Big Red Machine Collectors

[diamondicons]

Who are our Big Red Machine collectors and what are your favorite items! Mike

[gorilla777]

Let's go Mike, start it off!

Ben

[diamondicons]

My favorite item...1972 Pete Rose Home jersey. All original. Mike

[gorilla777]

My favorite item...1972 Pete Rose Home jersey. All original. Mike

You should post pics of that jersey, plus I'm betting you have some other stuff...

[diamondicons]

Here is a photo of my 72 Rose. Mike

[diamondicons]

Those are some great Rose and Bench bats.

I had the opportunity to visit the Reds Hall of Fame & Museum last weekend. Living in Alabama, this is not a trip I get to make very often. I did provide my Nolan, Gullett and Borbon Jerseys for their Big Red Machine Exhibit.

Mike

[AbsolonMoreau]

I know Jeff is a Big Red Machine collector! He has quite a few paintings in his collection as well ;)

[diamondicons]

Lets add a 76 Perez to the mix.

[jbsportstuff]

Lets add a 76 Perez to the mix.
Recent pick up Mike? I think I saw this bat up for sale.

[Jeffredsfan]

I know Jeff is a Big Red Machine collector! He has quite a few paintings in his collection as well ;)


I always appreciate the chance to show off my stunning "Great Eight" paintings as well as your talent!

[diamondicons]

Hi Jeff, I picked up the Perez bat about 2-3 years ago. I did recently see that someone was selling a 76 Perez bat, but I was not the buyer. Mike

[gorilla777]

Mike, great bat for Tony Perez, got the 580 tape too...

[ribsandwhiskey]

A couple of shoddy phone pics from an incredible Reds game used collection my uncle took me too see when I visited Cincy earlier this summer. I can't remember the name of the friendly gentleman whom it belonged too off hand. But, hopefully he's a member on here and can share more detailed photos since there was a ton of amazing pieces.

http://i45.tinypic.com/wtceph.jpghttp://i47.tinypic.com/x29r41.jpg

[gorilla777]

Those are some great Rose and Bench bats.

I had the opportunity to visit the Reds Hall of Fame & Museum last weekend. Living in Alabama, this is not a trip I get to make very often. I did provide my Nolan, Gullett and Borbon Jerseys for their Big Red Machine Exhibit.

Mike

Mike, very nice seeing some of your items at the Reds Museum, I am sure. Do you have any other photos of the various displays that they have setup there?
Or if any others here have their photos from the Reds Museum/Big Red Machine exhibit, I would love to see them posted.

Thanks,

Ben

[chakes89]

A couple of shoddy phone pics from an incredible Reds game used collection my uncle took me too see when I visited Cincy earlier this summer. I can't remember the name of the friendly gentleman whom it belonged too off hand. But, hopefully he's a member on here and can share more detailed photos since there was a ton of amazing pieces.

http://i45.tinypic.com/wtceph.jpghttp://i47.tinypic.com/x29r41.jpg
Was that at Steve Wolters Sports Investments shop in Montgomery? That place is awesome if you are a Reds fan

[diamondicons]

The museum photo I posted is the only one I took. Guess I should have taken more photos! It was a quick trip. Mike

[gorilla777]

Was that at Steve Wolters Sports Investments shop in Montgomery? That place is awesome if you are a Reds fan

Yes, you are right, that is the Wolter's place Sports Investments in Cincinnati...

[jsr418]

Awesome Ben... Always love seeing your collection...

[gorilla777]

Awesome Ben... Always love seeing your collection...

Thank you Jay...

[joelsabi]

Mike Lum '76 Bicentennial bat:

Wow. Great pickups, Ben. What is great about these bats is that you definitely know what year it was used and it was a great team to boot. How many more do you need to complete the 1976 Reds set?

[icollectDCsports]

Ben -- Great collection of items from one of the greatest and most famous teams of all time. Not a Reds fan myself, but it's cool to see and thanks for posting the photos here.

