Our members are as diverse as the collections they build. The Close-Up is published every 4-8
weeks and takes a look at one members' collection as well as the person and stories behind it.
weeks and takes a look at one members' collection as well as the person and stories behind it.
Michael Dodd
What got you collecting as a kid? What was the hot thing to collect then?
I guess my collecting started in 1965 when my father took me to my first Seattle Angels (PCL)
baseball game. He bought me a program, gave me a pen, and sent me down behind the dugout
to get autographs. I remember that the players were nice and many signed for me. My two
primary targets were Rick Reichardt and Ed Kirkpatrick, minor league stars for the California
Angels. In addition, he purchased me a box of popcorn, which was able to convert into a
megaphone. Included in the box was a small photograph of a Seattle Angels ballplayer, today
known as a popcorn card. But when I really caught the collecting bug was in 1968, when other
kids in the neighborhood gave me their Topps baseball duplicates. Baseball cards would be the
“hot” collectible at the time. Packs were available in the grocery store, Ben Franklins and in the
concession stand at the Little League ball field.
What’s the most destructive thing you’ve ever done with/to a collectible?
We used to put our baseball cards in the spokes of our bikes; I loved the noise it would make. I also used to write on or mark my
cards; condition was never a concern at the time. Also, I have a Don James autograph on a football commemorating the 1991 Rose
Bowl. I got some water on the ball; I tried to wipe it off and smeared his autograph.
What’s the one thing you sold or gave away that you really regret and wish you could get back?
When I reached my teenage years, collecting wasn’t considered cool, I can remember tossing away most of my card collection,
including burning ’66 & ’67 Mantles and Mays’ in the fireplace. I threw away hundreds of 1965 Topps football cards, and the afore-
mentioned Seattle Angels programs and popcorn cards. I’d love to have all those items back.
What’s the one thing you own now that you wouldn’t sell for all the money in the world and what’s the story
behind it?
That would probably be my 1947 Signal Gasoline card of Jo Jo White (Seattle Rainiers), it was a Christmas gift from my father. He
bought it at Gasoline Alley. It’s such a neat looking card and features the art of former major leaguer, Al Demaree.
What’s your favorite recent pickup and why?
I purchased a 1969 Baltimore Orioles vs. Seattle Pilots program. My goal is to have at least one program from each team the Pilots
played on the road. I’ve completed that quest, plus I have one program from every home series.
What got you collecting as a kid? What was the hot thing to collect then?
I guess my collecting started in 1965 when my father took me to my first Seattle Angels (PCL)
baseball game. He bought me a program, gave me a pen, and sent me down behind the dugout
to get autographs. I remember that the players were nice and many signed for me. My two
primary targets were Rick Reichardt and Ed Kirkpatrick, minor league stars for the California
Angels. In addition, he purchased me a box of popcorn, which was able to convert into a
megaphone. Included in the box was a small photograph of a Seattle Angels ballplayer, today
known as a popcorn card. But when I really caught the collecting bug was in 1968, when other
kids in the neighborhood gave me their Topps baseball duplicates. Baseball cards would be the
“hot” collectible at the time. Packs were available in the grocery store, Ben Franklins and in the
concession stand at the Little League ball field.
What’s the most destructive thing you’ve ever done with/to a collectible?
We used to put our baseball cards in the spokes of our bikes; I loved the noise it would make. I also used to write on or mark my
cards; condition was never a concern at the time. Also, I have a Don James autograph on a football commemorating the 1991 Rose
Bowl. I got some water on the ball; I tried to wipe it off and smeared his autograph.
What’s the one thing you sold or gave away that you really regret and wish you could get back?
When I reached my teenage years, collecting wasn’t considered cool, I can remember tossing away most of my card collection,
including burning ’66 & ’67 Mantles and Mays’ in the fireplace. I threw away hundreds of 1965 Topps football cards, and the afore-
mentioned Seattle Angels programs and popcorn cards. I’d love to have all those items back.
What’s the one thing you own now that you wouldn’t sell for all the money in the world and what’s the story
behind it?
That would probably be my 1947 Signal Gasoline card of Jo Jo White (Seattle Rainiers), it was a Christmas gift from my father. He
bought it at Gasoline Alley. It’s such a neat looking card and features the art of former major leaguer, Al Demaree.
What’s your favorite recent pickup and why?
I purchased a 1969 Baltimore Orioles vs. Seattle Pilots program. My goal is to have at least one program from each team the Pilots
played on the road. I’ve completed that quest, plus I have one program from every home series.
What do you have the hardest time with as far as your collection goes?
Finding enough room to display and store everything.
Do you have any short or long term collecting goals or do you just buy
what you like with no real rhyme or reason?
I’m always looking for items related to the Seattle Pilots and Seattle Angels. I’m looking
to find every 8x10 black and white glossy press photo of players and coaches from those
teams. I’m working on a complete run of popcorn cards from 1965 through 1968 (Seattle
Angels). In addition, I’m building Topps football and baseball sets from the ‘50s & ‘60s. I
also collect items related to Brooks Robinson and Roman Gabriel.
