Bonds Confiscated Collector's Memorabilia

[ChrisCavalier]

Chris-
I'm curious about your statement, "I hope you will join me in welcoming Jeff to the site and, among others, I am sure Brandon Webb fans will enjoy having him aboard.

Are there really a bunch of Webb fans clamoring to gain insight about him on this Game Used Forum site? Manny Ramirez, Albert Pujols maybe. Brandon Webb??????

Hello Howard,

I think there are a number of collectors out there who enjoy looking for the next great prospect. This is obviously not a big revelation given the interest in rookie baseball cards, etc. While the Pujolses and Ramirezes of the world are already recognized, I think there are collectors who are trying to determine who the next Pujols, or Greg Maddux, might be. In fact, there are dealers and collectors who may even speculate in their memorabilia and, if they are right, might see some handsome returns (for example, I think some dealers and collectors who were buying Pujols stuff a few years ago are feeling pretty good right now).

Personally, I think Brandon Webb fits into that category. That is, while he's not really well known right now (playing in Arizona probably doesn't help), he is the type of pitcher who has the potential to be a long-term star. Thus, to the few who know about him, I think there might very well be interest in him. However, that would be something dealers and collectors will have to determine for themselves.

Does anyone else know about Brandon Webb? Maybe I'm wrong but I think that guy is going to be a many time all-star (in fact, wasn't he an all-star this year?).

Sincerely,
Chris

[mr.miracle]

I totally agree with you there byergo. His punishment if and when he is found guilty but already in the court of public opinion will be the shame of the public eye and questions he will have to endure. Unfortunately, there is simply no way to ever definitively determine if and when each player took steroids and to what degree this enhanced their playing ability to ever officially wipe their records from the books.

The public shame and embarrassment will have to serve as this punishment as well as a very, very questionable debate about whether or not these players will be enshrined in Cooperstown. If the vote was left up to the current HOF's and a player was caught taking steroids, there seems to be no question that the current HOF's would not vote for that player for enshrinement. It will be interesting to see what the HOF voters do as players from this era become eligble over the next couple of years. Ultimately, I don't see how you can keep players like McGwire, Sosa, Bonds and even Palmeiro out of the hall. After all at least in Palmiero's case, steroids would not have done a great deal in helping him amass over 3000 hits which is an instant tick punch into the HOF. In the case of the three other players I mentioned, none have ever tested positive for anything despite everyone's suspicions of them. Fortunately we are still innocent until proven guilty in this country. Just my two cents

Brett Herman
brettherman2131@hotmail.com

[trsent]

I don't know why Barry Bonds gets all the blame.

Think, all those baseball players who were not violating the rules of baseball putting crap into their bodies all those years.

Think, all those football players who were violating the rules of football putting crap into their bodies all those years.

Think, all those pro wrestlers who were not violating the rules of sports entertainment putting crap into their bodies all those years.

Think, all those weight-lifters putting crap into their bodies all those years.

Think, everyone ever, like those allegations of Lance Armstrong using Steroids, putting crap into their bodies all those years.

In the end, the public will single Barry Bonds out because he has shown the most success.

Also in the end, they must all answer to a higher power who will determine if they should be punished, but that higher power is not you, me, The US Government or Major League Baseball.

I personally bet that higher power has more important issues to deal with.

[mr.miracle]

Joel, while I agree largely with what you said, I believe that the Federal Government has a direct obligation to its citizens to waste more of their hard earned money investigating every player who ever played professional sports to determine if they in fact used performance enhancing drugs during the course of their professional careers. God knows that the government has nothing better to do with its time and our money so why should any investigation they do come as a shock to anyone.

However, I don't necessarily believe that the IRS is singling Barry out as they have proven over the years to be equal opportunity investigators of all who break the tax laws. It just appears that not everyone is dumb enought to get caught. But Joel, you are right, why not try to catch the biggest fish in the sea?

Brett

[trsent]

They already nabbed The All-Time Hit King, they are just trying to get to Barry before he is The All-Time Home Run King.

[allstarsplus]

Eric - Thanks for the article. Along with guys like Jeff Kranz and others that dealt with Barry Bonds and Steve Hoskins, it is almost surreal to see all this unfolding in newspaper articles and Steve vs. Barry and Barry vs. Steve.

I dealt with Stevie and his assistant Dan for years not only with Barry Bonds items, but also with Willie Mays and Jerry Rice.

Kent Collectibles was the only game in town if you wanted the "real" Barry stuff.

By reading the article, I doubt the truth will ever come out. It is a shame that many other people were affected by the fallout and the tarnish that has been put on baseball.

Byergo's analogy to Enron is pretty close to reality if you bought at the height of the Bond's market.

[jon_8_us]

I for one absolutely ignore all that is going on with Bonds.He was at one time my favorite non Boston player.All the talent in the world without all the non sense.He may not have hit 700+ Hr's but would have won all the MVP's and been a first ballot Hofer.Damn shame to see this star come crashing out of the sky.Don't even care anymore.....By the way i would be interested to hear about Brandon Webb stuff from Jeff.Why not?He is a great pitcher.And now would be the time to get some of his stuff.
jon

[webb17]

We all know Barry Bonds is one of the greatest players of all time and is being picked on. But the truth be told is that he has brought all of this on himself "I'm Barry Bonds and You're Not" We punish people who get caught doing something wrong in our society. He didn't have to bring anyone else into his arena to try to cover up his mess. Barry couldv'e got out of this mess 2 years ago, just like Pete Rose. They chose to fight and thought they were above the law. Barry Bonds is not a good person trust me, but he belongs in the Hall of Fame.

[webb17]

My web site for Brandon Webb is WWW.webbsite17.com. Thank you for your interest. Brandon is one of the top ten pitchers in the majors since he has come up in 2003. He will end up on the east coast in 4 years with a better team and will be recognized than.

[Eric]

Jeff-

Welcome to the forum. I think I can speak for everyone here when i say we look forward to any insight you have on this Bonds memorabilia situation.

Personally, I would love to hear details about the day Bonds and the FBI showed up at your door. Must have been surreal.

I will check out your site right away!
Eric
moderator