AN: Preserve Athletics History?

by Tyler Bleszinski on Feb 25, 2005 6:42 PM PST in News

This idea popped into my head after seeing that Jose Canseco was selling his 89 World Series ring on EBay. (thanks, Zonis)

Would AN be willing to give money to try and buy back Canseco's ring? I'm not sure it's realistic to raise over $30,000 in two days, but maybe you'd be willing to give to the cause to preserve A's history.

What if we bought the ring and returned it to the Oakland Athletics? We'd present it back to them so they could put it on display.

Let me know what you think about the idea as soon as possible. If so, I'll put up a donate button for PayPal and we'll see what we can do.

I think it's a travesty and would love to do something about it.

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Comments

Good idea Blez...

But a few questions:

Can we raise that kind of jack in two days?
What if we get outbid? Will the money be returned to the contributors if it's a failed venture?

I'm a man of limited means right now but I'll see what I can scrape up if we choose to go forward.

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE YELLING ABOUT!!!" -Brick Tamland, Anchorman

by secret ASian man on Feb 25, 2005 6:50 PM PST reply actions

Dude, I'm in!

I'd donate what I have at the bottom of my A's bag after buying MVP. It's not much, but that ring deserves to be in the hands on the A's, not some crazy fan who decided to buy a 30K ring.

Jack Sparrow: [to Weatherby Swann] I think we've all arrived at a very special place. Spiritually, ecumenically, grammatically.

by GreenNGoldGirl on Feb 25, 2005 7:02 PM PST reply actions

MVP is awesome...

isn't it?

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE YELLING ABOUT!!!" -Brick Tamland, Anchorman

by secret ASian man on Feb 25, 2005 7:03 PM PST up reply actions

More awesome than I imagined....

I own about every baseball game that has ever come out since 2001 and I've got to take, MVP 2005 takes the cake for the best baseball game. AN is my distraction from the weekend ahead.

AN-MVP-AN-MVP-AN-MVP-Easy Mac-AN-MVP-AN-MVP

Jack Sparrow: [to Weatherby Swann] I think we've all arrived at a very special place. Spiritually, ecumenically, grammatically.

by GreenNGoldGirl on Feb 25, 2005 7:05 PM PST up reply actions

I'm in...

as long as I could wear it to work for one day. Can we pass it around like the Stanley Cup?

by Jennifer on Feb 25, 2005 7:03 PM PST reply actions

okay, but

i get it thursdays and saturdays.

by xbhaskarx on Feb 25, 2005 8:44 PM PST up reply actions

i'm in too...

i'd throw down, as long as we can have some sort of AN recognition day at the 'seum where everyone gives us props for putting together that much dough to give the ring back to Oakland.....free tickets, scratch that...free beers for a life, Mr. Wolff?

by high street on Feb 25, 2005 7:38 PM PST reply actions

I'm in too

I've got a bit saved up in the bank... but I don't want to share the ring with nobody so I've placed a bid of my own. I'm taking no chances losing out on this opportunity, so I've placed a $100,000 bid that I'm sure all you losers can't top. The ring is mine, I'm telling ya, all mine, my precioussss...

J/K

by OaktownTribesman on Feb 25, 2005 7:42 PM PST reply actions

fell asleep during LOTR

consider me asleep during this campaign, too

"When I went to church that same Sunday, I picked up a 2x4. I went up to the pulpit and clubbed the preacher in the head..."--Wesley Willis

by Cutthemullet on Feb 25, 2005 9:35 PM PST up reply actions

Lord of the Rings reference

Great job on the Lord of the Rings reference. I couldn't have said it any better than Gollum (sp?).

by island of misfit toys on Feb 26, 2005 12:49 PM PST up reply actions

Gollum

Never thought I'd see the day when someone would be unsure of the spelling of "Gollum", seeing that the name (or the sound) is written out a thousand times in the four books.

(Books? You mean there's a book?)

by iglew on Feb 26, 2005 1:27 PM PST up reply actions

I must confess

I never read the books. Yes, I know I am missing out and that I should have read them but I am not sure why hearing it would necessarily lead one to its correct spelling (although I got it right). Anyway, thanks for the cute response mdl.

by island of misfit toys on Feb 26, 2005 5:04 PM PST up reply actions

Don't worry

I've never read the books or seen the movies. A lot of people look at me like I'm a freak. They just don't appeal to me. Now give me a Harry Potter book or movie and that's a different story.

