Do you collect Game-Used Bases?

[esigs]

Re: Do you collect Game-Used Bases?

I collect a wide range of game used baseball items, mostly bats, and as part of that I also collect game used bases. I don't collect statistically relevent bases from specific games or players careers though. I only collect game used bases with logo's printed on top of the bag. The logo's are usually pretty colorful, clear in what the particular game or event was and look great all dirtied up from game use. I have approximately 25-30 of them commorating all sorts of different occasions. The bases I have range from World Series and All Star games to the WBC and the Civil Right game. Quite a few are from the final season or inaugural season of ballparks and I'm always on the search for ones I don't have. Most recently this year I aquired logo bases from the 100th Anniversary game at Wrigley and the anniversary of Hank Aaron's 715 HR's on Opening Day from the Braves.

I cut out wooden holders from plywood, paint them white and use large picture hangers on them. The moubnts/hangers slide in the base where the mounting plate goes for games and I hang them on the wall. It gives them almost a floating look.

There's never seemed to be a large contingency of g/u base collectors but I sure enjoy them in my collection. I'm looking to the National next week to see if I can find any new ones to add!

Tony, for each commemorative base, do you know roughly how many times teams use bases with the logo vs. just a jewel being commemorative? For example, for Ripken's retirement, it looks like they had the #8 jewel in many games, but the base with the farewell logo was used only in the final home series? On the other hand, the bases celebrating a stadium milestone seem to have been used on different dates not just the end of the season. I'm just trying to get a sense of how many of these logo bases were used for each logo type, if there is any pattern throughout MLB.

[lengthwise1]

Re: Do you collect Game-Used Bases?

I was stoked to grab this one on Sunday

[esquiresports]

Re: Do you collect Game-Used Bases?

Picked up some nice displays off of eBay for $80 or so.

I enjoy bases because they can be directly tied to an event (e.g., when there are special logo bases) or a statistic (you can't get your 3,000th hit without touching first base).

[MTC]

Re: Do you collect Game-Used Bases?

Does anyone know of any base frames or cases that allow you to display the base without taking the metal post off the base?

[Dcdopson@aol.com]

Re: Do you collect Game-Used Bases?

TBone- awesome collection. What type of wood are you using for the display, and what is the width of wood to avoid it cracking and falling? Oh, and if you ever move the Vets Stadium, I'm in!

[tbone90]

Re: Do you collect Game-Used Bases?

Yes, the metal mounting post/plate come off the bases really easy. There's several screws on all four sides that need removed and the metal post can then just be pulled out of the back of the base.

[MTC]

Re: Do you collect Game-Used Bases?

Tony, your collection looks great! Thank you so much for sharing those pictures with us. Are the stumps that go into the ground on the bases easy to take off? I assume that's what you did in order to place them so nicely on the wall.

Also, what do people do when they have bases that are autographed and want to display them? Is there some sort of acrylic case like those made for baseballs but fit bases?

[tbone90]

Re: Do you collect Game-Used Bases?

I use the trinagle holders for second base bags with the logo's printed at an angle. They hang very nicely and readable then.

[tbone90]

Re: Do you collect Game-Used Bases?

Thanks guys. I had a couple people ask about the holders I use to mount the bases so here's a couple pics...

[MichaelofSF]

Re: Do you collect Game-Used Bases?

Some game used bases. Sorry for the poor picture quality...

really cool looking display

[Enyouartist]

Re: Do you collect Game-Used Bases?

Awesome stuff! ( I owned Jeter's 1500hit base, but sold it because I never got around to framing it.) I love how you just have them "as is" on the wall! How did you hang those?

[Jules9]

Re: Do you collect Game-Used Bases?

Nice stuff. Love the bases with the logos on them.


One time Chase Utley had an inside the park home run and the phillies were selling all three bases from it but of course I didn't buy them and wish I did.

[tbone90]

Re: Do you collect Game-Used Bases?

Some game used bases. Sorry for the poor picture quality...

[64SHEA]

Re: Do you collect Game-Used Bases?

Do autographs on game used bases last? I've seen some where you can barely make out the signature. Is it due to the dirt or is the surface not marker friendly?

I have two bases with several autos and so far have had no problems with fading. Of course just like anything how you store/display it will make a big difference.

The real problem is getting a good looking auto. There are indentations going all over the base as well as little bumps that I assume are for grip. They can make it difficult to sign the base. If you get a player who doesn't really care it wont look great. You can see how Mariano took his time while it seems Pedroia said good enough and moved on.

IMG_7043 by mets1190, on Flickr

[ironmanfan]

Re: Do you collect Game-Used Bases?

these are the only two game used bases I own:



there was no sanding done on these prior to being signed