Every four years or so, I make it a point to go to the National Sports Colllectors Convention because it's typically in my hometown of Cleveland. I went last year, I went in 2014, and before missing a few years in the 2000s due to a lack of funds, I went in 2004, 2001, and 1997. This year's show in Chicago is getting skipped, as almost certainly will next year's Atlantic City show and 2021's Chicago show. But I'll be back to Cleveland in 2022. The plans are already being set in motion...
Meanwhile, you may know my favorite baseball player of all-time is Cory Snyder. Ever since I was four years old, I have no idea why, but Snyder was my favorite and remained my favorite even after the Indians shipped him to the White Sox, and he bounced on to the Blue Jays, Giants, Dodgers, Red Sox org, Padres org, and finally Spring Training in 1997 with the Cardinals. I even had a Dodgers hat when I was in third and fourth grade.
Anyways, out of 1068 career games, Cory Snyder played 657 of them in an Indians uniform.
So you can imagine how dumbfounded I was when I heard he was one of the VIP autograph signers at the National this year. Not one of the Cleveland shows, but in Chicago, where he played a whole 50 games (and batted only .188, thanks to Walt Hriniak's "my way or no way" approach to coaching hitters).
So, I'm missing out on a chance to meet my favorite player. But I did apply for Cory Snyder Super Collector status over at SCF today (the same day he's signing at the National).
While I wait for approval or denial, take a look at some of the photos I took of my collection. I don't have all the cards photographed, but here are a few of the better items and oddities.
Blog is on indefinite hiatus as of November 2020.
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Saturday, August 3, 2019
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Achievement Unlocked: 2007-08 Upper Deck Rookie Class Set Complete!
A while back I had hit a point where I knew it was no long "if" but "when" I would finish this set. About three years ago, I picked up a bunch of set needs from a collector that got me down to only needing two more from the 2007-08 set. After a short while, that become one more: the Ryan Callahan card.
Callahan is actually a decent signer. He's been known to TTM and is good in-person. TGhe problem is I rarely have access to visiting teams in Dallas, and since hockey TTM seems to go through phases of reliability/unreliability, I never mailed off. I had an offer of help from a member at a message board, sent him the card, but he was never able to get it done.
I even have a notice set up on eBay to email me every day with any new listings of Upper Deck Rookie Class hockey autographs.
Well, a few managed to slip through the cracks on those emails. Like the Callahan card that didn't use the word "hockey" in the title. I don't know how long it had been listed, bur when I saw it for $3, I had to snap it up.
And with that, the set was finished!
Callahan is actually a decent signer. He's been known to TTM and is good in-person. TGhe problem is I rarely have access to visiting teams in Dallas, and since hockey TTM seems to go through phases of reliability/unreliability, I never mailed off. I had an offer of help from a member at a message board, sent him the card, but he was never able to get it done.
I even have a notice set up on eBay to email me every day with any new listings of Upper Deck Rookie Class hockey autographs.
Well, a few managed to slip through the cracks on those emails. Like the Callahan card that didn't use the word "hockey" in the title. I don't know how long it had been listed, bur when I saw it for $3, I had to snap it up.
And with that, the set was finished!
 |
| Bobby Ryan, Ondrej Pavelec, Patrick Kane, Kris Russell, Matt Niskanen, Andrew Cogliano, Jonathan Bernier, Marc Staal |
 |
| Nick Foligno, Peter Mueller, Jiri Tlusty, Brett Sterling, Petr Kalus, Rob Schremp, Andy Greene, Frans Nielsen, Martin Hanzal |
 |
| Devin Setoguchi, Matt Smaby, James Sheppard, Kyle Chipchura, Ryan Parent, David Krejci, Lauri Tukonen, Anton Stralman, Tobias Enstrom |
 |
| Tyler Kennedy, Mason Raymond, Thomas Greiss, Drew Miller, Curtis McElhinney, Ryan Callahan, Brian Elliott, Vladimir Sobotka, Jonathan Sigalet |
 |
| Ville Koistinen, Torrey Mitchell, David Perron, Jannik Hansen, Chris Bourque, Milan Lucic, Tuukka Rask, Jonathan Toews, Sam Gagner |
 |
| Jack Johnson, Carey Price, Nicklas Bergfors, Erik Johnson, Bryan Little, Nicklas Backstrom |
As always, a big thanks go out to those who helped complete this projects with trades, 50/50s, and anything else, notably Paul Buxton, Arron Littleton, and Peter Fallon.
And now, time to start looking for upgrades! Chipchura used a terrible pen, as did Kalus. Hanzal is pretty badly smeared. The rest are at least passable. I might try to get a few black pen guys in blue (Koistinen for one-- already got someone in Germany offering to help me with that one).
I'll have an April TTM/IP update coming soon...
Friday, March 2, 2018
The National, 2018: A Preview
(Written for SportsCardForum.com)
Five months out isn’t too early for a preview of the National Sports Collectors Convention, is it?
Let’s hit it Q&A style...
WHO? You, me, and every other sports collector
WHAT? The 39th National Sports Collectors Convention
WHERE? International Exposition Center (IX Center), Cleveland, Ohio, USA
WHEN? August 1-5, 2018, 10 am to 6 pm most days
HOW (MUCH)? TBA; likely $20 per day, or week-long VIP Packages from $99 to $299
WHY? Read on…
Q: Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up a sec. Why should we trust you when it comes to advice about the National when you hardly ever post here outside the Articles section? I’m gonna need to see some credentials...
A: Because despite my lack of involvement here, I’m quite familiar with the show, especially in Cleveland. I went to the entire week of the National in 2014, 2004, and 2001, as well as a single day in 1997. Aside from a kind of weak showing in 2004 (which may have been more because I had almost no spending money for it, rather than it actually being a weak showing), it has never failed to impress me on the sheer magnitude of the event: you won’t find more collectors in one place at one time ever. If I remember correctly, the 2014 show was the third most-attended National ever with somewhere around 45,000 collectors visiting the IX Center: well short of the record 100,000 at the 1991 Anaheim show, but much better than the 25,000 at the 1999 Atlanta show.