Do you have a “white whale”? If so, what is it?
I’m attempting to build a ‘master’ set of the Topps 1969 baseball cards. I have every
variation except card number 567, the Pirates Rookie Stars. SCD has the variation listed
with “no black outline in the title letters.” I’ve never seen this version.
What’s the best interaction/story you have (if any) about a pro athlete you
have met?
It was around 1970, I was with my family shopping at the House of Values in Bellevue. My
mother sent me to go find my brother who had wandered away. While I was looking for him
I spotted Lenny Wilkens, player/coach for the Sonics. I ran back to my mom, she asked if I had found my brother, I said no but that I found
Lenny Wilkens! She gave me a pen and paper and I went back and got his autograph. In 1974, my baseball coach had an affiliation with
Seattle University, so we were able to have practices in their facilities. After practice we had access to the swimming pool, so most of the
team would go swimming. My teammate and I preferred to play basketball, so we would go to the gym where usually some of the SU
players would be shooting around. One time Slick Watts was there with a few Sonics. We challenged Slick to 2 on 1. I remember the
knock on Watts at the time was that he couldn’t shoot, against us he didn’t miss. I guess our defense isn’t as tough as Walt Frazier?
What is your favorite sports moment you have witnessed (doesn’t have to be in the flesh)?
I’ve attended many exciting games including Gaylord Perry’s 300th victory, the Seahawks first playoff game against the Broncos, and both
Seahawks NFC championship games. However, my favorite would have to be game 5 of the ALDS series in 1995 against the New York
Yankees, when Edgar Martinez doubled to drive in Joey Cora and Ken Griffey, Jr. I was at that game with my dad, and it was so electric.
The loudest crowd roar I’ve ever heard was when Griffey was rounding third base heading for home. Our seats were in Section 109, behind
home plate, so we had a great view of that play unfolding. Those seats are a part of my collection I bought them when they tore down the
Kingdome.
Through the years, how have your views on your collection and collecting in general changed?
I’m no longer interested in collecting new card releases, and condition of the items I purchase is more of a consideration.
Close-Up Archives
Les Bretthauer
Bill Cohon
Mark Clatterbuck
Ray Cardwell
Finding enough room to display and store everything.
Do you have any short or long term collecting goals or do you just buy
what you like with no real rhyme or reason?
I’m always looking for items related to the Seattle Pilots and Seattle Angels. I’m looking
to find every 8x10 black and white glossy press photo of players and coaches from those
teams. I’m working on a complete run of popcorn cards from 1965 through 1968 (Seattle
Angels). In addition, I’m building Topps football and baseball sets from the ‘50s & ‘60s. I
also collect items related to Brooks Robinson and Roman Gabriel.
Do you have a “white whale”? If so, what is it?
I’m attempting to build a ‘master’ set of the Topps 1969 baseball cards. I have every
variation except card number 567, the Pirates Rookie Stars. SCD has the variation listed
with “no black outline in the title letters.” I’ve never seen this version.
What’s the best interaction/story you have (if any) about a pro athlete you
have met?
It was around 1970, I was with my family shopping at the House of Values in Bellevue. My
mother sent me to go find my brother who had wandered away. While I was looking for him
I spotted Lenny Wilkens, player/coach for the Sonics. I ran back to my mom, she asked if I had found my brother, I said no but that I found
Lenny Wilkens! She gave me a pen and paper and I went back and got his autograph. In 1974, my baseball coach had an affiliation with
Seattle University, so we were able to have practices in their facilities. After practice we had access to the swimming pool, so most of the
team would go swimming. My teammate and I preferred to play basketball, so we would go to the gym where usually some of the SU
players would be shooting around. One time Slick Watts was there with a few Sonics. We challenged Slick to 2 on 1. I remember the
knock on Watts at the time was that he couldn’t shoot, against us he didn’t miss. I guess our defense isn’t as tough as Walt Frazier?
What is your favorite sports moment you have witnessed (doesn’t have to be in the flesh)?
I’ve attended many exciting games including Gaylord Perry’s 300th victory, the Seahawks first playoff game against the Broncos, and both
Seahawks NFC championship games. However, my favorite would have to be game 5 of the ALDS series in 1995 against the New York
Yankees, when Edgar Martinez doubled to drive in Joey Cora and Ken Griffey, Jr. I was at that game with my dad, and it was so electric.
The loudest crowd roar I’ve ever heard was when Griffey was rounding third base heading for home. Our seats were in Section 109, behind
home plate, so we had a great view of that play unfolding. Those seats are a part of my collection I bought them when they tore down the
Kingdome.
Through the years, how have your views on your collection and collecting in general changed?
I’m no longer interested in collecting new card releases, and condition of the items I purchase is more of a consideration.
Close-Up Archives
Les Bretthauer
Bill Cohon
Mark Clatterbuck
Ray Cardwell