Help Fight Prostate Cancer and Receive a 6-Card Baseball Set
by Bill Wagner, "Babe Waxpak"
June 1, 2005
Father's Day is June 19, which means it's time for Da Babe's readers to step up to the plate and help in the
fight to find a cure for prostate cancer.
Major League baseball and the Prostate Cancer Foundation have teamed up for the Home Run Challenge that helps
raise the funds researchers need to put an end to this deadly disease.
Major League players, managers, coaching staffs, trainers, equipment managers, groundskeepers and umpires will
wear blue wristbands, blue headbands, blue biceps bands, blue ribbon temporary tattoos and blue eye glare. There
will also be blue manager cards, blue bases and a blue ribbon on the field. All of these items are to promote
prostate cancer awareness on Father's Day.
A big attraction for Da Babe's readers is a set of six cards featuring Jim Thome of the Phillies, Jeff Bagwell
(Astros), Carlos Delgado (Marlins), Luis Gonzalez (Diamondbacks), Ken Griffey Jr. (Reds) and Scott Rolen (Cardinals).
It's easy to get a set of the cards. Brad Sondecker, spokesman for the Prostate Cancer Foundation, will be more than
happy to send out a set to anyone who sends in a self-addressed, stamped envelope. That said, Da Babe's readers have
been more than generous over the years, including a donation along with that SASE. It's for a good cause.
I've sent in my check and already have a set of the cards.
The address is Brad Sondecker, Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 Fourth St., Suite 360, Santa Monica CA 90401. Step
up to the plate and help in the fight to find a cure for prostate cancer.
If you just want to pledge money for home runs hit in some 60 games between June 8 and Father's Day, call 1-800-798-CURE
or go online to www.prostatecancerfoundation.org.
Pledges from 25 cents to $10,000 or one-time donations are welcome and can be made until the start of the last game of
the challenge on June 19.
Dear Babe: I have enclosed a copy of a 1958 Sport "All Star Selection" that I have. It's No. 476 and is in
good shape.
Joseph Hentosh, Delano, Pa.
Over the years, Da Babe has probably had more questions about this particular card than any other vintage card. Maybe
that's because it was triple printed, so there are far more of these cards than just about any other 1958 Topps card.
It's part of a 21-card All-Star subset issued by Topps in 1958. Naturally, it is very hard to determine the condition
of a card from a photocopy. Remember that "good shape" means far less than mint condition, which affects
value. The Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards from the editors of Sports Collectors Digest lists it at $32.50 in
near-mint condition and $10 in very good condition. Meanwhile, it lists for $50 in near-mint condition in Beckett's
Almanac of Baseball Cards, which equates to about $12.50 in very good condition.
Dear Babe: I found this plaque (photo enclosed) at a department store. It has tickets from all 39 Super Bowls. Stubs.
I don't think they are originals. It is 35x43 inches in size. Underneath all the stubs are a couple of plates with
the teams and scores from all the games.
Michael Rodrigue, Nashua, N.H.
Unfortunately, methinks this falls into the "ready-to-wear" category of collectibles, since the stubs are
most assuredly reprints. A plaque with actual stubs from all 39 Super Bowls would be worth thousands of dollars. This
is more of a display piece and not a collectible. If you paid retail, I'd say that's about what it is going to be
worth, depending on the framing.
Dear Babe: Enclosed is a photocopy of a 1952 Washington baseball club "Official Scorecard." I can't remember
the exact date, but it was in early June. The game went extra innings. It might have even been a record. You will
notice the name Paige under St. Louis. That was Satchel Paige, and he was given a standing ovation when he went to
the mound in the extra innings.
Mary DesSoye, Buford, Ga.
Getting the chance to see a legend like Satchel Paige is worth far more than the value of the scorecard, especially
since it is not scored and you don't have a ticket stub either. I'd say programs for the original Washington
Nationals/Senators from this era are worth $10-$20.
Dear Babe: I have a Honus Wagner baseball card but don't know anything about it.
William Savone, Riverside, Calif.
The information on the back about the history of the T206 Wagner is the key. It's one of many reprints of the
famous card. It has little, if any, value.
BABE NOTE: It appears Fleer's 24-year run has ended. Both Sports Collectors Digest and Beckett.com are reporting
that Fleer's trading cards division has all but shut down. There is no word on what this means for redemptions.
There have been rumors that Press Pass was interested in Fleer's basketball license. With the overabundance of
brands and product, no one may be interested in the baseball and football licenses.
About the author
Bill Wagner is a veteran journalist with 37 years in the newspaper business as well as being
a former Army combat correspondent in Vietnam. He developed the Babe Waxpak sports card column
in the 1980s and took over authorship in 1993, expanding into sports memorabilia and autographs
as well as answering questions on cards.
All hobby articles...
|