Let's See Your Holy Grail - Prize Possession - #1 Item

[71buc]

I never grow tired of this piece. I get chills every time I roll out across my living room floor. It reeks of a simpler time in my life pre cancer, pre mortgage, pre-parenthood, pre career. Back then only thing that mattered was my infatuation with the 1971 Pirates. They 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 bad ass attitude of Doc Ellis. I still do. My favorite item in my collection is 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). 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.

[SyrNy1960]

I think I'm in big trouble. I have been collecting for over 40 years. Started out with sports cards, then collecting odd ball sports stuff, then collecting autographs. 10 years ago, I came across GameUsedUniverse and got hooked on collecting Game Used Memorabilia (my prize possessions are Alex Rodriguez 1st Career Grand Slam Bat GU PSA 9.5; a 2009 Alex Rodriguez Game Used Bat GU PSA 10 (photo matched to 17 games; 44 at bats; hit HR's #575 and #576)) given to me by Arod; and a 1997 Alex Rodriguez Game Used Fielding Glove). Now since starting this thread and seeing all the AWESOME older cards, photos, etc., has now got me thinking that I want to start collecting older cards. I'm in big trouble!

[shernan30]

Originally Posted by 71buc

I never grow tired of this piece. I get chills every time I roll out across my living room floor. It reeks of a simpler time in my life pre cancer, pre mortgage, pre-parenthood, pre career. Back then only thing that mattered was my infatuation with the 1971 Pirates. They 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 bad ass attitude of Doc Ellis. I still do. My favorite item in my collection is 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). 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.

What a piece of history, Mike. Knowing stuff like this is in the hands of true fans is awesome.


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[Mark70Z]

Mike,

May have mentioned it before when you picked up the banner, but the '71 NL Championship banner is just an awesome piece of memorabilia. It makes it even better that it's in the hands of someone that truly enjoys the banner as well has that special attachment to it being your favorite team and Series. Doesn't get much better than that.

Thanks for sharing the pictures and footage, w/it pictured, of your grail item.