1965 Baltimore Colts Team Football Includes Unitas
by Bill Wagner, "Babe Waxpak"
July 10, 2005
Dear Babe: I have a 1965 Baltimore Colts championship football in very good condition signed by
the whole team including John Unitas, Alex Hawkins, Jim Orr, Tom Matte and Lenny Moore.
Joshua Osticco, Pittston, Pa.
In 1965, the Colts finished in a tie with the Packers for the Western Division title, losing an
overtime playoff game in Green Bay, 13-10, to the Packers who went on to win the NFL title by beating
the Cleveland Browns, 23-12. The Packers-Colts playoff featured Tom Matte at quarterback because both
Johnny Unitas and Gary Cuozzo, the Colts two QBs, were both hurt. I guess you could consider the Colts
a title team since they did tie for the division crown. Generally, this type of team football is worth
$200-$500.
Dear Babe: I have a signed copy of "Grand National: The Autobiography of Richard Petty," as
told to Bill Neely, copyright 1971. The dust jacket is signed "To Joe" and then has Petty's
ornate signature, which covers almost half the page.
Joseph Goulden, Washington, D.C.
Petty's a NASCAR driver and everyone knows they're willing signers. I'm sure someone wouldn't have a hard
time getting one of these books signed - probably without much cost involved. Generally, I'd say $50-$100
for an autographed hardcover book. However, I did notice a couple of these sold for just $30-$35 including
S&H in recent eBay auctions.
Dear Babe: I have an Olympic banner. My uncle was the city architect for Los Angeles in 1932. When he passed
away, my aunt asked if I wanted this "flag." Being a sports nut, I could hardly contain my excitement
when I saw it. It is 35x41 inches in size including the fringe. It is in really good shape for being 73 years
old.
Dave Duarte, Yucaipa, Calif.
David Kohler, president of SportscardsPlus.com in Laguna Niguel, Calif., said it's a very nice item that should
be worth $2,000-$3,000.
Dear Babe: I have a baseball signed by the original members of the Toronto Blue Jays team of 1977. My uncle was
the VP of Operations. It is not an official game Major League baseball. It is a baseball that has Toronto Blue
Jays printed on it. It contains all the players' signatures as well as Manager Roy Hartsfield. The signatures
are all still legible.
Ty Huffer, Atlanta
The Blue Jays were a typical first-year expansion team in 1977 finishing seventh and last in the A.L. Eastern
Division. The Jays went 54 and 107, finishing 45-1/2 games out of fifth place. Since it's the team's first year,
the ball might be worth $200-$400. If it's a Toronto ball, you need to be sure it's not stamped with preprinted
signatures.
BABE NOTE: Padres greats Tony Gwynn and Dave Winfield are among 10 San Diego players featured in Upper
Deck's latest promotion that also includes the chance to throw out the first pitch at a Petco Park game. Once
again, UD will produce a nine-card sheet to be inserted in the Sunday, July 17 edition of the San Diego Union
Tribune. The paper will also run a coupon on July 17 and 18 that will allow fans to pick up a card of Trevor
Hoffman and a sweepstakes entry at participating 7-Eleven and Padres stores when they purchase a pack of Upper
Deck cards. One lucky fan will win the chance to toss out the first pitch at the Aug. 28th game. There are a
number of other prizes. Entries must be done online by Aug. 1. In addition to Gwynn and Winfield, the sheet
includes Jake Peavy, Brian Giles, Khalil Green, Ryan Klesko, Phil Nevin, Mark Loretta and Dave Roberts.
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.
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