Ask Babe: More questions for the Babe

ShareThis

Dear Babe: While attending a Royals-Phillies World Series game in 1980, I sat for a brief time with Satchel Paige. I had him autograph my World Series Program cover. Inside there is an article on him. It is not personalized, he only signed his name. -- Fred Whistle, Springdale, Ark.Paige autographs remain in demand for a couple of reason. First, he was a Negro League start who had to wait for his chance in the Majors. Second, he died in 1982, so he wasn't really around for the autograph boom. Mike Heffner, president of www.lelands.com auction house in South Dennis, Mass., and Mike Gutierrez, consignment director for Heritage Auctions (www.ha.com) in Dallas, agreed that the signed program was worth $200, possibly a little more. Dear Babe: I have got a game-used ball from Aug. 13, 1968, Cardinals vs. Cubs game at Wrigley Field. The ball itself is dirty as it is game-used. It has two signatures -- Lou Brock and Bob Gibson. How I got them is a cute story. My high school won the 1968 boys basketball title that year. To commemorate that, they gave out three-inch round pins that said "We're #1'' or something to that effect. I wore it to the Cubs game and hung around near the dugout. Brock saw it and asked if he could have it. I said I'd trade it for an autographed ball. As he was signing it, Bob Gibson came by and Brock asked him to sign it too. I'm curious if it is worth anything more than just a good memory. -- Fred Kahn, Buffalo Grove, Ill.It's a great story and you made a good trace even if the baseball is worth more to you than what it might bring on the open market. The Cardinals greats are Hall of Famers, but their signatures are pretty readily available and most collectors prefer single signed baseballs. Right now Tuff Stuff lists a Brock baseball at $75 and Gibson at $60. You baseball might be worth $75-$100 at best, said Mike Gutierrez, consignment director for Heritage Auctions (www.ha.com) in Dallas. Dear Babe: I also have a bat that was given to me by Don Baylor during spring training when he played for the Angels. It is game-used but not signed It was splintered, but I glued it back together. -- Jonathan Grove, Palm Desert, Calif.A game-used Baylor bat is worth $200 or so, said Mike Heffner, president of www.lelands.com auction house in South Dennis, Mass. Yours might be worth a little less, because it came from a spring training game. Then again, if it has all the proper markings and is the same model he used during the regular season, there probably won't be much difference. Dear Babe I have 25 years worth of Sports Illustrated magazines (1980-2005) and Sporting News editions (1980-2005). -- Jim Coleman, West Palm Beach, Fla..When it comes to runs of magazines, Da Babe turns to Phil Regli, owner of P&R Publications in Irvine, Calif. and a long-time magazine dealer. "They are actually better than individual units, because people collect runs and may pay more for the run than parts of it,'' said Regli. "With that in mind, a 1983 run (Jordan rookie) will go for $25-$100, and the rest of the years will go for between $10 and $30 per year on eBay. A 25-year run will sell for $250-$600 based upon the condition and demand. The sporting news run is worth just selling as a group as well (just to move it), but it would be worth $250 as a group on eBay ($10 per year). However, people may be willing to pay more ($500)."BABE NOTE: Topps Series 2 Baseball is out in both hobby and retail versions with a new twist. Topps has moved to online redemptions. From now on, redemption cards will contain unique alphanumeric codes on the backs. Collectors can enter the codes at www.topps.com/redemptions. Once entered, collectors will be to track the status of their redemptions. The system will send an automatic update when redemptions are shipped. Upper Deck moved to online redemptions some time ago.In addition to the baseball cards, 2008 Topps Rookie Progression cards are out. For more details on either product or the online redemptions, visit www.topps.com(Send card questions to Babe Waxpak, PO Box 492397, Redding, CA 96049-2397 or e-mail babewaxpak(at)charter.net. If possible, include card number, year and brand or a photocopy. Please do not send cards. For Babe Waxpak's blog, see www.scrippsnews.com/waxpak. Babe Waxpak is a feature of The Record Searchlight in Redding, Calif.)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)