These were too weird to not grab -- and the bigger the better.

My latest item in this Collecting Game-used series is not game-used and they're a bit of a mystery, too, despite coming from a reputable source and straight from an NBA team.

The image above? Well, that kind of says it all -- it's a pair of Detroit Pistons Crocs made for the NBA Paris Game in 2023 -- but to put this one in perspective, well, just see the next image.

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Minor league cards can include some weird stuff ... stuff you wouldn't imagine to be found on a baseball card and here are five example of some oddities in this latest MiLB Madness series item. 

JUST MARVEL AT THIS ODDITY
The Card: Froggy, T-Bone & Juan Blancarte -- aka the "Team Leaders" -- 2014 Grandstand Bakersfield Blaze
The Buzz On This One: I feel like I need to make some catchy Grateful Dead reference here or something with how this trio sounds  (and the team name) but I'll play it straight and let it speak for itself -- this is a baseball card for a program salesman with an interesting story, a bus driver with a knack for landing free popcorn and a rookie clubhouse manager who makes sure his team is "well-fed, well-buttered and clean." Just read it (click for a closer view) ... it's a perfect minor-league oddity.

Keep reading for four more examples of weird baseball cards you can (almost) only find in MiLB.

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There are plenty of everyday kinds of game-used items out there that never show up on the auction block en masse, are rarely cut up and put into sports cards and rarely get autograph or authentication treatment or other attention.

But they are out there -- and they can pop up on the auction block often. Sometimes they can surprise you with how much they sell for -- stuff like champagne corks and bottles have been authenticated and stickered by some teams after championships. Then there are displays using confetti, pieces of floors, dirt, turf, nets ... they've nearly all shown up in cards, too.

But not this one? Nothing like my game-used Gatorade bottle ... at least that I know of. (Tell me if I missed those cards!)

You can keep reading to see the details ...

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The speculation and big business that will be Zion Williamson basketball cards this season and in the future is already apparent -- but in a negative way -- over on eBay.

How do we know? The sales of fake cards. Yes, fake cards.

Fleer, Gatorade, McDonald's, DC Comics, Marvel Comics and even Rated Rookie (on an opposing company's design) trademarks can be seen on Williamson cards not made or authorized by their respective owners -- and there's no compensation being made to owners of intellectual property of the Duke Blue Devils the NBA or the New Orleans Pelicans for the use of their logos and other legally protected intellectual property.

The memorable designs of the past like the 1986-87 Fleer set above -- owned by Upper Deck -- are also being absconded (though many designs aren't generally trademarked) and other notable athletes such as Michael Jordan and LeBron James -- guys whose image rights are also in high-dollar demand -- also are having their likenesses used without authorization (in NBA uniforms) to make money selling fake cardboard that's all over eBay. (Jordan is exclusive to Upper Deck for card appearances and his ink is also an exclusive there just like it is for James.) Photographers also aren't being compensated for the use of their work like they would be when card companies pay them or their employers to use images. Then there are "graded" cards with autographs attached, cards with facsimile autos in slabs and many cards in sealed holders emulating card companies' uncirculated efforts.

Right now, there are nearly 1,300 different active eBay auctions for "Zion Williamson" in the basketball cards category -- meanwhile just two legitimately authorized cards exist right now. Expand that search to all items and there's plenty more to be found.

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Future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning had a habit of sorts through the years that a collector just might find interesting -- and now it's part of a viral video ad campaign and tribute to the former Vols, Colts and Broncos signal-caller.

His habit? He writes letters.

ESPN reporter Chris Mortensen takes a moment to discuss his letter from Manning as he battles cancer. Pam Frenzel recaps the moments her late son shared with the QB. Manning's past coaches recap moments that prompted correspondence. His family members, his teammates and others also revisit their moments via Gatorade's series of videos.

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