Again, PSM did a great job!
Autographed Baseballs - Starting a Hall of Fame Collection? Here are Top 10 to Buy
Many sports memorabiliabaseball collectors like to have a theme when starting an autographed baseball collection. World Series MVP, Rookie of the Year, and members of the Hall of Fame are popular ones.
Let's take a look at where to start when collecting autographed Hall of Fame baseballs.
For the purpose of this article, to make the cut I looked at the player's percentage of Hall of Fame votes (the higher the better), the cost of their autograph (when starting a collection pricing matters, thus Ruth and those type of guys are out), and how often a player signs (availability of the autograph). I also included one player at each position to broaden the collection and essentially make a "team."
You could start with just autographed baseballs, or Hall of Fame logo baseballs, or baseballs with their Hall of Fame inscription. Your choice, but just be consistent.
Stay tuned to the end as I will post my pick of which of these 10 players to start with.
1st Baseman - Rod Carew
An 18 x All-Star and with 90% + Hall of Fame vote, Carew has some impressive stats. .328 average an 7 x batting champion.
A Rod Carew autographed baseball ranges from $79 - $199 depending on the inscription and authentication. Great value! Here is one with his Hall of Fame inscription for $79.
2nd Baseman - Roberto Alomar
Another very affordable autographed baseball starting at $79 with Hall of Fame inscription. Alomar received 90% of his Hall of Fame votes. Does quite a few signings. 10 x Gold Glove winner, so solid defensive player. 2 x World Series champion and 12 x All-Star. A Roberto Alomar autographed Hall of Fame baseball is a great pick for 2nd base.
Shortstop - Cal Ripken Jr.
No collection is complete without the Iron Man, Cal Ripken Jr. Even without his consecutive game streak, he is one of baseball's most popular players.
Received over 98% of his Hall of Fame votes. 19 x All Star, 2 x MVP, 1983 World Series Champion, and 1982 Rookie of the Year.
Another affordable autograph. Cal Ripken Jr autographed baseballs start at $99 with his Hall of Fame inscription one for $139.
3rd Baseman - George Brett
One baseball's best pure hitters. Member of the 3,000 hit club, 13 x All-Star, 1980 MVP, 1985 World Series Champion, and received 98% of his Hall of Fame votes.
Probably most famous for the Pine Tar incident below. One of baseball's funniest moments.
A George Brett autographed Hall of Fame baseball goes for $199, staying under that $200 range.
Left Field - Rickey Henderson
The Man of Steal! Baseball's all-time leader in stolen bases. 10 x All-Star, 2 x World Series Champion, MVP, and received 94% of his Hall of Fame votes.
A Rickey Henderson autographed baseballstarts at $229.
Center Field - Ken Griffey Jr.
Come on now, you didn't think I was going to leave out "The Kid?" Just about everyone's favorite player. Received 99% of his Hall of Fame vote. Uh, who didn't vote for him?
13 x All-Star, 10 x Gold Glove, and the 1997 AL MVP, 500 Home Run club member.
In 2018 he just completed his 1st post Hall of Fame autograph signing. Ones with his Hall of Fame inscription going for $299. Tough autograph, but a must have.
His most famous play was this catch.
Right Field - Hank Aaron
755 Home Runs gets you into onto this list.
Hank was a 25 x All-Star, World Series Champion, League MVP, and had a .305 average. For a power hitter that is phenomenal.
Aaron had 97% of his Hall of Fame vote and his jersey retired by the Bravesand Brewers.
A Hank Aaron autographed baseball will probably be at the top for this list price wise, but well worth it. Starts at $419.
Catcher - Johnny Bench
A 14 x All Star for the Reds, 10 x Gold Glove, 2 x World Series Champion, and 2 x NL MVP. Bench is THE catcher for this team.
Received 96% of his Hall of Fame votes, signs autographs regularly, and very affordable. A Johnny Bench autographed baseballwith his Hall of Fame inscription runs $99,
Starting Pitcher - Nolan Ryan
This is where it gets tricky. So many options. Are there pitchers with a better win percentage than Ryan? Sure. Better ERA? Yup.
He is on this list for a few reasons. Strikeout king, 7 no-hitters, the fight with Robin Ventura, 3 teams retired his jersey, and has a 98% Hall of Fame vote.
A very affordable autograph. Nolan Ryan autographed baseballsstart at $99 and Hall of Fame inscribed ones $119.
Closer - Dennis Eckersely
Tough choice here. Going with Eck simply because his autograph is so affordable, 390 saves, 83% Hall of Fame votes, and when he was at his pinnacle, no one was tougher to hit.
