,634
21
Also, not up there in age but I see you have Frank Thomas on there. You already have Griffey? Of "our generation" he and Jeter will likely be desirable for many many years


Sent from my iPhone using Freedom Card Board
 

swish54_99

Well-known member
Dec 12, 2012
1,160
221
Sounds like you already know this but definitely do ROMLB and blue bic crystal pens. Not any random blue pen.

My order based on age/health:
Carew - just had heart transplant so get him while you can
Kaline
Cepeda - old and getting shaky
Brooks Robinson - old and getting shaky
Those 4 would be must gets now for me. The next group is interchangable, all about the same age.
Herzog
Morgan
Marichal
Bench
Williams
Rose
Perez
Perry
Jenkins
 

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