Q: Alright, fair enough, you got some chops. So, tell me then, as a first-timer, what should I expect at the show?
A: If you haven’t ever been to a National, nothing I say can really do it justice until you see it for yourself. One of SCF’s members-- Stuart, AKA BSEBALLCOMMISH75 who attends nearly every year-- says his favorite thing to do is to walk in about ten feet ahead of a first-timer, then turn back and see their expression upon entering. Take the biggest show you’ve been to and double it. Now double it again. Maybe one or two more times. It’s massive. The size of the hall hits you first, followed by the fact that not only is it huge, but it’s covered end to end in nothing but sports collectibles of all kinds. Cards, autographs, art, jerseys, hats, books, magazines, videos, unopened packs, unopened boxes, unopened cases, ticket stubs, stadium seats, game-used items, baseball, football, basketball, hockey, soccer, auto racing, boxing, wrestling, non-sports, with release dates ranging from the 1800s to this past week, you’ll find it all there somewhere. Entering for the first time even still shocks me now despite having attended four of them already. The National has typically 22 aisles at the I-X Center. The Cleveland 2018 floor plan as has space for 515 booths at 10’x15’ each.
And that doesn’t include designated “pavilion” areas. The corporate pavilion contains gigantic areas for Panini, Topps, Upper Deck, Leaf, SGC, Blowout Cards, Heritage Auctions, Dave & Adam’s, Beckett, and more (14 spaces that are at least 40’x50’, 17 that are at least 20’x25’). The autograph pavilion is run by Tristar and has all the show’s autograph guests (though occasionally Panini, Topps, and Upper Deck may bring in their own). The case breakers pavilion has some of the country’s top case breakers doing live breaks. There’s even a VIP lounge with tables and chairs if you need a place to kick back and relax for a bit. Of course, there are also some tables and chairs and benches near the food court too, in case you don’t want to stray too far; but if you want to avoid the hoi polloi and bought a VIP pass, head for the lounge.
It’s what I imagine attending a World’s Fair would have been like back when they actually meant something.
Q: I’m sure every organizer post-Expo 67 needs some aloe vera after that burn!
A: Wow, in your face, HemisFair 68! Also, that wasn’t a question.
Q: I’m surprised no one has ever made a documentary or something of the sort on this. Or have they?
A: While it’s not a true documentary, nearly every year Bill Simmons goes to the show, often taking video, photos, doing a big write-up… basically Bill Simmons does Bill Simmons things because he’s Bill Simmons.
2014: http://grantland.com/features/2014-national-sports-collectors-convention/
2011: http://grantland.com/features/memorabilia-madness/
2009: http://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/gallery/1
Q: Are you required to mention him a number of times in an article?
A: My contract says five. So, Bill Simmons.
Oh yeah, as mentioned in the articles above and revisiting my earlier World’s Fair motif, there’s a giant indoor Ferris wheel. It was finished in 1992, 125 feet high, and used to be the world’s largest indoor Ferris wheel (as of 2012, the indoor record belongs to the Alem wheel in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan). It was so big they had to cut a hole in the roof (the ceiling is 77 feet) and enclose it with glass, so at the very top on a clear day, you can see all the way to Downtown Cleveland, which is ten miles away. It costs a couple bucks to ride. Totally worth it.
Q: How did this building end up in as random a spot as Brook Park, Ohio? Or is it Cleveland now?
A: Cleveland did a land swap deal and now owns the land it’s on. The IX Center itself was originally a B-29 plant in World War Two, then made tanks during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. It also has served as a high school temporarily. Allegedly it has at least three basement levels including a giant pool for testing the watertightness of various tank designs and allegedly tunnels to the airport, the NASA Lewis Research Center, and maybe elsewhere. It’s unconfirmed as to whether these tunnels currently exist, or ever existed. Fun idea at least.
Q: Huh, underground alien base?
A: Who knows?
Q: What other events will be going on besides the show?
A: The great thing about the National is that there’s not just a big memorabilia show. Some collectors may set up trading events in the conference rooms of local hotels. Browns’ Training Camp will be underway. The Indians play at home against the Angels. The Lake County Captains, Akron Rubber Ducks, Mahoning Valley Scrappers, and Lake Erie Crushers will all be playing at home. If you don’t mind a bit of a drive, the Toledo Mud Hens, Columbus Clippers, and Pittsburgh Pirates all will play at home and are within two hours of Cleveland. Got money to burn? Panini and Upper Deck offer VIP parties for their biggest spenders. Plus there’s all the greatness of the city itself.
Q: Wait, seriously? You mean this city-- whose main river caught fire five times, had a mayor’s wife refuse an invitation to the White House because it conflicted with her bowling night, had that mayor's hair catch fire in a way unrelated to the river, and finally went bankrupt under another mayor who later went onto claim he was once abducted by a UFO-- is a great one? HA!
A: Look, it was a bowling LEAGUE night for her, and a soon-to-be-scandal-ridden Nixon White House. And yes, it's great. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is downtown. One of the world’s greatest orchestras will be in the middle of their outdoor concert season. There’s a Polka Hall of Fame in Euclid, thus ending our musical awesomeness streak at two. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is a short drive away. The excellent Metroparks system (and that’s both the Cleveland Metroparks and the Lake Metroparks), including the zoo with its indoor rainforest. Cedar Point is an hour or so away for the roller coaster enthusiasts. For shopping, there are tons of malls in the area. You can see a great baseball museum that is housed in the remnants of League Park. And the food… Melt has everything imaginable on a grilled cheese sandwich. Iron Chef Michael Symon has his restaurants Lola, Mabel’s BBQ, B-Spot Burgers, and maybe Sherla’s Chicken and Oysters will even be open by then too. Hot Sauce Williams is the go-to spot for barbecue and especially a Polish Boy. Hit up Sokolowski’s for an Eastern European feast. Slyman’s Deli for incredible corned beef. Have your desserts at Malley’s Chocolates and East Coast Frozen Custard.
