News - Mantle’s estate suing memorabilia dealer

Mickey Mantle’s wife and sons are suing Lewis Rothgeb, the owner of the self proclaimed “Official Mantle Website”.  Rothgeb has been selling Mantle memorabilia since 1997 based on a $85,000 contract that Mantle signed that covered a documentary and book.  I haven’t read the contract, but I can only hope that the Mantle family are able to regain control over the rights to Mantle’s memorabilia.

News - 2008 Topps Heritage Black Box Backs:

2 Placido Polanco Tigers
3 Eric Byrnes Diamondbacks
5 Javier Vazquez  White Sox
7 Joey Gathright  City Royals
9 Andre Ethier  Dodgers
12 Curt Schilling  Red Sox
14 Gary Matthews Angels
18 Dontrelle Willis Tigers
21 Troy Tulowitzki Rockies
23 Robinson Cano Yankees
24 Felix Hernandez Mariners
40 Tim Hudson Braves
42 Jason Jennings Astros
45 Chris Ray Orioles
52 Omar Vizquel Giants
54 Justin Upton Diamondbacks
58 Paul Lo Duca  Mets
60 Andy Pettitte Yankees
67 Rich Hill Cubs
78 Josh Hamilton Reds
79 Mark Loretta Astros
84 Brad Penny  Dodgers
90 Hideki Matsui  Yankees
98 Jon Garland Angels
102 Moises Alou  Mets
117 Daric Barton Athletics
122 Ross Detwiler Nationals
129 Luke Hochevar  Royals
135 Mitch Stetter Brewers
150 Albert Pujols Cardinals
180 Jorge Posada Yankees
186 Rickie Weeks Brewers
187 Carlos Silva Twins
210 J.J. Putz Mariners
262 Chad Billingsley/Derek Lowe/Brad Penny  Dodgers
263 Melky Cabrera Yankees
264 Shannon Stewart Athletics
265 Aaron Rowand Phillies
266 Matt Morris Pirates
267 Xavier Nady Pirates
301 Ronnie Belliard Nationals
321 Randy Winn Giants
322 Richie Sexson Mariners
323 Juan Encarnacion  Cardinals
324 Rick Ankiel  Cardinals
325 Dan Wheeler Rays
333 Kevin Kouzmanoff  Padres
336 Ian Kinsler Rangers
337 Lyle Overbay Blue Jays
338 Justin Verlander Tigers
347 Chuck James Braves
350 Jimmy Rollins Phillies
370 Justin Verlander Tigers
371 Pedro Martinez Mets
372 Ryan Howard Phillies
8 Philadelphia Phillies
13 Billy Wagner Mets
16 Ichiro Mariners
22 Brian Fuentes Rockies
28 Ivan Rodriguez Tigers
34 Magglio Ordonez/Curtis Granderson  Tigers
35 Adam LaRoche Pirates
41 Kelvim Escobar Angels
49 Bill Hall Brewers
57 Brad Lidge Phillies
61 Brendan Harris Twins
62 Chris Young  Padres
65 Jason Giambi  Yankees
69 San Francisco Giants
71 Trevor Hoffman Padres
81 Torii Hunter Angels
82 Carlos Beltran  Mets
83 Jason Isringhausen
St. Louis Cardinals
91 Matt Garza Rays
92 Phil Hughes Yankees
94 Chicago White Sox
116 Wladimir Balentien Mariners
126 Dan Giese Giants
127 Alberto Gonzalez  Yankees
130 Chin-Lung Hu  Dodgers
155 Johnny Damon  Yankees
173 Ronny Paulino Pirates
174 Mike Cameron Padres
175 Jeff Weaver Mariners
176 Preston Wilson Cardinals
177 Robinson Tejeda Rangers
178 Adam Lind Blue Jays
179 Austin Kearns Nationals
185 Brad Hawpe Rockies
195 Carlos Quentin White Sox
196 Jose Valverde Diamondbacks
197 Derrek Lee Cubs
198 Jerry Owens White Sox
211 Mike Sweeney  Royals
224 David Wright  Mets
225 Pedro Martinez Mets
226 Rich Harden Athletics
227 Shane Victorino Phillies
228 Andrew Miller Marlins
283 Miguel Cabrera Tigers
284 Luis Gonzalez  Dodgers
285 Chad Billingsley  Dodgers
286 Tony Gwynn Brewers
291 Matt Chico/Jason Bergmann Nationals
330 Ty Wigginton Astros
332 Howie Kendrick Angels
334 Matt Holliday Rockies
335 Brandon Phillips Reds
360 Magglio Ordonez Tigers
415 Freddy Sanchez Pirates

News - 2008 Topps Heritage Short Prints:

