Weekly Market Report - November 16, 2005

A Fresh Look at Sports Collectibles News

Some of the victims of the infamous Stan's Sports counterfeit autograph scandal are getting restitution. Those who have certificates of authenticity from SCAA or J.DiMaggio are asked to first provide the documents and then the items themselves. They will then receive their money back directly from the government (who is in the process of collecting money from Stan). This is great news for those who were ripped off by the scam. However, the thing that really stands when reading this article is that Stan Fitzgerald, his wife, and his mother were convicted of charges. HIS MOTHER! Are you kidding me? How immoral, unethical, and greedy is your family if your mom is involved? Wouldn't you think that most mothers would be outraged if they found out their son was part of a huge counterfeiting scandal? Wouldn't most moms insist that it stopped immediately? Well, not only was Stan's mom not outraged, she apparently thought it was a good idea because she jumped on the bandwagon. Way to raise your son mom. [read article]

McFarlane unveiled photography for the upcoming MLB 14 Sports Picks, the first line of the 2006 season. The series features Mark Mulder, Bobby Abreu, Aramis Ramirez, Jeff Kent, Jason Varitek, and Alex Rodriguez and will be available only in Toys R Us stores nationwide. As was the case with MLB 11, cases of each player will be shipped directly to stores in the players home city because "we believe having figures readily available in the team member's home city is good for everyone." Normally I completely agree with that statement - but Jeff Kent? Why would you chose him for this series? I don't think ANYONE likes him, especially those in his city and on his team. Maybe you should have chosen an athlete that isn't ignorant about the history of the game he plays, that wasn't less popular in the Giants clubhouse than Barry Bonds, and that doesn't divide clubhouses by falsely accusing teammates of not hustling. [read official release]

Beckett is asking collectors the question "What's the ultimate artifact you think could possibly come out of hockey's storied history?" Collectors have until December 10th to be entered in the competition which will result in the four "best" entrants winning a box of 2005-2006 Upper Deck Artifacts. They suggest "maybe it's the puck from Wayne Gretzky's first NHL goal...or a card signed by Georges Vezina...or Mario Lemieux's jersey worn on the night the Pens won their first Cup." Umm....are you kidding me. I can't make this stuff up. HOW ABOUT THE STANLEY CUP? It's only the oldest trophy in North American sports. It's only a 113 year old trophy donated by Lord Stanley of Preston that every hockey player dreams of getting to hold over their head. Not to mention that it's some guys job to guard the thing. Can't be much of a more "ultimate artifact" than that. They don't even mention that the Stanley Cup is off limits, which leads me to believe they intentionally left it off limits so people could enter it (not likely) or they were too stupid to think of it (likely). Unbelievable. [read official release ]