Collecting Sports Memorabilia Isn’t Just For Fans Anymore

Here’s a common question that many sports memorabilia collectors often ask: “Do the players themselves collect memorabilia too?"

Although most players are not full-fledged collectors, most players do enjoy taking home a few mementos to add to there personal collection. Things such as a player’s first hit or an award of sorts are things that most players typically hold onto long after there playing days are over. Because of the value of many of these items, some players will eventually sell off their rare pieces of memorabilia for financial reasons later in there life. Recently Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith decided it was time to sell several of his gold glove awards and World Series rings and will auction the items next month.

Baseball cards are another segment of the sports memorabilia market that a few players collect too. Recently, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brad Ziegler did a story with with Fox Sports Arizona about his collecting:

A few other player collectors are Cleveland Indians closer Chris Perez and former Tigers 1^st baseman Dmitri Young. Young’s card collection was known as one the most impressive rookie card collection ever put together. Young recently sold his collection in order to raise money for his foundation.