Sporting Greats

December 4, 2008

  • Babe Ruth Sports Cards

    Professional Baseball has a long and fascinating history and no discussion about this history is complete without mentioning one of the greatest baseball players of all time; Babe Ruth.  Babe Ruth was an iconic baseball player born in the late 1800's in Baltimore, Maryland.  Although known as “Babe”, “The Bambino” and “The Sultan”  by his fans, his real name is actually George Herman Ruth Jr. 
    Babe got his start in baseball while living at a boarding school, by a man named Brother Mattias.  As he learned the game, Babe quickly excelled at the game and was soon noticed by Jack Dunn, who at the time was the owner and manager of the Baltimore Orioles.  At that time, the Orioles were part of the minor leagues.  As Babe was only 19 at the time, Jack Dunn became Babe's guardian and signed him to a contract with the team.  The name Babe came from a nickname that the other players called him, Jack's Newest Babe, or “Babe” for short.  This name would become familiar with fans and would be used throughout  his career. 
    BABE RUTH TOPPS AUTHENTIC 1916 BARBER HEAD DIME CARD
    US $57.95 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 16:37:09 PSTBuy It Now for only: US $57.95Buy it now | Add to watch list
    (2) 1962 BABE RUTH Topps #143, #144 BV $40
    US $12.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-11-2010 14:22:16 PSTBid now | Add to watch list
    Babe Ruth Topps Tribute Card # /219
    US $1.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 17:09:05 PSTBid now | Add to watch list

    After getting signed by the Orioles, he was quickly traded to the Boston Red Sox where he pitched for 4 games.  As the Boston Red Sox were already full of talented players, Ruth ended up moving down to the Providence Grays, a minor league team affiliate with the Red Sox.  In 1915 Ruth played again for the Boston Red Sox but was still taking a backseat role in the teams roster. 
    Although Babe was a pitcher, he was soon proving his skill as a hitter for the Red Sox, but then his tenure with the Red Sox came to an end.  In late 1919, Babe Ruth was traded to the New York Yankees. 
    It was his long career with the New York Yankees where Babe Ruth rose to stardom as a power hitter. 
    He played with the Yankees for 15 years and then was sold to the Boston Braves.  At the time, the Braves were having severe financial difficulties and thought that signing Babe Ruth would help revive their business.  Unfortunately for Babe, his health was deteriorating fast and he was no longer an asset to the team.  Just 5 days before his retirement, Babe hit a home run that went over the roof of Forbes Field, which was quite a feat at this time.  Babe retired from professional baseball May 30th, 1935 with an impressive 714 career home runs. 
    Babe left a legacy in baseball and today we have some very rare baseball cards that highlight his career accomplishments.  Unfortunately baseball cards in those early days were not thought to have much future value and many did not survive.  Today, one of the most sought after sports cards is the Babe Ruth rookie card, which has sold for anywhere from $80,000 all the way up to almost $300,000.  Another rare card includes the Goudey Gum Co. (…)

  • Wayne Gretzky Sports Cards

    When one thinks of professional hockey there's two players that stand out more than others.  The first is the legendary Gordie Howe, but the second is none other than number 99, Wayne Gretzky.  Wayne Gretzky was born in a small city in Ontario, Canada called Brantford where he lived with his family.  His father, Walter who worked for the telephone company and his mother Phyllis, as well as three brothers and one sister. (…)

November 24, 2008