Al Crisafulli explores the story of a Jackie Robinson stadium photo that captured Robinson’s first major league at-bat in 1947. Joining Al is Love of the Game's Andrew Aronstein, who dives into the world of vintage baseball photography, from ensuring authenticity to navigating the challenges of altered or digitally enhanced images. From historic photos to the people who preserve them, this episode provides an inside look at the hobby and the stories that keep baseball history alive.

https://loveofthegameauctions.com/
Produced by Brand Groupies - https://brandgroupies.com/
Theme music by Doug Stoley: www.stoley.com

Episode highlights:
(0:55) Jackie Robinson’s first MLB at-bat photo
(5:22) Meet Andrew Aronstein and his hobby roots
(9:01) TCMA, minor league cards, and rookie card history
(13:00) Photofile archives and early sports photography
(18:32) What collectors often miss in original photos
(22:50) Authenticity, condition, and altered vintage images
(35:10) How to spot trimming and photo changes
(36:52) How grading, the internet, and eBay changed collecting
(40:18) The most special item Andrew ever handled
(44:03) Was Paul Thompson really a photographer?
(45:31) Andrew’s “love of the game” moment

Al Crisafulli tells the story of John White, a fan who created his own piece of history by collecting autographs at Cleveland’s League Park. He’s joined by Tanith Harley, an Australian baseball history enthusiast, writer, and collector whose work focuses on uncovering and preserving the history of women in baseball through memorabilia. Drawing on her own lifelong connection to the game, Tanith discusses her research and collection centered on women’s baseball and her efforts to highlight overlooked stories.

https://loveofthegameauctions.com/
Produced by Brand Groupies - https://brandgroupies.com/
Theme music by Doug Stoley: http://www.stoley.com/

Episode highlights:
(0:55) John White’s 1920s autograph book
(3:57) Meet Tanith Harley
(5:27) Growing up as a girl playing baseball in Australia
(10:17) Tanith’s start in card collecting
(15:02) Why women’s baseball became her focus
(16:32) Australian women’s baseball history
(20:30) Where to start learning about women in baseball
(24:19) Authenticating and dating historic items
(27:27) Growing hobby interest in women’s baseball
(29:47) Tanith’s most meaningful collection pieces
(35:20) Thoughts on the WPBL
(40:19) Leona and Nellie Kearns’ baseball story
(45:02) The moment Tanith fell in love with the game

Al Crisafulli tells the story of a Babe Ruth ball personalized to Kenneth Caselnova, sharing its unique provenance and Ruth’s 1946 stay with the family. Baseball card expert and SABR co-chair Jason Schwartz joins to discuss his collecting journey, Hank Aaron cards, and how SABR could revive the Standard Catalog. From legendary artifacts to the evolving world of baseball card research, this episode uncovers the stories that make the hobby timeless.

https://sabr.org/
https://loveofthegameauctions.com/
Produced by Brand Groupies - https://brandgroupies.com/
Theme music by Doug Stoley: www.stoley.com

Episode highlights:
(0:54) Babe Ruth and the Caselnova family story
(5:03) Jason Schwartz introduction
(6:12) Jason’s start in collecting
(11:18) Why Hank Aaron matters
(18:12) Vintage card myths and 1949 Leaf
(23:55) SABR Baseball Cards Research Committee
(30:04) Preserving hobby knowledge
(50:30) Jason’s dream card
(53:52) The Steve Garvey card that changed everything

Al Crisafulli uncovers the compelling history of a rare 1903 calendar out of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, an artifact that led to the discovery of local hero Billy Miller. Al then sits down with Rick Cerrone, the Editor-in-Chief of Baseball Digest and a veteran of the sports and media industries. Rick shares insights from his time leading public relations for the New York Yankees and working in magazine publishing, offering insider memories while reflecting on the lasting importance of storytelling in baseball.

https://baseballdigest.com/
https://loveofthegameauctions.com/
Produced by Brand Groupies - https://brandgroupies.com/
Theme music by Doug Stoley: http://www.stoley.com/

(0:58) Billy Miller’s remarkable story begins
(4:28) Miller’s military service with the Harlem Hellfighters
(5:19) Rick Cerrone joins the show
(8:55) Rick’s early path into sports media
(19:54) Launching Baseball Quarterly
(36:04) Becoming Yankees PR director
(45:26) Behind-the-scenes Yankees stories
(54:06) Rick’s vision for Baseball Digest
(59:48) What made Rick fall in love with baseball

In the first episode of the Love of the Game Auctions Podcast, Al Crisafulli recounts the story of a Lou Gehrig game-used bat that sold for a record-breaking price - a sale he credits with putting Love of the Game on the map. He then talks with artist Graig Kreindler, who brings baseball history to life through meticulously researched oil paintings. From rare collectibles to the stories behind the legends, this episode is a must-listen for fans and collectors alike.

https://www.graigkreindler.com/

https://loveofthegameauctions.com/

Produced by Brand Groupies - https://brandgroupies.com/

Theme music by Doug Stoley: https://stoley.com

Every collector's path is different. Some of us hunt for the pristine, while others find beauty in the well-loved corners of a century-old card. Some of us collect what we know, others dig deep into the research and the great hobby mysteries. But no matter the path, every journey starts in the same place: a love of the game.

On this show, we're going beyond the auction block to talk about the legends, the rarities, and the long-forgotten stories that make this hobby great. I'll be joined by guests who live and breathe sports - experts who help us see the hobby through a different lens. So if you value the lore as much of the score, you're in the right place. Let's go.