The banner as Lot #11 (9/2011)

We last saw the Mike Schmidt Retired Number banner in September 2011, when it was part of Hunt Auctions monthly online auction. I featured it as a Collectible of the Week on this very page! At that point I reminisced about the days when it hung against the black tarp in left field at Veterans Stadium, and noted that it had originally been part of the 2003 Final Innings Sale. A truly unique item, hindered by its enormity. Despite it's size, the banner still managed to pull in a whopping $2,265 in that online auction.

Well, it's back...or, it was back. The banner popped up again as lot #163 in the Phillies Memorabilia Live Auction which was held this week at Citizens Bank Park. This time, it was paired with its fellow retired number banners for Richie Ashburn and Robin Roberts. I suspect the buyer couldn't find a place to "display it properly", or maybe they already had Ashburn and Roberts and decided to clear out some space. Who knows. Either way, the resale proved to provide a handsome profit for the 2011 buyer, as bidding ended at $2,900! A great investment, indeed.

The banner as Lot #163 (4/2013)