Dear Babe: I have a Notre Dame football signed by all the former Heisman Trophy winners -- Angelo Bertelli, John Lujack, John Lattner, Leon Hart, Paul Hornung, John Huarte and Tim Brown. It says No. 3,589 of 5,000. I think I bought in the 1980s. -- Bob Higgins, Lawrenceville, Ga.
Generally, a ball numbered to 5,000 wouldn't turn many heads, but that's not the case this time. It's a keeper, especially if another Irish player wins the trophy and you add that signature to the ball. "It is a great ball,'' said Bobby Mintz, vice president of operations for Houston-based www.TristarProductions.com. "Bertelli (1999) and Hart (2002) are deceased and Lujack and Huarte are among the hardest Heisman signers, very tough. Both guys are big time businessmen -- football is an afterthought. Huarte runs one the biggest tile and flooring companies in the U.S., Arizona Tile.''
Mintz valued the ball at $1,000.
Dear Babe: I have the original game pitching chart that former Texas Ranger's pitching coach Tom House used during the Aug. 22, 1989 game between the Rangers and the Oakland Athletics. In the top of the fifth inning, Nolan Ryan records his 5,000th career strikeout by fanning Rickey Henderson on a 3-2 fastball. It is in a custom frame with a collection of base cards, commemorating the 5,000th strikeout. The chart is not signed by Nolan Ryan. -- J. B. Stacy, Red Bluff, Calif.
Usually collectors come up short when they try to put together a piece like this, but that's not the case here. "I like this piece,'' said David Kohler, president of www.SCPauctions.com in Laguna Niguel. "I think $500-$750 is a good range. If it were signed by Nolan Ryan and inscribed 5,000 strikeouts, then double the price!"
Dear Babe: I have a baseball signed by Mickey Mantle. I bought it at a benefit fundraiser about six or seven years ago. -- Denny Shorett, San Bernardino, Calif.
It looks as though single-singed Mantle baseballs are worth around $500 or more these days, said Mike Gutierrez, consignment director for Heritage Auctions (www.ha.com) in Dallas.
Dear Babe: We found a Notre Dame-Navy ticket stub that my dad had saved. The game was played on Nov. 1, 1958, at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. The back of the stub has Red Mack's autograph. -- Mary Jo Dowling Fennell, Lucernemines, Pa.
The Notre Dame-Navy stub with Mack's signature is interesting. "I don't think either (stub or autograph) is worth very much on its own, and the combination of the two is no more appealing,'' said Mike Breeden, an autograph expert and editor of Tuff Stuff's autograph guide. "Mack is alive and had a relatively minor journeyman's career in the NFL. He was a member of the first winning Super Bowl team (1966 Packers) and had some success early on in his career as a receiver with the Steelers, but that's about it. This is a $20-$25 item."
Dear Babe: I have hundreds of 1990 Fleer football cards. -- John Kovacs, Nashua, N.H.
Most of the 1990 Fleer cards list for 25 cents or less. Beckett's guide has Rich Gannon's rookie card (No. 99) at $1.50 with Joe Montana (10), John Elway (21), Dan Marino (244) and Barry Sanders (284) booking at $1.25. The Montana, Sanders and Jerry Rice All-Pros cards list for $1.50 each.
Dear Babe: I have some Patty Berg autographed golf balls. -- Linda Weglarz, Ft. Myers, Fla.
"Unless it's one that bears her endorsement (a Patty Berg ball), it's a $50-75 item. She died only about three years ago, and she was a terrific through-the-mail signer for most of her life,'' said Mike Breeden, an autograph expert and editor of Tuff Stuff's autograph guide. "Some collectors like the endorsed products when they are signed."
(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)
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