Card of the Day: Carlos Ruiz 2009 Topps Ring Of Honor Auto

“Pin-Up” of the Week: 2016 Little League World Series Ring Top Pin

I can officially confirm that the logo used for last week’s “Pin-Up” of the Week post is the official logo of the 2016 Little League World Series.  The gift shop inside the Little League Museum has started to sell some 2016 merchandise which contains that exact logo.  As of this writing the only 2016 pins they have are the jerseys from the various regions, and the ring top pins.  The main logo pins will be in shortly.

Ring top pins are a big seller each year.  They’re about the size of a cough drop.  From a design standpoint, nothing much changes other than the date.  The 1998 Little League World Series was the last year they used the keystone logo in the middle of the ring top pins.  Starting in 1999 they switched to this logo which they used for the next sixteen years.  For 2016, Little League decided to change the logo once more to the one you see pictured above.  It looks just like the main logo for this year.  Whether they keep using this logo within their ring pins for a while is unknown.  That’s what they did before.

Ring top pins can be a bit more expensive even from a straight retail perspective.  The average retail price for one is $8.00.  Over the years, some have become rarer than others.  The last ring top pin featuring the keystone logo can be quite expensive.  Upon changing the logo for 2016, I don’t see the 2015 ring top pin going up in price.  Little League still has a good selection of those for sale.

“Pin-Up” of the Week: 1998 Little League World Series Ring Top Pin

I have a busy month of August coming up.  First off I’ll be attending the 35th National Sports Collectors Convention.  Second I’ll be checking out the Little League World Series.  Then at the end of the month I have back-to-back bobblehead nights in State College and Williamsport.  Let’s not forget about taking some time out to go see The Guardians of the Galaxy  and The Expendables 3.  Looks like I’ll be getting some great stuff to blog about.

The 2014 Little League World Series takes place in South Williamsport from 8/14 to 8/24.  Major sponsors and local businesses are currently in the final stages of preparing their promotional pins they plan to hand out.  In addition to all the free pins, Little League and a few other pin companies like Wilson Trophy sell pins too.  For many years Little League has annually produced ring top pins that commemorate each World Series.  These pins can usually be found at any of the Little League gift shops and sell for $8.00.

Although it looks very similar, the 1998 Little League World Series ring top pin is among one of the most desirable pins a collector could add to their collection.  Why is this pin in such high demand you ask?  It all has to do with the logo in the middle.  After 1998, Little League decided to stop using the keystone shaped logo and switched to a new design.  This design is still being used today.  With that being said, collectors are willing to spend $50.00 to $65.00 for the last ring top pin featuring the keystone logo.

“Pin-Up” of the Week: Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl XXXV Championship Ring Pin

Ray Lewis could go out on top retiring right after winning Super Bowl XLVII.  It sounds like a storybook ending, and it just might happen.  Season ticket holders of the Ravens not only got to see their team go all the way back in 2001 in Super Bowl XXXV, but were awarded this championship ring pin.  For those die-hard Ravens collectors, this pin is highly sought after since it wasn’t something that you could buy in the gift shop or obtain while walking through the gate.  The last example sold for over $100.00.

On February 3rd, the 49ers and Ravens will play in Super Bowl XLVII.  Many generic pins have popped up for sale, but nothing too rare yet.  I’m waiting to see what the media pin looks like.

Nice Hardware

Check out the 2009 National League Championship rings the Phillies received this afternoon.  This ring has inspired a new wallpaper.

Man The Spears, I See A Whale!

As an avid collector of the Miami Dolphins, specifically players from the Perfect Season, my eyes lit up when I saw this Jake Scott 2002 Ring of Honor autograph listed for sale.  Scott doesn’t have many autographs for someone that was the MVP of the Super Bowl.  I can only think of three certified autographs that he has floating around the secondary market.  This is by far his most valuable card.  With a few days left, it has already reached $400.00.  This is one card I’d love to add to my collection, but for right now its a little too pricey.  The 2002 Ring of Honor autograph set features signatures of Super Bowl MVP’s and is one of the hardest to complete.  The same seller also has the Larry Csonka up for sale too.

Truly An Honest Fake + My Panini Opinion

I know the big news of the day is that Kobe Bryant signed an exclusive deal with Panini.  I think its great that it happened.  For years he was with Upper Deck and for him to switch sides really stirs the pot of competition between the major manufacturers.  Hopefully the competition will lead to newer innovations for The Hobby.  I too wish Panini would embrace the card blogosphere, but for right now it seems like they’re sticking with Big Brother Beckett.  Perhaps someday Panini will come around and realize that collector blogs are the new media.  In my opinion, they make great products.  This year’s Absolute Football is one of my favorite products.

Thats enough about Panini tonight.  Here is something funny I found up for sale this evening.  Its a 2008 Topps Eli Manning Ring of Honor insert with a fake autograph.  What makes this so funny is that the seller writes in the description telling you its fake.  Sometimes you’ll see “custom” cards and various other homemade items up for sale, but rarely will you find one stating its fake right up front.  Believe it or not, but it has (1) bid on it for $0.10 which is probably what this basic unsigned insert is worth.  I guess you could give the seller credit.  At least their being honest 🙂

Card of the Day: Larry Csonka 2002 Topps Ring of Honor Auto

New Wallpaper Added

Now you can make your desktop really shine with this new wallpaper featuring the Phillies 2008 World Series Championship ring.

PHOTOS: Phillies vs. Orioles

This was my first trip to Citizens Bank Park, and I must say its one of the nicest stadiums I’ve ever been to. Check out some of the photos! More can be found on Facebook.

Connie Mack

Suite #65 is where I got to watch the game. Probably the best box I’ve ever watched a game from. Someday I want to see the name “Sports Card Info” on a box.

Cole Hamels before the game

Upstairs they have a Phillies Hall of Fame exhibit: Schmidt, Roberts, Ashburn, Carlton

Stadium model

Dick Perez has a bunch of paintings hanging upstairs. This one is of Connie Mack.

Eddie Collins

Eddie Plank

Napoleon Lajoie

Original seat from Connie Mack Stadium

2008 World Series Championship ring

Chase Utley

Utley at first

Victorino at first

Adam Jones & Carlos Ruiz

Hey look! Upper Deck is on the scoreboard.

Matt Wieters & Ruiz

Phanatic shooting hot dogs