Cleveland Indians closer Chris Perez purchased 1927 Yankees Legendary Lineup autograph card

By Chris Olds | Editor

It’s often a story when a baseball card has an autograph of Babe Ruth or Lou Gehrig attached. It’s an even bigger story when it’s a card that has the autographs of all nine starters from the 1927 New York Yankees … and it sells for $20,000.

But the even bigger story here?

Cleveland Indians closer Chris Perez bought it.

You see, the fourth-year big-leaguer out of the University of Miami is a long-time fan and collector of the sport that he has made his life. And when he recently signed his first million-dollar big-league contract, it was time to splurge on something special.

“This is definitely a nice little gift I’m giving myself for my new contract,” said Perez on Friday from spring training in Goodyear, Ariz. “Some people buy cars, jewelry, houses. I wanted to buy something a little different.”

That something different was a one-of-one 2010 Topps Tribute Legendary Lineup Cuts booklet card with the signatures of Earle Combs, Mark Koenig, Ruth, Gehrig, Bob Meusel, Tony Lazzeri, Joe Dugan, Pat Collins and Waite Hoyt – all in one place. It was sold by Beckett Select Auctions the auction consignment division of Beckett Media, after it was found in a pack by a collector in Missouri.

“I have made some big purchases before,” he said. “But nothing of this magnitude.”

For an extensive interview with Perez about his new card — and his collecting habits — look for the April 2011 issue of Beckett Sports Card Monthly — “The Auction Issue” — in hobby shops next month.

Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an e-mail to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.