In early 2008, Billy Crystal did what others can only dream about. On March 12, 2008 he signed a minor league baseball contract, and played for one day for the New York Yankees during spring training. He wore uniform number 60, to mark his 60th birthday. On March 13th, he led off a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and actually fouled off a pitch. He was released the next day. Legendary performer Frank Sinatra was a train collector. His Palm Springs house was filled with miniature trains primarily of Lionel and LGB styles. The most unusual piece in his collection was an Italian wooden train made by the Elina Company, presented to him as a gift from the Vatican. His collection also included photographs of steam engines as well as framed paintings. His Palm Springs house, including his train collection was eventually sold to Canadian businessman Jim Pattison.  Country Music Hall of Famer Dolly Parton collects butterflies. Other celebrities collect other type of items. Angelina Jolie collects knives; Rosie O'Donnell collects McDonald's toys; Dolly Parton, butterflies; John Travolta, aviation memorabilia; Demi Moore, dolls and vintage clothing; Barbara Mandrell, autographed books; Jay Leno, motorcycles and automobiles; Robin Leach, marine paperweights; Patty Duke, beanie babies; Johnny Depp, insects and rare books; Jamie Lee Curtis, photographs; Norm Crosby, elephant items; and Celine Dion, shoes. And then you have some predictable collections. Dick Clark, the "World's Oldest Teenager," collects rock & roll memorabilia. Ivana Trump has a crystal collection, and Elvira collects Gothic items. One of Elvira's most unusual items is a bat skeleton given to her by Nicolas Cage. Nearly everyone collects something, and celebrities are no different. Quite often they will help each other add to their collection. Take, for example, Richard Karn, from the television sitcom Home Improvement. Karn loves to play golf, and as a result, collects celebrity-signed golf balls. He has golf balls signed by Bob Hope, Gerald Ford, and Arnold Palmer. One time he approached professional golfer Phil Mickelson to sign a golf ball. Mickelson refused to do so, but after being told by his wife that it was Karn who made the request, Mickelson ran up to Karn and signed the ball. Sometimes it's wise to be nice to be a celebrity. Jots From Jeff… Lionel Carter, one of the pioneer baseball card collectors of all time, died recently. With baseball in its off-season, look for items in the next few months of Josh Hamilton, Carlos Zambrano, and Cliff Lee. With Rickey Henderson a sure bet to make the Hall of Fame next year, try to acquire some of his items as well. Even though the economy is flat, auctions are enjoying record times. Collectors are not bidding on as many items, but paying more for the items they want. Don't forget to stock up on political items. They are always in demand in years to come. And then there is the case of a postal worker in Maine who was fined and given a suspended jail sentence for stealing a vintage Christy Christy Mathewson Cracker Jack card. The postal worker pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of theft of lost or mislaid property. His defense? He suffered from an addiction to baseball cards. Jeff Figler is one of the nation's most prodigious and astute collectors. The San Diego Union-Tribune called his collection one part Baseball Hall of Fame one part Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and one part Smithsonian West. He lives in San Diego and St. Louis with his wife, Linda, and can be reached at
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