"WHAT'S MY LINE" BY ROBERT PLANCICH

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Posted By: Robert Plancich

The purpose of this writing is,in part, in repsonse to a post by "LEON" as well as other's questions regarding my "credentials", "what's my angle", "how do I plan to benefit from this", "how am I getting paid", etc., etc., etc.

First of all, I am no expert, at least with respect to game-used memorabilia, baseball cards and the like, so to speak. My "credentials" are comprised solely based up the common sense, reason, logical deduction coupled with the facts/truth and available supporting documentation as it relates to these bits and pieces of our National pastime. Now while I feel this is an honest answer I get the feeling that Leon and the some of the other members would characterize this answer as vague, evasive and/or self-serving, so in an effort to avoid such chacterization I will provide additional details into who I am but in no way do I consider this additional information pertinent, relavent and/or a component (in whole or in part) as my "credentials".

I have a B.S. in accounting and spent numerous years doing fraud audits and other litagation work (such as bankruptcy, dissolution of marriage) that would be submitted to the court and would be accepted, relied upon and used as testimony from an "expert witness". As I have mentioned previously, according to a Supreme Court ruling an expert's opinion, and that goes for any expert and/or one that uses such designation even though he/she may not have the necessary and/or required credentials (such as a James Spence of PSA/DNA)must be based in scientific fact. What this means is that if I value a medical doctor's pracrice pursuant to to divorce proceeding and I come up with a value of $2.5 mil and provide to the court and/or a jury (if applicable) my methodology, factual based assumptions about economic events, appraisals, formulas, etc. then the court and or the Jury (if applicable) would be able to come up with that exact valuation that I calculated. This is not to say that the $2.5 mil value that I placed on the good doctor's practice is set in stone and for that matter accurate and/or correct because you could change any one of the many variables in my calculation and arrive at a different value. What it does demonstrate is a substantiated, documented and verifiable procedure and/or method in which my opinion (of value in this case) is expressed and based upon. It demonstrates and therfore proves that I didn't pull this number out of a hat and it also demonstrates and lends credibility to the opinion expressed. For example, anyone can say that an item or an autograph is good or bad, authentic or not, game-used, etc. that's the easy part and you have a 50/50 chance of being correct or incorrect. The real work is how did you arrive at that answer, what exemplars and how many did you examine, from what time period, are the exemplars that you used actual undisputed verifiable exemplars or are they autographs that the person has deemed to be authentic and now he/she is using them as exemplars. What is the method and/or thought process that you used to determine that the autograph is, in fact, real or the item is authentic and/or game-used. Mr. Bushing's LOA on the Ty Cobb game-used decal bat states that he/SCDA performed a "forensic examination" on this bat.According to Webster's New World Dictionary of American English (3rd College Edition) the definition of the word "forensic" means "charactetristic of, or suitable for a law court, public debate, or formal argumentation. Specializing in or having to do with the application of scientific knowledge." For example, Mr. Bushing states that based upon his "forensic examination" this bat is made of "professional grade ash, and is comprised of "professional grain" based upon his "Grain examination". He also states that the bat exhibits "heavy" game-use and yet there are no "visible ball or stitch marks due to the hardness of the wood". He also states under the "Player Characteristics (Positive) heading that there are "several Cobb style scattered cleat marks". I would like to know how, as the "world's foremost" and "virtually only respected authority" Mr. Bushing is able to determine and/or distinguish between Cobb's cleat marks and those of a 12 year old little leaguer. What exactly are the steps and/or "forensic" tests that he performed and the results of such tests that he has based his opinion that this is a game-used bat used by Ty Cobb and not merely a "souvenir" retail/store model bat that some kid stepped on while wearing cleats. It is my understanding (based upon the article that was recently published in the New York Daily News) that Mr. Busjhing isn't saying that this bat was used by Ty Cobb; quite the contrary, Mr. Bushing is saying that this is a Ty Cobb bat that was used, by whom he doesn't know. It could possibly have been used by Ty Cobb and then again it could have been used by Corn on the Cobb!However, this bat is currently at a bid of $40,000.00 and I belive that the eventual winning bidder thinks that he/she is buy a "real and authentic" bat used by Cobb in a regular and/or postseason game.