Probably best known for giving up the Kirk Gibson home run in the 1988 World Series.
A Dennis Eckersley autographed Hall of Fame baseball runs about $129.
You could get your collection started with all the above baseballs for $1700-$2000, depending on which options or inscriptions you choose.
So who is the 1st baseball you should get???
100% KEN GRIFFEY JR! Why, toughest autograph of the bunch and arguably the most popular. Start with him and build your sports memorabilia collection from there.
2 Responses
Leave a comment
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 4.9 / 5 from 4933 reviews.
Nice autograph by Roger Clemens himself. Thank you Matt Powers and his team for this signing event.
Nice autograph by Cal Ripken Jr. Thank you Matt Powers and his team for this signing event.
Nice autograph. Thank you Matt Powers and his team for this signing event.
Another perfect autograph on my 3000 hit baseball. Always a great experience! Thanks again.
I've had this card since the age of 12. Never had the opportunity until now to get his RC signed. Thanks Matt for making this happen!!
Once again, Matt and his team delivered a smooth, professional experience in obtaining a Dustin Pedroia autograph (with authentication) to a book already containing a number of Red Sox greats’ signatures. I recommend Powers Spirts Memorabilia highly.
Great experience. Card was just as described. Excited to have this added to the collection.
Frank Thomas 1990 Topps Signed Baseball Rookie Card #414B Auto Graded Beckett 10
The COA was placed exactly where I wanted it and it turned out great. Always an easy experience.
An excellent experience with the team. The ball turned out perfectly. Easy to ship the ball in and it returned after signing without an issue.
Great place to do business with. Thank you!
Fernando Tatis Jr 2019 Topps Baseball Rookie Card RC #410 Graded PSA 9 MINT
😍 such a nice autograph! Thank you!
Thank you for another awesome autograph!
Mr. Powers delivered on my request for this Cal Ripken jr. autograph. It was a nice size clean and perfect signature better than I expected. Mr. Powers team is quick to respond with any concerns you may have and keeps you posted on your item. I will absolutely be getting more signatures through them to finish my collection. I highly recommend Powers Sports to anyone that has any doubts. I use to do send ins with Steiner sports until he sold, to me Powers picked up where they left off and I couldnt be happier. Thank you
Great experience as usual! I’ll definitely be getting more autographs in the future!!
As good as it gets
Smooth transaction
The process was smooth and easy as always.
Awesome!
The color match ink auto looks great! Thanks!
A fantastic addition to the set. Bosh's autograph really pops on this one. Thanks!
This might be the only autograph of this card that has his whole auto on it. Great addition to the collection!
This came back amazing! The autograph was very clean! Thanks!
This completes my set of sketch cards. It's been fun doing this.
This was just the COA. Thanks!
It's awesome to get this one back! Another added to the Collection.
Great job by Powers Sports once again! They were able to secure a great signature from Andy Reid on my trading card, using the exact type pen and the exact location that I requested. Accuracy and quality are their top priority!
I submitted 2 cards to get them signed by Patrick Ewing himself. Thanks Matt Powers and his team for this signing event.
Nice addition of Barry Bonds to my PC!
Great card and great place to do business with. Thank you!
Ronald Acuna Jr 2018 Topps Living Baseball Rookie Card RC #19 Graded PSA 10
Loved it all.
Great experience as usual, highly recommend Powers
Great job by Matt and his team as usual
Matt and his team did it again. Highly recommend Powers to anyone looking for high end autographs
Matt and his team always do their best for their clients. Couldn’t be happier
Awesome experience as usual, I love my Jagr autograph!
Awesome experience as usual!
Great experience! I had never gotten any autographs through a signing like this before and I had a number of questions. Someone called me right back & couldn’t have been nicer. The customer service was outstanding every step of the way & I couldn’t be happier with the Reggie Jackson autographed ticket.
Nice to have a trading card signed by Wade Boggs in his Yankees uniform. Thanks Matt Powers and his team for this signing event.
Nice to have my Rookie Card signed by Manny Ramirez himself. Thanks Matt Powers and his team for this signing event.
Your Cart
Your cart is empty.
Ryan Conway
May 02, 2023
Great list. Very thoughtful. I am just starting collecting with my son (age 11). One of my favorite players growing up was Ken Griffey Jr so obviously getting my hands on a ball signed by the kid was where I started. We also were able to get a Cal Ripkin Jr ball and a Nolan Ryan ball at a local collectors show. Now time to fill out the rest of the starting line-up.
Thanks for the thoughtful list,
Ryan