WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Not many people have an autographed BabeRuth baseball in their house, but Texas CU President and incomingCUNA Chairman Dick Ensweiler does. Ensweiler, quite the baseballmemorabilia collector, actually traded two Ernie Banks rookie cardsand some cash for the Ruth baseball. In the world of collecting,those are the kind of deals one must make to acquire a prizedpossession, said Ensweiler. Speaking of autographed baseballs, healso has ones from Joe DiMaggio, Harmon Killebrew, Stan Musial,Mickey Mantle, and Cal Ripken to name a few. “I really didn't startcollecting until my youngest son turned about 12. The kid had $65to his name but he wanted to spend $90 on a baseball card. He saiddad I've been following things, I know what I'm doing.” Of courseEnsweiler was skeptical about the whole transaction, but his sondid indeed know what he was doing because that $90 purchase was fora Nolan Ryan rookie card – a card he eventually sold for $1,200.Ensweiler and his son started attending the memorabilia shows thatoften hit malls and stadiums. “The more we went, we thought theseguys aren't rocket scientists, so we set up a little business ofour own,” said Ensweiler. Of course knowing what to buy, sell andtrade is the name of the game in the memorabilia business, which heand his son played well. But a funny thing happened whenEnsweiler's son turned 16. “He got his license and he never went toanother show.” In turn, Ensweiler's show participation also waned abit, but it's a passion he still has. “I still have the bug. I keepthinking 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 sportslove is baseball. Like the MasterCard commercial, Ensweiler hasalso traveled to many a baseball park, 32 to date. “I'm a threeteam fan. I grew up in Milwaukee, the Braves moved and I'm now aBrewers fan. I'm also a Cubs fan and a Texas Rangers fan.” In factthe Texas CU League has season tickets to the Rangers (four rowsbehind the Rangers dugout) in Arlington stadium. “I think it's agood way to spend quality time with CEOs, board members and creditunions.” Ensweiler's first time seeing the Rangers in those seatswas quite memorable. “It was Memorial Day 1995. The bat comesflying out of a batter's hand flying right at us. I can't believeit. I stick up my hand, it hits me and lands behind us where therewere empty seats. Hands were coming from everywhere scrambling forit. Finally I got down to a wrestling match with one more set ofhands, my wife's, so we had the bat,” he said. The bat was fromTexas Ranger Warren Newsome. For two years Ensweiler attempted toget the bat signed by Newsome. The Rangers PR department wouldn'tlet it happen. “They'd say he was busy and didn't have time forthat. Finally they had their typical spring card show, there was abig banquet where Warren was a signer. I finally got to him and heremembered the incident well.” [email protected]