Text 
No Comments [ Add Comment ]Ask Babe: More questions for the Babe
By BABE WAXPAKDear Babe: I have a baseball signed by the 1954-55 Boston Red Sox team ball in top condition. The signatures include Ted Williams, Mickey Vernon, Dave Sisler, Bill Goodman, Jackie Jensen, Milt Bolling and others that are clear but not familiar to me. I believe one of them might be Dom DiMaggio. -- Virginia Boydstone, Douglasville, Ga.
Dear Babe: I have a Boston Red Sox autographed team from 1954 or 1955. Ted Williams and Mike ("Pinky") Huggins are in the sweet spot. Other signatures include George Susce, Dave Sisler, Sammy White, Billy Klaus and Ted Lepcio. -- Henry Hughes, Douglasville, Ga.
Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket. What are the chances that two folks in Douglasville, Ga., would write in within two weeks of each others asking about Boston Red Sox baseballs that both owners think are from 1954 or 1955 when in fact, Da Babe believes they're from 1956? The key to me is Sisler. His first year in Boston was 1956. That was also the case for Mickey Vernon. The Red Sox weren't very good back then, finishing fourth in '56. A ball signed by that team is worth $300-$500, said Brian Marren, vice president of acquisitions for www.MastroAuctions.com auctions in Chicago. If Harry Agganis' name is there, the ball is from 1954 or early 1955 and is worth at least $1,000. But I don't see how a team ball could end up with both signatures, since Agganis died June 27, 1955, nearly a year before Sisler joined the team.
Dear Babe: I have a pin flag from the 18th hole of Michael Jordan's golf course in Chicago, which is signed by him. -- Gayle Williams, Albuquerque, N.M.
"I would say $500-$750 on the flag depending on the condition and appearance," said Theo Chen, owner of AutographsForSale.com, who worked at Upper Deck and Beckett prior to that. Mike Heffner, president of www.lelands.com auction house in New York, agreed saying it was worth around $750. Brian Marren, vice president of acquisitions for www.MastroAuctions.com auctions in Chicago agreed, putting it in the $500-$1,000 range.
Dear Babe: I would appreciate your help in identifying a baseball. It's an official American League ball from 1956 and has the following signatures on it among others: Al Lopez, Bob Young, Vic Wertz, Early Wynn, Herb Score, Al Smith, Hoot Evers, George Strickland, Rocky Colavito and Bob Lemon. -- Dave Wild, Chicago
As for the baseball, it looks like a 1956 Indians ball. You'll need to find Bob Feller and Mike Garcia on there as well. A baseball signed by that squad is worth around $300, said Mike Gutierrez, consignment director for Heritage Auctions (www.ha.com) in Dallas.
Dear Babe: I have a mint condition (bag wrapped) copy of the last edition of The National Sports Daily dated June 14, 1991. "The reflective headline read 'WE HAD A BALL' with a subhead 'The fat lady sings our song."'-- Garry Rosenberg, San Diego
With a publication this new and with a short life, it's doubtful that even a first issue is worth much. I don't think there's a lot of value for your keepsake. A quick check of completed eBay auctions showed a combo lot with the first and last issues that sold for a whopping $1 plus $5 shipping and handling.
BABE NOTE: Da Babe knows many readers remember the days when you could get a pack of cards for a penny or a nickel. Leaf Limited 2007 is on dealer shelves, and these aren't your grandfather's trading cards. Each seven-card box comes with a $125 price tag and contains seven cards. Each pack contains a couple of jersey cards and an autographed card. The set includes cut signatures of Bobby Layne, Earl "Dutch" Clark, Otto Graham, Red Grange, Sammy Baugh, Sid Luckman and Doak Walker. There are also Matching Numbers cards with jersey patches from a former star and current player who share the same number. The past and present theme continues through Prime Pairings and Team Threads.
Send card questions to Babe Waxpak, PO Box 492397, Redding, CA 96049-2397 or e-mail babewaxpak@charter.net. If possible, include card number, year and brand or a photocopy. Please do not send cards. For Babe Waxpak's blog, see www.scrippsnews.com/waxpak. Babe Waxpak is a feature of The Record Searchlight in Redding, Calif.
Add Your Comment
