UPDATED NEWS
Frank, The Hobby, and Collecting The Big Hurt
UPDATED NEWS
Frank, The Hobby, and Collecting The Big Hurt
While I tried to keep track of all the stories that the Big Hurt generates, I found the task extremely time-consuming and not particularly relevant to collecting Frank. So I've opted to note those specific stories where it deals with collectibles and/or Frank as he relates to collecting/collectibles. Some deal with his constant fight against steroids and other so-called "performance enhancing supplements" - and the cheaters that abuse them. Some that deal with fraudulent collectibles and the long arm of the law (con artists beware). While others deal with the interesting variety of Big Hurt material that reaches the secondary market.
• "A
Girl In A Gorilla Suit, Bad Luck, and One More Year" Is it me or does
bad luck & commemoration follow Big Frank around like a bad penny? Remember
when he hit No. 500 - he was ejected from the game! Go figure. (BTW, I can truly
appreciate this bizarre 'cosmic balance' effect)
• Wow!
An impressive display of graphic design skill by Upper Deck's selected artist
- showing how he creates those "manufacturer patches". Personally
- I love the concept - and have happily invested in the two autographed versions
from '08 Premier. I only wish he had used some bolder colors - pink & pastel
colors don't translate well into 'macho' professional sport patches.
• A Warning. You're free to draw your own conclusions
and speculate accordingly.
• It only has one Frank listed,
but 'FakePatchReport.com' is clearly trying to help collectors. A damn sight
better than the so-called leading hobby publication and its water-willed 'reporters'.
Remember when being a reporter actually meant doing more than parroting press
releases and high-fivin' lucky collectors? See SCD Steve Bloedow's investigation
of Star Co Fakes to get a clue.
• Hey,
even Wikipedia does a great bio! Much better than I could have hoped for,
considering the sometimes shady 'contributors' inputting questionable, incorrect,
or blatantly false information.
• "Nothing
to hide." Standing alone - again, just like in 1998.
• Well,
it stood for 19 years. <g>
• A
link from a long time ago, but it mentions a commercial I wish I could see today.
Note: The reference to the "skyline billboards" is the same oversized
image seen on the Reebok vinyl instore sign, Page 1 of the Reebok section. <g>
• Forgot
about this until Manny hit his 500th. I've dealt with Mill Creek Sportscards
and they've been nothing but straight-up and solidly dependable. Never a hint
of scandal regarding faked anything. You can make your own decision. This always
seemed to me like Sosa 'Cork-Gate' Part Deux.
• Sports
Collector's Digest Reporter Steve Bloedow's amazing investigation of fake Star
products. After loading, look to the left index and click on "July
2007". His investigation is the third article. Mostly a Basketball/Michael
Jordan issue, but clearly showing that problems with Star Co. products continue
fully ten years after the company closed their doors. And why I continue to
slam Star Co. issues, whether or not it was directly an issue with the company
or the counterfeits that have followed for more than a decade.
• The
only baseball card (so far) issued to honor Big Frank's 500th Career Home Run
• This
brought out the self-righteous fringe idiots and caused a minor controversy
- but almost everyone else (myself included) thought this Toronto Blue Jays
commercial was hilarious! (have your sound card active)
• Time
to do some serious burping... (Note Card #P214)
• Card "Flipping" - the latest trend of screwing the average collector
• The Toronto Star (one of the biggest newspapers in Canada) interviews Big Frank in Las Vegas. Great interview! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. And... "Michael Clarke Duncan"... you know, I never thought about it - but he's PERFECT. Don't think I'll ever see that actor the same way again. Good choice Frank! ;-D
• Toronto
Big Hurt Figurine Giveaway!
• eBay
Titanium Seller caught admitting to widespread shill bidding by sellers
– Follow
up story says same eBay Titanium Seller banned for life and accomplices banned
for a year.
• Major Error Discovered in Upper Deck
SP Authentic Autograph line!
• Second Error Discovered in Upper
Deck's Ultimate line! This one was expensive. <g>
• After
signing Frank briefly talks about the twilight of his amazing career, The Hall,
and steroid use by some of his contemporaries.