Q: Wow. You had me at grilled cheese.
A: Works every time...
And if you aren’t totally sportsed out, there are several card shops in the area. Cards and Games in Painesville in the former Puritan Bakery (it still smells like stale flour when you walk in), Sports N’ More in Mentor-on-the-Lake, C-Town Sports at the Great Lakes Mall in Mentor, Over The Fence in Eastlake, Brooklyn Sportscards in Brooklyn (obviously), B&B Sports Cards out in Fairview Park, and All-Star Collectibles and Action Sports Cards in Parma.
Q: PAR-ma?!
A: Haha. Ghoulardi. Good one. Stay sick, turn blue!
Q: So how does one go about getting to this?
A: Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE) is right next to the IX Center. You’ll see the Center while taxiing in. Canton-Akron Regional (CAK) is less than an hour away. Other options within two hours include Detroit (DTW), Toledo (TOL), Columbus (CMH), and Pittsburgh (PIT).
Amtrak runs into downtown. It's the best way to travel anywhere if you don’t have to be at your destination on time, so plan accordingly. Greyhound runs into downtown as well. I love Greyhound personally, but only for trips of under 10 hours. You'll also need to get to a car rental spot from any of these too, so be prepared.
This year, I’m driving it which will be different, but provides a ton of autographing opportunities. In 1997 and 2001, I lived near Cleveland, while in 2004 and 2014 I flew in from Boston and Texas, respectively. My friend Arron is coming along (some of you may know him as elmesero5 on a few boards), and he and I are going to hit a ton of ballgames on the way up, while we’re there, and on the way back; if you’re reading this and graph any of these ballparks, please let me know! We’d love any intel we can get, and would love to hang out with other collectors when we’re there.
All games are subject to change, void where prohibited, contents packed by weight not volume, ceci n’est pas une pipe.
Q: Are there hotel deals?
A: The National has sponsor hotels, though those will go quickly and tend to be a bit higher-end. I opted to get on Hotwire and find a good rate that way. So Arron and I are staying in Macedonia (as in the town in Summit County, NOT the country with Skopje as its capital). $460 for the week, which isn’t bad at all. If you fly in, rent a car for sure. Your hotel may offer transportation to the IX Center, but don’t count on it.
Q: I hear there’s a VIP Bag. What’s in the VIP bag?
A: Lots of freebies from card companies and other sponsors. You’ll get small promo sets from Topps, Upper Deck, Panini, and Leaf, plus maybe some coupons, magazines, and of course your program and autograph tickets. Get the VIP pass and you’ll get all of that. Get the SuperVIP pass, and you’ll get TWO of everything.
Q: What’s the best day to buy?
A: Buy anything you have to have as soon as you see it. But wait until Saturday or Sunday to do some bargain hunting. Personally, I plan to quickly visit tables Wednesday and early Thursday and mark down some to check more extensively later. I’ll spend time searching the ones I wrote down on Thursday and Friday, and probably do most of my buying late Friday and Saturday.
Q: If you want autographs, is the All-Access upgrade worth it?
A: From what I can tell, YES. I stood hours in autograph lines in 2014. I saw people with it who could have looped the line 10 times if they wanted to (fortunately even if you have 50 items to get signed, as long as you have 50 tickets you can do them all at once and not have to take one item and one ticket at one trip). It’s worth an extra $100 to have significantly less of a wait.
Q: What percentage of collectibles are modern and what percentage are vintage?
A: I feel like there’s more vintage, but not immensely so. I’d guess about 60/40. It’s all about demand and vintage will ALWAYS be in demand. If you’re only needing modern stuff, you’ll find plenty of tables with it. Singles, boxes, cases, high-end, low-end, old, new, graded, raw, someone will have something you need. In most cases, several will have it.
Q: What should I bring with me?
A: That all depends on what you’re looking to do…
OTHER ADVICE FROM EXPERIENCED NATIONAL VISITORS
So, I hope that helps you out. And of course, I look forward to seeing all the members of SCF, SCN, The Bench, and various Facebook groups who come in for the show.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Drew Pelto is clearly bat-guano insane, as displayed via interviewing himself for this column, his love for Cleveland, and for his probably-unsustainable schedule of ‘graphing on the trip. He lives in Texas with his wife, two cats, and several thousand autographs.
Five months out isn’t too early for a preview of the National Sports Collectors Convention, is it?
Let’s hit it Q&A style...
WHO? You, me, and every other sports collector
WHAT? The 39th National Sports Collectors Convention
WHERE? International Exposition Center (IX Center), Cleveland, Ohio, USA
WHEN? August 1-5, 2018, 10 am to 6 pm most days
HOW (MUCH)? TBA; likely $20 per day, or week-long VIP Packages from $99 to $299
WHY? Read on…
Q: Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up a sec. Why should we trust you when it comes to advice about the National when you hardly ever post here outside the Articles section? I’m gonna need to see some credentials...
A: Because despite my lack of involvement here, I’m quite familiar with the show, especially in Cleveland. I went to the entire week of the National in 2014, 2004, and 2001, as well as a single day in 1997. Aside from a kind of weak showing in 2004 (which may have been more because I had almost no spending money for it, rather than it actually being a weak showing), it has never failed to impress me on the sheer magnitude of the event: you won’t find more collectors in one place at one time ever. If I remember correctly, the 2014 show was the third most-attended National ever with somewhere around 45,000 collectors visiting the IX Center: well short of the record 100,000 at the 1991 Anaheim show, but much better than the 25,000 at the 1999 Atlanta show.
