Zaziri said he was taken aback by the low interest for Bonds items, even though the great home-run hitter has been linked to steroid rumors. He said sales remain low for the controversial star, as he attempts to tie and break the home-run record with the Giants, who play at the Los Angeles Dodgers and then at San Diego over the next six days, starting today.
Zaziri had a reason to be surprised. Usually when athletes are on the cusp of a momentous achievement, the memorabilia for that athlete sells, he said. Just as when Mark McGwire was in the hunt to break the single-season home run record in 1998.
"When someone gets to the point of breaking a record, you will see people come in and buy that rookie card," Zaziri said. "I haven't sold rookie cards on Bonds. I haven't sold anything on Bonds. Nothing."
A glove signed by Bonds for $600 remains unsold at the Card Zone, Zaziri said, and he would be surprised if anyone bought it.
There's not much action for Bonds at LCG Signatures in Newport Beach, either.
On the contrary, sales for Aaron items have picked up recently, store owner Randy Pollock said. Vintage telegrams, reporting Aaron breaking Babe Ruth's record signed by the current home-run record holder, are popular.
But still nothing Barry. Well, not necessarily. Pollock said he did sell one Bonds item.
"Interestingly enough, we had one large framed piece [of Bonds] that we sold to a chain of stores in the Bay Area," Pollock said. "His stuff is not really being sold. It wouldn't be if it wasn't for the stores in the Bay Area. I guess the Bay Area people still love him."
