No Surprise: The A's Flub the Final Giveaway

Tonight, Collectors, we say goodbye to the Oakland Coliseum, as the A’s play their final game in a city they’ve called home since 1968.

The franchise has been plagued by stingy owners and head-scratching decisions from leadership, so it’s no surprise fans think the team is bungling the final game giveaway.

Fans in attendance will get a replica of the Coliseum, but instead of being handed the collectible on the way in, they’ll be given a voucher that can only be redeemed after the 7th inning on the way out of the ballpark, potentially causing many to miss the final outs for the franchise.

Is this another miscalculation by team leadership, or are they trying to avoid 25,000 plastic stadiums getting tossed onto the field in protest as the sun sets on Oakland’s team?

We’ll find out tonight.

Kraft All-In On Brady Action, Er, Auction

Sotheby’s and Fanatics joined forces on Tuesday for their “Holy Grails” auction. A number of cards lived up to the billing, including a 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig, a record breaking Shohei Ohtani rookie auto, and a LeBron James RPA. One bidder turned heads away from the rest – Patriots Owner Robert Kraft, who dished out $120,000 for a Tom Brady 2000 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Autograph. It’s possible Kraft felt a little pressure to bid high… his old pal Brady sat next to him as bidding closed.

The Boston Globe covered the final moments of the auction.

50-Year Wait For 500 Diamonds Worth Millions

An 18th century necklace comprised of 500 diamonds is heading to auction with Sotheby’s in November. While little is known of the necklace’s origin, it’s been traced to the French Revolution, and its diamonds are linked to a scandalous necklace that triggered the death of Marie Antoinette. The piece was worn at the coronations of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, but has otherwise been hidden from the public since the 1970s.

CBS News pieced together the necklace’s illusive history.

A Tuxedo They Couldn’t Refuse…

The complete tuxedo worn by Marlon Brando in the iconic opening of “The Godfather” sold Saturday for $106,000 with Studio Auctions. Originally, this tux came from Brando’s personal collection. The Hollywood icon refused to be fitted, and after the scene wrapped, the tuxedo was mistakenly withheld by costume designers for future use. If the winning bidder feels the urge to try it on… they should keep it to themself. The Don said to never tell anyone outside the family what you’re thinking. 

JustCollecting has the auction recap.

Time Is On Brad Pitt’s Side

Brad Pitt is used to turning heads in paparazzi pics, but of late, eagle-eyed watch fans are gawking at the actor’s wrists. Over the last year he’s been spotted in a highly collectible Vacheron Constantin 222 (pictured above), and earlier this summer, Pitt sported a rare IWC Ingenieur that sent watch Twitter into a frenzy. The vintage piece played right into his latest movie character, a retired F1 driver who begins training a rookie.

GQ broke down their favorites from Pitt’s collection.