From the Anything For a Buck file, we're proud to bring you the story of a totally first-rate Long Island memorabilia company that is selling baseballs autographed by scandal-tainted superstars Jason Giambi and Darryl Strawberry that come with this inscription: "Everybody deserves a 2nd chance." I should make it clear that each ball is signed by both men, although the inscription comes just from Straw.You could probably make the case that Straw should have written "Everybody deserves a 79th chance."
The balls are being offered for $199.99 by Authentic Memorabilia of Great Neck, Long Island. The company's Web site says it has 10 balls still in stock.
Interestingly, the balls were originally signed just by Giambi with no inscription, but weren't selling at all. The company said since there wasn't much interest in the Giambi-autographed balls, they asked Strawberry to sign his name and add the inscription. The memorabilia company said Giambi's representatives were aware of the balls, but Giambi's agent, Arn Tellem, declined to comment.
This wouldn't be the first time a player has used a baseball to comment on his life. Pete Rose signed dozens of "confession balls" that included the inscription "I'm sorry I bet on baseball." The balls went for as much as $10,000.
I just think the most telling thing is more people want Straw's autograph than Giambi's.
Anyway, this "confession" of sorts got us thinking about what other things athletes might confess to on some sort of memorabilia. So here you go:
-Derek Jeter, signed on a box of Valtrex
"I should have used more of these."
-Shawn Kemp, signed on a condom. Can add Tom Brady and Matt Leinart's signatures for an extra $200.
"This record is not tainted."
-Barry Bonds, signed on a syringe
"Yeah, I raped her."
-Kobe Bryant, signed on a basketball
"I'd take the Spurs tonight."
-Tim Donaghy, signed on a basketball
"Stop snitching."
-Michael Vick, signed on a court order.
-WCK
