Ghouls profiting from Tillman’s death

When I arrived at my office about 9:15 a.m. Friday, I decided to check eBay to see if the ghoul patrol was out.

The news of former Arizona Cardinal Pat Tillman’s death was on every sports and news radio station and, I figured, those so inclined would be lining up to make a buck off a true American hero’s death.

Exactly the opposite of what Tillman would have wanted.

At 9:15 a.m., there were only about six Tillman cards in auction, none ending within three days, nothing with an opening bid over $2. None had bids.

The last auction struck me, so I opened it. It was one of the same cards that other sellers were offering, although it had a $20 opening bid. A check of the description showed the seller knew Tillman. He wrote of Tillman’s death Thursday in Afghanistan as a member of the U.S. Army.

I decided to check again about 2:30 p.m. The results were shocking. There were 51 Tillman items. One was a 2001 Upper Deck MVP rookie card with an opening bid of 1 cent and already up to a staggering $40,000. On the 11th bid. With 20 hours left.

But, eBay cancelled that — the cancellation read "bidder fraud" — and the bid was back "down" to $5,000. There appears to be some angry bidders attempting to sabotage the auctions. One bidder’s user ID is "dont-make-money-off-fallenheroes."

Many other items, including other copies of the Upper Deck card and a 2001 Fleer Tradition glossy rookie card, had bids up to $12,000. For a card that had no takers at $2 Thursday.

Then there was the auction titled "Authentic American Hero Pat Tillman Autograph." It began Friday. It was over $500.

Many Tillman auctions were ended early, probably so sellers could hike minimums.

Things like this are sick. Putting an item on as soon as someone dies is morbid. Thinking about profiting because of a person’s death is despicable.

Mike Weber of Hall of Fame collectibles in Mesa also can’t understand the ghoul mentality.

"I know why you called," Weber said. "It hasn’t stopped ringing all day. It is kind of morbid. I told them all that I’m not up to looking for Tillman stuff today. I did notice that I have a couple of (autographed) mini-helmets and they are $100, what they were yesterday and what they have been since I got them. I guess jacking up the prices is the way the world goes, but I won’t."

MATT GOING TO BAT

Former Diamondback Matt Williams will sign copies of Sandra Tenuto’s book "America’s Athletes," a charitable book project, 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Borders Books, Music & Cafe at Biltmore Fashion Park, 2402 E. Camelback Road in Phoenix. For more information, call Tenuto at (602)

692-9500 or e-mail stenuto@earthlink.net.