Most people wander into Goodwill hoping to find a decent shirt, a pre-loved novel, or a teapot that doesn’t leak more than it pours. But Christopher Kidney from Flemingsburg, Kentucky isn’t most people, and his recent thrift store escapade reads more like an Indiana Jones screenplay than a casual weekend outing.
With less than a $20 investment, Kidney walked out of Goodwill with more than he bargained for: a stash of signed memorabilia that could make even the steeliest of sports collectors giddy. We’re talking about authentic, autographed baseball cards from legendary folks like CC Sabathia, Don Mattingly, and Chuck Knoblauch, alongside a cheeky Super Bowl XLII card scribbled on by Plaxico Burress. But the pièce de résistance? A signed baseball by none other than Yogi Berra.
“When I saw the names on the cards, I could tell they were real based on the brand,” Kidney recounted eagerly to Newsweek. He wasn’t just indulging a whimsy dream—he hit the jackpot. After enlisting the discerning eyes of his collector comrades to authenticate these treasures, he flipped his Goodwill gamble into a $500 payday.
Now, if you’re not a baseball aficionado, let me put it in perspective for you. Yogi Berra is more than just a legendary major leaguer known for his oddball quotes. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972, Berra won 10 World Series with the New York Yankees—a testament to his prowess that remains unshattered. That makes stumbling upon his autographed baseball on a thrift store shelf the stuff of collector folklore, much akin to discovering a winning lottery ticket hiding behind your couch cushions.
Once Kidney unearthed his thrift trove, he couldn’t resist sharing his triumph with fellow Reddit memorabilia buffs. His post, titled “Incredible, still shaking,” reverberated through the threads, nabbing over 1,500 upvotes and spawning a whirlwind of reactions.
One fellow enthusiast quipped, “Thank goodness your Goodwill doesn’t have an in-store Googler pricing these near eBay comps.” Another chimed in, “My brother collects and sells sports memorabilia and he says to tell you he is both happy for you and very jealous!”
But, as they say, lightning can and does often strike twice. Kidney is no stranger to these serendipitous finds. Just earlier this month, he snagged a signed 1949 book penned by Honus Wagner, one of history’s baseball greats, for a mere $1.59. “For $1.59, I found one of the greatest baseball players’ signatures ever! I’m in shock,” he noted. Kidney fondly reflected on his late grandfather, who had strong ties to teams like the Reds and Cardinals, believing some cosmic fate led him to discover the book.
Despite the financial boon of these Goodwill goldmines, Kidney treasures these experiences not only for their monetary value but for the stories and connections they foster. He made sure to acknowledge the steadfast support from his family—especially his wife Ashley—and friends Brad and Christopher Davisson, emphasizing that these moments are shared victories above all.
For Kidney, it goes beyond the dollars and cents, intertwining a profound passion, a connection to the past, and the exhilarating pursuit of the unknown. For those that might shrug off the allure of secondhand stores, it serves as a poignant reminder: don’t forget to dig a little deeper next time you’re beside those dog-eared cookbooks or worn out records—you never quite know when you might stumble upon a shimmering slice of sports history.