Broadway Rick Kohl has passed away

[HexsHeroes]

I received notication from the employee handling his on-line auctions that Rick passed away unexpectedly over the past week.

I know that not all collectors have a great opinion of Rick but he had always treated me right. When I started collecting vintage baseball cards in the mid-1980's (after a long stint collecting vintage coins), I responded frequently to Broadway Rick's Strikezone advertisements in Sports Collectors Digest. There was never a hitch, and the cards were always accurately described and graded (IMHO). Even after I moved on to vintage baseball autographs in the mid-1990's, Rick would occassionally have an autograph on eBay that I pursued.

My condolences to his family, employees, and collectors who benefited from his years long service.

[ullmandds]

They're dropping like flies? MY condolences to his loved ones.

[Rich Klein]

Anytime some one passes, someone is mourning. Condolonces to his family.

Rich

[bigtrain]

I also bought several items from Rick many years ago and never had any problem with him. My condolences to his family and friends.

[Leon]

I also had bought from him, off of ebay in the last few years, and had no issues. RIP Rick and condolences to his family and friends.

[PowderedH2O]

I dealt with Rick on a number of occasions when he was in Boynton Beach and he always was very friendly and honest with me. Very sorry to hear of this and my condolences to his family.

[bigfanNY]

My condolences to His Family and Friends. Talked basketball a few times with Rick and Purchased often from his auctions and always with a outstanding result. Sad day for many.
J

[autograf]

Bought from and sold to him a couple times over the years. Condolences to the family and friends.....

[calvindog]

Condolences, prayers, best wishes, etc. to his family and friends.

[gnaz01]

Have bought from him over the years, my condolences to his family.

[tedzan]

I first met Rick at the Willow Grove show in 1987. He was at the show to do some serious buying. My first impression of him of him was that he was a
"big" wheeler-dealer. He wanted to buy everything I had at my table.

Well, that didn't happen. But, in the years that followed we did do some nice deals. He certainly had the ability to acquire some very interesting stuff.

GOD Bless his soul....and, comfort his family.


TED Z

[oldjudge]

Rick was one of the first dealers I bought cards from. I never had an issue with him and I found him fun to deal with. My condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace Rick.

[Rickyy]

My condolences to Rick and his family, friends. I also dealt with him and he was great to work with...

Ricky Y

[ibuysportsephemera]

Sorry to hear that, my dealings with him over the years had been very favorable. He purchased something from my eBay store a few weeks ago and it was a very smooth transaction.

Condolences to his family.

Jeff

[sports-rings]

my condolences to Rick's family.

I liked Rick.

Kenny, the assistant at "We Buy Treasure" says they will be staying open and continuing to conduct business.

[kengoldin]

I am saddened by this news and my condolences to the family.
I dealt with Rick over 20 years ago, and then as I went into other areas of business hadn't spoken in 20 years (or more) until he called me 2 weeks ago congratulating me on the success of Goldin Auctions and said he wanted to start consigning. We received two very nice items from him last week. I am sorry to hear this news.
RIP Rick

[forazzurri2axz]

I am not being sarcastic or facetious , but why is it that so many people on this site can slam individuals from here to eternity , and there is often not even an objection on the part of the "lurkers" to individuals being slammed, but as soon as the villain passes away condolences, prayers, and sadness is the order of the day.
It may be the way I look at death, (or life) but it seems totally hypocritical on the part of so many people. I too understand that people who cared for the deceased are grieving but I don't grasp emotionally how individuals here can rail against someone ad nauseum and then post all these grief-stricken comments and condolences to their family......after all, most here don't even know the family!
How can one express all this condolence stuff after calling people liars, cheats, frauds, and all the other names used so often.....my own belief system is that if I REALLY felt that way about someone, I am glad he died and I can't even grasp how I would care one iota about him/her or his family.
peace to all Bill Latzko

[ethicsprof]

my condolences to his family and friends,

Barry

[sago]

Originally Posted by forazzurri2axz

I am glad he died and I can't even grasp how I would care one iota about him/her or his family.
peace to all Bill Latzko

I cannot grasp how someone can be glad that someone else has died. He may have cheated you, or whatever, and I can understand that someone could not care if it happened, but to take some implied measure of satisfaction that it happened is mind-numbing to me.

FTR, I am no way related to him, and my one transaction with him went flawlessly.

My condolences to his loved ones.

[rhettyeakley]

I too had never had a problem with anything I purchased from Rick but I always remembered that incident involving Monte Irvin so I certainly didn't go out of my way to deal with him. Regardless of what he did in life, anytime someone passes away and loved ones are left it is a day we should recognize the good that exists in everyone.

