Spalding Ford Frick Ball - Not What It Seems

[horzverti]

Originally Posted by BrandonG

I could not get a hold of the seller, they are not calling me back, I think they're starting to realize the significance of the situation, especially with it involving my name. However, I knew the buyer and immediately called them (another member and friend) and told them to cancel the transaction and do not pay for the ball, which has happened now. So for now the ball will not be sold, and I will try to acquire it back to be destroyed. I will also be cutting ties with this individual. If anyone has any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me outside of the forum through my website.

Unfortunately your name is associated with this mess. Good to hear that you are doing the right thing. Maybe take a few clear photos of this altered ball before destroying it...maybe use it in your book to note that this version of the Frick ball does not exist. Nah, just blow it up and post video of that.

Just curious, how did you find so quickly who the buyer was?? The auction ended only two hours ago.

[BrandonG]

Originally Posted by horzverti

Just curious, how did you find so quickly who the buyer was?? The auction ended only two hours ago.

I didn't know at first, then looked at the feedback score and it was a high and familiar score. The buyer is a friend who buys only vintage baseballs so when I called, first I just asked if it was him, and it was!

[Mr. Mitt]

When looking through prior eBay user names for “pastimecollectibles”, the seller of the ball in question, “brandongrun” was listed as a prior user id. Could you explain please?


Jerry F!cch!

[slidekellyslide]

Wow....just wow.

pastimecollectibles Feb-24-13 Present
antiquebaseballscom Jun-24-12 Feb-24-13
vintage-baseballs*com Mar-06-11 Jun-24-12
pastimebaseballs_com Mar-23-10 Mar-06-11
brandongrun May-25-07 Mar-23-10

[BrandonG]

Yes, like I said, a very close friend/business partner. I had a paypal chargeback years ago which made me unable to accept payments or buy stuff on eBay, I used his name and SSN on the paypal and have worked under that for about 7 years. hence the original connection. This ball was in my original possession and used for the book, then handed off to him, it should have never been made public or for sale, and that was an agreement. It was broken. I'm trying to do the right thing here.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by BrandonG

Yes, like I said, a very close friend/business partner. I had a paypal chargeback years ago which made me unable to accept payments or buy stuff on eBay, I used his name and SSN on the paypal and have worked under that for about 7 years. hence the original connection. This ball was in my original possession and used for the book, then handed off to him, it should have never been made public or for sale, and that was an agreement. It was broken. I'm trying to do the right thing here.

Was it used in the book as a multi-color stitch ball or in its original condition? Who doctored that baseball?

[Mr. Mitt]

Originally Posted by BrandonG

This ball was in my original possession and used for the book, then handed off to him, it should have never been made public or for sale, and that was an agreement. It was broken.

So, who did the alteration? The "partner" who may have a history of doctoring balls or you, the ball authenticator?

Was this, or any other doctored balls, used in your book and does your publisher know this?

Seems the choice to be made is publlicly share the name of the fraud on this forum (you said you'd be cutting ties with him in a previous post) or risk people thinking (rightly or wrongly) that the seller is and has been you all along.

[khkco4bls]

Is someone sayin, I smell a rat..brandon this needs a full explaination and tell everyone who he is. And no he isn't a nice guy.

[Mr. Mitt]

To me, the story is flimsy and doesn’t eradicate the few facts that we actually have. It’s just my opinion, but I’m not buying it, at all. Until we are privy to the person behind the alteration and sale, one must conclude that it is Brandon given he originally bought the ball and the last person to sell the ball had an eBay id that used to match his name. It’s going to be extremely difficult to alter this conclusion. Simple, rational deduction all point to this. A complex, tangled web of an explanation just makes the case more unbelievable.


Jerry F!cch!

[vintagebrett]

Originally Posted by BrandonG

I had a paypal chargeback years ago which made me unable to accept payments or buy stuff on eBay, I used his name and SSN on the paypal and have worked under that for about 7 years. .

I'm confused at this statement - if you are unable to have a PayPal account then why is your name on the PayPal receipt for the original purchase of this ball? Since you used his name and SSN, shouldn't his name be on the account?

[slidekellyslide]

I don't think the question gets any simpler than this: How is the ball used in the book?

[ngrow9]

Potentially a stupid question, but was there ever a period in which the NL used a red and tan laced ball?

[BrandonG]

Please don't confuse a "shipping" address to an owner of the paypal account name. The paypal account I use currently is not in my name, but has the Business title of History of the Baseball. Reason for this is my bad credit history with paypal as explained. Not changing these accounts or names was pure laziness on my part, and I am obviously paying for that now.

Now on to the use of this ball in the book. This ball is NOT used in the book. It was originally going to be used to replicate an extremely rare 1930's All-Star ball, a ball that I have not seen for sale, nor would have the funds to purchase if one surfaced, but I really wanted and needed it in the book. This ball was restitched by the replicator to be used strictly for photos, and that's it. However I acquired photographs of a genuine model months later, and no longer needed the replicated stitching.

It is not my place to release a name to a public forum, to people I do not know, I do not want any legal issues raised against me. I now see that it was a big mistake to have the ball switch hands after my use, my intentions in the memorabilia community have always been to out reproductions and fakes, which I do on a daily basis, including THIS particular ball, and help the industry with the knowledge I have gained over the years.

