WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Not many people have an autographed Babe Ruth baseball in their house, but Texas CU President and incoming CUNA Chairman Dick Ensweiler does. Ensweiler, quite the baseball memorabilia collector, actually traded two Ernie Banks rookie cards and some cash for the Ruth baseball. In the world of collecting, those are the kind of deals one must make to acquire a prized possession, said Ensweiler. Speaking of autographed baseballs, he also has ones from Joe DiMaggio, Harmon Killebrew, Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle, and Cal Ripken to name a few. “I really didn't start collecting until my youngest son turned about 12. The kid had $65 to his name but he wanted to spend $90 on a baseball card. He said dad I've been following things, I know what I'm doing.” Of course Ensweiler was skeptical about the whole transaction, but his son did indeed know what he was doing because that $90 purchase was for a Nolan Ryan rookie card – a card he eventually sold for $1,200. Ensweiler and his son started attending the memorabilia shows that often hit malls and stadiums. “The more we went, we thought these guys aren't rocket scientists, so we set up a little business of our own,” said Ensweiler. Of course knowing what to buy, sell and trade is the name of the game in the memorabilia business, which he and his son played well. But a funny thing happened when Ensweiler's son turned 16. “He got his license and he never went to another show.” In turn, Ensweiler's show participation also waned a bit, but it's a passion he still has. “I still have the bug. I keep thinking when I retire I'll get back into it all the way,” he said. Ensweiler is a big-time Green Bay Packers fan, but his first sports love is baseball. Like the MasterCard commercial, Ensweiler has also traveled to many a baseball park, 32 to date. “I'm a three team fan. I grew up in Milwaukee, the Braves moved and I'm now a Brewers fan. I'm also a Cubs fan and a Texas Rangers fan.” In fact the Texas CU League has season tickets to the Rangers (four rows behind the Rangers dugout) in Arlington stadium. “I think it's a good way to spend quality time with CEOs, board members and credit unions.” Ensweiler's first time seeing the Rangers in those seats was quite memorable. “It was Memorial Day 1995. The bat comes flying out of a batter's hand flying right at us. I can't believe it. I stick up my hand, it hits me and lands behind us where there were empty seats. Hands were coming from everywhere scrambling for it. Finally I got down to a wrestling match with one more set of hands, my wife's, so we had the bat,” he said. The bat was from Texas Ranger Warren Newsome. For two years Ensweiler attempted to get the bat signed by Newsome. The Rangers PR department wouldn't let it happen. “They'd say he was busy and didn't have time for that. Finally they had their typical spring card show, there was a big banquet where Warren was a signer. I finally got to him and he remembered the incident well.” [email protected]