For many, a trip to Goodwill is a chance to peruse an eclectic mix of items, hoping to add some character to their households without breaking the bank. Sniffing out a bargain is a bit like panning for gold—every rare find feels like a small victory. For Christopher Kidney, a gentleman from Flemingsburg, Kentucky, this routine outing transformed into a glorious jackpot of sports memorabilia that any enthusiast would envy.
Walking the aisles of his local Goodwill, Kidney discovered a humble selection of items that would soon reveal themselves to be treasures of the sporting world. With a budget-friendly spree resulting in less than a $20 dent in his wallet, Kidney scored an entire collection of autographed baseball memorabilia. Among these were signed cards from baseball giants like CC Sabathia, Don Mattingly, Chuck Knoblauch, and even a Super Bowl XLII card bearing the signature of Plaxico Burress. However, the pièce de résistance was a baseball signed by none other than the legendary Yogi Berra.
For anyone who has ever filled their time with America’s favorite pastime, Yogi Berra is hardly a forgettable name. Known as much for his humor-laden “Yogi-isms” as his formidable talent on the field, Berra’s legacy was cemented with an induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. Over the course of his career, Berra claimed a staggering ten World Series titles with the New York Yankees—a record that endures to this day. The mere idea of finding a baseball ornamented with his autograph languishing on a thrift-store shelf is not merely a stroke of luck—it’s a miraculous relic for any collector.
Given such an extraordinary find, Kidney felt the need to share. Taking to Reddit, he shared his astounding discovery with a post titled: “Incredible, still shaking.” The topic struck a chord, rapidly going viral and gathering over 1,500 upvotes alongside an avalanche of comments from awestruck sports enthusiasts and collectors alike.
“It’s a sheer stroke of luck that your Goodwill didn’t price these close to online values,” quipped one astute commentator, while others expressed a delicious mix of envy and congratulatory joy. “My brother, who deals in sports memorabilia, is ecstatic on your behalf, while also green with envy!” remarked another.
In a twist of serendipity, this wasn’t even Kidney’s first time unearthing a gem from the depths of thrift store aisles. Earlier this very month, he stumbled upon a signed 1949 book by Honus Wagner for the princely sum of $1.59. Wagner’s signature is a rare and esteemed find, given his revered status in baseball’s pantheon. Reflecting on this, Kidney noted, “Finding one of the greatest baseball player’s signatures for that price was beyond belief. I often think my late grandfather—who worked with legendary teams like the Reds and Cardinals—manages to guide me towards these rare finds from somewhere beyond.”
Despite the financial gains—selling his Goodwill haul for over $500—Christopher Kidney remained genuinely moved by the entire experience, quick to point to the personal bonds that underpinned this fortunate event. “I wouldn’t be where I am without my family,” he stressed. “My beloved wife Ashley, along with my best friends Brad and Christopher Davisson, have always been there, supporting me.”
For Kidney, the thrill is in the hunt and the connections each find can incite. The collectors’ world intertwines passionately with history, nostalgia, and community bonds. This journey is less about pitching wallets against the lure of limited items and more about the thrilling discovery that underpins each serendipitous moment. Each find, tucked away between worn cookbooks or faded suits, is a tangible reminder that sometimes sports history or cherished memorabilia is just an aisle away, proving that the next trip to Goodwill could hold treasures waiting for their next chapter.