Just one corner of the show floor in 2014.
Photo Credit: Texas Graphing Chronicles
Q: Alright, fair enough, you got some chops. So, tell me then, as a first-timer, what should I expect at the show?
A: If you haven’t ever been to a National, nothing I say can really do it justice until you see it for yourself. One of SCF’s members-- Stuart, AKA BSEBALLCOMMISH75 who attends nearly every year-- says his favorite thing to do is to walk in about ten feet ahead of a first-timer, then turn back and see their expression upon entering. Take the biggest show you’ve been to and double it. Now double it again. Maybe one or two more times. It’s massive. The size of the hall hits you first, followed by the fact that not only is it huge, but it’s covered end to end in nothing but sports collectibles of all kinds. Cards, autographs, art, jerseys, hats, books, magazines, videos, unopened packs, unopened boxes, unopened cases, ticket stubs, stadium seats, game-used items, baseball, football, basketball, hockey, soccer, auto racing, boxing, wrestling, non-sports, with release dates ranging from the 1800s to this past week, you’ll find it all there somewhere. Entering for the first time even still shocks me now despite having attended four of them already. The National has typically 22 aisles at the I-X Center. The Cleveland 2018 floor plan as has space for 515 booths at 10’x15’ each.
And that doesn’t include designated “pavilion” areas. The corporate pavilion contains gigantic areas for Panini, Topps, Upper Deck, Leaf, SGC, Blowout Cards, Heritage Auctions, Dave & Adam’s, Beckett, and more (14 spaces that are at least 40’x50’, 17 that are at least 20’x25’). The autograph pavilion is run by Tristar and has all the show’s autograph guests (though occasionally Panini, Topps, and Upper Deck may bring in their own). The case breakers pavilion has some of the country’s top case breakers doing live breaks. There’s even a VIP lounge with tables and chairs if you need a place to kick back and relax for a bit. Of course, there are also some tables and chairs and benches near the food court too, in case you don’t want to stray too far; but if you want to avoid the hoi polloi and bought a VIP pass, head for the lounge.
It’s what I imagine attending a World’s Fair would have been like back when they actually meant something.
Q: I’m sure every organizer post-Expo 67 needs some aloe vera after that burn!
A: Wow, in your face, HemisFair 68! Also, that wasn’t a question.
A shot of the corporate pavilion area in 2014.
Photo Credit: Texas Graphing Chronicles
Q: I’m surprised no one has ever made a documentary or something of the sort on this. Or have they?
A: While it’s not a true documentary, nearly every year Bill Simmons goes to the show, often taking video, photos, doing a big write-up… basically Bill Simmons does Bill Simmons things because he’s Bill Simmons.
2014: http://grantland.com/features/2014-national-sports-collectors-convention/
2011: http://grantland.com/features/memorabilia-madness/
2009: http://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/gallery/1
Q: Are you required to mention him a number of times in an article?
A: My contract says five. So, Bill Simmons.
Oh yeah, as mentioned in the articles above and revisiting my earlier World’s Fair motif, there’s a giant indoor Ferris wheel. It was finished in 1992, 125 feet high, and used to be the world’s largest indoor Ferris wheel (as of 2012, the indoor record belongs to the Alem wheel in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan). It was so big they had to cut a hole in the roof (the ceiling is 77 feet) and enclose it with glass, so at the very top on a clear day, you can see all the way to Downtown Cleveland, which is ten miles away. It costs a couple bucks to ride. Totally worth it.
Giant Ferris Wheel. Not even kidding. It's there. The first two photos were shot from the platform.
Photo Credit: Flickr user lareina1045
Q: How did this building end up in as random a spot as Brook Park, Ohio? Or is it Cleveland now?
A: Cleveland did a land swap deal and now owns the land it’s on. The IX Center itself was originally a B-29 plant in World War Two, then made tanks during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. It also has served as a high school temporarily. Allegedly it has at least three basement levels including a giant pool for testing the watertightness of various tank designs and allegedly tunnels to the airport, the NASA Lewis Research Center, and maybe elsewhere. It’s unconfirmed as to whether these tunnels currently exist, or ever existed. Fun idea at least.
Q: Huh, underground alien base?
A: Who knows?
Seriously. It's huge.
Photo Credit: Ohio Gun Collectors' Association
Q: What other events will be going on besides the show?
A: The great thing about the National is that there’s not just a big memorabilia show. Some collectors may set up trading events in the conference rooms of local hotels. Browns’ Training Camp will be underway. The Indians play at home against the Angels. The Lake County Captains, Akron Rubber Ducks, Mahoning Valley Scrappers, and Lake Erie Crushers will all be playing at home. If you don’t mind a bit of a drive, the Toledo Mud Hens, Columbus Clippers, and Pittsburgh Pirates all will play at home and are within two hours of Cleveland. Got money to burn? Panini and Upper Deck offer VIP parties for their biggest spenders. Plus there’s all the greatness of the city itself.
Q: Wait, seriously? You mean this city-- whose main river caught fire five times, had a mayor’s wife refuse an invitation to the White House because it conflicted with her bowling night, had that mayor's hair catch fire in a way unrelated to the river, and finally went bankrupt under another mayor who later went onto claim he was once abducted by a UFO-- is a great one? HA!