[gorilla777]

Wow. Great pickups, Ben. What is great about these bats is that you definitely know what year it was used and it was a great team to boot. How many more do you need to complete the 1976 Reds set?

Thank you both...and Joel, yes, I am really close here on the Reds team set...

Ben

[Nnunnari]

Rose bats turned out great Ben. Just curious, did Pete ask you how you knew which year they were from or did he just take your word for it?

[gorilla777]

Thanks Nick; yes, I took the ordering records and the bat write-ups along with me.

Ben

[jbsportstuff]

Thanks Nick; yes, I took the ordering records and the bat write-ups along with me.

Ben
Sounds great Ben,
I've been with Pete where he questions lots of game used items including items with tremendous provence.

One thing that I didn't know was that ordering records were available for Adirondack bats. I have a Rose bat from that same time frame. We always kind of knew that it was 75 or 76 but had no way to determine which year.

Great bat - as always - and sig.

Jeff

[tacprc]

Thanks Nick; yes, I took the ordering records and the bat write-ups along with me. Ben

Ben, Are there ordering records for Adirondack? Thanks. Chuck

[gorilla777]

Sounds great Ben,
I've been with Pete where he questions lots of game used items including items with tremendous provence.

One thing that I didn't know was that ordering records were available for Adirondack bats. I have a Rose bat from that same time frame. We always kind of knew that it was 75 or 76 but had no way to determine which year.

Great bat - as always - and sig.

Jeff

Hi Jeff, I had the H&B records with me. Pete was pretty chatty that day and I was able to spend a good amount of time that day with him; he also had the horse races going on his iPad sitting there at the table all the while too.

[diamondicons]

Like always Ben, great looking Reds items. Not a game used item, but I did recently pickup Bobby Tolan's 1972 NL Championship ring. Mike

[cjackson35]

The dominance of the Big Red Machine was slightly before my time as I was born in 1970 as I became a Reds fan by 1978 or 1979. George Foster was always my favorite player and I followed him to the Mets in 1982. I have desperately wanted to acquire a Foster game worn jersey from either his Reds or Mets days but only saw one back in 2008 and just barely missed out on it. I now live in Cincinnati and have had him sign some things for me at various appearances. Joe Morgan now has a car dealership here. Great team, great stars, just iconic. If anyone ever sees a Foster jersey please let me know.

[1970REDS]

Hey cjackson35 post your email address if interested in Foster Jersey .

[jbsportstuff]

Hey cjackson35 post your email address if interested in Foster Jersey .
A Reds Foster jersey has been on my radar for a while as well.

[sox83cubs84]

George Foster - signed and inscribed home jersey:


Ben

Ben:

What year is the Foster from?

Dave Miedema

[gorilla777]

Ben:

What year is the Foster from?

Dave Miedema

Dave,

It is from '80-'81, has a signed letter from George as well.

Thanks,

Ben

[sox83cubs84]

Thanks, Ben. Marvelous jersey. I don't see too maay Foster gamers around.

Dave M.

[gorilla777]

Thanks, Ben. Marvelous jersey. I don't see too maay Foster gamers around.

Dave M.

Thank you, Dave. Yes, Foster is always a tough find from the starters, with Dave Concepcion being in the same category.

[MUSEOVEN]

hello: the last fryday i went to dave concepcion company in san sebastian de los reyes (ABAUT 3 HOURS FROM CARACAS) he was great, i get signed all his baseball cards, magazines and memorabilia ;)

[MUSEOVEN]

some store model and some game used jerseys

[MUSEOVEN]

some magazines.-

[MUSEOVEN]

;)

[MUSEOVEN]

some venezuelan magazines ;)

[gorilla777]

Great stuff, I especially like those early magazines. Davey was always an under appreciated member of the Great Eight....

Ben

[dplettn]

Great stuff, I especially like those early magazines. Davey was always an under appreciated member of the Great Eight....

Ben


+1. Thanks for posting those magazines. Very cool to see.


