Tony gets lots of questions on the worth of baseball items, whether at shows or at the Westminster Antique Mall where he appraises memorabilia once a month. He is always happy to give his professional opinion on “what it’s worth” based on his years of experience. He has appraised old autographed baseballs, game-used bats, game programs, and many unique items.

If you are in the Baltimore area and have a baseball item that needs appraising, bring it to the Westminster Antique Mall in Westminster MD! Check our show schedule for dates and times. His next scheduled appraisal time is tomorrow, November 19 from 1 to 4 pm.

We also have a Mendy’s Baseball Memorabilia booth at the Westminster Antique Mall, Booth B69-70. Stop by and let us know what you think!

Tony gets lots of questions on the worth of baseball items, whether at shows or at the Westminster Antique Mall where he appraises memorabilia once a month. He is always happy to give his professional opinion on “what it’s worth” based on his years of experience. He has appraised old autographed baseballs, game-used bats, game programs, and many unique items.

If you are in the Baltimore area and have a baseball item that needs appraising, bring it to the Westminster Antique Mall! Check our show schedule for dates and times. His next scheduled appraisal time is tomorrow, August 20.

We also have a Mendy’s Baseball Memorabilia booth at the Westminster Antique Mall, Booth B69-70. Stop by and let us know what you think!

1.) CARLOS BELTRAN traded from the Mets to the Giants: The Giants got the middle of the order bat they needed. Their offense has struggled to put up runs, but they expect Beltran to help change that, as his presence in the lineup will give hitters like Pablo Sandoval and Aubrey Huff better pitches to hit. The Giants are the team to beat in the NL West. Sorry, Dad! (He’s a Padres fan.) It did cost the Giants, though, as the Mets received RHP Zack Wheeler, the best pitching prospect in the Giants minor league system.

2.) HUNTER PENCE traded from the Astros to the Phillies: The Phillies think this is their year. Their lineup is powerful already with Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Raul Ibanez. The only problem is they are all left-handed (Rollins is a switch hitter, but hits considerably better from the left side). Hunter Pence gives the Phillies a solid right-handed bat in the middle of their lineup. Add that to a rotation that has Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee and Kyle Kendrick? Wow. Philadelphia gave a lot, though, including Jarred Cosart and Jonathan Singleton, their top two prospects.

3.) UBALDO JIMENEZ traded from the Rockies to the Indians: Can you believe the Indians were 69-93 last year? As of right now, they are a game and a half out of first place with a 53-51 record. This gives the Indians an ace in their rotation, but I’d be worried if I were Cleveland. Jimenez was 19-8 last year with a 2.88 ERA, but he started last season 15-1, went 4-7 the rest of the way and he’s 6-9 with a 4.46 ERA this season. And Cleveland paid dearly, trading four prospects including their top two pitching prospects, Alex White and Chris Pomeranz, players that were expected to be in the Cleveland rotation in the near future. It’ll be interesting to see how Jimenez adapts to the American League.

4.) JASON MARQUIS traded from the Nationals to the Diamondbacks: This is Arizona’s answer to the Giants deal. The Diamondbacks pick up a veteran arm having a solid year in Washington, 8-5 with a 3.95 ERA, who also has success against the Giants, 5-3 with a 2.47 ERA. The D’Backs are going to put up a fight in the NL West. (I just learned that Arizona also acquired reliever Brad Ziegler from the Athletics -good deal! That will strengthen their bullpen.)

5.) KOJI UEHARA traded from the Orioles to the Rangers: As a big Orioles fan, I had to throw this one in. I loved seeing Koji come out of the bullpen. He was our best reliever, but I love what the Orioles got back in this deal. Uehara is the relief pitcher that Texas needed. There is talk about how Uehara struggles pitching in the heat, but I think he’ll get used to it and be fine. If he throws strikes like he always does, he won’t be out on the mound very long. It’s a good pickup for Texas, and a GREAT pickup for Baltimore. Baltimore got back more than expected – two major leaguers, 1B Chris Davis and RHP Tommy Hunter. Both are young, and both fill holes the O’s needed filled. Yes, Baltimore is terrible, but this move makes them a little less terrible.

Thanks for reading and be sure to check back here for more MLB coverage! Also, please check out our baseball memorabilia Web store.

-Tony Jr.

Baseball Autograph guests include former Senators Casey Cox, Chuck Hinton, Bob Humphreys, Don Leppert, Dick Lines, Claude Osteen, Bob Priddy, Ken Retzer, Dave Stenhouse, & Fred Valentine.

There are a number of other signing guests including Negro Leaguers Robert Scott & Pedro Sierra, and many NFL Hall of Famers.

If you are in the Chantilly area, stop by and see us! Mention you saw our blog for a 10% discount off your Mendy’s purchase at the show.