• It's
official: Frank signs with The Toronto Blue Jays. Get ready Big Hurt fans
- a wealth of new SGAs and collectibles will be hitting the market in '07! As
before I'm going to try and find a good dealer or two in Toronto, thereby avoiding
the whole eBay/Auction shtick. Start making snowback friends now! <wink>
;-)
• Big Frank Taking Flight North? Toronto putting up serious money to sign Frank. Oakland indicates they won't budge from original offer. (November 15, 2006)
• Frank
considers his options for the future (2006)
• Even
guys who don't like Big Frank admire him (A special Page2 column to ESPN.com)
• More Oakland A's SGAs!
• Frank is honored with his own
Oakland A's Fan Appreciation Day!
• 2005 - A Year In Review by Sports Collector's Digest. Fantastic, utterly indispensable summation of the goings-on in our hobby. Collector's Note: Check out the 'Swatch-Swapping' blurb. I told you about it months ago - and here you can see the big guns have noticed it as well. It's not just me that's seeing this b.s. going on in the hobby.
• Awesome
- and more importantly accurate - article by Susan Slusser, writer
for the San Francisco Chronicle. It's titled "Thomas - A Bright Light
In Shadow Of Steroids". I'm so sick and tired of hearing about so-and-so
having this many homeruns or this record broken. I've been listening to this
horsecrap since 1998 - and I'm sick of it. And Frank paid a heavy price
NOT DOING THE JUICE. And not just via the record books - I mean he paid a personal
as well as professional price. God bless Ms. Slusser for setting the record
straight.
• Shop-At-Home
Goes Out Of Business! It finally happened - and about time. Updated 11.23.07:
I've just learned that elements of the old SAH Sports Collectibles business
has been resurrected. While it will never be the same hobby irritant that it
once was, it was still disheartening to hear. I'm grateful that the limited
late-night cable channel access in Honolulu for Jewelry TV does not show the
sports and other 'collectibles' aspects. May God find a suitable place for Spittle
Don and Hyperbole Robert.
• In A Stunning Move By The MLBPA - Donruss Playoff Inc, Parent Company Of Donruss And Leaf, Will Not Be Given A Renewed MLBPA License. This leaves Upper Deck and Topps as the only authorized manufacturers of baseball cards.
• PSA/DNA under the microscope. Re-quoting a Baron's Online article (a paid subscription-only page) PSA/DNA/Collector's Universe is taken to task for obvious mistakes and possible fraud. I'm considering writing to Pen & Quill to look at my own problematic issues with their certifying Frank autographs. And here's another page re-quoting the Baron's Online article.
• Fleer
Announces Their Liquidation, Avoids Outright Bankruptcy. Core assets purchased
by Upper Deck. Note this site is held in place by a court trustee and not
guaranteed to last beyond the final outcome of the court proceedings. More information
can be found on Wikipedia.org by entering "Upper Deck Trading Cards"
- who bought the rights to the Fleer name brands, including Skybox and Ultra.
• Pacific
Trading Cards closes down operations, assets to be purchased by Playoff/Donruss.
• Krause Sports Collector's Digest sells its third-party grading service
"SCD Authentic" to a Michigan-based company. The new owners, calling
themselves "Sports Cards Direct" and using slightly modified "SCD"
Labels with a minor color change, has been cited for certifying trimmed and
fraudulent cards.
• Frank's Continual Stance Against
Performance Enhancing Supplements and Steroids - Wants Mandatory Drug Testing
Implemented
• Former American League Umpire Caught
Selling Fake Autographed Baseballs - Sent To Prison
• Pinnacle
Brands assets bought by Playoff Inc. Will reestablish their Donruss/Leaf product
lines!
• California's
Southern U.S. District Attorney Names Counterfeiting Ring Leaders
• Additional
Dealers Busted By FBI And Local Law Enforcement Agencies!
• Sports
& Collectibles Dealers Caught During FBI Sting Operation Selling Fake Collectibles.