Jack Sparrow: [to Weatherby Swann] I think we've all arrived at a very special place. Spiritually, ecumenically, grammatically.

by GreenNGoldGirl on Feb 26, 2005 5:27 PM PST up reply actions

Funny

I've never read/seen Harry Potter. No desire to, really.

by OaktownTribesman on Feb 26, 2005 6:19 PM PST up reply actions

Books/Movies

Anyone read Clive Cussler?

If so, what do you think of Matthew McConaghey playing the legendary Dirk Pitt in the upcoming adaptation of "Sahara"?

I'll tell you one thing that's for sure, that other dude ain't no Al Giordino!

"Fear leads to hate, and hate......leads to the Darkside."-Yoda

by Force on Feb 26, 2005 6:52 PM PST up reply actions

Me too...

unfortunately, being a teenager, I am extremely broke, but i am willing to donate the money that's in my "Mira NEED'S a Chavvy Bobblehead" fund that i started awhile ago because a few weeks ago i went to the MLB store and the one i wanted (the $12000 life size one)was GONE!!!! WTF? :( Though i have to warn you, not many people supported my cause :(

"Did you know they call Rich Harden 'Rich'" -my sister

by ChavysGrl3 on Feb 25, 2005 7:46 PM PST reply actions

LOL

I, too, was pleading the case of getting a Barry Zito lifesize bobble head after I saw the Chavvy one. I didn't even know if there existed one but I went up to my parents and said "How much do you love me?" They weren't flattered by the price. So no bobble head. If there ever was one.

Jack Sparrow: [to Weatherby Swann] I think we've all arrived at a very special place. Spiritually, ecumenically, grammatically.

by GreenNGoldGirl on Feb 25, 2005 7:49 PM PST up reply actions

I admire you...

... for the thought, Blez. But seriously, I know that you and I (as proud parents of preciously tiny sweethearts) have many better things to spend our brass on than Jose's castaway playthings (significant as they might seem to be).

The irony of this is that this kind of money is what our so-called heroes make IN ONE AT BAT. Do the math on that one, if you want to freak yourself out. (Let's see, if a ballplayer makes 10,000,000 clams a year, and bats 500 times, hmmm...)

by Brian in 317 on Feb 25, 2005 8:07 PM PST reply actions

Members...

Blez,how many members of AN do we have? Divide the number of members into $30,000 and tell us what you get. That might give us a starting point.

Jim

by jarforcefatherofforce on Feb 25, 2005 8:48 PM PST reply actions

About 1,600 or so

registered members.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Feb 25, 2005 8:53 PM PST up reply actions

That turns out....

to be about $20 bucks per person. Not bad, Blez, not bad. You really think we can pull this off though?

Jack Sparrow: [to Weatherby Swann] I think we've all arrived at a very special place. Spiritually, ecumenically, grammatically.

by GreenNGoldGirl on Feb 25, 2005 8:59 PM PST up reply actions

No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

C'mon, $30,000? Give the money to tsunami victims or other worthwhile organizations, for crying out loud.

"The sun don't shine on the same dog's ass all the time." -Catfish Hunter

by kaweahkaweah on Feb 25, 2005 9:10 PM PST reply actions

Good idea!

I got an idea, an idea so smart my head would explode if I even began to know what I was talking about. - Peter (Family Guy)

by oakasfan20 on Feb 25, 2005 9:12 PM PST up reply actions

I suppose

I suppose I shouldn't even ask whether Jose Canseco is going to donate the proceeds of his auction to Tsunami relief efforts...

by OaktownTribesman on Feb 25, 2005 9:43 PM PST up reply actions

uh...NOT real...lucrative scam

If the ring still belongs to Jose, then why is some guy in South Carolina selling it? And why isn't he saying how exactly Canseco entrusted him with the sale of this ring? "Please don't ask me if this is real"...yeah, you know, you should just trust him when you bid upwards of 30 grand. Sounds a bit evasive here, Barry Bonds of eBay. I'm positive this is fake, I've ebayed in the past...well, let me look at his feedback

"When I went to church that same Sunday, I picked up a 2x4. I went up to the pulpit and clubbed the preacher in the head..."--Wesley Willis

by Cutthemullet on Feb 25, 2005 9:53 PM PST reply actions

memorabilia dealer

despite the positive feedback, I think this guy's just trying to capitalize on the current Canseco revival. If you're going to branch out from $5 sales of individual sports cards to a ring that's fetching 30 grand with 2 days left, you better give in-depth proof of authenticity...this guy writes a short, casual description like this is just another of his everyday transactions. The ultimate conspiracy theory would have Canseco getting a cut out of the sale of a fake ring. Stopping short of that, I have serious doubts here.

