Revisiting Baseball's Hallowed Hall

Hey guys, Drew back here! William has soared past me with this trip recap, however I've still got quite a bit to post. I'm not used to being as busy as I am but I'm trying to contribute to the blogosphere whenever I get around to it. With that said, here is my recap of our most recent visit to the Hall of Fame.

We originally went into the Hall before we went to the Induction Ceremony to get our tickets and hands stamped. We figured that after the Induction, many people would be checking out the museum, so rather than wait in line, we got stamped and returned later on, walking through the line like VIP members!

For any of you new to the Hall, normally the first thing you'll see in the Hall is their short little introduction video. If you aren't in the museum mood, this will change that. It's a nice beginning to the Hall, but I won't spoil it any more for any of you interested in checking it out for yourself.

After the intro, you're told to start from the very beginning of history in the Hall, but I don't quite understand why you wouldn't. The earliest stuff is in my opinion the most interesting in all of the museum, especially since I had already been there in the past. There are a lot of unique pieces in the earlier displays, while some of the later displays contain more jerseys/hats/equipment/etc. 

Babe Ruth's exhibit is one of the coolest in all of the Museum! The Hall owns many of The Babe's classic memorabilia, and it is almost overwhelming to see it all in the same place and take it all for what it is. However, they own his last ever autograph (above) along with some jerseys and bats from memorable moments.

When I visited the Hall... I had still not seen 42. They had a small display featuring some of the movie memorabilia, and I wish I could've enjoyed it more. However, the night we returned to my house we got to watch it, and as far as I'm concerned we all really enjoyed it.

Hate the Yankees all you want, but when you go to the Hall of Fame you need to expect to see some of their classic memorabilia. Being a Yankees fan, there was an awful lot of incredible memorabilia I got a chance to feast my eyes on.

The Pirates have been a lot of fun to watch in 2013, and I've gained more appreciation for the organization by the day (well, everyone but Bill Mazeroski). I hope to see them win the NL Central and compete throughout the playoffs. Having them as a second favorite team should add some excitement in October when the Yankees most likely won't (and probably shouldn't) be playing.

The first time I went to the Hall with my Dad in 2009, this Hank Aaron "Chasing the Dream" exhibit had been in construction. I remember they were working on the displays while we walked by, and we got to see one of Hank's game used bats outside of the glass. They did a really nice job paying tribute to Hammerin' Hank, and I found it interesting that the MLB records displays were right next to it...

William and I's teams don't seem to share much in common. Both the Orioles and Yankees have been around for a while, and both have their share of incredible players, but otherwise they don't have a lot to relate to. Well.. except for the "Iron" connection between Gehrig and Ripken, the "Most Consecutive Games Played" record, which Ripken now owns obviously. The Hall did a nice job showing off some cool pieces surrounding the hallowed record.

Even Eddie Gaedel's classic "1/8" jersey was on display! Gaedel, the legendary midget who had one at bat for Bill Veeck's St. Louis Browns in 1951, owns the highest On Base Percentage in MLB history (although he only registered one at bat)! His uniform was next to current MLB'er Jon Rauch's jersey, the tallest player to ever take the field in the Majors.

When I went in Spring 2009, this sucker wasn't in the World Series ring display, because it hadn't been won yet. The 2009 World Series has been the only Yankee World Series I've associated myself with throughout my life because I was far too young to understand their late 90's run. So, it was really neat to get to see one of the rings up close!

"Sipping from your cup til' it runneth over, holy grail". Justin Timberlake couldn't pay tribute to the 1909 T-206 Wagner any better. Whenever you're in a room with that card, you could almost taste the aura surrounding it. Simply put, it's the greatest baseball card ever created, and is a lot of the reason why we all still are able to collect today.

Also since our first trip, I began to start the 1961 Topps set! I'm now a little over halfway done with the set (including the high numbers), but I've really started to question whether I should bother with the high numbers or not. Of the 12 cards on display, I own 7, which isn't too bad considering I haven't focused on the set in a while.

William and I really enjoyed getting to see the Hall together this year. It was a great experience, and I'm glad I was able to see it with someone who appreciates it even more than I do. However, I have a little bit more from the Hall I'd like to share with you all, which I'm planning on getting to tomorrow.

See Ya!

MUST READ- UNBELIEVABLE GIFT!!!

Hey guys, Drew back here. I'm not permanently back, but I will be soon. I got a TTM, bought something on eBay, went to the shop today, got some mail, but before I post all that, this is by far the greatest "Vintage Cards From Pop Popps" (not cards though) gift of all time, and he will never be able to beat this. There has been nothing I've ever dreamed of that I'd want more than something like this. Take a look!

So Pop Popps stopped by today, and I didn't know that he had these 2 frames waiting for me. He got them from a dealer, for less than $500, which does seem very suspicious to me, but they do look real. Shown on this first frame is an original picture of the old Yankee Stadium, an original picture of Gehrig, Ruth, and Foxx, some sort of old cigarrette card of a former Yankees manager (don't think it's real), tickets to World Series games, including the legendary "Called Shot" ticket, and an autographed picture of the Babe and Lou Gehrig! OMG!!!!!!! This was completely unexpected! Take a look at some closer up shots.

