Appraisals for
Professional Athlete
Families
Protect and document high-value sports collections for estate planning, insurance coverage, and long-term stewardship. Work directly with Lead PSA Grader Michael Osacky for independent valuation defined by clear separation from sales, discretion, and proven credibility.
Independent Sports Appraisals,
Across All Major Sports
Michael Osacky
with his grandfather
Baseball in the Attic is an independent sports appraisal practice run by Michael Osacky — USPAP-compliant, ISA-accredited, and Lead Appraiser at PSA, the world’s largest third-party grading and authentication company for sports cards and memorabilia.
Michael provides formal, written appraisals for everything from insurance and estate planning to donation and legal matters. Each appraisal reflects a lifelong passion for the hobby, paired with the rigor and independence required for serious valuation.
Recent Valuations
Item
Brooklyn Tigers vs. Washington Redskins Program 11/12/1944
Type
Football Memorabilia
Year
1944
Appraisal Value:
$225
Item
1948 Leaf #1 Joe DiMaggio
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1948
Appraisal Value:
$1,500
Item
Fleer #57 Michael Jordan Rookie
Type
Basketball Card
Year
1986
Appraisal Value:
$225,000
Item
Walter Payton Signed Jersey (PSA/DNA)
Type
Football Memorabilia
Year
-
Appraisal Value:
$4,000
Item
Cracker Jack #65 Tris Speaker
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1914
Appraisal Value:
$3,500
Item
Cracker Jack #65 Tris Speaker
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
1914
Appraisal Value:
$3,500
Item
Topps #123 Sandy Koufax PSA 7
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1955
Appraisal Value:
$7,500
Item
T3 Turkey Red Nap Lajoie (Checklist Back)
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1911
Appraisal Value:
$2,300
Item
New York Yankees World Series Champions Team Signed Baseball (JSA)
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
1932
Appraisal Value:
$15,000
Item
New York Yankees World Series Champions Team Signed Baseball (JSA)
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
1932
Appraisal Value:
$15,000
Item
Oakland A’s World Champions Trophy
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
1973
Appraisal Value:
Private
Item
Jackie Robinson Single Signed Baseball (JSA)
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
-
Appraisal Value:
$8,000
Item
Topps #25 Lew Alcindor PSA 7
Type
Basketball Card
Year
1969
Appraisal Value:
$4,000
Item
Topps Complete Set (250)
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1954
Appraisal Value:
$6,000
Item
Goudey #53 Babe RuthSGC 3
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1933
Appraisal Value:
$14,000
Item
T206 Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder SGC 2.5
Type
Baseball Card
Year
-
Appraisal Value:
$4,500
Item
Roy Campanella Single Signed Baseball (Pre-Accident)
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
-
Appraisal Value:
$35,000
Item
Panini Flawless Triple Logoman #TLM-JAE Jokic/Antetokounmpo/Embiid 1/1
Type
Basketball Card
Year
2022
Appraisal Value:
$100,000
Item
Topps Basketball #77 Bill Russell PSA 5
Type
Basketball Card
Year
1957
Appraisal Value:
$6,500
Item
Cy Young Signed Baseball
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
-
Appraisal Value:
$40,000
Item
University of Illinois Homecoming Pin
Type
Football Memorabilia
Year
1924
Appraisal Value:
$300
Item
Jackie Robinson Signed Check
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
-
Appraisal Value:
$4,250
Item
Michael Jordan Air Jordan 1 Game Used & Signed Sneakers
Type
Basketball Memorabilia
Year
1985-1987
Appraisal Value:
Private
Item
Michael Jordan Air Jordan 1 Game Used & Signed Sneakers
Type
Basketball Memorabilia
Year
1985-1987
Appraisal Value:
Private
Item
Babe Ruth Signed Program PSA/DNA AUTO 9
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
-
Appraisal Value:
$6,000
Item
Heisman Trophy Award (Pre-1970s)
Type
Football Memorabilia
Year
Pre-1970s
Appraisal Value:
Undisclosed
Item
Babe Ruth Signed Baseball
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
-
Appraisal Value:
$150,000
Item
Immaculate Logoman Signed Kobe Bryant BGS 9.5 1/1
Type
Basketball Card
Year
2014-2015
Appraisal Value:
$500,000+
Item
National Chicle #1 Dutch Clark PSA 8
Type
Football Card
Year
1935
Appraisal Value:
$30,000
Item
National Chicle #1 Dutch Clark PSA 8
Type
Football Card
Year
1935
Appraisal Value:
$30,000
Item
Los Angeles Dodgers NL Champions Ring
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
1978
Appraisal Value:
$4,500
Item
Tip Top Bread Honus Wagner PSA 2
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1910
Appraisal Value:
$125,000
Item
Panini NFL Immaculate Unopened Box
Type
Football Memorabilia
Year
2018
Appraisal Value:
$3,500
Item
Babe Ruth Double Signed Bowling Scoresheet (PSA/DNA)
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
-
Appraisal Value:
$13,500
Item
Fleer Ultra Football Hobby Box
Type
Football Memorabilia
Year
2000
Appraisal Value:
$750
Item
Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle VG (O/C)
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1951
Appraisal Value:
$10,000
Item
Beijing Olympics Basketball Gold Medal
Type
Basketball Memorabilia
Year
2018
Appraisal Value:
Private
Item
Post Cereal #109 Sandy Koufax (Canadian)
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
1962
Appraisal Value:
$275
Item
Jordan 4 Retro Oregon Ducks “Duckman”
Type
Basketball Memorabilia
Year
2013
Appraisal Value:
$10,500
Item
N173 Old Judge Detroit Deacon White
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1888
Appraisal Value:
$20,000
Item
Super Bowl LI Championship Ring Presented to Significant Player
Type
Football Memorabilia
Year
2017
Appraisal Value:
Private
Item
World Series Game 4 Full Ticket (Ty Cobb World Series Home Debut)
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
1907
Appraisal Value:
$30,000
Valuations
A Professional Appraisal for Collections
With Legacy and Long-Term Value
High-value athlete family collections represent both public legacy and private family history. A professional appraisal supports long-term stewardship, documentation, and protection — ensuring assets are accurately valued and managed with care, not positioned for immediate sale.