Before I conclude my feelings on this topic of "credentials" I would like to say this - It doesn't matter that one went to college or not when it comes to game-used memorabilia authentication because there is no formal educational requirements to become such an expert; unlike that for handwritting/autograph authentication wherein there is a formal aducational process and cirriculum, just ask the FBI or Department of Justice. However, Mr. Bushing's SCD ad's and his "credentials" boast that he has a Masters degree and I would suggest that you inquire into this statement fact as I have and let me know what you come up with.

Several questions have been raised reagrding "what's my angle" and/or "what am getting out of it or how am I getting paid" basically saying why am I saying the things that I am saying and what's in it for me. I don't get paid for the stories that are published or for appearing on ESPN. My organization, CARDS, was not formed with the idea of paying members and/or members at all. I look at these people as "contributors" in the strict sense of contributing information, facts or documents that is used to prove or disprove an item's authenticity. I received a response from one of the network's members that said that I was going after the wrong people and that if I continue on the path that I am currently on that the auction houses will be damaged and that all that we will be left with is EBAY. To I would like to respond by saying that there are many items that are ppurchased off of EBAY by some of these so-called "experts" and they immediately affix their hologram and/or LOA/COA on this EBAY item and place it in one of these "prestigious" auctions and magically you now have an item with "impeccable and/or ironclad provenance" that is a valuable, historically significant piece of baseball memorabilia. Many, many times the only difference between the item on EBAY and an auction house item is the beautiful and impressive coffe table style catalog and the LOA/COA. There's a saying in marketable equities security industry that goes something like this "let's put some lipstick on the pig and get out there and sell it." IMHO, no matter how much lipstick you put on that pig the fact remains that it's still a pig.

To be perfectly blunt and to the point I am not looking and/or interested in members because as I have stated on several occassions if you are associated with me or my organization or if you mention me or my organization, the current state of affairs and the powers to be that control the grading, authentication and/or sale of baseball cards and memorabilia will make sure that you will never sell anything again and/or your collection as well as your reputation will be mud. So I will say right now that you should get as far away from me as you can because as a line from a Warren Zevon song says "send lawyers, guns and money because the s t has hit the fan. Members of the Nework 54 Forum/Board - Please allow me to introduce myself - I am the fan!

Finally, I received an email from a member by the name of Jay Miller and basically he said that he knows the people at MastroNet both personally and professionally and that they are the finest people that he knows. I don't know anyone of them personally or professionally, but I have had an occassion to email/talk with Mr. Bushing and Doug Allen, president of MastroNet. In fact, not too long ago when I was corresponding with Mr. Allen (before he decided to block my emails) regarding the fake Joe DiMaggio glove that was authenticated by Mr. Bushing for a third time and that was sold in MastroNet's August 2002 (the focus of the ESPN/OTL show that aired in October of this year) auction I received an email from Doug stating that he had been warned by several collectors and/or bidders in his auction and that they had told him that, and I qoute "I steal from my mother and do other despicable things to her". For the record, I do live with my mother for the sole purpose of taking care of her after my father died (they were married for over 50 years) and because she is in remission of cancer. I am not looking for sympathy as I am sure any of you would do exactly the same if faced with my situation. I just thought it important to say because I have heard of the attacks on me and my credibility from numerous and varied sources.

As usual, I thank the oard" for allowing me the opportunity to address and discuss these matters that several of you have brought to my attention and/or have expressed concerns about. I hope that this is some way answers your questions and if not then please feel free to contact me via email.

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Posted By: JC

Most of the board members know each other. Could you post a PIC of yourself so we can see who is on the other end. This is a very personable board here on the network54.

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Posted By: Julie

of the honchos, including Bill, before he got to be the titular head of the biggest sports auction concern in the world.
Upon unsolicited legal advice, this post has been edited., Lets say I don't approve of everythinbg they do...that really doesn't sound nearly as interesting, though.

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Posted By: Jay Miller

Robert--Just for your information I posted those comments on the Network54 board; I did not send you an email. Not a big deal but in an arena where accuracy is crucial I hope the rest of your statements are more accurate. Having said that I wish you good luck in exposing questionable practices in the hobby. If successful, you work will benefit all of us and, in that respect, I applaud you for your efforts.

