My Holy Grail Quest Mission Accomplished

[71buc]

I want to thank all the board members who helped me raise the funds necessary to make this purchase a reality. Thanks to Forever_Young and PhilNap for your photo purchases. My gratitude to John E. Scott, Marlborough_ Man, BKasarda, Bpm0014, Sycks22, and Benderbroeth for buying my cards. You all helped me raise the necessary money, under a very tight deadline (48 hours). I will send all purchased items tomorrow morning. Net54 is my favorite community.

The 1971 Pirates have always been my favorite team and Roberto Clemente my favorite player. I was eight that year and fell hard for baseball because of him and that group of players. I loved them all, Stargell’s bat twirl, Blass’ enthusiasm, Sanguillen’s gap tooth grin, Dave Cash’s fro, and the attitude of Doc Ellis. I still do.

Last year while at PNC I visited the Hunt auction booth. They had for sale the Pirates 1970 NL East Banner which hung in Three Rivers. The asking price was $1400.00. It was an incredible item but I didn’t have the money at the time. Although it was beautiful, passing on it wasn’t too difficult because it was not related to the 1971 Pirates. I told my wife that if I ever could find a similar piece representing the 1971 club I would do whatever was required to obtain it.

This last Monday I was presented with that opportunity. Tonight I purchased the 1971 National League Championship banner that hung in right field at Three Rivers Stadium during Game 3 of the 1971 World Series (see the screen captures below). It's a massive 8ft X 4ft. I know this is not the type of item that would appeal to many others. However, for this Pirate fan to have the opportunity to own the actual 1971 National League Championship banner won by my all-time favorite team, that hung above my childhood hero, during my favorite world series...priceless!

[cpbronco]

Congrats on the incredible and meaningful piece to your collection. It would be an awesome piece on its own, but hearing how much it means to you and your childhood make it even better. This is what collecting is all about.

[thekingofclout]

WoW! Atta boy Mike, that's the way to pull the trigger! As you know, "The Great One" and his '71 Team were my favs as well. Can't tell you how happy I am for you, Mike.

BTW... Please post some scans once you have it displayed in your home.

My best, Jimmy

[irishdenny]

Thanks Mike...

You have shown me "That whatever it takes" attitude, Can be Just Awesome!
Those Days, "Were the Days"...
They can't take that away from You! And it's NiCe to See the You can even get them back... & keep'em...

Just an Awesome Story... Congratulations Mike, & Thanks for Sharing it with All of uS!

As Always...

[mjkm90]

Outstanding piece!!!

[Scott Garner]

Mike,
Many congrats to you on acquiring your Holy Grail!
Way to bring Pittsburgh back home to WA.

[Exhibitman]

Bravo!

[sayhey24]

Mike,

That's a beauty!
Very impressive how you did what you had to do on very short notice to snag it.
Although as a young Giants fan, I have to admit I was not too happy with Bob Robertson and the Bucs that year!

Greg

[Mark]

Very nice item! My favorite Pirates squad, too. My dad took me to game #5 of that series, and it was a wonderful time to be a Pirates fan.

Now THAT is a wall hanging! Congrats Mike!

[71buc]

Thanks for all of the nice comments. In order to ensure i could obtain it I sold much more of my collection than I needed to. However, I would do it all over again! I don't think framing it is within my means due to the substantial size. Nor do I have a wall large enough to accommodate it or a spouse who would permit such decorating.

[GKreindler]

Many congratulations, Mike. You must be tickled pink!!!



Graig

[whitehse]

That is a piece to be proud of. The coolest thing is you have a screen grab from the game, showing where it hung!!

I do not know what you sold to obtain this banner but I think it was well worth it.

[Bpm0014]

That was originally my banner! I sold it on ebay 2 years ago for the whopping sum of $104. Second biggest mistake I ever made! (the first was selling a pristine Pie Traynor single signed ball for $100 in 1993). But I'm glad the banner went to a good home! Congrats!!

[sayhey24]

Mike,

Could it hang in the basement or garage? I wouldn't frame it -- that would be expensive and make it very heavy, even if you used acrylic instead of glass. I think it looks great just as is.
What about using a nice photo of the banner, along with a WS screen grab photo and maybe a WS ticket, and frame them altogether for now?

Greg

[Runscott]

What do you mean 'Accomplished'? - you still have to come up with the bunting that goes behind it, and then a chunk of outfield fence to hang it off of

[ethicsprof]

congratulations!!!
i'm mighty pleased that you were able to make your dream come true!
an amazing acquisition.
all the best,
barry

[wrapperguy]

Well done! Great pick up!

[Wite3]

Amazing piece!

[Jantz]

Wow Mike!

What an amazing banner!

Congratulations!


Jantz

[csusi]

My wife has Lifetime movies, I have Net54. What a story and what a piece.

Congrats Mike. Genuine excitement for ya.

[LEHR]

As a Pirates fan myself, that is an awesome piece!

[benchod]

Fantastic! congrats

[Leon]

Now that is awesome!! Congrats Mike. I was 10 yrs old at the time and really like the Pirates of that time frame too, even though I was born and raised in Houston. What a great team those Pirates were.

[David W]

A perfect spot to hang that would be if you have a basement, on the wall above the steps as you go downstairs.

There would be minimal light to fade it, and everyone would see it