Why Athlete Family Collections Require a Higher Standard of Valuation
High-value collections carry greater risk if improperly documented or inconsistently valued. Incorrect assumptions, incomplete records, or inadequate insurance coverage can create exposure. Accurate, defensible valuation ensures consistency, credibility, and protection over time.
When a Formal Appraisal
Is Needed
A formal appraisal is often required for estate planning, insurance scheduling, coverage documentation, claims support, trust planning, and long-term asset management. Clear documentation provides advisors with the foundation needed for responsible oversight.
Meet Michael, the
“Dean of Cracker Jack Baseball Cards”
Michael Osacky.
PSA’s Lead Appraiser, USPAP-compliant, Accredited Member of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA)
Michael Osacky’s love for the hobby began with a shoebox of baseball cards passed down from his grandfather — cards tucked away, saved carefully, and cherished long before anyone thought about market value. That early spark grew into decades spent immersed in sports history, handling rare collections, and understanding how condition, context, and provenance shape worth. Today, he is known as the “Dean of Cracker Jack Baseball Cards,” a title given by Forbes Magazine, and is arguably the world’s leading sports memorabilia appraiser.
What Athlete Families Should Expect
From an Independent Appraisal
High-value collections require clear independence, professional discretion, and documented standards. The appraisal is structured to protect the family’s interests, eliminate conflicts of interest, and support responsible long-term stewardship.
Clear Independence From Buying or Selling
The appraisal is not tied to purchasing, brokering, consigning, or promoting the collection. There is no incentive to influence value in either direction — an essential safeguard for families accustomed to scrutiny and visibility.
Discretion and Controlled Communication
Sensitive details are handled with professional discretion and limited exposure. Communication is direct and purposeful, focused on documentation and scope, without unnecessary information circulation or informal discussions outside the engagement.
Credibility That Holds Up With Advisors
The written appraisal is prepared to be reviewed and relied upon by attorneys, CPAs, wealth managers, executors, and insurance professionals. Methodology and documentation are structured to withstand professional and regulatory scrutiny.
We Appraise Vintage Sports Cards, Autographs, Jerseys & More!
Sports
Cards
Game-Used Equipment
Autographed Memorabilia
Trophies
& Awards
Championship
Rings
Collections & Rare Finds
The Appraisal Process for Professional
Athlete Families
From initial consultation through final report, you work directly with Michael Osacky. Each step is clearly defined, with documented scope, controlled communication, and no intermediary sales involvement.
Step 1
Initial Consultation: Scope and Intent
The process begins with a direct conversation with Michael to define intended use — estate planning, insurance scheduling, trust oversight, or advisory review — and confirm collection categories and available documentation. The objective is clarity, not promotion.
Step 2
Comprehensive Collection Inspection and Valuation
Michael personally evaluates the collection to assess authenticity, grading status (if applicable), condition, rarity, provenance where relevant, and current market evidence. Valuations are developed in accordance with USPAP standards, ensuring consistency, documentation, and defensibility across all categories.
Step 3
Final Report:
Clear, Defensible Documentation
A formal written appraisal is prepared for estate, insurance, trust, and advisory use. The report is structured for review by attorneys, CPAs, wealth managers, and insurance professionals, and is not tied to purchasing the collection.
Benefits of a Formal Appraisal
for Athlete Family Collections
A formal appraisal provides a documented valuation that protects assets, supports responsible planning, and ensures collections are managed with professional accountability.
Proper Insurance Coverage and Risk Reduction
A documented appraisal establishes objective values, allowing items to be divided by documented worth, assigned equal shares, or sold with proceeds distributed fairly. Neutral valuation reduces confusion and promotes transparency among family members.
Estate Planning
and Long-Term Stewardship
A formal appraisal supports estate documentation, charitable donation valuation, and insurance coverage. The written report can be shared with attorneys, CPAs, executors, or financial advisors to ensure accurate reporting and coordinated planning.
Clarity for Advisors
and Family Decision-Making
Uncertainty about value often creates tension among heirs. An independent appraisal provides a neutral, professional reference point, reducing assumptions and uneven knowledge so families can move forward with clarity and mutual understanding.