STL Cardinals Winter Warm Up

[TFig27]

Re: STL Cardinals Winter Warm Up

wow, $20 for helmets. did they have any numbers on the backs? or tell you what player they are from?

[STLFan2003]

Re: STL Cardinals Winter Warm Up

when I was there, I only saw one with a number, Kelly Stinnett I believe, and it was a catcher's helmet (the old kind)

most of the helmets were catchers types or flapless. some had one flap, but the majority of those didnt have a logo.

[Birdbats]

Re: STL Cardinals Winter Warm Up

The Lankford WS jersey was at a dealer's booth, not in the store. The store had a couple jerseys that dated back as far as 2001, but most of the items were from the past season or two.

Sorry you missed it, Billy.

[Kid4hof03]

Re: STL Cardinals Winter Warm Up

Great stuff guys! It's fun to see how everyone is doing at the team sale's.

Did any of the dealers have any Ron Gant stuff?

Abe

[Birdbats]

Re: STL Cardinals Winter Warm Up

Abe, I didn't see any Gant items. Sorry.

[bigtruck260]

Re: STL Cardinals Winter Warm Up

Jeff -

Funny you mention Donnie. I didn't get to tell you that we talked several times throughout the day. I know he is a Lankford - only stocker...so I told him he would have dibs on it. I can respect that. He alerted me to it first - so as far as I was concered, he marked it. I we weren't friends - I might have snatched it up.

The bats in the "store" were rubbish for $25. When I got there, there were 3. An FP Santangelo (which I am certain I saw in 2003) and two others with damage so bad that the only befefit would be an exspensive tomato stake. Most of the jerseys were issued and unworn. I nearly bought the Benes brothers set for $150 - but laid off...

Now - the auctions had some nice stuff. However, the bats (again) were totally wrecked. I saw a Duncan that was nearly split in two, and I actually bid on an Encarnacion bat - and afterward noticed that it was shattered beyond any repair job. Thankfully, someone else outbid me with less than 15 minutes remaining. The Pujols bat for the live auction was also shattered terribly.

The Authentics store moved from the stadium - and of course, premium jerseys and bats were available for serious $$. Encarnacion bat = $200 and Duncan = $400. There were some jerseys, bases and balls avaiable - but if you can't afford them, why look...right?

Larussa had two booths for his ARF stuff, which is really nice. Plenty of team-signed lineup cards (including Pujols) for $475-$500 - and signed only by Tony for $75.

Someone mentioned the helmets. Mine are both oldies from 1992. One is lefty and one righty...and I think I got the last righty helmet they had. Both have logos and I am using them as bookends. No shortage of fringe player/bench coach stuff as far as hats and pants, etc.

The Warmup is what you make it. I am a people watcher - and I spent some time in line with some real goofballs (but nice). I was afraid that one of them might have been a forum member - so I was not my usual self...I stayed reserved and laughed when they weren't looking.

Ran into Barry Weinberg (trainer) while looking at the Birdbats setup, and almost bumped into Larussa. Otherwise, the celebrities of the event were kept away from the bustle of red.

My two bit review. Prices were OK, selection slim (unless, of course $) and not too crowded. I am satisfied. On a scale from 1-10, it was a solid 6.

Dave

[cigarman44]

Re: STL Cardinals Winter Warm Up

Getting ready to go back to the warm up today. Yesterday won the Ryan Ludwick "Brian Ludwig" signed bat that was in the late day silent auction. Looking at getting a few items today. Paid more for the Ludwick then I wanted but its for a good cause. I also bought a helmet from the Authentics store for 50 before I seen them in the Cardinals store for 20 . I need a Hector Luna bat but ofcourse the only 2 I seen were used by Pujols and were 350 and 600 a piece. Got about 7 autos to get today so its gonna be busy. Had my Aaron Miles gamer signed yesterday and when the lady sitting next to him asked him if it was a game used or a bp bat he said you cant chuck a piece of the bat off like that in bp. This is definatly a gamer. I thought that was pretty cool. Only bat I have left to get signed is my Ankiel tomorrow.

