Show off YOUR game used baseballs...

[joelsabi]

Re: Show off YOUR game used baseballs...

Ten years ago I bought a ball from Tony LaRussa's Animal Rescue Foundation, used in the 8/19/99 game between the Cards and Cubs. It was the first and only time that season (and more significantly, the last time in their careers) where Mac and Sammy would hit home runs in the same game.

One of the many things I respect about Tony LaRussa is his appreciation for baseball history. He recognized the 8/19 game as the symbolic end of the McGwire/Sosa chapter of baseball history by taking this ball out of play and having both men sign it.

What makes the ball special to me is that, several weeks after receiving it, I opened my mailbox to find a letter from Tony, written by hand, talking about the ball and describing it as the only one of its kind. Truth be told, the letter means more to me than the ball.

Rick
rickjlucas@gmail.com

that letter give the baseball a great story and history. nice item. thanks for sharing

[godwulf]

Re: Show off YOUR game used baseballs...

The mention and photos of the Prez-signed balls made me wonder what other celebs you've all had sign baseballs. Baseballs seem to be a very popular thing to have folks sign these days - even those with no connection to The Game.

In addition to the hundreds of player-signed balls that I've acquired, I also have gotten John Cleese, Arlo Guthrie, Gena Lee Nolin, and author Andrew Vacchs to sign a ball for me. I plan to get comedian Paula Poundstone to sign one when I see her next month.

[xpress34]

Re: Show off YOUR game used baseballs...

The mention and photos of the Prez-signed balls made me wonder what other celebs you've all had sign baseballs. Baseballs seem to be a very popular thing to have folks sign these days - even those with no connection to The Game.

In addition to the hundreds of player-signed balls that I've acquired, I also have gotten John Cleese, Arlo Guthrie, Gena Lee Nolin, and author Andrew Vacchs to sign a ball for me. I plan to get comedian Paula Poundstone to sign one when I see her next month.

GW -

I got Jeff Foxworthy a few years back at the visiting team hotel here in Denver as they were here shooting Blue Collar II at the Buell Theatre.

My other 'celeb' autos all have baseball tie in:

Kevin Costner (Bull Durham, Filed of Dreams, For Love of the Game)
Tom Selleck (Mr Baseball and well known for his Tigers hat in Magnum, P.I.)
Thomas Jane (Mickey mantle in *61 - even added *61 inscription in sig)
Todd McFarlane (Maker of Sports Picks - owner of McGwire's 62 and 70, Sosas 66 and Bonds 73 HR Balls)

I think That's it currently...

- Chris

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: Show off YOUR game used baseballs...

I've also been a registered Republican my whole life, and a "W" signed baseball would be a grail to me, given his Presidency, his status as a huge baseball fan, and his stint owning the Texas Rangers.

Dave M.
Chicago area

Dave, you may have missed your opportunity. I hear he only signs "Alfred E, Neuman" these days.

Maybe one of his super-rich oil buddies could donate one to you? Because you may be the last guy on the face of this earth......besides his buddies.......who appreciate any aspect of his presidency and the mess we are now in?

(Notice to you jerk-offs in the Secret Service.....I was only KIDDING, no need to stake me out!)

[godwulf]

Re: Show off YOUR game used baseballs...

Kevin Costner (Bull Durham, Filed of Dreams, For Love of the Game)
Tom Selleck (Mr Baseball and well known for his Tigers hat in Magnum, P.I.)
Thomas Jane (Mickey mantle in *61 - even added *61 inscription in sig)
Todd McFarlane (Maker of Sports Picks - owner of McGwire's 62 and 70, Sosas 66 and Bonds 73 HR Balls)

I'd love to meet Costner, and get him to sign a ball for me. I have a Costner bobblehead - can't recall right now which team put that out...I think it was the minor league club in San Bernandino - and at least a half a dozen Costner cards, and also a couple of Tom Sellek cards.

