P2901

Mark McGwire

Former Homerun Record Holder (70 in 1998)

Fred's Anecdotal Note

Mark McGwire Sets A New Home Run Record 

The immortal Babe Ruth held the home run record for thirty-one years with sixty. Then in 1961 Roger Maris hit sixty one. That record stood for another thirty-seven years, until now. For sixty-eight years -- a lifetime -- the best hitters in baseball have been trying to hit more than 60 or 61 home runs. No one could do it -- until now.

Mark McGwire, a magnificent power hitter, shattered the old record with an awrsome display of hitting with an increditible seventy home runs in 1998. The last two came in the season's final game on September 27, 1998. It should be noted in history, that in addition generously, to many cgaritable causes, works with various youth groups, and visits children in hospitals. He is a role model for the youth of America and a credit to Majoe League Baseball.

Event covers are sometimes rare for me to do. This monumental moment in sports, however diserved a philatelic tribute on the day it occurred. The cover will for ever be a tribute to Mark McGwire, the unforgettable 1998 season, and his incredible new record -- 70 home runs.

Collins Cover Announcement 

Mark McGwire H Hits "70" in 1998

Important Note: In September of 1995 when the Postal Service honored Cal Ripkin, Jr. with a special postmark for breaking Lou Gehrig's record for "most consecutive games played," I decided to produce a Collins Cover. They were such a hit that they sold out immediately. Now they are rarely seen on the open market and then only at much higher prices. My point is that the spectacular cover I am offering today is one that you do not want to miss owning. You can expect a very quick sell-out, so please order at least one right away. This is a Collins you won't want to miss.

Season Home Run Record Shattered

The immortal Babe Ruth held the Major League home run record for thirty-one years with 60. Then, in 1961, Roger Maris came along and hit 61. That record stood for another thirty-seven years until now.

Think about it. For sixty-eight years, the best hitters in baseball have been trying to hit more homers than 60 or 61, and they could not do it. Until now.

Suddenly, a powerful athlete with a mighty swing not only breaks the old record--he shatters it! Seventy home runs in one season. If 61 lasted for thirty-seven years, how long will 70 stand up? It could be a very, very long time. I sensed that this moment would be a magic one in American baseball and sports history. Not just for this year but probably for many years to come. It deserved to be recorded and honored on a cover for our hobby. Mark McGwire deserved the philatelic recognition for his incredible feat. The Collins event cover I offer today will preserve the special day of September 27, 1998 forever with a postally documented cachet created on the actually day that Mark McGwire hit his final two homers to set the new record at 70!

This Collins has the potential of becoming the most sought-after baseball cover ever.

The Quest Begins

Webster defines "quest" as a pursuit to obtain something. What I wanted to obtain for Collins collectors was a baseball/sports cover that would be a supreme collectible. I wanted to obtain a cover that would be canceled on "THE" day that the 37-year old "Most Home Runs in a Season" record was established. Not only would the long-standing record of Roger Maris be broken--it would be shattered!

Two giants of the game, Mark McGwire of the Cardinals and Sammy Sosa of the Cubs, were locked in a daily battle in the home run derby. Would the new home run champ be "Slammin' Sammy" or "Big Mac?" And, when would the official record be established? Whatever the outcome, a magnificent collectible deserved and, in fact, needed to be made to record this magic moment in American sports and baseball history. I decided that a very special Collins cover was a must'

Put yourself in my position. Most games were at night, so in order to get a cancel for the day of record, it had to be obtained prior to game time as the Post Office closes at 5 p.m. Also, of course, it was impossible to predetermine when the record would be set. Who knows, Mark and Sammy both may have gone homerless in their final week of play. Unlikely--but definitely possible. What would be a reasonable strategy?

After considerable thought, I decided to commit to the final five games of the season. Each day I would have the envelopes postmarked in Hewitt, the hometown of Collins Covers, and then wait until the evening game times when the two mighty power hitters would continue their assault on the record books. If a new final record wasn't established during those last five games, I would be stuck with many wasted stamps and envelopes, but the gamble was one I eagerly wanted to take. Success would mean that one of the best-ever Collins cachets would come into existence. Let the quest begin.

Slammin' Sammy hit two home runs against the Milwaukee Brewers to tie Mark McGwire at 65 each for the season. Earlier that day, I had the first batch of covers canceled, and I could now breathe easier . If neither man hit another home run the rest of the way, I had my covers for the day the unprecedented tie was created