| l Memorabilia Collecting Becoming More Popular | | | | knowing that it wasprobably one of a thousand he |
| Baseball has been in the hearts and minds of millions | | | | autographed specifically for the purpose of making |
| of fans worldwide, and the baseball memorabilia | | | | money? |
| market is becoming more lucrative for collectors and | | | | Baseball memorabilia, like any type of collectible, is a |
| players alike. | | | | personal matter. It means a lot to you because of |
| Check out eBay to see countless examples of sellers | | | | not only who the person or team is, but how |
| offering their collected treasures. You can see balls, | | | | youacquired the item. |
| bats, gloves, caps, jerseys and all other forms of | | | | For example, say you received a copy of a book |
| baseball memorabilia that had been autographed by | | | | "Third base Is My Home" written about Baltimore |
| players and now being auctioned off to the luckiest | | | | Orioles third baseman Brooks Robinson. The book |
| high bidder. | | | | was autographed and was a gift from someone |
| For years, popular professional athletes attained | | | | close to you, who actually bought the book and had |
| fortunes was through the money they received from | | | | it autographed in person. |
| their sports contracts and through endorsements. | | | | At the same time, you receive a baseball that was |
| Players would be a spokesman for products such as | | | | autographed by Pete Rose. One of thousands he has |
| Wheaties, Gatorade or maybe even the local new | | | | signed through the years. |
| car dealership. | | | | Most memorabilia collectors would consider each a |
| While these are still two big means of financial gain | | | | good addition to their collections. But the Brooks |
| for them, autographing sports paraphernalia is now | | | | Robinson book will probably mean more to the |
| also a big money-maker for pro athletes. But if they | | | | collector. |
| produce these autographed items in large numbers, | | | | People will always find a way to make money, and |
| does it take away from the significance of each | | | | there is nothing wrong with that. |
| item? | | | | Baseball memorabilia collecting is popular and many |
| Doesn't going to the ball park and getting something | | | | people have extensive collections. |
| autographed by, say, Ivan Rodriguez, mean much | | | | I just make it a point to try for the personal touch |
| more than just bidding for something online and | | | | when I add something new to my collection. |