Almost forgot to update on the first Gold Rush of the season in Rochester last Saturday (May 13). It was a miserable, dreary day and that meant probably 90% of the outdoor vendors weren't there. One that was, though, was clearly insane anyway so what did it matter they were outside in the slop? He had a couple of bats. The first, he proclaimed, was a game used Harmon Killebrew bat. Sure, it was a 125 H&B (or was it LS? I can't remember). However, the bat length was carved in the bottom of the handle--the surefire sign a bat isn't a gamer. He wanted $300 for that one, I think. Then he had a similar Roberto Clemente "game used" bat. This thing had electrical tape on it, for goodness sake! The length again was carved in the bottom. This one had a price of "ask". I would have LOVED to explained while "asking" that they have these little things called "retail stores" where people can spend their hard earned money and buy stuff they like. One of the offerings at these "retail stores" are bats, and some of them have player names on them.
I did pick up a couple of nice catcher's mitts, though I guess they are both common. One is a Clint Courtney in great shape. I've never really seen a glove with the guy's nickname on it. It's printed right on the heel of the mitt--Scrap Iron Courtney. This is in addition to the normal endorsement. I thought it was pretty cool, anyway. The second one was a buckle back with the buckle, and the entire glove, in wonderful shape. The endorsement was a little hard to read due to some fading, but I did figure it out to be HOFer Gabby Hartnett. It's a beauty. A couple of nice ladies had a ton of newer baseball stuff, and I bought a Brewer plastic batting helmet as well as four newer gloves in tremendous shape. No, they probably aren't what you would call rare, but they are looking great with no markings on them. Randy Johnson, Barry Larkin, one other player (I want to say a Nolan Ryan lefty in amazing shape), and a Rochester Honkers "glove day" giveaway for $5 each. I also bought a Tony the Tiger baseball from them for $1. Shelley always gives me grief because we see them all the time at flea markets for $10-20. I got one when she and I were first dating and we played with it to the point that it mushed beyond recognition. Well, now she can't let me have it any more as it was a good deal and we HAVE one now.
That was about it. I went only because I thought one of the people who exhibits at the St. Paul show was going to be there. I found out after I got home from St. Paul that a couple of cards I passed up on are extremely rare and probably worth 20 times the $10 each he had on them. Hopefully I'll be able to pick them up in the near future, but I have a feeling it isn't going to happen.
