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The 2016 Chicago Cubs-Cleveland Indians World Series Loaded with Memorabilia Opportunities

This year’s Fall Classic featured two historic franchises with similar backgrounds. Both the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs have been cornerstone franchises of professional baseball for more than one hundred years. Each have rabid and loyal fan bases. Both play in their original founding cities. Most importantly, each has suffered years of championship failure. This year, one of those teams changed their fortune.

While the Cleveland Indians last appeared in the World Series in 1997, the Chicago Cubs last made their appearance the same year that Second World War ended. That’s 71 years of “wait ‘til next year.” Neither team had won a World Series title for a span longer than most readers of this article have been alive.

 A bleacher ticket for a World Series game at Wrigley Field cost $1.20 in 1908.
A bleacher ticket for a World Series game at Wrigley Field cost $1.20 in 1908.

The Cleveland Indians last won the World Series in 1948, defeating the Boston Braves four games to two. For the North-siders of Chicago, one must go back to an era before sliced bread was even invented to find their last World Series Championship. That year was 1908, one hundred and eight years ago.

Given the fact that both teams are ripe with history and tradition, you can be assured that anything even remotely connected to the series, will in some way, be deemed “collectible.” Time and rarity will ultimately determine what many of these items are worth, but for many fans, collectors, and game attendees, even manufactured souvenirs will be considered “priceless.”

Beginning in 2001, Major League Baseball instituted its own authentication program. This process insures that items used in Major League games are certified as truly genuine, thus collectors are insured that they are receiving “the real McCoy.”

Even champagne corks receive MLB holograms.
Even champagne corks receive MLB holograms.

Nearly every single piece of equipment used in the World Series will go through the authentication process. Now that the series has concluded, fans will be able to purchase everything from game-used baseballs, bases, line-up cards and even celebratory champagne corks. While not every collector will have pockets deep enough to afford some of these items, it doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of more affordable items to pursue.

While they might take years to appear on the secondary market, game tickets from both venues will be highly sought after collectibles. However, those lucky enough to attend the game(s) will almost assuredly pride these treasured mementos as keepsakes, regardless of who won and who lost. Tickets are a tangible, physical asset that document a specific time and place, helping to protect a memory that will last a lifetime. Companies exist that will even matte and frame your ticket with pictures from the game creating a curated collectible and presentation piece.

2004 Boston Red Sox World Series Ticket Display
2004 Boston Red Sox World Series Ticket Display

Because of the duration of both the Cubs and Indians championship droughts, fans of both teams will be inundated with souvenir and merchandise purchasing opportunities. Many will be touted as “limited edition collectibles.” Savvy collectors should be aware, however, that when items are marketed with that vernacular, they will almost assuredly never appreciate in value. While they might make for wonderful memories or fan appreciation display pieces, don’t be caught up in the wave of “memorabilia” that will be created by this historic match-up.

For truly genuine, investment grade collectibles, be sure to focus on certified autographs of both teams’ key stars. These can come in the form of baseball cards, photographs, bats, jerseys and other memorabilia. Several highly- reputable, third party companies exist that provide autograph authentication services. When looking to purchase autographed items, from players of either team, look for those that have been authenticated by companies like Tristar, JSA, PSA/DNA, Topps or even Major League Baseball itself.

4 Cubs' star, Kris Bryant's 2013 autographed prospect card can sell for over $1,100 and will only go UP in value if the Cubs win it all
Cubs’ star, Kris Bryant’s 2013 autographed prospect card can sell for over $1,100 and will only go UP in value if the Cubs win it all.

The cream of the crop in terms of World Series collectibles will be game-worn player jerseys. However, these items often remain in the players’ personal collections for years before eventually making their way to auction. When they do, depending on the player, they can command tens of thousands of dollars. Nothing is more personal or intimate than the jersey a player wore on the field in the World Series.

When it comes to collecting World Series items, let personal taste be your guide. Just because an item may be mass produced, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t buy it if you like it. Too often, we as collectors can get caught up in the game of “how much it’s worth,” when in reality, we should be asking ourselves, “will this help me remember the moment years down the road.”


Rob Bertrand is a long-time Worthologist specializing in sports memorabilia and collectibles. With over 20 years in the business and an avid collector himself, he brings a wealth of knowledge to our readers. He is currently the Marketing Manager for GTS Distribution a wholesale supplier of sports and entertainment trading cards and memorabilia. He also hosts a LIVE, weekly web series, Go GTS Live – The Hobby’s Web Show which airs on Thursdays at 9 p.m. EST, on www.Livestrream.com/gts/gogtslive.

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