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Posted By: al davis

robert, you seem like an intelligent, thoughtful and dedicated person. you don't need to prove anything to me or to anyone else. i wish you the best of luck in your endeavor to clean up the shark-infested waters of our hobby. i hope that someday a license would be required to become a purveyor of sports cards or memorabilia, just as it is required in the field of real estate. courses in ethics, communication, and low-carb diets would be required. until that day comes, any semi-literate loser who is unable to make it in the real world will drift into the sports memorabilia and card business.

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Posted By: Mark

Are you trying to put Comic Book Guy out of business? "Worst..idea..ever!"

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Posted By: PASJD

as MW would say. Perhaps I missed them somewhere in your long message Robert, but does your organization have funding from any source? Does your organization have "members" besides yourself? When you believe items are of questionable authenticity and/or have been misrepresented, do you ever raise such questions prior to the sale or do you only do so after the fact? If the latter is it for fear of being sued, which I could certainly understand? Does your organization regularly communicate its concerns to the public in any particular format? Thanks in advance.

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Posted By: Joe P.

Your words and your stance speaks volumes.

That's the only photo I need.

Plus the before and after Keeler photos.
We need that one for Slab Haven worshippers.

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Posted By: leon

Thanks and good luck......as long as you are fair no one should have an issue....best regards

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Posted By: Dan Koteles

your efforts I hope are for the sake of the collector, you must have some valid resources to throw yourself to the wolves as such.

As stated and in other words , this is a connected board of pre war specialists and you'll find it that such a phrase Warshawlaw is so accustom to... " pull the wool over ones eyes " is familiar with ,you are brave and daring.

You seem very honorable . Thanks for your effort.

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Posted By: MW

"I received an email from Doug stating that he had been warned by several collectors and/or bidders in his auction and that they had told him that, and I quote 'I steal from my mother and do other despicable things to her.'"

All other issues and qualifications aside, statements like this (if accurately quoted) are just sad and have no place in the hobby.

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Posted By: Gilbert Maines

If I was the foremost authority on anything, and an inquisitor came along and requested that I identify the exemplars which I employ in my determinations and the methodology which use in order to draw my conclusions, I would feel that these questions address information which is proprietary to me.

On the other hand, if an alternate expert challenged the validity of my evaluation and cited the exemplars and defined the methodology which he employed in his analysis, I may be forced to show my hand.

The response which you have witnessed to date appears reasonable and appropriate to me.

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Posted By: Adam J. Baxter

Will we get to see full copies of the e-mail responses Robert received from Mastro, etc.?


I for one would like to see him post some of the e-mail responses he's received from Mastro and others. There's two sides to every story and Robert's been making some pretty damning accusations against businesses and people who have worked hard for their reputations in the hobby. Just my two cents, but I think it would be fair to all parties involved.

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Posted By: Scott

I'm not concerned about his credentials - none of us really have any, other than years experience in the hobby, or some who have published books,etc. But who's to say someone with 30 yrs experience knows any more than someone who has been deeply immersed in this for only 2-3 years?

What concerns me is that "R" has started at least five threads on this subject, each containing at least one "short story". "Clear and Concise" is much more credible. Also, it takes a lot for someone to "hate" you as much as Robert claims to be despised. Heck, I can only name 2-3 people who I think really "hate" me, and I'm extremely dislikeable to many. Finally, the quoting of Doug Allen is very disturbing, and we only heard one side of the story (I would have preferred "0" sides to that particular story).

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Posted By: Scott Elkins

I know several people who have not been in the Hobby that long and know much more than people who have been in it for more than 30 years! Just look at Larry Fristch's grading examples Leon posted (and these are not the worst - believe it or not). These are from a person who claims to have been the FIRST person to grade cards and the FIRST Professional dealer! I know Leon has not been in the Hobby 1/3 as long as Larry and I would definitely trust Leon's grading over Fritsch's any day!

I know when I first started in the Vintage Hobby a few years back - less than 10 years ago, I read everything I could get my hands on - talked to those who would talk about cards and learned a lot from Art M. as well! Most people who start in our Wonderful Hobby does try real hard. I think some of the old timers just don't try as hard sometimes - leading to controversial practices - MOST of them involving $$$$$. It seems a lot of them are more after the $$$ than helping our Hobby. That is where I think they make their mistakes - whether it is not listing alterations or selling gloves or bats as items they are not.

