An Interview with Michael O'Keeffe.

The folks at the webzine (didn't know they still made those things, did ya?) Gelf recently interviewed The Card author Michael O'Keeffe. It's really not anything that you haven't heard before, but it's still a good read nonetheless. And if it helps O'Keeffe sell a few more units, good for him.

Another item of interest for those of you who are in the greater New York area, Gelf is sponsoring a lecture (as part of it's Varsity Letters series) by O'Keeffe this Wednesday night at The Happy Ending Lounge in Manhattan.

(Yes, it's really called "The Happy Ending Lounge." I didn't make that up.)

Normally I'd go to an event like this. But if I did, I'd miss the first Phillies Playoff game in fourteen years. (Not to mention the seasons premiere of South Park and Sarah Silverman.)

Anyway, if anyone's going I'd appreciate a few pictures.

The Stale Gum Interview: The Card author Michael O'Keeffe

A few days ago, much to my suprise, I received an e-mail from The Card co-author Michael O'Keeffe. I had the opportunity to ask him a few questions about his book, and below is the transcript of our exchange.

Chris Harris: First off, I really enjoyed The Card. Well done. However I have a few questions I'd like to ask. Some of these questions may seem repetitive, but I ask them for the benefit of those who read my blog and not Ben Henry's.

One of the more significant revelations in your book is at the very end. You state on page 204 that before Brian Siegel sold The Card he had had it "reholdered." Could you go into a little more deatil about this? Specifically, which company graded it, and what is The Card's new grade?

Michael O'Keeffe: The card was not regraded -- simply put in another holder. Sorry if there was confusion over this.

CH: As I mentioned in my mini-review of your book, Michael Gidwitz seems like the kind of guy you'd want to have a couple of beers with. What was it like to interview him, and how impressed were you at his collection?

MOK: Mike Gidwitz is a great guy. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to have a few beers with him, but I'm sure it would be a blast.

Mike strikes me as a guy who is very passionate and very committed to what he does, whether it's collecting cards, sheets of cards or Mad magazine-related art. He seems very loyal to his friends -- I really do believe he'd give Rob Lifson an organ if Rob needed a translplant. He's very loyal to his secretary and other people who work for him -- he strikes me as a great boss.

Mike loves to have fun and he's not afraid of what other people might say about him as he pursues his passions. He's a bigger-than-life personality. One of the best things about this book was hanging out for a day with Mike. I can't say enough nice things about him.

CH: What do you think Honus Wagner's ultimate legacy will be: The greatest shortstop of the pre-War era, or the guy whose picture is on a $2 million baseball card?

MOK: Unfortunately, I think more people know about Honus because of his card instead of his accomplishments. As we wrote in the book, that's a shame because he was such a talented, rounded athlete. He might be the best player in baseball history. His only statistical deficiency is home runs, but remember, he played in the dead ball era, and he played at a time when managers stressed moving the runners, not the long ball. He is still widely regarded as the best shortstop ever. He played every position but catcher -- he even pitched and served as player/manager a few times. Unfortunately for Honus, he played before radio, TV and film -- and unlike Ty Cobb, he was an easy-going guy who didn't generate a lot of controversy.

Ben Henry Interviews Michael O'Keeffe

I don't know how he did it, but Ben Henry snared an exclusive interview with The Card author Michael O'Keeffe. Very good insights about Bill Mastro, Ray Edwards and John Cobb, and the state of The Hobby media. Check it out.

The Card. A Review.

1. At times, I felt like I had already read this book.

And in fact, I did... When it was called Card Sharks. The whole "Marvin Money" chapter seems like it was lifted straight from Pete Williams' 1995 book. Granted, O'Keeffe gives Williams credit. And I suppose that -- given the lack of books written about The Hobby -- there really aren't all that many sources to quote. But still the best book written about the history of The Hobby remains Card Sharks, and if you haven't read it yet, you should.



2. Michael Gidwitz is a guy that I'd like to have a beer with.

Or two. Or ten. If you haven't checked out Gidwitz's website preciouspaper.com, you ought to. It's a fun way to kill a couple of hours.


3. Keith Olbermann has restored my "faith" in professional grading services.

Let me state for this record: I've never "got" grading. I've never had any of my cards graded, and I've purchased three slabbed cards in my life -- all of which I immediately cracked open.

The best quote in The Card comes from the infamous, deplorable, one himself on page 87:

"' You want to know what I think of slabbers?' (Olbermann) asked. 'Homer Simpson is the safety expert at the Springfield nuclear plant. That's what I think of slabbers.'"


4. They did what to The Card?

Perhaps the biggest revelation in The Card, is at the very end. On page 204:

"(Brian) Seigel sells The Card, which he has had reholdered and is no longer known as the Gretzky T206 Honus Wagner, to an anonymous collector for $2.35 million."

So he had The Card regraded? And if so, who slabbed it, and what grade did it receive?

Preview of "The Card."

Our friends at Sports Collector's Daily have posted an exclusive preview of the forthcoming book "The Card." The subject matter is the infamous Gretzky/McNall T-206 Wagner.

Looks like a must read.

I'll have a review, shortly.