A: Look, it was a bowling LEAGUE night for her, and a soon-to-be-scandal-ridden Nixon White House. And yes, it's great. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is downtown. One of the world’s greatest orchestras will be in the middle of their outdoor concert season. There’s a Polka Hall of Fame in Euclid, thus ending our musical awesomeness streak at two. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is a short drive away. The excellent Metroparks system (and that’s both the Cleveland Metroparks and the Lake Metroparks), including the zoo with its indoor rainforest. Cedar Point is an hour or so away for the roller coaster enthusiasts. For shopping, there are tons of malls in the area. You can see a great baseball museum that is housed in the remnants of League Park. And the food… Melt has everything imaginable on a grilled cheese sandwich. Iron Chef Michael Symon has his restaurants Lola, Mabel’s BBQ, B-Spot Burgers, and maybe Sherla’s Chicken and Oysters will even be open by then too. Hot Sauce Williams is the go-to spot for barbecue and especially a Polish Boy. Hit up Sokolowski’s for an Eastern European feast. Slyman’s Deli for incredible corned beef. Have your desserts at Malley’s Chocolates and East Coast Frozen Custard.
Q: Wow. You had me at grilled cheese.
A: Works every time...
And if you aren’t totally sportsed out, there are several card shops in the area. Cards and Games in Painesville in the former Puritan Bakery (it still smells like stale flour when you walk in), Sports N’ More in Mentor-on-the-Lake, C-Town Sports at the Great Lakes Mall in Mentor, Over The Fence in Eastlake, Brooklyn Sportscards in Brooklyn (obviously), B&B Sports Cards out in Fairview Park, and All-Star Collectibles and Action Sports Cards in Parma.
Q: PAR-ma?!
A: Haha. Ghoulardi. Good one. Stay sick, turn blue!
Q: So how does one go about getting to this?
A: Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE) is right next to the IX Center. You’ll see the Center while taxiing in. Canton-Akron Regional (CAK) is less than an hour away. Other options within two hours include Detroit (DTW), Toledo (TOL), Columbus (CMH), and Pittsburgh (PIT).
Amtrak runs into downtown. It's the best way to travel anywhere if you don’t have to be at your destination on time, so plan accordingly. Greyhound runs into downtown as well. I love Greyhound personally, but only for trips of under 10 hours. You'll also need to get to a car rental spot from any of these too, so be prepared.
This year, I’m driving it which will be different, but provides a ton of autographing opportunities. In 1997 and 2001, I lived near Cleveland, while in 2004 and 2014 I flew in from Boston and Texas, respectively. My friend Arron is coming along (some of you may know him as elmesero5 on a few boards), and he and I are going to hit a ton of ballgames on the way up, while we’re there, and on the way back; if you’re reading this and graph any of these ballparks, please let me know! We’d love any intel we can get, and would love to hang out with other collectors when we’re there.
- FRIDAY, 7/27: AA Tennessee (Cubs) at Birmingham (White Sox)
- SATURDAY, 7/28: A Rome (Braves) at Lexington (Royals)
- SUNDAY, 7/29: A Asheville (Rockies) at West Virginia (Pirates)
- MONDAY, 7/30: AAA Indianapolis (Pirates) at Columbus (Indians)
- TUESDAY, 7/31: A Great Lakes (Dodgers) at Lake County (Indians), and AAA Louisville (Reds) at Toledo (Tigers)
- WEDNESDAY, 8/1: Off day
- THURSDAY, 8/2: AA Bowie (Baltimore) at Akron (Indians)
- FRIDAY, 8/3: A Bowling Green (Rays) at Lake County (Indians)
- SATURDAY, 8/4: MLB Angels at Indians
- SUNDAY, 8/5: A Lansing (Blue Jays) at Fort Wayne (San Diego)
- MONDAY, 8/6: A Beloit (A’s) at Cedar Rapids (Twins), AAA Las Vegas (Mets) at Iowa (Cubs)
- TUESDAY, 8/7: AAA Las Vegas (Mets) at Iowa (Cubs)
- WEDNESDAY, 8/8: Arrive back in Texas
All games are subject to change, void where prohibited, contents packed by weight not volume, ceci n’est pas une pipe.
If you're around, you can come do this with us (Arron in red, Drew in light blue)
Photo Credit: Texas Graphing Chronicles
Q: Are there hotel deals?
A: The National has sponsor hotels, though those will go quickly and tend to be a bit higher-end. I opted to get on Hotwire and find a good rate that way. So Arron and I are staying in Macedonia (as in the town in Summit County, NOT the country with Skopje as its capital). $460 for the week, which isn’t bad at all. If you fly in, rent a car for sure. Your hotel may offer transportation to the IX Center, but don’t count on it.
Q: I hear there’s a VIP Bag. What’s in the VIP bag?
A: Lots of freebies from card companies and other sponsors. You’ll get small promo sets from Topps, Upper Deck, Panini, and Leaf, plus maybe some coupons, magazines, and of course your program and autograph tickets. Get the VIP pass and you’ll get all of that. Get the SuperVIP pass, and you’ll get TWO of everything.
Q: What’s the best day to buy?
A: Buy anything you have to have as soon as you see it. But wait until Saturday or Sunday to do some bargain hunting. Personally, I plan to quickly visit tables Wednesday and early Thursday and mark down some to check more extensively later. I’ll spend time searching the ones I wrote down on Thursday and Friday, and probably do most of my buying late Friday and Saturday.
Q: If you want autographs, is the All-Access upgrade worth it?
A: From what I can tell, YES. I stood hours in autograph lines in 2014. I saw people with it who could have looped the line 10 times if they wanted to (fortunately even if you have 50 items to get signed, as long as you have 50 tickets you can do them all at once and not have to take one item and one ticket at one trip). It’s worth an extra $100 to have significantly less of a wait.
Q: What percentage of collectibles are modern and what percentage are vintage?
A: I feel like there’s more vintage, but not immensely so. I’d guess about 60/40. It’s all about demand and vintage will ALWAYS be in demand. If you’re only needing modern stuff, you’ll find plenty of tables with it. Singles, boxes, cases, high-end, low-end, old, new, graded, raw, someone will have something you need. In most cases, several will have it.
Q: What should I bring with me?