__________________________________________________ ____

Always interested to add to our Joey Votto collection. To those who have items for sale or trade, please consider to touch base:
plettner at fuse dot net

[dplettn]

I put together some photos on the Reds Bicentennial bats for an article...

Ben


Ben, these are two of the most breathtaking pictures I've seen in the hobby. Seeing these brings awe. Long tenured Reds folks who don't fully understand the passion some of us have for the hobby can look at that top pic (taken more than 35 years after the bats were used) and instantly "get it". Thank you for sharing these jaw dropping pictures, and Congratulations on an extraordinary collection!

-Dan

_______________________


Always interested in Joey Votto items, particularly "hit balls". If you have an item that may be of interest, please e-mail me at plettner at fuse.net. Even if you don't intend to sell, I might be willing to trade you an item you'll covet even more.

[diamondicons]

Best collection I have ever seen!

[diamondicons]

Picked up a 1975 Rawly Eastwick game used Home jersey.

[gorilla777]

Mike,

Like the Rawley Eastwick jersey, tough one to find!

Ben

[joelsabi]

Something different from the back to back title years - a couple of game used baseballs from Opening Day in 1975 and Opening Day in 1976.
The '75 comes with a letter of provenance and the '76 has a Reds 580 Gift Shop certificate with it.
Ben,

this baseball is amazing with its provenance. i am glad you have it in your awesome reds collection. just an amazing collections. how did you get it?

Joel

[joelsabi]

I put together some photos on the Reds Bicentennial bats for an article...

Ben

This photos is like traveling back in time. Another shot that would be cool is a shot of the bats in the bat holders in the dugout just like you would see them in a game in 1976. Can you share with us once the article is published. I know I want an autographed copy from you.

[Basketball-collector]

If anyone cares, the 4 Big Red machine players are signing autographs on SUNDAY at the new Richmond, Virginia show this weekend.

http://www.mm-shows.com/sports-spectacular-july/

[gorphils]

Awesome Rawly Eastwick jersey..he is a distant cousin of mine! Wish I had some of his game used stuff!;)

[teddy406]

Pete Rose game used 1977-78 Reds R195 gamer. Uncracked. Fantistic use. Taube/PSA perfect 10 grade. Got really interested in the bat when I found out it matched his ordering records with the Reds in 77 and 78 and wasn't a Phillies 79 bat. Taube said the little painting doesn't affect the grading one or the other, as it could easily be removed. I'm keeping the painting on for now. Here's pictures.

[Juan Gris]

Very nice Rose bat, teddy406. What do you or Taube know about the painting? Being a Reds fan I wouldn't be completely against removing it but I do think it's a good likeness.

[dcrules01]

Would love to see any.joel youngblood doug flynn and pat Zachary.items..Great its.guys

[teddy406]

Here's some photos of bats that have the little paintings of the players on them-similar to my 77-78 Rose bat:

[teddy406]

some more-all Tiger gamers:

[AWA85]

Ben, awesome additions to the collection. If you need to move any Rose or Morgan bats to make room, just let me know!

Great stuff as always.

[teddy406]

1978 Reds Japanese trip game worn set by Mickey Duval. Jersey and pants. All original with numerous Reds coas. Thought it was pretty cool. He didn't make the big squad going into 1979, after this trip, but played in Indi. Here's pics.

[gorilla777]

Ben, awesome additions to the collection. If you need to move any Rose or Morgan bats to make room, just let me know!

Great stuff as always.

Thanks, Adam, I'll send you an email on a Cincy Rose bat

Ben

[AWA85]

Ken Griffey Sr. bat from 77-79.

[sox83cubs84]

This thread has been quiet for awhile...
Here is a Sparky Anderson cold weather parka:

Ben


Sweeeeet!

Dave Miedema

[skyking26]

Thanks, Adam, I'll send you an email on a Cincy Rose bat

Ben

And if you need to move a Bench to make room...give me a shout!

[gorilla777]

And if you need to move a Bench to make room...give me a shout!



