Updated Steve Olin Autograph Collection

[tkraft24]

I found an old thread where I shared my Steve Olin collection and thought it was cool to see how much progress I've made in just a couple years! In the old thread from 11/10/2020, I had 15 unique signed cards - some of which weren't authenticated yet. Now fast forward to today and I have 31 unique cards plus some others that aren't check listed by Beckett - all of which have been slabbed authentic.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52511882652_528db6c308_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2o1i8e7)
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52511882642_1646833361_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2o1i8dW)
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52512355036_892589fe18_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2o1kxDE)

Individual pics available here for greater detail:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAg34j

That's all, hope some of you enjoy checking out the collection.

[awz50]

This is awesome

[theplasticman]

This is one of my favorite player collections to keep tabs on. Really, really awesome progress.

[mjohnatgt]

I'm sure most people reading this won't even remember Olin. I think I had a 1990 Topps card signed by him before he died in the 1993 Spring Training boating accident. It may be the one you have. Not sure who I sold it to, and gmail doesn't seem to have a record of it, so I might have sold it in person.

[Coug46n2]

Fantastic collection. I mentioned this in one of your past threads, but my HS baseball coach played with Steve in the minors. He was really shook when Steve died. Coach said he was a great teammate and person.

[VinnyH]

I have some original Olin slides somewhere. My freelance photo connection in the early 90s was with the Indians. I actually had a pass for the week in 1993 but the day I flew in I heard the tragic news from the night before. I didn’t go near the Indians who were in the midst of this sadness.
I wandered to other team sites and most were understanding and gave me passes to shoot. All of spring training was in shock.
When I find the slides, they’re yours. Nice to see a real personal collection of a player and a nice guy.
Be Well,
Vinny :)!

[Bum Dawg]

The custom cut card is superb! One of those sports tragedies where I remember where I was when I heard the news, especially so being an Indians fan.

[Bambino22]

The best Olin athlete is Olin Browne.

[dchawk]

Great collection! Inspired me to go look in the archives from my Midwest League autograph hunting days as a young teen. Found both a partially signed 1988 Waterloo Indians ProCards set and a 1988 Waterloo Indians team ball signed by around 20 players. Alas, no Olin sig on the team ball, nor among the signed cards. Appreciate the chance for a walk down memory lane though.

[Silent George]

I live on the lake where he died.

[tkraft24]

Wow, I appreciate the kind words, memories and especially the personal anecdotes being shared. I was only 9 years old when the accident happened but Olin’s distinct delivery was memorable from games I attended as a youngster.

For those that might not be familiar with the tragedy, I found a YouTube video of the news breaking at the time:
https://youtu.be/DteqQf58hEE

[theplasticman]

Have a checklist for cards you're missing?

[tkraft24]

Have a checklist for cards you're missing?

Yeah, I have a spreadsheet to track stuff through 1992. For ‘93 cards it’s hard to know what’s even possible. I have a couple 93 Topps and a 93 Select. Outside of those I’ve seen an UD and Donruss.

Through 92, I have 29 of 51 cards signed which includes variations/parallels. Again, no clue how many if any of some of the more obscure cards were ever signed. I’m going to go ahead and say a Topps Micro doesn’t exist so that’ll put me at 29/50 or 58% not counting 1993s.

These are the base issues I still need:
1988 Waterloo Indians issues (x2)
1990 OPC
1990 Score Young Superstars II
1990 Sportflics
1991 Leaf
1991 OPC
1991 Stadium Club
1992 Bowman
1992 OPC
1992 Topps
*1992 Triple Play (incoming)

[scotthenrichs]

Wow, those 93 Select and Topps auto's must have been tough finds, they were only out a couple months when he died.

[Silent George]

View from my backyard just now. Crews’ house on the left, the long (still) unlit dock on the right.

[tkraft24]

Wow, those 93 Select and Topps auto's must have been tough finds, they were only out a couple months when he died.

Yeah, I never really expected to add any 93s because the few that I’ve seen were listed for crazy money. The 93 Topps and Select just sort of fell on my lap when a member on SCN messaged me and with great prices!

I actually found an upgrade for the Topps on eBay that was listed for a great BIN price. That one will be sent to Beckett later this week.



View from my backyard just now. Crews’ house on the left, the long (still) unlit dock on the right.

That’s wild, beautiful property!

[tkraft24]

This one took longer than expected to arrive but made it! I was hoping to send it with my BAS submission last week but I'll just save it for next year.
https://i.imgur.com/imDicfnl.jpg

[7nohitter]

This is a great collection. I was a junior in high school when this happened...I remember being shocked, same feeling as when I saw the Challenger explode (Christa McAuliffe was from my town and went to the same high school).

[bblair_2002]

Hey Tom,nice collection bud.

[tkraft24]

Well I finally made my first addition of 2023 and its a beauty:
https://i.imgur.com/bOYpa31l.jpg

I've also had the 92 Triple Play slabbed since making this thread:
https://i.imgur.com/cPSVo8Vl.jpg

Progress will definitely be slow from here on out but hoping to keep this collection growing over the years.

[tkraft24]

Added another one I didn't have yet: 1991 Leaf
https://i.imgur.com/pE2DZIXl.jpg

Now I'm up to 34 unique signed cards that are checklisted in Beckett.

[PuddleMonkey]

This is really cool! I'll have to check my auto book for any Olins, he played right in that sweet spot era when my brother and I were huge autograph hounds. We also rarely missed any Indians series. Had no idea he died.

[tkraft24]

This is really cool! I'll have to check my auto book for any Olins, he played right in that sweet spot era when my brother and I were huge autograph hounds. We also rarely missed any Indians series. Had no idea he died.

Awesome, curious to see what you find even if not available. Thanks for checking it out.

[njsportscardguy]

I sent his wife, a sympathy card when that tragedy happened. A few months later, to my complete surprise & unexpectedness, I received a funeral card & brief letter of appreciation from her.

[PuddleMonkey]

Awesome, curious to see what you find even if not available. Thanks for checking it out.

No Olins in my book, I'll have to check the book my brother has at his place if I remember next time I see him. I'll give it to you if he does, I love how you're fanatical collecting him. I did find some deceased Doug Jones and phenom (lol) Mark Lewis.



https://i.imgur.com/AaxHZRX.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1dy3uxP.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/kpnoyZe.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/IwGQr6Y.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/6fdO2Yw.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/0A1ze7g.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/InfjGXI.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/KS6l1Y4.jpg

[Chicosbailbonds]

Great Olin collection.