Browsing around one can pick up the heaviest baseball ever, a shotput covered with a leather hide. Hanging on a book opposite the front door is a set of 1940s catcher's gear below it is a wooden club emblazoned "Louisville Bat Co." manufactured years before the company changed its named to "Louisville Slugger." Sheet music of various baseball songs including four of the five original copies of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," cover the walls.
Other rare treats include one of Charley Finley's orange baseballs, autographed by Vida Blue and an autographed glossy of Reggie Jackson in an Orioles uniform an item the itinerant slugger himself lacked until Kelly gave some to him.
Kelly shares with his customers the sentiment that baseball, and the artifacts which represent it are "priceless." So as many fans stop in with no intention of buying goods. Kelly displays many items he will never sell. Most of these lie in the Ted Williams alcove, a collection of Williams memorabilia larger than the Hall of Fame's.
A complete set of Fleer Ted Williams cards, all autographed highlights the three wall shrine dotted with framed newspapers and magazine covers marking milestones in the Splendid Splinter's career. Perhaps the most valuable item is Ted Williams official birth certificate, which Kelly secured through "intricate methods." Williams himself plans to stop in later this summer. Kelly says, because among other things, be wants to see the clock with his portrait on it. "It's one of the things he's never seen." Kelly explains.
Like DeLora, Kelly is in the business because he loves baseball. He grew up near Fenway Park and says he catches every single. Red Sox game either live or on the air.
His devotion, however sometimes spreads beyond traditional outlets. For example he is currently waging a campaign to get Pee Wee Reese named to the Hall of Fame when the Veteran's Committee considers the former Dodger shortstop early next year. Kelly is funding the drive by selling shirts and stickers declaring "PEE WEE BELONGS IN THE HALL."
So, perhaps, does Kelly's collection