A: That all depends on what you’re looking to do…
- Are you mostly getting autographs? Have something to get signed and you’re all set. TriStar supplies all the pens that you might need-- I saw blue and black Sharpies, silver and gold paint pens, blue and black ballpoints, and even blue Staedtler. If you’re super-specific about what you want it signed with, then bring that, but for the most part it’s covered just fine.
- Are you looking to fill needs for a set or a player collection? Simply bring a want list, a box to put your cards in after you pay for them, and a bag for easy carrying. Maybe some sleeves and toploaders. A foldable stool might be a good idea as well. I’ll also have a 1600-count box in the car to put everything in at the end of the day.
- Are you looking to sell? Don’t bring too much: dealers usually don’t do much buying the first few days, and even when they do it’s likely to be higher-end stuff. So don’t come in with a couple gigantic boxes of commons.
- No matter what, comfortable shoes, a bag (messenger or backpack), some small snacks, and money. You can have a good experience on any amount, but the more the better. Think of what you’d want to get, look for approximate prices to expect. Then double it because you’ll find things you want that you didn’t even think of. But know your limits and only bring what you are comfortable with leaving at a table. Snacks like a sandwich, some almonds or carrot sticks, and a bottle of water are good to have in your bag since food can be a bit expensive inside, and there are no restaurants near the grounds. Hand sanitizer and breath mints are a good idea too.
OTHER ADVICE FROM EXPERIENCED NATIONAL VISITORS
- Have the floor plan handy. There will be a map of it in the program, also on the National website so you can print a copy or two ahead of time. Mark on it what booths you want to visit again.
- Visit the manufacturer booths, even just to see what they are all about for the next year's offerings. You never know what freebies they may have stashed behind the table. Some even have their own autograph guests during the week.
- If you are going for the autograph guests, be sure to keep an eye on the time. Lines can get long and if you wait too long to jump in, you may miss who you are interested in.
- Plan on at least two days if you can: it’s hard to see everything in one day. If you’re limited to a single day, I would recommend Saturday: get there as soon as the doors open, leave at the last possible moment.
- Talk to anyone and everyone-- even on your hotel shuttle! You never know who might be able to help you with your collection. Be friendly to the dealers, the staff, and to everyone really. It can go a long way. Keep an eye on SCF and other sites in the time leading up to the show. Don’s annual National thread is a good way to find people who are going and connect with them beforehand. They may be able to help you if they come across something you need-- or if you come across something they need. Networking is important at a huge event like this.
So, I hope that helps you out. And of course, I look forward to seeing all the members of SCF, SCN, The Bench, and various Facebook groups who come in for the show.
We'll see you there!
Photo Credit: William Reiter
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Drew Pelto is clearly bat-guano insane, as displayed via interviewing himself for this column, his love for Cleveland, and for his probably-unsustainable schedule of ‘graphing on the trip. He lives in Texas with his wife, two cats, and several thousand autographs.
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Achievement Unlocked: 2003-04 Choice AHL Top Prospects Set Complete!
Wow. There it is. After a little over 11 years of work, I have completed a signed set for the first time. My final one-- an eBay purchase of the Niklas Kronwall card-- arrived in my mailbox this afternoon and I finished off a set that I wondered if it would be possible to complete after several players bolted for Europe.
Fortunately, trades with people in Europe and in minor league cities helped me complete everything. The vast majority of these were traded for, though I did get a decent chunk in-person and via mail.
Without further ado, I present the set!
So, there it is. Major thanks to anyone I've traded or 50/50ed with to get this done, notably Peter Fallon, Arron Littleton, Jeff Tyson, Joe Dahms, and Russ Crowell. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few others but I know for sure that those four helped me out on this.
Fortunately, trades with people in Europe and in minor league cities helped me complete everything. The vast majority of these were traded for, though I did get a decent chunk in-person and via mail.
Without further ado, I present the set!
 |
| Anton Babchuk, Jason Bacashihua, Ryan Bayda (all trades) |
 |
| Brad Boyes (IP), Ilya Brysgalov (trade), Peter Budaj (trade) |
 |
| Carlo Colaiacovo (trade), Ray Emery (IP), Kurtis Foster (TTM) |
 |
| Denis Grebeshkov (trade), Chris Higgins (IP), Jiri Hudler (trade) |
 |
| Ryan Kesler (trade), Mike Komisarek (IP), Lukas Krajicek (IP) |
 |
| Niklas Kronwall (trade), Brooks Laich (TTM), Pascal LeClaire (trade) |
 |
| Kari Lehtonen (trade), David LeNeveu (IP), Ross Lupaschuk (trade) |
 |
| Justin Mapletoft (trade), Jay McClement (TTM), Ryan Miller (IP) |
 |
| Shaone Morrisonn (IP), Maxime Ouellet (trade), Johnny Pohl (trade) |
 |
| Jason Pominville (trade), Mark Popovic (trade), Jani Rita (trade) |
 |
| Derek Roy (IP), Patrick Sharp (trade), Charlie Stephens (trade) |
 |
| Aleksander Suglobov (trade), Tomas Surovy (trade), Jeff Taffe (IP) |
 |
| Petr Taticek (IP), Hannu Toivonen (IP), Fedor Tyutin (trade) |
 |
| Scottie Upshall (TTM), Stephane Veilleux (TTM), Kyle Wanvig (trade) |
 |
| Stephen Weiss (IP), Kyle Wellwood (trade), Jeff Woywitka (TTM) |
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Preview: 35th National Sports Collectors Convention, July 30-August 3, I-X Center, Cleveland, Ohio
The Granddaddy of Them All is hitting the big 3-5 this year, and it's happening in my hometown.
The National isn't the first card show ever, but it certainly is the biggest. Every year in a different city, collectors come from all over the country-- sometimes even all over the continent, perhaps even the world-- for a five-day card show that takes up almost the entire floor of some of the world's largest expo centers. The show has been restricted to three different cities over the last eight years after having stops in eleven cities in the first 25. Add in the next six, and it will be four cities in 14 years. This year's will be the sixth to take up the International Exposition Center in Cleveland. Previously, the show was held there in 1997, 2001, 2004, 2007, and 2009.
