Be honest...

[mrmopar]

I will often check out the autograph prices when a player dies, similar to the spike you are talking about here. LaMarr Hoyt broke the curve when he died. Not much had sold prior, but around the time it was announced, they started flying off the shelves! Not uncommon at all.

I buy mostly autographs now, so I have tried to get the players ahead of time that I think may go up in cost. It happens all the time, but with only so much $ to spread around, we often get let holding the empty bag. I think Rod Carew for example is one to grab now if you somehow don't have one already. He seems to have signed a lot of stuff, but when he goes, people will still be jumping on everything.