Barry Larkin memorabilia prices could rise

MONTGOMERY, Ohio - Sports memorabilia collectors of former Cincinnati Reds shortstop newest member of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, Barry Larkin, could see a boost in their investment.

According to Steve Wolter of Sports Investments, Inc in Montgomery, when a baseball player is not inducted into Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame during the first year of eligibility, the player's memorabilia price rises when he is inducted.

Barry Larkin started in the majors like the rest of the players, a rookie.  Most people do not know, however, he did not wear number 11.

"He has been number eleven basically his whole career," said Steve Wolton of Sports Investment, Inc. in Montgomery, Ohio.  "In his first year, his rookie year, which I didn't even actually realize until I bought his uniform from his rookie year for my collection.  He was number 15."

Wolter is an avid collector, seller, and investor of sports memorabilia.  He explained why Larkin was elected into Cooperstown.

"The MVP is the single biggest award.  Larkin got that in 1995 and when you put that with the rest of his resume, that really helps him get into the hall."

The newest "Hall of Famer's" collectable memorabilia could increase in demand, according to Wolter.
    
"People will be, calling, wanting Larkin signed balls and photos and maybe something special like this home run ball," Wolter said while displaying a Rallings official ball of MLB that has Larkin's signature.  "That's definitely good news."

Prices should start to rise on some merchandise, like signed jerseys, balls, and bats.  Especially anything that has been authenticated by the Cincinnati Reds.  What not to expect to go up in price are baseball cards.    

"Cards have been tremendously over produced, multimanufactured.  [There']  tremendous over production," explained Wolter.  "All cards [have] gone down and that affects Larkin, as well as, all of the other star players."

Steve could not name anyone, he knew, to be a serious collector of Barry Larkin items.  However, he said that will probably change now that he is in the hall of fame.

Click here to view a photo gallery of Larkin over the years.