"When I went to church that same Sunday, I picked up a 2x4. I went up to the pulpit and clubbed the preacher in the head..."--Wesley Willis

by Cutthemullet on Feb 25, 2005 10:05 PM PST up reply actions

and...

this sale could trigger the end of the EBay feel-good-about-the-state-of-humanity commercial era. For that I would be thankful.

"When I went to church that same Sunday, I picked up a 2x4. I went up to the pulpit and clubbed the preacher in the head..."--Wesley Willis

by Cutthemullet on Feb 25, 2005 10:07 PM PST up reply actions

Feedback Part II

Yeah, well, I'm officially a loser, because I just checked all 33 items (not very many; he's no "Power seller") that this guy has sold on EBay. Here's what I found: of the 33, maybe 20 were cards going for under $20. Approx. 10 more were miscellaneous collectors' items that went for under $40. Average winning bid of these 30 items is probably around $10. Think it's safe to say that a $30,000 ring stands out among those humble offerings; at this point, we're doubting that this guy is big-time enough to be the middleman for Canseco. 3 items left, however. Ooh, the suspense. First 2: Griffey autographed figurine, went for $110, and a Montana autographed helmet that went for $250. Ok, so this guy has sold some autographed items that went for a reasonable price. Problem is, both were surely merely obtained from a distributor, since the Montana helmet was licensed by Upper Deck and the Griffey by whatever company produces the figurines. So we're down to the final item, still utterly lacking any evidence that this guy has any claim to autographs/memorabilia obtained via private signings, personal relationships, etc. Well, the 33rd item was a $41 Canseco autographed baseball, inscribed with "86 ROY", "88 MVP", and "40/40". What do you know, the sole "unique" piece of memorabilia offered was a Canseco autographed baseball. Seems that Canseco may have done business with him in the past after all.
So, after all that, but still with very limited information, I'm more inclined to think that this is legit. But that opens a whole new series of questions...
like, what the FUCK is Canseco thinking??? Timing might be right for money, but just when we thought he couldn't sell out/make a mockery of himself anymore than he already has, well, here it is.

"When I went to church that same Sunday, I picked up a 2x4. I went up to the pulpit and clubbed the preacher in the head..."--Wesley Willis

by Cutthemullet on Feb 25, 2005 10:59 PM PST up reply actions

I doubt we can make it

It would be impossible to do that in such a short period of time. Realisticaly, it would take one of us to bid on it, and that person would have to be a very very rich guy to do it. Maybe we can call Beane or Wolfe or someone to do it. If Wolfe bought it to presever the A's heritage from being defouled (more) by Canseco, he'd look like a hero to the loyal A's fans.

Then again, I dont want to give more money TO Canseco.

"I still stand firm that Johnny Damon is really Jesus, The Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer..."

by Zonis on Feb 25, 2005 10:10 PM PST reply actions

Idea

if someone is at Spring Training right now, maybe you can convince the PLAYERS to do something about it. Hell, ask Chavez since he did get the highest contract ever given to an A's player in franchise history (not hard to do, mind you). Its worth a shot and better chance of it happening then this.

That, or Blez can call Billy Beane again and beg him.

"I still stand firm that Johnny Damon is really Jesus, The Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer..."

by Zonis on Feb 25, 2005 10:13 PM PST reply actions

Donations

Id contribute....mainly just to give AN the added recognition. But while we are on the topic I would contribute money and more of it for something really cool having to do with the A's or AN. Anyone have any ideas? A GIANT AN STATUE! jk

by SwisherSweet on Feb 25, 2005 11:10 PM PST reply actions

I would like to chime in with a resounding no

I understand the temptation but there are better things that money could be spent on. 4,000 kids die globally ever hour out of starvation. People get aids due to a complete lack of knowledge. There are hundreds of thousands of homeless people at least in north america.
There are better things that the money could be spent on. I saw a homeless woman who was pregnant last week and I puchased her a meal and some supplies for herself and I also sat a talked with her for awhile. I am not trying to brag but if people are wanting to blow $20 there are better ways to do it.

I don't think that doing this would bring the kind of attention that athleticsnation would benifit from. There would be a blurb about us on a few news shows and we would get a lot of non A's fans here.