[Fred]

Wow Bill, that's pretty intense. I got hosed by BRSZ (I'm assuming this is the same Rick) in the past but that doesn't mean I wish he was dead.

At least you tell it like you see it. I'll never have to worry about wondering if what you say is how you feel when I see one of your posts - you just put it out there and call it like you see it! Sometimes that's refreshing, other times it's just a bit akward. No offense, really.

Death sucks and I wouldn't wish it on anybody except the butt head that outbid me on something I really wanted. Ok, I think I've crossed a line here because I've attempted to be humorous in a thread dedicated to someones passing, sorry if anybody's offended.

[Fred]

Originally Posted by rhettyeakley

....Regardless of what he did in life, anytime someone passes away and loved ones are left it is a day we should recognize the good that exists in everyone.

+1

Well said.

[Rich Klein]

Had various issues with Broadway Rick

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/3078735/#.UqJ87q_naM8

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=64583

Regards
Rich

P.S. I never had any dealings with Rick, but heard plenty over the years. However, since he is gone and not able to defend himself, you give your condolonces to the family and move on

[forazzurri2axz]

I was IN NO WAY referring to Rick when I said I wish he died...I have had no personal knowledge or experience with his honety etc...I was saying that if someone cheated me , was a fraud liar etc I would wish they died and wouldn't care one bit about condolences for the family. I was objecting to all the condolences by so many people here on Net 54 when in the past so many here blasted him every time there was a post about him

I have been cheated terribly in the past by a few individuals and damn right , the world will be a better place when they die.

telling it like I see it
Bill

[Exhibitman]

Bill. I am in 100% agreement with you. The man was a crook: he shilled auctions [admittedly, once he got caught] and preyed on elderly HOFers. Did I wish him dead? No. But will I pretend I give a rat's @$$ about his death? No. I also do not plan to offer condolences if Bill Mastro gets shanked in the prison shower.

As for there being good in everyone, that is Pollyannaish nonsense. The prisons are full of human cockroaches who have been nothing but a plague on society and world history is replete with villains who should have been smothered in their cribs as babies.

[nolemmings]

I did not know the man personally, although I bought cards from him over the years, as recently as a month or so ago.

I know he caused offense and injury to others, as have we all. It seems likely he also did some good in this world, for some people anyway. If not, that makes me sad rather than angry.

I will not judge him, and had he cheated me, I would like to think I would have forgiven him, at least now. My condolences to those who mourn him, and may he rest in peace.

[Ladder7]

Isn't this the doosh that scammed away Monte Irvin's HOF plaque?.. I'm atheist, so unconcerned about goin to Hell or being slandered as I decompose

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Ladder7

Isn't this the doosh that scammed away Monte Irvin's HOF plaque?.. I'm atheist, so unconcerned about goin to Hell or being slandered as I decompose

Yes and ditto. Besides I'm not afraid of going to Hell; I've been married for 18 years. Hell would be like Club Med.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by Ladder7

Isn't this the doosh that scammed away Monte Irvin's HOF plaque?.. I'm atheist, so unconcerned about goin to Hell or being slandered as I decompose

Maybe Rick will get lucky and God doesn't hate fraudsters?

[Leon]

Tough crowd. If I ever pass away and the board is still going I can only imagine you guys going at me . I personally have a philosophy that when someone passes away, unless they murdered or did egregious crimes (not petty thievery or other shenanigans) then I let them be and their petty sins go. But that is just me and obviously others feel differently. No one is perfect....and I am at the front of the not-perfect line .......

[Peter_Spaeth]

isn't the Eleventh Commandment Thou Shalt Not Shill Bid?

[ullmandds]

I agree w/Leon on this one.

[Fred]

Peter, we will never know what the 11th commandment is. Didn't you see the movie "History of the World"? It clearly indicates/shows that the world was not presented with commandments 11-15....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah-WdAwVg9c


Sorry if anybody is offended by the post....

[gnaz01]

Originally Posted by Fred

Peter, we will never know what the 11th commandment is. Didn't you see the movie "History of the World"? It clearly indicates/shows that the world was not presented with commandments 11-15....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah-WdAwVg9c


Sorry if anybody is offended by the post....

One of my favorite scenes from that movie!!

[Brian Van Horn]

Originally Posted by Fred

Peter, we will never know what the 11th commandment is. Didn't you see the movie "History of the World"? It clearly indicates/shows that the world was not presented with commandments 11-15....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah-WdAwVg9c


Sorry if anybody is offended by the post....