I had a chance to buy a ball - this would have been about '94 or '95 - that Todd McFarlane put a rather elaborate calligraphy-like signature on; the owner of a comic shop that I was frequenting at the time worked for the company that McFarlane was doing a lot of art for, and he saw McFarlane all the time. (Come to think of it, it was the year that the movie version of 'Spawn' came out, whenever that was.) The shop owner wanted fifty bucks for the ball, which seemed a bit high. It still does, come to think of it.

[rj_lucas]

Re: Show off YOUR game used baseballs...

no need to stake me out!)

That's right. Everyone knows the guys from Grey Flannel have first dibs on staking out Steve.

Rick
rickjlucas@gmail.com

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: Show off YOUR game used baseballs...

Just based on the past few posts, I have to put this one up - not GU - and I'm not Republican or Democrat... I'm an Independent... but just to have ANY U.S. Presidential signed ball is cool, so here's mine:



Got this done here in Denver when he was speaking at one of the local High Schools during his campaign.

Really wanted it in Ball Point, but due to his popularity, his staffers keep him stocked in Sharpies.

- Chris

Hey Chris.......where's the signature?

I see the inscription that reads "BOY, do I SUCK"....but I can't find the signature?

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: Show off YOUR game used baseballs...

That's right. Everyone knows the guys from Grey Flannel have first dibs on staking out Steve.

Rick
rickjlucas@gmail.com

I'm ready for em.......

[allstarsplus]

Re: Show off YOUR game used baseballs...

Hey Andrew,

Being a registered Republican my whole life, I would have said "COOL!" about your George "W" signed ball if today were about 7-8 years ago.

Today? I'd play "fetch" with it in the backyard with the dog. But I won't get "political" here....

Nice Zim and Soriano balls, for sure!!!

I won't get political either, but "W" threw out the 1st pitch in the newly opened Nats Park Stadium in 2008 and the 2nd time he threw out a 1st pitch on Opening Day for the Nats as he did it when the Nats had their 1st game ever in 2005.

The ball is MLB holo'd too!!!!!!

Still special for me. If Obama threw out a 1st pitch in Washington which I believe he should have done, I would want one of those too!

I passed on the Dick Cheney ball LOL

[xpress34]

Re: Show off YOUR game used baseballs...

GW -

I forgot to add on the list of Celebrity balls...

We got Chef Robert Irvine (from Dinner Impossible on the Food Network) on Opening Day 2008. Ran into him at a downtown hotel on the way to get our car and he invited us back to a cook off they were holding at the hotel.

Really nice guy...

- Chris

P.S.

STEVE - I'm officially ignoring you right now.

[ironmanfan]

Re: Show off YOUR game used baseballs...

game used ball off the bat of the Orioles' Chris Hoiles at the game in June 1996, where Cal Ripken Jr. passed Japan's Sachio Kinugasa for the World Record of 2216 consecutive games played (Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City)...I gave the guy who caught it $50 and later got both Kinugasa and Ripken to sign it afterwards (was fortunate to share a cab with Kinugasa back to the hotel after the game)....No MLB Authenication in those days (just good old hard work getting items yourself)

[sportscentury]

Re: Show off YOUR game used baseballs...

Rickey Henderson. The 2002 baseball was a Christmas gift from Rickey/MOS (see signed Christmas card below).

[markize]

Re: Show off YOUR game used baseballs...

I have a baseball signed by former Pennsylvania governor, Tom Ridge, before the stint with homeland security. it's currently packed away, but i will look to dig it out for pics.

just last year i got a Spike Lee auto on a baseball in baltimore.





mark

[lakeerie92]

Re: Show off YOUR game used baseballs...

A little late to the party, but here is my collection. All of the commemorative balls are MLB authenticated except the Mickey Mantle day.



Looking for MLB authenticated 2005 and 2008 Washington Nationals commemorative balls, Mets Inaugural Season balls, and Home Run Derby and All-Star game balls.

[LastingsMilledge85]

Re: Show off YOUR game used baseballs...

I only have a few, but this one is my favorite commemorative ball I have seen.