Gulfport, Mississippi, is home to Bob Short, a former mayor with a remarkable passion for sports memorabilia. Super Bowl Sunday is a big deal for many, but for Bob, every day feels like a celebration of sports. His house is a treasure trove of collectibles that he affectionately calls his sports museum.
“It doesn’t matter what team or sport; I’ve got it,” says Bob with a proud smile. From a unique Mickey Mantle plate to a signed photo of Nick Saban, his collection spans decades and includes items from various sports.
Bob’s love for collecting is clear. He jokes about how others might think of their small collections but reassures them, “This is a little different.” His quest for new items never stops. He visits local thrift stores like Salvation Army and Goodwill almost daily. “If I skip a day, I might miss out on something amazing,” he explains.
Unlike many collectors, Bob has no interest in selling his collection. “I’ll never sell any of my stuff,” he insists. Instead, he finds joy by giving away baseball cards to lift children’s spirits. One young boy told Bob he wanted to sell his cards for college. “That made me feel good,” Bob recalls.
Even during his time as mayor in the early 90s and his service in the Mississippi House of Representatives, Bob remained a collector. His experiences gave him a front-row seat to some incredible moments in sports history, including his long-time support of the Special Olympics, making him friends with sports icons like Muhammad Ali.
Bob’s love for sports extends to personal memories shared with his late wife, Pamela. They both enjoyed baseball, often debating their favorite teams—she was a Braves fan, and he rooted for the Yankees. The couple even witnessed their teams face off in the World Series.
Since losing Pamela four years ago, Bob has poured his heart into his collection. He converted his garage into a display space for his memorabilia. “She would love it,” he reflects, cherishing the memories attached to each item.
For Bob, his collection is about more than just sports; it’s a reflection of a life filled with meaningful experiences, especially in his work with the Special Olympics, where he felt he made a real difference.
His sister in Arkansas often helps him discover new finds. He has made plans for his collection, stating that he will leave it all to his sister’s children. “I hope they appreciate it as much as I do,” he adds.
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