This episode is dedicated to our friend Kenny Cole, 1961-2026.

Al Crisafulli shares the story behind the only known Pete Hill signature available in private hands, a rare piece of Negro Leagues history that ultimately sold for more than $100,000. He traces the artifact’s journey from the estate of Hill’s former teammate Percy Wilson to the auction block and explores what its discovery says about the growing collector interest in Black baseball history. Al is then joined by Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, for a conversation about the players and personalities who shaped the Negro Leagues and why there is still more work to be done to ensure this history remains an essential part of the story of baseball.

https://loveofthegameauctions.com/
Produced by Brand Groupies - https://brandgroupies.com/
Theme music by Doug Stoley: http://www.stoley.com/
https://www.nlbm.com/

Episode highlights:
(0:57) The remarkable Pete Hill autograph and its discovery
(3:43) Authentication and the $104,400 auction result
(5:19) Bob Kendrick joins the conversation
(8:09) How Bob fell in love with Negro Leagues history
(11:47) What visitors misunderstand about the Negro Leagues
(17:53) The incredible story of Martín Dihigo
(22:42) Preserving rare Negro Leagues artifacts
(28:18) Historic treasures inside the museum
(31:26) The Negro Leagues as a major Black-owned business
(32:25) The economic cost of baseball integration
(39:10) Integrating Negro League statistics into MLB records
(43:43) The life lessons Bob wants young people to learn
(46:06) Buck O’Neill’s unforgettable Satchel Paige story
(50:25) MLB The Show introduces Negro Leagues history to millions
(54:45) Bob’s lifelong love of baseball and Henry Aaron
(57:39) Plans for the new Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

Al Crisafulli revisits the origins of the first gum cards, settling the long-misunderstood label of Scrapps Tobacco. He’s joined by Andy Broome, the Vice President of CGC Cards, who shares how a childhood discovery sparked his passion for the hobby. Andy also offers a behind-the-scenes look at CGC’s approach to grading, including a high-stakes moment that helped save a collector’s home, and discusses the company’s ongoing commitment to research, accuracy, and innovation in card preservation.

https://www.cgccards.com/
https://loveofthegameauctions.com/
Produced by Brand Groupies - https://brandgroupies.com/
Theme music by Doug Stoley: www.stoley.com

Episode highlights:
(0:54) The mystery behind the 1888 Scraps Tobacco cards

(3:08) The H.D.S. & Co. clue that changed the story

(5:35) Why Scraps Tobacco was actually a gum card issue

(6:02) Introducing CGC Cards Vice President Andy Broome

(8:13) How Andy began grading pre-war baseball cards

(10:58) The incredible T206 Honus Wagner discovery

(15:10) How the Wagner helped save its owner’s home

(20:08) Collecting vintage Japanese baseball and Victor Starfin

(23:46) CGC’s approach to vintage and obscure card grading

(34:32) The baseball moment that started Andy’s lifelong passion

Al Crisafulli explores the story of a Jackie Robinson stadium photo that captured Robinson’s first major league at-bat in 1947. Joining Al is Love of the Game's Andrew Aronstein, who dives into the world of vintage baseball photography, from ensuring authenticity to navigating the challenges of altered or digitally enhanced images. From historic photos to the people who preserve them, this episode provides an inside look at the hobby and the stories that keep baseball history alive.

https://loveofthegameauctions.com/
Produced by Brand Groupies - https://brandgroupies.com/
Theme music by Doug Stoley: www.stoley.com

Episode highlights:
(0:55) Jackie Robinson’s first MLB at-bat photo
(5:22) Meet Andrew Aronstein and his hobby roots
(9:01) TCMA, minor league cards, and rookie card history
(13:00) Photofile archives and early sports photography
(18:32) What collectors often miss in original photos
(22:50) Authenticity, condition, and altered vintage images
(35:10) How to spot trimming and photo changes
(36:52) How grading, the internet, and eBay changed collecting
(40:18) The most special item Andrew ever handled
(44:03) Was Paul Thompson really a photographer?
(45:31) Andrew’s “love of the game” moment