In a small town in Kentucky, where treasure hunting typically involves digging through your old neighbor’s attic sales or perhaps stumbling upon a forgotten family relic, one man’s mundane trip to a local Goodwill store turned into a captivating headline straight out of a collector’s dream. Christopher Kidney of Flemingsburg wasn’t on an Indiana Jones-esque exploration of ancient ruins or historic battlegrounds; he was simply on a casual thrift store outing when he unearthed a trove of baseball treasures that had sports collectors buzzing with envy and excitement.
With under $20, Kidney amassed a significant collection of baseball memorabilia that included signed cards by notable players like CC Sabathia, Don Mattingly, and Chuck Knoblauch alongside a surprising find—a Super Bowl XLII card inked by Plaxico Burress, a crossover treat for both baseball and football fans alike. Yet, the true diamond among the thrifted pieces was a baseball autographed by none other than Yogi Berra, a name synonymous with baseball greatness and colorful quotes that transcend generations.
For some, the prospect of casually finding such a treasure would seem as likely as catching a foul ball during your first trip to a ballpark—probable but improbable to the point it feels like sheer magic when it happens. Kidney himself could hardly believe it, recalling the moment he realized what he had found: “When I saw the names on the cards, I could tell they were real based on the brand,” he recounted, riding the wave of excitement that such a discovery brings. Relying on a network of collectors that resemble a supporting cast of trusted advisers to his unexpected Indiana Jones role, Kidney authenticated the items and eventually sold them privately for a sum north of $500.
This exciting Goodwill jackpot quickly became a tale worth telling, taking a nod to one of the most iconic personalities in baseball—Yogi Berra. Known for both his skill as a catcher and his masterful Yogi-isms, Berra’s contribution to the sport does not fade with time. His name belongs in any conversation about baseball’s past, present, and perhaps even its future. The serendipitous finding of a ball signed by this icon, left unpretentiously among thrift store bric-a-brac, is like finding a van Gogh at a garage sale—simply mind-blowing.
Kidney reached out to his online community, like an explorer bringing news of uncharted land, sparking debate and envy in equal measure. His Reddit post, captioned with palpable enthusiasm as, “Incredible, still shaking,” went viral almost instantly. It gathered over 1,500 upvotes along with an avalanche of comments congratulating him, some peppered with humorous jealousy. “Thank goodness your Goodwill doesn’t have an in-house Googler pricing these near eBay comps,” one now-famous comment quipped. Others shared the envy and joy, echoing sentiments of being happy for Kidney, albeit with a tinge of green-eyed jealousy that comes with a collector’s uncontrollable desire for such finds.
While this remarkable discovery catapulted Kidney to the center stage of thrift store victories, this was not his maiden Goodwill voyage ending in triumph. Earlier in the month, Kidney unearthed a signed 1949 book by the legendary Honus Wagner, a name that inspires awe in baseball circles and whose memorabilia attracts significant respect and value. His discovery, made for a criminally low price of $1.59, reinforced the charm and potential for magic each trip to such stores holds.
However, in the whirlwind of dollar signs and the promise of fame among fellow collectors, Kidney’s story remains affectionately human. He took a moment to credit those in his immediate circle, showing gratitude to his family, particularly highlighting his wife Ashley, and his best friends, Brad and Christopher Davisson. In these words of appreciation lies the heart of the story—a tale not just about financial gain or memorabilia acquisitions but one that swells with genuine connection, the thrill of discovery, and the collective joy of sharing these moments with loved ones.
For Kidney, and all who frequent thrift stores, the adventure isn’t solely within the money exchanged over a lucky find; it’s the primal excitement of unearthing stories, discovering beauty in ordinary places, and sometimes, just sometimes, finding that immortal piece of history nestled quietly between dusty shelves. So the next time you find yourself perusing the aisles of a Goodwill, remember to look twice—you never know if you’re walking past the next hidden gem of baseball lore.