The top part of the Autograph for both Ruth and Gehrig is a copy, but to make the item "more original" from what a story says on the back of the frame, they signed each below the copy. Now is this real, because it was one heck of a steal if so. What do you think?

It's definitely someone's signature!

I am speechless right now. Completely speechless. I don't wanna get my hopes up though, because I'm going to get it authenticated at a future White Plains show, because I have no idea how my Pop Popps was able to get this for that kind of price. I don't wanna say they're fake, but I don't wanna say they're real either. I hope for the best though.

On to Frame #2, where we have another Yankee Stadium original photo, more World Series tickets, and a ticket to Lou Gehrig Day! Wow. Then we have what looks like a reprint of the 1909 T-206 Honus Wagner, because it's much bigger than the one I saw in person. That picture on top is indeed the 1927 Yankees, an unbelievable photo. Then the big four. There's a Honus Wagner autograph on the bottom row, 2nd to the end, which may or may not be real. It says "Compliment of J. Hans Wagner"!!! Then in the top right corner, another autographed Babe Ruth photo of him with a group of kids! Lastly, 2 signed cards of the Babe and Lou Gehrig! Again, don't think the cards are authentic, but the autographs sure look like it! I can't believe how amazing this is!

No the cards are not cut, they have a little border around them, as well as all the other items. These look the most authentic out of them all by far, these signatures are really nice!

Come to think of it, this could be the actual 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth card! If the autograph is real, the card is real. There is no way there were reprints back in those times, so this is incredible to own!

So if this is real I own Lou Gehrig's autograph AND rookie card! Unbelievable!

Lastly, a close up of another Babe Ruth autograph! He signed in what looks like purple, so that's neat. It looks real again, but even I know how to sign like Babe Ruth!

This hobby is really a pain. I sure love it, but some people are in this just to ruin other collector's collections. This could be anyone's autograph! I wish I didn't have to even suspect that but I have no choice but to, it's not authenticated so it's not authentic. I sure hope they're real!

Here's proof that these pictures aren't from eBay. That's me with one of the frames! I'm so happy to have these pieces, and I can't believe I own them! From the beginning of my blogging days I had no idea how good my collection would turn out, and authentic or not, these are incredible pieces in my collection!

What do you think? Do the autos and tickets look real? The price is hard to believe, which is leading me on to thinking that there's no possible way that this is all real! But hey, you never know! Thanks so so so so so so much Pop Popps, this is absolutely incredible! See Ya!

Grandpa Roy Answers

Hey guys, Drew back here, with the answers to the Grandpa Roy recent question, here it is again just in case you forgot:

The Triple Crown is a very rare event in baseball. Not many people get to cherish the position, but a few cherished it for a long time. There are 4 players in MLB history who had led their league (American/National) in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in (Triple Crown) in a single decade. One of them is Albert Pujols, who has led the National League in batting average, homers, and rbi's in the 2000's decade. Name the other 3!

1: Albert Pujols, 2000-2009, provided by me
2: Rogers Hornsby, 1920-1929: Spastik Moose
3: Ted Williams, 1940-1949: Dan (The Other World)
4: Honus Wagner, 1900-1909, provided by me

So, anyway, you guys nailed 2 of the 3 guys, after I provided you with Pujols. Not bad! I bet you all are surprised someone like Ruth, Mantle, Mays, and other legends aren't in this, it is pretty amazing of a stat. Rogers Hornsby, perhaps the most underrated player of all time, shows how great he is by dominating the 1920's, over Ruth, Gehrig, and Foxx. Very surprising though huh? Anyway, great job all of yall, stay tuned for another question possibly over the weekend! See Ya!

The Baseball Card Hall of Fame! (BCHOF)

Hey guys, Drew back here with the first installment of the my new series, the Baseball Card Hall of Fame (BCHOF). In this segment I will select a fan friendlly famous baseball card that has made a difference in the hobby. It doesn't have to be an old card, it can be new, and if it is new it doesn't have to be an autograph, jersey, or whatever. It can be anything, and you the fans will decide on what you think belongs in the Hall. One card is going to be elected today, and here we go!


THE OPENING INDUCTION CEREMONY

So, this card is the most famous baseball card of all time, we can all agree. It has sold for over 1 million in the past, mostly because of how old and scarce it is. There are only 40 or so copies rumored to exist. Back in the late 1800's, baseball cards were included when you purchased cigarettes or tobacco. Companies like Allen & Ginter and Goodwin Champions were behind these cards, and many kids wanted a card of their idols. So, the kids would buy this stuff, and this player didn't want to be included in the set due to this issue. So, they cut off print run for the cards, and some like recent cards have leaked out into the public.

This is a 1909 T206 Honus Wagner baseball card, and this has made Honus more legendary than he would be today. Wagner is one of the best players of all time, and his baseball card is in my opinion, the best! So, without further due, I present Honus Wagner to you:

I got to see this card in person once at the Baseball Hall of Fame this spring, here's a picture of it (and me!!!)

So, guys, please leave a comment below on what you think should be the second card voted into the BCHOF. For a card to get in it has to get at least 3 votes so think about it, there is one that you all can agree on! See Ya!