Not in anyway related to Rick's passing, but I believe this historic video is the first evidence of the creation of fine print used by attorneys. Of course, that part of the video, showing an attorney reassembling the pieces of the 11th commandment, has since disappeared.

[Rich Klein]

but there were some very interesting reactions from "Conservatives" in response to Nelson Mandela's passing. Here is Newt Gingrich reasoned reply to them. Please note, this is a parallel to why some people are not mourning Broadway Rick, and all I'm doing is pointing out a comparision. I liked Leon's post, and agree with him.

http://www.gingrichproductions.com/2...conservatives/

Regards
Rich

[calvindog]

Did Mandela shill his auctions too? I knew it.

[Rich Klein]

I probably just gave you about an hours worth of phone calls from listeners for your next time on the air

[Wildfireschulte]

I remember seeing Rick at the large Chicago shows and the National. He was a super salesman with lots of lights and glitz. He always had one or two hot gals working his table - could have been wife or employee, but but speculation was always surrounding possible new girlfriend. We set up across the isle from Strike Zone at one National and had a great view the whole weekend.

Worth noting that VCBC subscribers rated Broadway Rick as the number #75 dealer of the 81 that were rated in Purdy's 2004 very unscientific survey (Barry Sloate was ranked #33) - which is sort of a testament to Rick tactics. Strike Zone was also at the bottom of the 1997 survey. Interesting to see that top auction house in both surveys was Bill Mastro - so much for surveys.

[brianp-beme]

I find it more interesting that Mark MaCrae was at the top of the list, and would still be at the top of a similar list 17 years later.

My one transaction with Broadway was a very satisfactory one for me...a larger lot of Zeenuts with some incredibly nice surprises not advertised in the group. Rest in peace Rick, and for the rest of us, move along and do the right thing.

Brian

[barrysloate]

#33....whew, tough crowd.

[Cardboard Junkie]

I detest when politics and/or religion rear their ugly heads. Mods are quick to nip the political statements in the bud, I only wish they would stop people posting all the religious crap too.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

I find it more interesting that Mark MaCrae was at the top of the list, and would still be at the top of a similar list 17 years later.

Absolutely agree, Mark is one of the best dealers out there and a heck of a nice guy to boot! He's been a great help with our start-up SoCal show. Not to mention he sold me one of my holy grail cards:

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

I detest when politics and/or religion rear their ugly heads. Mods are quick to nip the political statements in the bud, I only wish they would stop people posting all the religious crap too.

As usual, what the he** are you talking about? I don't see any religious stuff going on but if someone mentioned God or something it's not the end of the world. There should be no mention of politics or religion on the board but if someone said something like "May God let him rest in peace"...then that is not going to be stopped. Get into a religious discussion and see how long it lasts...

And if it is because someone casually mentioned the 10 commandments, same thing....get over it.

[Cardboard Junkie]

May Satan and The Flying Spaghetti Monster bless you all. You see MY mythology is just as valid as anyone's.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

May Satan and The Flying Spaghetti Monster bless you all. You see MY mythology is just as valid as anyone's.

You have a good point. However, I don't think we would want this place to become sterile? Members know not to debate politics or religion. thanks....

[Fred]

Maybe he just didn't see the video.....

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

May Satan and The Flying Spaghetti Monster bless you all. You see MY mythology is just as valid as anyone's.

I didn't see any mythology posted, but I do see some nonsensical rubbish.

Back to the thread at hand. I am somewhere between Adam and Leon on this subject. I don't agree that Rick did some minor bad stuff that can be equated to what "we all do". No, we don't all do it. Yes, condolences to his family.

[drcy]

I thought the Mel Brooks video was funny. It was just a Jew poking a little fun at his own religion. I'm Norwegian-American and all good Norwegian families in the Midwest own a Norwegian joke book and laugh at themselves. "How do you sink a Swedish submarine? Give it a Norwegian crew." "How do you sink a Norwegian submarine? Knock on the door."

I thought some of the other comments could have been saved, since Rick just died. As they say, there is a time and a place. The other stories are available elsewhere, and I don't know what he was like away from the hobby. He may have been a fine fellow otherwise. I hope we all have lives apart from eBay. Which doesn't mean I think everyone is required to say fake glossy thoughts or nothing bad should have been mentioned. I never dealt with him, though am familiar with the stories, so have no personal comment other than RIP.

The ultimate in karma: Your Net54 thread after you die. Be good, ship quickly, volunteer at a food pantry.

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by Fred

the world was not presented with commandments 11-15

Commandments 11-15 were only distributed as limited numbered refractor inserts in random hobby packs of 2013 Topps Update.