P.S. - Runscott - I hope you don't think I hate you (I am not in the three people who hate you category), even with the postings we have had - I hate nobody - just dislike their ways sometimes (and I am not perfect either, as I tend to go overboard when I am right about something and someone thinks I am lying (another thing I do not do)).

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Posted By: Vikes066

I am new to this board and a small collector (not a dealer) of game used items and it concerns me that people have jumped on the messenger here rather than looking at things objectively.

I don't know Mr. Plancich, but I have seen him on ESPN "Outside The Lines" and read the NY Daily News articles which reference him. He seems to be an honest man with some real questions that need to be asked and answered truthfully.

At least to me, it seems as Mr. Dave Bushing has (as Ricky would say to Lucy) "some ..splainin' to do". At least if he wants his name cleared. (Or maybe it's OK since he stayed at Holiday Inn Express last night!)

The ball glove things that Mr. Plancich have brought to light are so simple. How can a person who is supposed to be the best in the business not check things out with the manufacturer. Duh, A third grader doing a research project would call the company. Who would know better than Rawlings if a glove was made in a certain time frame?

It seems as though Mr. Bushing has profited heavily over the years based upon his expert opinion, not only in authenticating but the buying and selling of memorabilia. When the fox has keys to the hen house, look out.

The key that people are over looking is that when someone goes to any authenticator, they are looking for an unbiased and or scientific opinion. That is what an authenticator is being paid for. If that same authenticator turns around and uses that "inside" knowledge to his buddies or his own financial benefit that is when the conflict comes in.

Maybe Mr. Bushing does not care what people think, since he had made many people and especially dealers a lot of $$ over the years. That is his business and he has to sleep at night knowing that he has made mistakes (intentional or not) that have made him $$, but cost others their hard earned dollars. I hope for his sake he doesn't end up like Bruce McNall. (Anybody want any Roman or Greek coins?)

Don't rush to shoot the messenger....he just may be right!!!

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Posted By: Scott

...has very poor delivery skills.

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Posted By: Josh A.

If I remember correctly, someone posted a bit of information about Plancich and how he has some personal issues with PSA. After these facts (whose validity is still in question) were brought to light, good ole' Bob disappeared and has not posted since.

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Posted By: MW

"If I remember correctly, someone posted a bit of information about Plancich and how he has some personal issues with PSA."

I don't remember this. Could you repost it/summarize it? I wasn't aware that he even submitted cards for grading.

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Posted By: Josh A.

MW,
There was a discussion about this in a thread titled "Cobb Decal Bat and American Memorabilia", dated 12/13/04. That is what I referred to in my previous post. Sorry I did not include a link!

Thanks,

Josh

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Posted By: Robert Plancich

I would be more than happy to post the original emails that I amke reference to if someone could tell me exactly how this is accomplished. I apologize for my computer illiteracy (sp),

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Posted By: Eric

I'm very new to this board but I find this topic very interesting. I have had a Roger Clemens bat authenticated by Dave and to make a long story short, I was unhappy with the grade he gave the bat but in retrospect, he was right. He didn't cut me any slack. I had no provonace to give him. As to his own personal practices, I have no idea. I do, however, know that the best, most honest and most knowledable bat authenticator in the business, in my opinion, is John Taube. He tells it like it is and he is not at all swayed by the almighty dollar. Authenticators are human and do make mistakes. However, I think some like the buck a little more than others. Just my 2 cents worth.

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Posted By: Robert Plancich

To be completely accurate I, in fact, did receive an email notification of your N54 post in my mailbox. I believe it was the function of my enabling the responses to be sent to me via email. I don't want to "split hairs" but I am trying to be accurate.

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Posted By: Robert Plancich

Yes my organization has members and I do have some funding. I have stated previously that I am not looking for money from any of the N54 members - that is not the objective or intention of my posts. I do try to inform collectors about items that are positively "bad' as evidenced by the New York Daily News article about the Tom Seaver glove. I usually try to contact the auction house and/or authenticator(s) and usually they ignore me, so unfortunately the facts sometime only come to light after the item has been sold. In the case of the fake Ferguson Jenkins glove that was sold by the memorabilia Road Show, I contacted the president, Russell Freidman, and he decided to sell the glove anyway.