All baseballs in the book are genuine, however there are times where logos, color, etc need to be enhanced with photoshop, but it had never crossed my mind that this was a bad thing at all. The goal is to represent the best information possible, and if that involves making a yellow ball a little more white, or a logo a little more crisp, then I did so thinking people would rather see cleaner models so the ball is easily identifiable. If you disagree with this please let me know. Does anyone have opinions on that?

I have not made one dime from this book, I work full time and am doing this as a love for the game and it's artifacts, and to educate my fellow collectors. I would have no point to tarnish my reputation selling anything fraudulent, and would never do so for a cheap ball.

I apologize if some of you need more explanation than that, but I feel I have taken care of the matter, this ball will be back in my possession and destroyed. I just hope that some of you appreciate what I have done, and acknowledge the many hours I've committed to removing fraudulent memorabilia from eBay and other sites, including autographed baseballs.

And to Nathaniel, this type of ball was used for what I believe were all-star games in the 1930's, but not regular games.

[Shoeless Moe]

Pastime Baseballs.com

I started a thread in Nov 2010 about pastime baseballs selling fakes, and this seller is oddly enough Pastime Collectibles, from the same area.

No coincidence. They even used to have a website selling the Repro/fake balls, very hard to tell them apart.

I would bet this clown has been selling a lot of fakes w/various Ebay ID's over the years.

Brandon - its in your area......who is this clown and how do u know him?

[BrandonG]

I don't want to throw anyone under the bus as of yet, he is a good guy, sold repro's but nothing like this before, a one time thing. Please let me try to handle the situation.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by BrandonG

I don't want to throw anyone under the bus as of yet, he is a good guy, sold repro's but nothing like this before, a one time thing. Please let me try to handle the situation.

How is the ball pictured in the book?

[Shoeless Moe]

Originally Posted by BrandonG

I don't want to throw anyone under the bus as of yet, he is a good guy, sold repro's but nothing like this before, a one time thing. Please let me try to handle the situation.

He's a good guy? He sold this fake, I'm fairly certain he's sold other fakes as I remember that ID before and even started a thread on the joker years back. He hides feedback, for what reason? I believe we know. He took a ball from you and re-sold it knowing what it was, yet completely lied in his listing. He pretty far from a good guy.

[Mr. Mitt]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

Pastime Baseballs.com

I started a thread in Nov 2010 about pastime baseballs selling fakes, and this seller is oddly enough Pastime Collectibles, from the same area.

No coincidence. They even used to have a website selling the Repro/fake balls, very hard to tell them apart.

I would bet this clown has been selling a lot of fakes w/various Ebay ID's over the years.

Brandon - its in your area......who is this clown and how do u know him?

One of the prior eBay id's of the seller in question was pastimebaseballs_com. Before that, the eBay id was brandongrun. You can clearly see this in Dan's earlier post. Now, take a look at the threads Paul references in his post above. Here are links;

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...ebaseballs.com

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...ebaseballs.com


Jerry F!cch!

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by Mr. Mitt

One of the prior eBay id's of the seller in question was pastimebaseballs_com. Before that, the eBay id was brandongrun. You can clearly see this in Dan's earlier post. Now, take a look at the threads Paul references in his post above. Here are links;

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...ebaseballs.com

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...ebaseballs.com


Jerry F!cch!

This speaks volumes... Wow

[witster]

Perez, if my vernacular offends, this isn't church or Sunday school. If the shoe fits, wear it. If it doesn't, ignore it. It doesn't disprove any of what I say.

Clueless Moe, I have met Brandon twice. I wanted to help with the book and perhaps to show off. As already I own two red/beige Frick balls and know their scarity, I wanted this one also. I consider him a friend, as I previously stated.

I've never met the seller. To suggest that I'm some part of a Holy Trinity of Baseball doctoring is laughable. You are using coincidence as evidence in your claims. Produce evidence, or STFU. You are lobbing grenades where they don't need to go. So, loosen the foil hat up a bit.

It's interesting to see the following quoted:

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...ebaseballs.com

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...ebaseballs.com


Jerry F!cch![/QUOTE]

as I started a thread on Big League Baseballs long ago about this subject

http://forum.bigleaguebaseballs.com/....php?f=3&t=146


I don't have to produce a damn thing. I attempted to buy a baseball. Brandon had a guess that it was me who won the ball. He was correct. Brandon has his stance about protecting whomever this guy is. Why, I don't know. I told him my thoughts and its his name on the coals. It's not my job to protect Brandon. He's a big boy. He has this project going on and doesn't need the negative connections.

Witster

[Shoeless Moe]

Originally Posted by witster

I don't have to produce a damn thing. I attempted to buy a baseball. Brandon had a guess that it was me who won the ball. He was correct. Brandon has his stance about protecting whomever this guy is. Why, I don't know. I told him my thoughts and its his name on the coals. It's not my job to protect Brandon. He's a big boy. He has this project going on and doesn't need the negative connections.

