Athletics: Crosby’s Baker finds himself in the midst of memory heaven – Brainerd Dispatch

CROSBY — Caleb Baker called it divine intervention.

That’s the only way I could describe how he came to be part of the best-selling basketball card in history.

A 1961-62 Fleer Wilt Chamberlain card, which sold Wednesday, Sept. 4, for $1.7 million, came into Baker’s possession about three weeks ago. The owner discovered it in a drawer at an old grocery store. The name of the store and the name of the owner are being kept secret, but what happened next is not.

Baker is the owner of DK’s Sports Cards in Crosby, which just celebrated its third anniversary. The business venture was a way to turn a hobby into a profession, but not even Baker dreamed of coming into contact with the most expensive vintage basketball card ever sold.

“Somehow, I held my own professionally,” Baker said. “I didn’t waver. I pulled (the card) out and held it in my bare hand. I was looking at it and I thought this card was going to change my life, the client’s life, and a lot of people involved. I just told the guy, ‘We’re going to get this graded. We’re going to ship it overnight, we’re going to get it insured, we’re going to get it to SGC Grading in Florida and they’re going to take care of this for us. ’ As soon as I told him the process of what we were going to do, he was gone. I went to my grandma’s house and started grilling and honestly, I started crying. Just the gravity of what this was and what it could become, ultimately what it became, was starting to set in. I don’t know if overwhelming is the word, but just overwhelmed with emotions of happiness, nervousness, and excitement all rolled into one big thing. I was really in the moment the whole time.”

According to Ben Burrows of Per Cllct, the newly sold card is the only SGC-graded 10 Chamberlain card in existence. The highest price previously paid for a Chamberlain rookie card was $670,000 for a PSA-graded 9 card in 2022.

Baker had seen similar cards of the 7-foot-10 center who played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia and San Francisco Warriors before, but none of them were rated a 10 or the best possible grade, which is what his card received. His prior knowledge helped him appreciate the moment he was in and how crazy the story was going to be.

“It’s been in a grocery store for the last 60 years,” Baker said. “From the looks of it, it was in a drawer or a cabinet. People say it’s one in a million and that doesn’t even come close to describing the chances of all this. It’s not a once in a lifetime thing. It’s way, way beyond that. It was a once in a million chance that if you opened a package in 1961, that thing would be rated a 10. So, being a 10 after 63 years of exposure to any kind of elements. If you open the drawer a little roughly, that can knock the card off.”

“There are so many details in this story that make it truly incredible. Throughout the entire process, I relied on my faith and I truly believe that God intervened in this whole situation because none of this makes sense. (The card) shouldn’t exist, but it does and it happened.”

Baker’s connection to the seller began with his relationship with Laura Bisted of Sports Card Central in Brainerd. Bisted only sold sports cards, but did not buy them. Instead, she dealt Baker’s cards to those who were interested in selling vintage collections or individual cards.

One of those sellers was the owner of the Chamberlain card.

“The original seller of the card must have had my number for a few years because, sadly, Laura passed away almost a year and a half ago,” Baker said. “She must have had my number for quite a while and the guy finally called me to take care of some stuff. I had some cards graded for him. He was happy with the process and how honest and upfront I was with him on certain things. Then he brought me to Wilt, the big daddy, probably three weeks ago, maybe a month ago.”

Baker sent the card in for grading and received a 10, which surprised him. Even before it received a 10, Baker was getting calls from big-name investors and card sellers. Baker and the anonymous seller turned down those offers and decided to go to auction with the card. They never did. As soon as Baker picked up the card, the eventual buyer contacted him with the offer of $1.7 million. Despite being under contract with Goldin Auctions, the sale went through because the buyer knew Goldin’s owner.

Baker has worked with high-dollar cards before. His previous high-dollar card was a Luka Doncic Prizm Mojo rookie card, which fetched between $60,000 and $80,000 in trade.

“That was the largest amount by far,” Baker said. “Other than that, I move a lot of cards between $30 and $300. Occasionally, a few cards in the thousands of dollars add up.”

Baker, who is married with two children, won’t walk away a millionaire, but said this week’s news will position his children’s future, pay off debts and set up a retirement plan. From a career standpoint, the transaction could be huge.

“I think any exposure for business is good,” Baker said. “You’re putting your image out there. A lot of what I do is relationship-based. It’s about who you know and the deals you’ve closed. I guess this brings me to a different level of recognition. That will help me get my foot in some doors I never would have thought possible.”

Baker said that beyond autographed cards or cards with special patches, the Chamberlain card is the best basketball card of all time. It is comparable to the Honus Wagner baseball card.

“When you talk about the best cards, the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card is up there with the best, and now this Wilt Chamberlain card that shouldn’t even exist, but does, capitulated to that same kind of discussion,” Baker said. “This will be talked about for a long time.”

Baker compared the past three weeks to not just winning the Super Bowl, but winning the Super Bowl every year of his career.

You can reach JEREMY MILLSOP at 218-855-5856 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jeremymillsop.