Hey Bob, Ha Ha
Will do, but it might be a long wait on that request :cool:

[swainer]

Amazing pieces Ben! How much admission do you charge to visit your mancave??? Put me down for one ticket!!!!

Peace,

John

[gorilla777]

Hey John, thank you! I could use those extra bucks, for sure...

[fredskinz]

Schottzie's dog collar

[diamondicons]

Ben, those are awesome items. Where do you find that stuff!

[joelsabi]

1975 Johnny Bench jersey:


Ben
Great jersey. Joe @ PSA must be jealous.

[rchimes13@yahoo.com]

Very excited to add this piece to my Reds collection...Joe Nuxhall jersey worn by the 'Ol Lefthander when he would pitch batting practice to the the Big Red Machine on the road. Coolest discovery was based on the number change from his customary #41 to his first Reds #39 it dates this at least from 1976-77. He would have been only Reds player prior to 1976 to wear #41, but in 1977 Tom Seaver joined the Reds and wore #41 prompting Nuxhall to make the switch.

[AWA85]

77-79 era George Foster bat from his time with the Reds.

[Nnunnari]

That's some nice cow hide right there Ben. Awesome piece.

[gorilla777]

That's some nice cow hide right there Ben. Awesome piece.

Nick, thank you

Ben

[tigerdale]

Very impressive Ben!!!

[skyking26]

Spectacular Bench Glove!

[diamondicons]

That is awesome!

[rchimes13@yahoo.com]

1988 Barry Larkin jacket:

An early Larkin item, it has the patch for the '88 All Star Game, which is returning to Cincinnati for the first time since that game. There will be events to honor the players from the '75-'76 era Big Red Machine, a couple of the greatest teams of all time.

Ben

Ben,
Beautiful Larkin jacket. Please let me know if you would consider selling at some point!

[gorilla777]

Ben,
Beautiful Larkin jacket. Please let me know if you would consider selling at some point!

Thank you! Sure, you never know down the line so stay in touch...

[rchimes13@yahoo.com]

Thank you! Sure, you never know down the line so stay in touch...

Great shoot me an email at rchimes13@yahoo.com so we can keep in touch!

[diamondicons]

Just picked up 1979 Home Johnny Bench game used pants.

[gorilla777]

Just picked up 1979 Home Johnny Bench game used pants.

Mike, it's time for you to find a legit '79 Bench home jersey now...

[diamondicons]

I've never seen a legit one. Anyone out there have a Size 44 Bench home jersey.

[gorilla777]

I've never seen a legit one. Anyone out there have a Size 44 Bench home jersey.

I know, the key word was "legit" in that sentence.

Ben

[teddy406]

Grey Flannel has one in their auction, but it's a road.

[Juan Gris]

I love this thread and that Foster bat.

Go Reds!

[teddy406]

Sweet Concepcion bat. Think it's the same bat?

[gorilla777]

Sweet Concepcion bat. Think it's the same bat?

Thanks; you know, it's one of those things that is really, really close based on the taped pad look and lining up with the ball marks up around the barrel brand, but cannot put it out as being absolute.

Ben

[diamondicons]

Just added a 1976 Santo Alcala Championship Ring to the collection.

[gorilla777]

Just added a 1976 Santo Alcala Championship Ring to the collection.


Nice pickup, Mike!

[diamondicons]

Thanks Ben!

[jbsportstuff]

Beautiful bats as always.

[sox83cubs84]

Great bats, Ben, especially the BiCentennial examples.

Dave Miedema

[gorilla777]

Thanks, Jeff and thank you, Dave!

[swainer]

You NEVER disappoint, Ben. Truly amazing collection!

[swainer]

I'm reading "They Call Me Sparky" right now and it is great to be reminded of just how great the Big Red Machine was. Then I get to hop on the forum and view some of the very tools they used for their great run. Amazing!

Keep em coming Ben!

Peace!