Witster

You don't "have" to produce a damn thing, but if u did it would shut all the non-believers up. So u can continue to make it look shady or u could put an end to it.

[Mr. Mitt]

Originally Posted by witster

as I started a thread on Big League Baseballs long ago about this subject

http://forum.bigleaguebaseballs.com/....php?f=3&t=146

Witster

Thank you, Witser, I didn't know abut that thread on the other forum. Given that you were skeptical of pastimebaseballs.com then (both in your first post on the thread you began and again in your concluding post), aren't you the least bit curious as to this seller's connection to pastimebaseballs.com, who just happened to change their eBay user id from brandongrun? I am.


Jerry F!cch!

[horzverti]

Originally Posted by Mr. Mitt

When looking through prior eBay user names for “pastimecollectibles”, the seller of the ball in question, “brandongrun” was listed as a prior user id. Could you explain please?

Say it isn't so Joe Brandon.

If this ball in its altered state is in your book, well then your book is...YIKES!

We really need the whole story here.

[Shoeless Moe]

Originally Posted by BrandonG

I didn't know at first, then looked at the feedback score and it was a high and familiar score. The buyer is a friend who buys only vintage baseballs so when I called, first I just asked if it was him, and it was!

This too......"High & Familiar Feedback score"......if u look at his bidding history he only has bought 1 vintage baseball in the past 30 days.....and I went thru all winning bidders for the last 90 days of vintage balls and I do not see that feedback score anywhere. How can you recognize a feedback score from a guy who is not buying??? I could see if the buyer was TGOS who buys several balls monthly, but this buyer bought 1 ball, this one, in the last 30 days. I believe u also said the buyer was a member of the board, so I'm hoping he chimes in. He can make a copy of the order details, showing the seller and that then would clear your name. Could even block out the sellers last name so no harm no foul. I'm for you Brandon, but the possession arrow is pointing the wrong way, until proven otherwise.

[Shoeless Moe]

Originally Posted by BrandonG

I didn't know at first, then looked at the feedback score and it was a high and familiar score. The buyer is a friend who buys only vintage baseballs so when I called, first I just asked if it was him, and it was!

"Only buys vintage baseballs".........he doesn't "only" buy vintage baseballs......."gulp":

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

"Only buys vintage baseballs".........he doesn't "only" buy vintage baseballs......."gulp":

Looks like this baseball buyer also buys lots of aviation stuff...Brandon is a pilot. This is probably just another coincidence.

[Shoeless Moe]

Brandon has just been spotted on the I405 Freeway in a White Bronco with his "friend".


sorry had to.

[slidekellyslide]

Brandon, I know you said you were done with this thread, but I see you logged in and looking at this thread so why not out this guy? It's only getting worse for you and this "friend' who threw YOU under the bus is skating away. What's more important? Your reputation or this business partnership with a scoundrel?

[horzverti]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Looks like this baseball buyer also buys lots of aviation stuff...Brandon is a pilot. This is probably just another coincidence.

Wow...just wow. All this unfolds as he is trying to sell more advertising space in the book and only seven weeks before the National (the date near which he wanted his books in the hands of the suckers collectors).

I was long looking forward to buying his book when it was finally finished. Again, I write that I am disappointed.

Given Brandon's huge loss of credibility, who is going to step up and write a book on the ball in which we can trust?

[yanks12025]

Well I know things look bad but I'm gonna stand by Brandon's side. I think someone with his knowledge, if he was going to rip people off don't you think he'd pick a more pricey baseball?

But for the rest of you, I have pitchforks for sale.

[witster]

This has now become amusing. I have a single prior post on this forum.....regarding Brandon's book a while ago. It seems that there are some here who have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express expressing opinions about what they think they know. It does confirm to me, that this is a place for cock measuring between imbeciles.

Time to set these MFers straight.

I am Sawit (Wit) Raymond. I won the auction in question. Shortly after the auction ended, Brandon called and asked if it was in fact me, who won the auction. After confirming his suspicions, he told me not to purchase the ball. Brandon is someone whom I consider a friend. We have gone head to head on many balls in the past. Sometimes I win. Sometimes, he does. Sometimes, it rains. He has confirmed the authenticity of parts of my collection. He has been to my home and taken photos of my collection for his book.

I buy many items on eBay. I'm an Air Force brat, particular to the Republic F-105 Thunderchief. I buy many items related to that. Search Lou Drendel, aviation art. I have two paintings reserved. Look on his web page and you'll see my history of commissions on that page. I am even mentioned in an ebook of his.

I tend to believe where there is smoke, there is fire. I've told Brandon to save his rep also.

I have watched this thread go and go. But, then, I see some asshole pull up my bid history and have others speculate about my buying habits. If there is nothing to buy to enhance my collection, I don't buy. Period. I also have that passion for aviation. I follow that, too. You want to know about my Kayden Kross Collection also?

In short, Brandon saved me from a headache and heartache about this ball. With hindsight, I think some things should have been done differently by him and his past organization of things.

Finally, Brandon and I are not in cahoots. Never have been. I suggest you pull your collective heads out of your asses and begin to know what the fu** you are talking about, before speculating regarding my purchases.

Sawit (Wit) Raymond is out.