I'm sure many of you have been to card shows of various sizes. Anything from a few tables in a VFW Hall or an Elks Lodge, to a corner of the Grange Hall at the county fair, and on up to a hotel ballroom. Before the 1997 National, the largest show I had been to was at the annual show at the Clarion Hotel in Eastlake, OH. The National trumps any show you have ever been to.
Even though I've been to three previous Nationals (1997, 2001, and 2004), the sheer size of it still knocks me off my feet when I first walk in. Let's put it this way: the I-X Center has 1 million square feet of exhibition and conference space. The Show takes up less than half of that, but it still is ungodly huge. It has 23 aisles, a 12,000 square foot Case Break Pavilion, corporate sections with giant booths for major sponsors (including Panini, Upper Deck, Leaf, PSA, Beckett, Blowout Cards, Dave & Adam's Card World, COMC, and plenty more), a 39,000 square foot autograph pavilion, a food court, and a VIP Lounge. The dealers take up the rest.
All the companies and sponsors have various freebies, whether it be in the VIP gift bags (double the stuff for Super VIP's) or via wrapper redemption programs or box breaks. Topps has already announced theirs, with Panini, Upper Deck, Leaf, and Press Pass certain to follow soon.
Past shows have had various sports artifacts on display, including the famous PSA 8 Honus Wagner, balls from the 1998 Sosa vs. McGwire Home Run Chase, some Barry Bonds home run balls from 2001, one of Shoeless Joe Jackson's bats, and more. Plenty of well-known dealers will be there as well: there's a full list here in PDF form.
And of course, there's the world's second tallest indoor Ferris Wheel, offering views of Cleveland Hopkins Airport and the city's skyline at the very top through a glass-enclosed cutout in the roof. It was the tallest until one in Turkmenistan passed it in 2012. It's definitely worth taking a few minutes out of your day to relax and enjoy a ride on it at some point during the show.
Needless to say, the National is a must-visit for any serious collector at least once in their lifetime. As a Cleveland native with vacation time built up at work, it's a good opportunity for me to get back to it again, visit friends, family, and my city, and add more to my collection.
Tristar runs all things autograph-related at the show. Fortunately, with my SuperVIP pass, I will at least get all of their free VIP signers, so I should be able to add about 20 autographs to my collection. The full rundown of freebies is as follows (with the item I plan to get signed in parentheses):
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30
Carlos Baerga (11x14 photo), Dale Murphy (11x14 photo, maybe some cards for Chris as well if I can swing it), Kevin Mack (11x14 photo), Billy Sims (11x14 photo)
THURSDAY, JULY 31
Andy Van Slyke (Topps ATFF card), Howard Johnson (Topps ATFF card), Rick Waits (not sure yet; hoping to trade it for an extra Van Slyke or HoJo), Joe Delamielleure (Topps ATFF card)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1
Sonny Siebert (8x10 photo), Jim Stillwagon (not sure yet; hoping to use as trade bait for Van Slyke or HoJo), Al "Bubba" Baker (8x10 photo; don't remember if I ordered 11x14 or 8x10), Joe Charbonneau (11x14 photo), Tom Browning (11x14 perfect game photo)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2
Milt Plum (8x10 photo), Hanford Dixon (11x14 photo with Frank Minnifield; hopefully I can get Minnie on it sometime in the future), Al Oliver (11x14 photo)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 3
Jeff Burroughs (11x14 photo with Tom Grieve; major thanks to TGC reader Big Anthony for hooking me up with it; I'm sure I can get Grieve on it at the tunnel later in August), Gary Bell (8x10 photo), Mike Hargrove (11x14 photo), Len Barker (11x14 perfect game photo)
In addition, I might go for one of the Topps wrapper redemption deals-- open three packs, turn in the wrappers, and get a Allen & Ginter mini card of Jadaveon Clowney, Johnny Manziel, Jim Brown, Jordan Cameron, Derek Jeter, Mike Trout, Bob Feller or Albert Belle. Hopefully if I break a box of Heritage, I can get all of them, plus some stuff I can get signed in the final months of the season. At the very least, I want Manziel and Cameron.
I'll also be on the lookout for anything I can find to add to my sets. I'll get at least three items signed for the Topps ATFF sets, maybe as many as five if I can swing a few trades. I'm sure a few dealers will have some signed cards. I'm also always on the lookout for any bargains (like getting a 1983 O-Pee-Chee Ryne Sandberg RC at the 2001 show for about 50 cents) and stuff of my wife's favorite players (Peter Forsberg, Matt Duchene, and Gabriel Landeskog).
Part of the fun of the show of course is networking. SportsCardForum will have a booth there, and I've already alerted collectors at several other boards that I'll be coming in. I even printed up business cards promoting TGC with a list of sets I'm doing. If you're reading this and will be there, let me know; I'd love to meet any other collectors, especially regular readers here. And if you'd be willing to trade or sell your Van Slyke and/or Hojo tickets, DEFINITELY let me know ASAP.
Outside the show, I already have a ton of other things I plan to do. I need to make sure I have a dinner at Melt one night, and the B-Spot. Maybe Hot Sauce Williams, or West Side Market. Malley's of course. Granted, I may be so tired from walking all through the show that I just end up hitting Friendly's, Panera, and Burger King every night near the hotel. I know one SCF member has talked about trying to get a group together one night, and who knows what my people from Panini may have in store.
I also plan to go to two Indians games as they take on the Reds the Monday and Tuesday after the show-- I will be graphing both games, both at the Indians; parking lot and inside for the Reds. I may also need to duck up to Eastlake to get a Lake County Captains team set at their team store. Plus I'll be visiting my dad, and hopefully meeting up with a few friends from high school.