John

[sox83cubs84]

What's up, John? Thank you...
I added a Johnny Bench Bicentennial bat to replace the one leaving, found this really killer one with great use, heavy tar, loads of scoring on the handle too. The finish seemed to end up being like a galen over the typical flame, giving it a nice tone.
It is probably one of my favorite looking Bicentennial bats, period.
Ben

You've done it again, Ben! GREAT lumber!

Dave M.

[jbsportstuff]

That Bench is beyond special. WOW. I wonder what the green is on the handle. I know that the Riverfront bat racks used to be green, but they would have put the barrel in first. Incredible bat.

[diamondicons]

Awesome Bench bat!

[jbsportstuff]

Phenomenal Borbon jersey. Have no idea where you get this stuff. :)

Ben can you send me an email when you get a chance please?

jbsportstuff at gmail dot com

thanks,

Jeff

[Tigersrawsome]

I'm interested in buying this bat if u would sell it. Either way could u email me at kalepg2456@gmail.com thanks

[Tigersrawsome]

That is the george foster game used bat. Sorry.

[sox83cubs84]

Ben...I'm not sure just how you do it, but, MAN, you do it WELL!

Great Foster bat!

Dave Miedema

[diamondicons]

WOW! Awesome Borbon jersey.

[gorilla777]

Thanks Mike, Dave...
And Jeff, emailed you back earlier this week.

Ben

[Juan Gris]

On September 22, 2002, I was at the final game played at Riverfront Stadium/Cinergy Field. All season long I had my eye on the "Countdown to Great American Ballpark" sign affixed to the yellow section on the 1st base line. They were using giant red numbers on a white background to display how many games were left until the final game at Cinergy. Part way through the final game they removed the "1" and replaced it with a "0" to signify the end had arrived.

You can see this "0" watching over the final pitch in the below picture on the left side. Shortly after that pitch, I made my way down to the yellow seats, reached over the railing and carefully pulled the "0" up and out. I safely made it out of the stadium, put the sign in my trunk and walked over to the players' parking area. The Reds had a big ceremony going on inside the stadium after the game and the garage was nearly empty. The first Reds player that drove out stopped and talked to me and a friend for a solid 15 minutes. He was polite, generous and funny - it was this very interaction that made me the die hard Adam Dunn fan I am today.

Here's a picture of the "0" sign today next to where it hung back in 2002. If anyone has additional game pictures of the Countdown signage during the 2002 season I'd love to read about it here or via email!

[skyking26]

I wish Dunn had hung on another season or 2. 500 is an exclusive club. Aside from making a living, players aspire to win-it-all and or achieve personal feats. Dunn didn't get the ring so 500 would be something only a few have done. I have to admit surprise and disappointment when he walked away.

[sox83cubs84]

1975 Pete Rose bat

Ben:

Your bat acquisitions never cease to amaze me. That's another great pickup.

Dave Miedema

[gorilla777]

Ben:

Your bat acquisitions never cease to amaze me. That's another great pickup.

Dave Miedema

Hi Dave, thank you!

[sox83cubs84]

1976 Tony Perez Bicentennial bat - with Reds 580 Gift Shop provenance

And the hits keep on comin'! That's another winner, Ben.

Dave M.

[gorilla777]

And the hits keep on comin'! That's another winner, Ben.

Dave M.

Dave, thanks again

Ben

[sox83cubs84]

'76 Joe Morgan Bicentennial bat:

2nd straight MVP Season and back-to-back World Series Champs season..

Ben

Two more great bats...how do you DO it, Ben?

Dave M.

[seanbaseball]

Very Cool Bench Glove!!!!!

[sox83cubs84]

1970 Bobby Tolan road flannel:

The Tolan flannel is a beaut!

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

The Tolan flannel is a beaut!

Dave Miedema

For that matter, so is the '75 Eastwick:)

Dave M.!

[Rade25]

Great Eastwick jersey too. Maybe that was his World Series jersey. Don't see hardly any 1975 Reds gamers.

[DrJB]

Bob Howsam jacket.
87494

87495

87496