Detroit Tigers player-manager Mickey Cochrane in the 1930s on Charlie Gehringer, his ultra-good and ultra-quiet second baseman:

“Charlie says ‘Hello’ on Opening Day, ‘Goodbye’ on closing day, and in between hits .350.”

Quote of the Day

Baby Boomer Alert: If he were still with us, former All-Star pitcher and Hall of Famer Whitey Ford would be celebrating his 97th birthday today. Ford, the greatest left-hander in New York Yankees’ history, wins 236 games during a 16-year career that ends in 1967. Ford, who passes away in 2020, no doubt would win more than 250 games if not for missing two seasons in 1951-52 to serve in the Army. Those two seasons cost Ford a chance to pitch a pair of the Yankees’ World Series winners. No worry, though, for Ford’s ring collection as he ends up playing for six other Yankee World Series winners – first as a rookie in 1950 and then five more between 1953-62.

Today’s exercise in downsizing brings some hard-to-find items that you may want to add to your collection … and, of course, you do!

First, a rare 1995 Philadelphia Daily News poster signed by Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn. The poster — measuring approximately 10.5 x 13 inches — was limited in production and commemorated Ashburn’s 1995 induction into the Hall of Fame. Please check out the Merch Stand for more details. Price: $85, including shipping. SORRY, THIS ITEM IS SOLD OUT!

Second, a team-signed baseball by the 1998 Arizona Fall League’s Sun Cities Solar Sox. The ball from the prospect-oriented fall league is loaded with 27 signatures, including those of Mark DeRosa, Michael Barrett and Randy Wolf, as well as manager Fredi Gonzalez and pitching coach Darold Knowles. The ball is in outstanding condition with the signatures clear and bold. Team-signed baseballs from the AFL are hard to find, especially one from 25 years ago. Price: $32, including shipping.

Third, an Eastern League baseball signed by Tommy John, the 288-game winner in the major leagues who was Harrisburg’s pitching coach during the 2002 season. While there are tons of Tommy John-signed baseballs on the market, there are precious few Tommy John single-signed Eastern League baseballs available. Price: $65, including shipping.

Also available is a limited 1982 Hall of Fame metallic card signed by long-ago Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees infielder Joe Sewell. The card and signature are graded a mint 96 by SGC. Beautifully signed in black Sharpie. The special gold anodized aluminum card is the same size as a standard baseball card and features a replica of Sewell’s Hall of Fame plaque. Only 1,000 of them reportedly were made from 1981-89 and initially sold only through the Hall of Fame. Price: $32, including shipping. SORRY, THIS ITEM IS SOLD OUT!

For more information on ordering and to see other items, please check here. More than 100 other items may be found on the website’s eBay page. Thanks for looking!