Man Finds Rare Baseball Cards in Thrift Store, Then Learns Value: 'Shaking'

Newsweek

23-04-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
In a story straight out of every collector's dream, Christopher Kidney of Flemingsburg, Kentucky, struck gold at his local Goodwill.
What started as a routine visit turned into a jackpot of rare sports memorabilia—all for under $20.
Among his remarkable finds: autographed cards from baseball legends including CC Sabathia, Don Mattingly, and Chuck Knoblauch, as well as a signed Super Bowl XLII card from New York Giants hero Plaxico Burress.
Also among the haul is a baseball signed by Yogi Berra, the nickname of catcher Lawrence Peter Berra, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.
"I have a good eye for sports memorabilia," Kidney told Newsweek. "When I saw the names on the cards, I could tell they were real based on the brand." And his instincts were right—the collection has already sold privately for over $500 to buyers who chose to remain anonymous.
Pictures of the baseball memorabilia, including classic cards and a signed baseball.
Pictures of the baseball memorabilia, including classic cards and a signed baseball.
MagicianHappy7098/Reddit
Baseball trading cards appeared in the late 19th century, with the earliest known baseball cards appearing in the 1860s. They became yet more widespread in the early 1900s, especially with the introduction of the T206 set by the American Tobacco Company between 1909 and 1911.
Read more
Woman in disbelief after realizing what Goodwill find was—"Jaws dropped"
Woman in disbelief after realizing what Goodwill find was—"Jaws dropped"
The hobby peaked in the 1980s when card collecting became more mainstream and new companies entered the market. While baseball trading cards aren't as popular today as they once were, they are still loved by passionate collectors like Kidney.
Kidney was quick to give credit where it's due: "It's very important to me that I give credit to my family—my beloved wife Ashley—and my best friends Brad and Christopher Davisson."
Kidney frequently shares his discoveries on Reddit where they gain plenty of attention. He shared his incredible find to the site earlier this month, in a post caption: "Incredible, still shaking." It amassed more than 1,500 upvote, while in the comments people were amazed.
"Thank goodness your goodwill doesn't have an in-store appraiser (read: item Googler) that priced these at near-eBay prices," said one commenter.
While another wrote: "My brother collects and sells sports memorabilia and he says to tell you he is both happy for you and very jealous! Congrats!!"
"You should definitely go get those authenticated asap!" said another Redditor.
Pictures of the baseball memorabilia. Part of the haul included autographed cards from baseball legends including CC Sabathia, Don Mattingly, and Chuck Knoblauch.
Pictures of the baseball memorabilia. Part of the haul included autographed cards from baseball legends including CC Sabathia, Don Mattingly, and Chuck Knoblauch.
MagicianHappy7098/Reddit
As if that weren't enough, this isn't Kidney's first brush with Goodwill greatness. Earlier this month, he stumbled upon a signed 1949 book by baseball titan Honus Wagner—for just $1.59.
"For $1.59, I found one of the greatest baseball players' signatures ever! I'm in shock," he said. "My grandpa, who passed three years ago, worked for the Reds, Giants, Cardinals, and other sports teams. I truly believe in some divine way I was meant to find this book."
The baseball legend discoveries are far from the first thrift store finds to capture attention online. Earlier this month a woman shared a "creepy" find in her local thrift when she seemed to stumble on an ornament containing human ashes.
While a New Jersey shopper found a painting for just $3.99 that had a sweet note attached that read: "Swarthmore College, Graduation 2020, Made with love, Dad."