1922 E120 American Caramel Stuffy McInnis

As a member of the Philadelphia Athletics,
Stuffy McInnis played first base alongside second baseman Eddie Collins, shortstop Jack Barry and third baseman Frank Baker.

Some consider the foursome the best infield ever assembled. And they were paid accordingly. From 1911-14 they were collectively known as the $100,000 infield. The cost of all four players.

Today, counting for inflation, that would equal only a little over $2.5 million.

Today, a team would be hard pressed to find a single starter for $2.5 million, let alone the entire infield.

Today, baseball's finances are a little different than 100 years ago.

As for this card: It appears someone added their opinion of Stuffy in red ink "Hitting and Fielding great" they also updated the card to include his current team, as of 1925, to Pittsburgh.

To most collectors, writing on a card is like the kiss of death. To me it's just another story in the life of a poor old baseball card.

1959 Topps Mickey Mantle

Oh how I love a poor old Mickey Mantle.

This card arrived earlier this week after my eBay best offer was counteroffered at $27. I was hoping to pick it up for under $25 but how could I quibble over $2. After all, it's a 54-year-old of MICKEY MANTLE.

I'm lucky to own more than a few Mantle's in poor condition. This one's right up there with the worst.

But did I pay too much?

I usually don't pay more than a few dollars for poor old baseball cards but when they're of the game's greats I don't mind shelling out a few more dollars. I figure the superstars will always hold their value, no matter the condition.

So again I ask: Would you pay $27 for an original 1959 Topps Mickey Mantle baseball card with a few creases?

1943 R302-1 M.P. & Co. Joe DiMaggio

About a week ago, while searching eBay for Poor Old Baseball Cards, I saw a 1940 Playball Joe DiMaggio that was in horrible shape. It had a low starting bid and a few days before the auction ended.

So I waited. And waited. And waited. On the final day, the price was still low. Somewhere around $10 if I recall.

I knew there was no way it would go for anywhere close to $10 and I had to get to work so I can earn money to buy all these POBCs.  I put in my best bid. It was more than I wanted to bid, but I typed it in ... $110.

I was not a winner. The card ended up selling for $132. More than I was willing to spend.

I never thought "Joltin Joe" would ever be a part of my collection. He didn't appear in very many issues after all.

A new search revealed this card. Produced by Michael Pressner Company of New York in 1943, it was a card of DiMaggio during his playing days. It was also produced during World War II.

I wanted it. It was old. It had rounded corners and deep creases. It had writing. It was perfect.

By the way, that's a "CF" written in blue ink: Center field. That's the position Dimaggio played. But you woldn't know it by looking at the card's reverse. It lists him as a rightfielder.

One more thing, I got this card at a steal.

A real Joe DiMaggio, are you kidding me? $40.

1960 Topps Frank Howard

I posted this same card several months ago. It used to look like this.

But a week or so ago, my chihuahua/pug mix decided it looked more like an appetizer.

When I first saw the card in no less than nine pieces, I was hoping: Don't let it be Mickey Mantle. Don't let it be Mickey Mantle. Don't let it be Mickey Mantle.

It wasn't. But it was sad to see Frank Howard in distress. I quickly picked up the pieces and put them aside. I thought it was beyond repair.

Tonight I figured, with the help of some transparent tape, I'd put it back together. And from what I can tell, I think it's all there.

I think I dodged a bullet. Lesson learned.