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Closer Inspection: At the old ballgame

Ray Brennan’s den in Silver Spring holds more than 200 pieces of baseball memorabilia. “I’m looking for more obscure historical items from the game,” the 58-year-old says. Here, a look at a few of his finds. — Kris Coronado

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Ray Brennan, who works in IT service management, doesn’t acquire pieces for their resale potential; collecting has been his personal pastime for more than 30 years. He searches every week for the unexpected at area sports card stores, estate sales or antiques malls.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Brennan says: “You can go to a card show or dealer and ask if they have a specific card from a specific year for a specific player, and they’ll pull it out, and then you just haggle on the price. Whereas, when you walk around from show to show and you see some of these things — like a Jackie Robinson doll or a lemon peel baseball — that’s more of a challenge. They don’t show up at all of the shows.”

Brennan says: “You can go to a card show or dealer and ask if they have a specific card from a specific year for a specific player, and they’ll pull it out, and then you just haggle on the price. Whereas, when you walk around from show to show and you see some of these things — like a Jackie Robinson doll or a lemon peel baseball — that’s more of a challenge. They don’t show up at all of the shows.”

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

A 1907 community baseball league trophy honors the Hot Air Ships, who beat the Mulligan Association 21 to 4.

A 1907 community baseball league trophy honors the Hot Air Ships, who beat the Mulligan Association 21 to 4.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

This baseball dates to the mid-1800s. Made of one piece of leather, it’s known as a lemon peel baseball because the cut leather looks like a lemon peel, Brennan says. He bought it for $800 on eBay six years ago.

This baseball dates to the mid-1800s. Made of one piece of leather, it’s known as a lemon peel baseball because the cut leather looks like a lemon peel, Brennan says. He bought it for $800 on eBay six years ago.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Late Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley introduced the official Charles O’Finley baseball in the ’70s, thinking the neon orange ball would be easier to spot at night. Despite its use in an Oakland A’s exhibition game, the ball never caught on.

Late Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley introduced the official Charles O’Finley baseball in the ’70s, thinking the neon orange ball would be easier to spot at night. Despite its use in an Oakland A’s exhibition game, the ball never caught on.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

This 1910-20 Flor De Anson cigar boxhonors Chicago White Stockings/Colts baseball player Adrian Constantine “Cap” Anson, the first player to achieve 3,000 hits.

This 1910-20 Flor De Anson cigar boxhonors Chicago White Stockings/Colts baseball player Adrian Constantine “Cap” Anson, the first player to achieve 3,000 hits.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

The interior of the cigar box.

The interior of the cigar box.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Brennan has 1915 World Series tickets — not for the series itself but for a “mannequin baseball” event. Before radio and TV, fans could watch a re-creation of the games, in which figurines were moved around the bases according to plays relayed via Teletype.

Brennan has 1915 World Series tickets — not for the series itself but for a “mannequin baseball” event. Before radio and TV, fans could watch a re-creation of the games, in which figurines were moved around the bases according to plays relayed via Teletype.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

The only thing missing from Brennan’s 1950s plaster Jackie Robinson doll is its bat. Brennan bought the doll for $250 two years ago at a show in Chantilly. On eBay earlier this year, he spent $150 for the top of the box that the doll would have come in.

The only thing missing from Brennan’s 1950s plaster Jackie Robinson doll is its bat. Brennan bought the doll for $250 two years ago at a show in Chantilly. On eBay earlier this year, he spent $150 for the top of the box that the doll would have come in.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

This plaster 1963 Senators bobblehead doll isn’t modeled after a specific player. In fact, it was often used for other baseball teams. “You could slap ‘Yankees’ on and change the paint scheme,” Brennan says.

This plaster 1963 Senators bobblehead doll isn’t modeled after a specific player. In fact, it was often used for other baseball teams. “You could slap ‘Yankees’ on and change the paint scheme,” Brennan says.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

It’s not “super rare,” Brennan says, but he acquired this 1937 Washington Senators hat visor because it’s unique. “They used to give them away at ballgames,“ he says. “Kids would put them on their ball caps.”

It’s not “super rare,” Brennan says, but he acquired this 1937 Washington Senators hat visor because it’s unique. “They used to give them away at ballgames,“ he says. “Kids would put them on their ball caps.”

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

This is not technically a Babe Ruth baseball card. He was featured in a 1952 Topps Look ’n See card series that included other historical figures. “It’s from the time period of when I was growing up, so that’s what’s most important<br>to me,” Brennan says.

This is not technically a Babe Ruth baseball card. He was featured in a 1952 Topps Look ’n See card series that included other historical figures. “It’s from the time period of when I was growing up, so that’s what’s most important
to me,” Brennan says.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Brennan bought this pair of batting gloves — used by Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman in his 2006 rookie season — for $300 at the House of Cards store in Silver Spring.

Brennan bought this pair of batting gloves — used by Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman in his 2006 rookie season — for $300 at the House of Cards store in Silver Spring.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

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