[cigarman44]

Re: STL Cardinals Winter Warm Up

Speaking of "bumping" into LaRussa. He came barging through behind us yesterday with a camera man that felt the need to slam me in the back of my head with his camera. lol

[DonTheLegend]

Re: STL Cardinals Winter Warm Up

this years WWU seemed , to me at least, like a carbon copy of the the last few years. very predictable, which in many ways was is a good thing, but it lacked the "of my gosh" type of stuff (from a GU collectors standpoint) that ive seen at earlier events.

i was over joyed to have met a few forum members (bigtruck260, Birdbats, STLStuff). it was an absolute pleasure talking with these folks and having a name and a face to put with their respective posts.

i arrived at 1:45am Saturday morning. there were approximately 15-18 people in front of me and i made myself an area on the floor in the doorway of the "Clubhouse Presentation Room". i was soon joined in line by a couple of gentlemen shortly there after. it later turned out they were forum members.

i thought that was pretty awsome and we talked about various topics throughout the morning hoping to pass the time. at that point we had 7 hours to trudge through until the doors opened.

the wait proved to be worth it (again at least to me). the store was full of jerseys, hats and batting helmets. however, the jerseys werent overwhelming. some throwbacks and game issues and no name type stuff.

i truley believe that had "the powers that be" left the numbers on the helmets (home and road) they wouldve been flying from the shelves. as luck would have it, they did not and for the most part went untouched while i was in the store.

i was able to pick up some very nice GU hats

Jim Edmonds -Sunday/ alt
Chris Carpenter -Road w/ incredible use
So Taguchi -Sunday/ alt
Chris Duncan -Sunday/ alt

in light of new found items, i will probably place some or all of these up for sale to raise money for another purchase.

in hind sight i shouldve picked up a few more caps. they had a number of them, but i didnt want to spend every last penny in there when i hadnt even been to the dealer area.

i bought a nice Lankford Mizuno (black) from Jeff Scott and was nearly floored when he presented me with a 2004 Lankford road jersey w/ World Series patch (from another dealer). im hoping (meaning i will) to pick that baby up this week.

again, i truly enjoyed meeting with and talking to Dave, Jeff Scott, John, Jeff and Mark throughout the day. i feel this forum is fortunate to have members such as them around. they are great folks.

didnt get to make it today. i may go back tomorrow. if not, it was still a nice time and i was able to pick up some great items and make some new friends.

what else can a collector ask for?

[STLFan2003]

Re: STL Cardinals Winter Warm Up

Don, what kind of jerseys did they have at the opening? I was pleasantly surpised to see the Preston Wilson when I got there at 1:00 . I ended up picking up a Brendan Ryan batting practice today and that was it.

[bigtruck260]

Re: STL Cardinals Winter Warm Up

And again, I was faced with the dilemma of buying an "issued" bat of a player I need in my collection - rather than overpaying for a used model.
I bought the Chris Duncan bat from a dealer for $150 and the Cards were selling the used bat for $400.

Donnie - I did see your Lankford jersey...what a find.

I am not naming any names here, but did anyone else see the dealer with a case full of fake stuff? I thought that was kind of bold considering he was selling a team signed Cardinals item in which every autograph was a forgery. I just proves that even in a well-controlled environment, the "expert" dealers are willing to risk reputation and prosecution for the almighty ducket.

Dave

[ecerulo]

Re: STL Cardinals Winter Warm Up

Did anyone come away with any Yadi Game Used? I was able to snag what was supposed to be the only GU item the Cardinals Authentics store had in a 2007 Game Used Away jersey, but then found out today that the came across the Home jersey back at the stadium later in the day (unaccounted for in their inventory at the WWU). Unfortunately, I was too late to get that one. I'd definitely be very interested in that one if anyone picked it up, as well as any other Yadi Game Used.

- Ed
ecerulo@gmail.com

[PK]

Re: STL Cardinals Winter Warm Up

Don, what kind of jerseys did they have at the opening? I was pleasantly surpised to see the Preston Wilson when I got there at 1:00 . I ended up picking up a Brendan Ryan batting practice today and that was it.

Would love to see pics of this and would be very interested if you ever wanted to move it.

Matt

[STLFan2003]

Re: STL Cardinals Winter Warm Up

Would love to see pics of this and would be very interested if you ever wanted to move it.

Matt

oops I omitted the word hat. I got a Brendan Ryan hat today. I believe that there was a Brendan Ryan jersey at the authentics booth, but in the 200 dollar range at least.

[chakes89]

Re: STL Cardinals Winter Warm Up

Anybody see or pick up any Carmen Cali stuff?