11 Luke Scott  Orioles
231 Kevin Gregg  Marlins
315 Jacque Jones  Tigers
381 Casey Blake  Indians
409 Jon Lester  Red Sox
426 Kyle Lohse  Phillies
427 Doug Davis  Diamondbacks
428 Ian Snell/Matt Capps/Tom Gorzelanny/Paul Maholm  Pirates
429 Miguel Batista  Mariners
430 Chien-Ming Wang  Yankees
431 Jeff Salazar  Diamondbacks
432 Yadier Molina   Cardinals
433 Adam Wainwright   Cardinals
434 Scott Kazmir   Rays
435 Adam Dunn  Reds
436 Ryan Freel  Reds
437 Jhonny Peralta  Indians
438 Kazuo Matsui  Astros
441 Emil Brown   Royals
442 Gary Sheffield  Tigers
443 Jake Peavy   Padres
444 Scott Rolen  Blue Jays
445 Kason Gabbard  Rangers
446 Aaron Hill  Blue Jays
447 Felipe Lopez  Nationals
448 Dan Uggla  Marlins
449 Willy Taveras  Rockies
450 Chipper Jones  Braves
451 Josh Anderson Braves
452 Chris Young/Justin Upton/Eric Byrnes  Diamondbacks
453 Braden Looper   Cardinals
454 Brandon Inge  Tigers
455 Brian Giles   Padres
456 Corey Patterson  Orioles
457 Los Angeles Dodgers
458 Sean Casey  Tigers
459 Pedro Feliz   Giants
461 Chone Figgins Angels
462 Kyle Kendrick  Phillies
463 Tony Pena   Royals
464 Marcus Giles  Padres
465 Augie Ojeda  Diamondbacks
466 Micah Owings  Diamondbacks
467 Ryan Theriot  Cubs
468 Shawn Green  Mets
469 Frank Thomas Blue Jays
470 Lenny DiNardo  Athletics
471 Jose Bautista Pirates
472 Manny Corpas  Rockies
473 Kevin Millwood  Rangers
474 Kevin Youkilis  Red Sox
475 Jose Contreras  White Sox
477 Julio Lugo  Red Sox
479 Tony LaRussa  Cardinals
480 Jim Leyland  Tigers
481Derrek Lee  Cubs
482 Justin Morneau  Twins
483 Orlando Hudson  Diamondbacks
484 Brian Roberts  Orioles
485 Miguel Cabrera  Marlins
486 Mike Lowell  Red Sox
487 J.J. Hardy  Brewers
488 Carlos Guillen Tigers
489 Ken Griffey Jr.  Reds
490 Vladimir Guerrero Angels
491 Alfonso Soriano  Cubs
492 Ichiro  Mariners
493 Matt Holliday  Rockies
494 Magglio Ordonez  Tigers
495 Brian McCann  Braves
496 Victor Martinez  Indians
497 Brad Penny   Dodgers
498 Josh Beckett  Red Sox
499 Cole Hamels  Phillies
500 Justin Verlander  Tigers

News - Mr. Clemens goes to Washington

The 5th amendment of the Constitution states “No person shall be … deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process “.  Also in Article 3, Section 2 it states “The Trial of all Crimes … shall be by Jury”.  Basically I think that if individual or an entity believes Roger Clemens has broken the law they should inform the authorities.  That way the police can do an investigation, compile evidence, arrest him and take him to trial and let a jury decide his guilt or innocence.  I believe it is wrong for Congress to try to ruin his name with this public charade.   

News - Superbowl in Reno Recap

I have to say this was my favorite Super Bowl since the Bears won in 1985.  I was one of the few guys that bet on the Giants ($50) and I won $235.  I am not a big Giants fan, but I am glad to see that smirk wiped off of Tom Brady’s face.  And I like rooting for the underdogs most times.  I am also glad that the Patriots didn’t win because I didn’t think they were the best NFL team ever, like most people were saying.  Lastly I am glad that the 1972 Dolphins get to keep their record.  Well I will be heading back home from Reno on Tuesday, it will be great to be back with my family.

News - Kodak and Donruss team up to beat counterfeit cards

With all of the counterfeit cards floating around, I applaud Donruss effort to combat it.  It sounds like Kodak’s Tracerless system which is an invisible mark is similar to the way U.S. currency is marked.  With U.S. currency you just mark it with a special pen or hold it under a special light and it will show whether it is counterfeit or real. 

News - key authenticator leaves GAI

With GAI’s location problems in 2007 and now one of their main authenticators, Justin Priddy opening up his own autograph certification company, it makes me wonder about GAI’s future.

News - PSA announces new half-point grading scale:

PSA, one of the four major card grading companies announced it will be adding half-point grades from 1.5 to 8.5 starting in February.  It makes sense for them to get inline with the rest of the industry.  I only have a handful of graded cards, so I am not very knowledgable about grading.  However I think for the average collector having 10 grades is plenty.  If we are talking about $1,000 plus cards then maybe I understand.  I guess for me I take it to the logical progression in ten years of having 5.1, 6.3, 8.4 fractional grades. 

News - Michael Buysner card

I think this card is hilarious.  People and companies take themselves too serious.  I hope the MLB doesn’t crack down on the Topps and UpperDeck feud.

News - Beckett magazine changes

I am a big fan of Dr. Beckett and team.  I suscribe to Baseball, Baseball Card Plus and Graded Card Investor and Price Guide.  I also always get their annual Baseball Card Price Guide.  I am a little leary of them combining the four major sports into one monthly magazine (Sports Card Monthly), which I probably won’t subscribe to.  Sounds alot like Tuff Stuff, I am not a fan of one magazine pleasing everyone.  I am cool with Baseball going to every other month and being much more like Baseball Card Plus.  The one thing I would say though, is they better improve the quality and quantity of articles on beckett.com once they make these changes.  What do you think about the changes?