Cubs' collectibles: What to save, when to sell
It will cost you $179 to score a signature on your baseball from Ben Zobrist at this weekend's Fanatics Authentic Sports Spectacular in Rosemont, and another $99 to have the Cubs superstar second baseman add an inscription, such as “2016 World Series MVP.”
Demand for the show's limited autograph tickets is sky-high for all 2016 Cubs players and the coaching staff.
But that doesn't mean those forking over some serious cash for written memories of the 2016 World Series champions will be able to retire on the proceeds if they resell such collectibles down the road.
Sentimental value is likely to outweigh long-term value of many Cubs relics associated with the team's first World Series title in 108 years, experts say.
If you're going to sell Cubs items, or even considering the potential financial windfall, do it now, they say. Players such as Zobrist are superhot on the sports memorabilia market, but that signed ball might be worth a mere $35 or $40 if his bat goes silent next season, said longtime hobbyist John Arcand, of Elgin.
Most such memorabilia have a two-year window, Arcand said. If profit is your motive, sell before 2018, he said.
A baseball signed by the 2005 World Series-winning White Sox was in high demand that year and its price peaked at $2,500. Today, that same signed ball could be claimed for $350, or maybe even less, Arcand said.
“Zobrist may never again fetch $179 per autograph,” Arcand said, adding, “There's always tomorrow's superhero” who would replace Zobrist as the current hero.
If you're offered $229 for a Zobrist-signed ball, grab the cash, Arcand suggested.
More than 10,000 will attend the show, which runs Friday through Sunday at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. The Cubs' world championship certainly will expand it from a show for die-hard collectors to include countless casual fans, too.
“There definitely will be big crowds, lots of people, lots of new people (to the sports memorabilia industry). It's going to be crazy,” show Director Becky Batista said.
The World Series-winning Cubs are a draw, period. Just consider: Tickets for Kyle Schwarber's limited signing session sold out in about three days — and they started at $139 each.
Batista said tickets for Zobrist's signing session also will sell out before the show opens.
Many collectors seek team-signed items, often on an official World Series baseball, a Series-celebration photo, a bat, or a jersey. Pitcher Jake Arrieta and Manager Joe Maddon, who are not appearing at the show in Rosemont, have declined offers since the championship to sign team items en masse. The rest of the 2016 Cubs players and coaches have signed hundreds or thousands of items since the celebration in Cleveland.
“If you're a lifelong, die-hard Cubs fan, a team-signed item from the 2016 World Series Cubs will be the centerpiece of a collection, as it will be for me,” said Brian Schwartz, the president/CEO of Morton Grove-based sports memorabilia company Schwartz Sports, which has an exclusive autograph agreement with now-retired Cubs catcher David Ross and others.
Schwartz suggested fans get autographs, be it from the entire team or just one player, on the official World Series ball or on a photo related to a specific moment, such as Anthony Rizzo catching the final out.
Skip the personalization (To Joe, for instance) if you're even remotely considering selling an item. Personalized items look snazzy on the mantle but have significantly lower value if sold.
Not all Cubs collectibles carry a steep price tag. Take, for instance, the local newspapers from Nov. 3, the day after the Cubs clinched. They can be purchased for $10 to 20 and make a cherished, framed relic.
Tickets to the World Series also are highly collectible and popular, particularly from Games 1 and 7.
Fanatics Authentic Sports Spectacular
<b>When:</b> Friday through Sunday, Nov. 18-20
<b>Where:</b> Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont
<b>Hours:</b> 4:30-9 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday
<b>Cost:</b> $10, $5 for children 10 and under
<b>Appearances and autograph sessions</b>
World Series Cubs: Dexter Fowler, Addison Russell, Albert Almora Jr., Aroldis Chapman, Jason Hammel, Javier Baez, Justin Grimm, Kyle Hendricks, Kyle Schwarber, Matt Szczur, Mike Montgomery, Ben Zobrist, Carl Edwards Jr., Miguel Montero and Willson Contreras
Cubs coaches: Chris Bosio, Dave Martinez and John Mallee
Former Cubs: Kerry Wood, Andre Dawson, Billy Williams, Jerome Walton, Dwight Smith, Ryne Sandberg, Lou Piniella, Mark Grace, Rafael Palmeiro and Lou Brock
Cleveland connection: Francisco Lindor
Sports figures: Frank Thomas, Alex Rodriguez, John Smoltz, Bobby Hull, Dennis Rodman, Dick Butkus, Jeremy Roenick, Pete Rose, Randall Cunningham, Walt Frazier, Lawrence Taylor, Reggie Jackson, Rickey Henderson, Scottie Pippen, Cal Ripken Jr. and Johnny Bench, among others
Hollywood: John Schneider, Tom Wopat and Catherine Bach (“The Dukes of Hazzard”), John Cusack (“Eight Men Out”) and Tatum O'Neal (“Bad News Bears”)
For more info: <a href="http://www.FanaticsAuthenticShows.com">www.FanaticsAuthenticShows.com</a>