Collector's Corner: Brewers On Deck
As I started packing to head down to Brewers On Deck this weekend, I thought about all of the great stuff I have bought at it the past two years. While the player autographs and pictures are the draw for many, there are many hidden gems over at the Brewers Community Foundation Rummage Sale, if you get there quickly, and know what you are looking for.
If autographs is your thing, they have a bunch of unique things. They typically have autographed bats, balls, hats, and jerseys, among other items. Last year they had lots of autographed baseball, including 2002 All Star Game baseballs signed by Richie Sexson and Jose Hernandez. I picked up some autographed 5 x 7 cards of some former Brewers.
They also occasionally have some non Brewers items leftover from their charity events throughout the year. I found this Ryan Zimmerman autographed bat.
They usually have a decent pile of lineup cards from both home and away games. Lineup cards don't really interest me that much typically (sweet! a Ken Macha autograph!), but if a game has significant importance to me, or the Brewers, then I'll consider it. At last year's On Deck, I found a lineup card from June 15th, 2009, when the Brewers played at the Cleveland Indians. I traveled to Cleveland with two friends to attend this series (actually only the first two games, but they were so good we changed our plans and stayed for all three, a Brewers sweep) and this was game one on Monday night. The night was a tribute to the movie Major League and featured a Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn bobblehead giveaway. Bob Uecker threw out the first pitch and I caught a home run ball hit by Prince Fielder in batting practice (bare handed, line shot, above my head, thought I broke my hand as it swelled up bad). So the night was pretty awesome even before the game started, but this turned out to be one of the best games I've ever been at. Ryan Braun hit a two run homer in the top of the first, but it was answered by former Timber Rattlers star Shin Soo Choo in the bottom half. The Brewers fell behind 8-3 and 12-7 before a furious 6-run rally in the 8th inning, topped off by Prince Fielder's first career grand slam. I want to get this framed with my ticket stub and the bp ball at some point.
They typically have some game worn/used items for sale like jerseys, bats, balls, and batting helmets. Last year I found this Seattle Pilots batting helmet in the pile of Brewers batting helmets.
It was so cool I had to have it (I love the "scrambled eggs" on the bill). I assumed that it was a thowback one used in the last couple of years, but after looking at it more closely later, I'm fairly certain this is a 1969 original. Not sure where it had been hiding all those years, but I'm glad somebody found it.
I have bought a game worn jersey each of the last two years. I got a Mitch Stetter road jersey the first year and a Vinny Rottino BP jersey this past year.
The Stetter has come in handy a couple times. I wore it to games in Cleveland and Colorado and both times he threw me a baseball. He actually came over to me in Colorado and we talked for a little bit. A good investment. Hopefully he makes it back to the Brewers this year. The Rottino is significant to me because we both went to UW-La Crosse. Not too many Eagles have made it to the Majors, so I hade to have one of his jerseys. I have a pretty extensive Rottino collection, that I will probably get into at some point along with other Wisconsin players I collect.
It has been a really good place to fill in some of the holes in my bobblehead collection, plus the rare alternates seemed to be easier to get. The first year I got a blue Rolle Fingers and Cecil Cooper, as well as a couple blue '82 minis. I bought three of the full size Robin Yount that year, and luckily got one of each of the three versions - rookie, MVP, and coach. This past year there were not as many bobbles, but I managed to get one of the rarest Brewers bobbleheads of all, the Bill Hall track suit bobble.
This was only given to Brewers employees and was made to commemorate a Spring Training moment. The team was doing wind sprints and there was a fierce competition to see who the fastest Brewers player was. When it was Bill Hall's turn, he stripped off his uniform to show a track suit.
The one that got away: Last year they had Ben Sheets game worn jersey from the 2008 All Star Game. A game worn jersey from the starting pitcher of an All Star Game. At most, there are only 162 game worn jerseys from an All Star Game starting pitcher in existence. Plus, this was the last All Star Game at that version of Yankee Stadium. I was going to grab it, but then I saw the Hall bobblehead and wanted to make sure I got that first. Before I could get back over, it was gone. I'm happy I got the Hall bobble, but I should have had both.
They don't have a rummage sale listed on the On Deck schedule, but it does say there is a treasure hunt, so hopefully that is similar to what they have done in the past. So if you get a chance, be sure to swing by the Brewers Community Foundation area at Brewers On Deck. You might find a treasure, and the money goes to a great cause. Also, check out the Minor League affiliate section. It's normally an easy way to pick up card sets from all of the Brewers affiliates. I believe Huntsville will be in attendance again this year after missing 2010. They might have some jerseys or bobbleheads with them. We'll have some new logo merchandise for sale, as well as posters and cards of some of the former Timber Rattlers that will be signing autographs for free. The Brewers do a great job with this event, so stop on down and say hi.