So, I think that it would be a waste of money.

by Athletics fan and runner on Feb 26, 2005 7:03 AM PST reply actions

Amen, bro

Props to you, man. That's a good deed. And the time and the conversation meant a lot more than the money spent.

Saving the world is done one person at a time.

by iglew on Feb 26, 2005 1:33 PM PST up reply actions

word

by OaklandSi on Feb 27, 2005 5:08 AM PST up reply actions

i'm in!

by daverxa on Feb 26, 2005 7:50 AM PST reply actions

Let's look at it this way...

by buying the ring, AN would contribute to a bit of the A's history. However, from this entire thread, only a few entry mentioned that the flip side of this particular transaction is that someone name Jose Canseco becomes 30k+ richer, allowing him to do whatever he does to detroy his image, tarnish the history with whatever that was associated with him.

I know that someone eventually would get the ring, but would it be appropriate for AN, who takes seriousness and thoughtfulness in considering the proud history of this team, to be associated with that flip side of this particular argument?

What a pitch!

by monteverdi on Feb 26, 2005 9:45 AM PST reply actions

Speaking of selling championship rings on E-Bay...

Some reserve cornerback for the patriots sold his super bowl rign on Ebay for 32 thousand and something dollars. He started it at 25,000 and got 29 bids.

Peace up, A-Town Down (A town being Albany California, not Atlanta)

by ohad on Feb 26, 2005 10:28 AM PST reply actions

Guess it won't work...

I need everyone in AN to be on board for this. Thanks to those of you who offered to contribute.

I know Canseco would've gotten the money and that does make me a little sick to my stomach. Mrs. Blez and I have also contributed quite a bit to the tsunami victims - I also ran a tsunami relief ad for several months in addition.

I just feel like the A's history is being mortgaged away and that really, really upsets me. Probably more so because it's the man formerly known as my favorite player.

But I understand where everyone is coming from. I guess in the greater scheme of things, this isn't a huge priority. I get emotional about the green and gold and its proud history.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Feb 26, 2005 11:00 AM PST reply actions

i agree

i agree it is upsetting to see this happen, and that canseco is seleing a piece of history. but you would need EVERYONE to pitch in. Or find a very rich member of AN. Maybe someone will come though. Id hate to see some random person get that ring. i think it should go back to oakland. its sad to see that its so easy for him to sell that ring. its like it ment nothing to him.

by athleticsfan4life on Feb 26, 2005 12:06 PM PST up reply actions

Your heart is in the right place...

Blez, truly, your A's heart is what moved you to suggest this..and bless you for it.
I wish there were an A's museum at the Coliseum - that would date back to Philadelphia..could be such fabulous memorabilia on display...players could loan rings, bats, balls etc ...scorebooks..photos..can you imagine how great that would be! Such great memories!

by LongTimeFan on Feb 26, 2005 3:58 PM PST up reply actions

I'm in if everyone else is!

This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains.

by baseballgirl on Feb 26, 2005 12:44 PM PST reply actions

there's always

door-to-door, work, girl-scoutish donation possibilities. We can divvy up 20 each easy.

"Good afternoon sir. In the best interest of Oakland A's baseball, Athletics Nation dot com is currently jumping rope for Jose Canseco's ring. If you would like to sponsor me hourly or a flat donation, I would greatly appreciate it."

**back to lurking

by pbautista on Feb 26, 2005 1:22 PM PST reply actions

Canseco's ring

I'm sure if you all discussed this, but Canseco is selling his Yankees ring, not his Oakland ring, which I think he still has.

Go A's!

by ilovethea's on Feb 26, 2005 2:41 PM PST reply actions

never mind

I read earlier that he was selling his Yankees ring, but I see now he's selling his A's ring, if it is not a hoax. Sorry - don't berate me.

Go A's!

by ilovethea's on Feb 26, 2005 2:55 PM PST reply actions

Why don't we....

come up with a petition or a letter and try and get A's management to buy it back?

by Tony on Feb 26, 2005 4:12 PM PST reply actions

Maybe I'm too cynical

But this isn't some holy religious icon we're talking about. Jose has already pissed all over the '89 A's; keeping his ring out of the hands of some well-heeled baseball collector isn't going to change that.

"You can throw your cocks if I don't care!" - Iggy Pop

by AlamedaAphid on Feb 26, 2005 9:52 PM PST reply actions