“Pin-Up” of the Week: “Arnie’s Army” April 6, 2017 Masters Commemorative Button

Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus began the 2017 Masters with a ceremonial tee shot.  Many people in attendance received a commemorative “Arnie’s Army” button in honor of Arnold Palmer who passed away last fall.  For decades, Arnold Palmer had legions of fans who would follow him around the golf course.  This large group eventually went on to be known as “Arnie’s Army”.

It wasn’t uncommon to see “Arnie’s Army” members walking around wearing buttons to show their pride.  These buttons are quite collectible today.  As you can imagine, it didn’t take long for people to list this new button for sale.  The going rate is $80+ per button.  That is actually more than what some of the original buttons 50+ years old sell for.

“Pin-Up” of the Week: 1972 Central Counties Bank 1st Generation “Crush the Orange” Penn State Button

Its funny how the simple looking things can end up having an entire science to them.  That’s the way this hobby works.  Take for example the button pictured above.  Central Counties Bank produced three generations of buttons for Penn State fans in 1972.  This button is one of six from that first generation.  They all have phrases on them such as “Get the Goat”, “Hammer the Hawkeyes”, “Crush the Orange”, “Trip the Terrapins”, “Wallop the Wolfpack”, and “Pulverize the Panthers”.  Central Counties Bank wasn’t sure what type of response they would get from the public, so they only made them for the six home games and left their logo off.

Fans went nuts for these buttons.  Generation 2 consists of a second printing of the last four buttons from generation 1, and the Central Counties Bank logo is at the bottom.  Generation 3 is a third printing of the last two buttons from generations 1 & 2.  The main difference are the metal backs compared to green cardboard found on the first two generations.

Central Counties Bank eventually was taken over by Mellon Bank.  Now Mellon Bank is Citizens Bank.  No matter the name of the bank, they still made buttons.  Its a tradition that continues to this very day.

Many of the early buttons first introduced in 1972 carry a hefty price tag.  A collector recently spent $100 for this generation 1 “Crush the Orange” button.  For all Penn State button collectors, check out this great resource.  The site looks like something from the 90s, but its kept up-to-date.

“Pin-Up” of the Week: 1982 North Carolina Tar Heels National Finals Pin/Button

Forbes has added 290 new billionaires to it’s list of the world’s wealthiest people.  One of those new billionaires is none other than Michael Jordan.  Forbes estimates that Michael Jordan is worth about $1 billion.  I wouldn’t even know what to do with all that money.  I’d probably start my own National.

The 1981-82 North Carolina Tar Heels went all the way winning the National Championship.  It was an iconic team led by James Worthy, Sam Perkins, and freshman Michael Jordan.  It was also Dean Smith’s first title.  I don’t think anyone watching could have predicted Michael Jordan to go on and become the legend that he is now.

This pin/button is an interesting snapshot of history.  It features head shots of the players.  Dean Smith is at the bottom center, and Jordan is two spots to the left.  The pin was probably given out as some type of promo.  Its highly sought after given the players that were on the team.  One recently sold for $60.00.

“Pin-Up” of the Week: Bushwood Country Club Pin/Button

With an all star cast consisting of Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, Michael O’Keefe, and Bill Murray, Caddyshack will go down as one of the funniest sports movies of all time.  Directed by Harold Ramis, Caddyshack did for golf what National Lampoon’s Animal House did for fraternities and Police Academy did for law enforcement.  If you haven’t seen it, you’re really missing out.

Caddyshack takes place at the fictional Bushwood Country Club.  The main story line follows caddy Danny Noonan in his effort to save money for college and attempt to win the caddy scholarship.  But there are truck loads of side stories to follow as well.  One in particular deals with the groundskeeper named Carl Spackler played by Bill Murray.  Carl Spackler is on a one man mission to stop a gopher infestation that has riddled Bushwood Country Club.  In his many tries, he almost starts World War III.

I’ve always thought it was cool when fictional organizations from the movies get their own merchandise.  It makes it feel almost as if its real.  Caddyshack has it’s share of merchandise, including a whole line of Bushwood Country Club stuff.  This pin/button isn’t rare and only costs $5.00.

Card of the Day: Cliff Lee 2013 Gypsy Queen Button Relic Mini