The demand for Mariano Rivera-signed memorabilia will soar now that baseball’s career saves leader has become the first player elected unanimously to the sport’s Hall of Fame.
Rivera, who helped lead the New York Yankees to five World Series, on Tuesday was named on all 425 of the ballots cast by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, eclipsing the previous record of 99.3 percent garnered by Ken Griffey Jr. three years ago.
“The unanimous part is what takes it to another level,” said Brandon Steiner, founder of Steiner Sports Marketing, which has a deal with Rivera. “It’s constant flow because he’s one of the greats. He carries over not only in New York, but all over the country. People love collecting Yankees.”
Rivera, along with Mike Mussina, Edgar Martinez and the late Roy Halladay, will be inducted into the Cooperstown, New York, Hall of Fame on July 21.
Rivera is remembered as perhaps the greatest closer in baseball history. He appeared in a record 96 postseason games, posting a 0.70 earned-run average and collecting 42 saves.
Steiner said Rivera is “head and shoulders” above the typical Hall of Famer, saying, for example, he’d sell at least twice as much merchandise as Cal Ripken Jr.
On the Steiner Sports website, a signed baseball inscribed “HOF 2019” is being sold for $599.99. A signed jersey with the Hall of Fame logo patch and inscribed “HOF 2019” goes for $1,099.99.
“Mo,” said Steiner, using the player’s nickname, “is a must-have collectible. He’s the greatest of all time.”
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.