It's going to be a crazy week, but a good one. It's been two years since I was last in Cleveland, so it'll be good to get back. I haven't been to the I-X Center in ten years and I've heard they added some floor space and repainted since then (first ceiling repainting since 1984). Plus, I plan to update here after every day of the show.
Hope to see you there, and if you can't make it to the North Coast, you can always follow along here.
For more information, visit NSCCShow.com for a full floorplan, list of dealers, sponsors, autograph signers, promotions, and photos from last year's show in Chicago.
The National isn't the first card show ever, but it certainly is the biggest. Every year in a different city, collectors come from all over the country-- sometimes even all over the continent, perhaps even the world-- for a five-day card show that takes up almost the entire floor of some of the world's largest expo centers. The show has been restricted to three different cities over the last eight years after having stops in eleven cities in the first 25. Add in the next six, and it will be four cities in 14 years. This year's will be the sixth to take up the International Exposition Center in Cleveland. Previously, the show was held there in 1997, 2001, 2004, 2007, and 2009.
 |
| The I-X Center: formerly a World War II bomber and Korean War tank plant (Photo Credit: Ohio Gun Collectors Association) |
Even though I've been to three previous Nationals (1997, 2001, and 2004), the sheer size of it still knocks me off my feet when I first walk in. Let's put it this way: the I-X Center has 1 million square feet of exhibition and conference space. The Show takes up less than half of that, but it still is ungodly huge. It has 23 aisles, a 12,000 square foot Case Break Pavilion, corporate sections with giant booths for major sponsors (including Panini, Upper Deck, Leaf, PSA, Beckett, Blowout Cards, Dave & Adam's Card World, COMC, and plenty more), a 39,000 square foot autograph pavilion, a food court, and a VIP Lounge. The dealers take up the rest.
 |
| A tiny piece of the 2009 National (Photo Credit: Sports Collectors Daily) |
Past shows have had various sports artifacts on display, including the famous PSA 8 Honus Wagner, balls from the 1998 Sosa vs. McGwire Home Run Chase, some Barry Bonds home run balls from 2001, one of Shoeless Joe Jackson's bats, and more. Plenty of well-known dealers will be there as well: there's a full list here in PDF form.
And of course, there's the world's second tallest indoor Ferris Wheel, offering views of Cleveland Hopkins Airport and the city's skyline at the very top through a glass-enclosed cutout in the roof. It was the tallest until one in Turkmenistan passed it in 2012. It's definitely worth taking a few minutes out of your day to relax and enjoy a ride on it at some point during the show.
 |
| The Wheel (Photo Credit: lareina1045 on Flickr) |
Tristar runs all things autograph-related at the show. Fortunately, with my SuperVIP pass, I will at least get all of their free VIP signers, so I should be able to add about 20 autographs to my collection. The full rundown of freebies is as follows (with the item I plan to get signed in parentheses):
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30
Carlos Baerga (11x14 photo), Dale Murphy (11x14 photo, maybe some cards for Chris as well if I can swing it), Kevin Mack (11x14 photo), Billy Sims (11x14 photo)
THURSDAY, JULY 31
Andy Van Slyke (Topps ATFF card), Howard Johnson (Topps ATFF card), Rick Waits (not sure yet; hoping to trade it for an extra Van Slyke or HoJo), Joe Delamielleure (Topps ATFF card)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1
Sonny Siebert (8x10 photo), Jim Stillwagon (not sure yet; hoping to use as trade bait for Van Slyke or HoJo), Al "Bubba" Baker (8x10 photo; don't remember if I ordered 11x14 or 8x10), Joe Charbonneau (11x14 photo), Tom Browning (11x14 perfect game photo)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2
Milt Plum (8x10 photo), Hanford Dixon (11x14 photo with Frank Minnifield; hopefully I can get Minnie on it sometime in the future), Al Oliver (11x14 photo)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 3
Jeff Burroughs (11x14 photo with Tom Grieve; major thanks to TGC reader Big Anthony for hooking me up with it; I'm sure I can get Grieve on it at the tunnel later in August), Gary Bell (8x10 photo), Mike Hargrove (11x14 photo), Len Barker (11x14 perfect game photo)
In addition, I might go for one of the Topps wrapper redemption deals-- open three packs, turn in the wrappers, and get a Allen & Ginter mini card of Jadaveon Clowney, Johnny Manziel, Jim Brown, Jordan Cameron, Derek Jeter, Mike Trout, Bob Feller or Albert Belle. Hopefully if I break a box of Heritage, I can get all of them, plus some stuff I can get signed in the final months of the season. At the very least, I want Manziel and Cameron.
I'll also be on the lookout for anything I can find to add to my sets. I'll get at least three items signed for the Topps ATFF sets, maybe as many as five if I can swing a few trades. I'm sure a few dealers will have some signed cards. I'm also always on the lookout for any bargains (like getting a 1983 O-Pee-Chee Ryne Sandberg RC at the 2001 show for about 50 cents) and stuff of my wife's favorite players (Peter Forsberg, Matt Duchene, and Gabriel Landeskog).
Part of the fun of the show of course is networking. SportsCardForum will have a booth there, and I've already alerted collectors at several other boards that I'll be coming in. I even printed up business cards promoting TGC with a list of sets I'm doing. If you're reading this and will be there, let me know; I'd love to meet any other collectors, especially regular readers here. And if you'd be willing to trade or sell your Van Slyke and/or Hojo tickets, DEFINITELY let me know ASAP.
 |
| Photoshop skills. |
I also plan to go to two Indians games as they take on the Reds the Monday and Tuesday after the show-- I will be graphing both games, both at the Indians; parking lot and inside for the Reds. I may also need to duck up to Eastlake to get a Lake County Captains team set at their team store. Plus I'll be visiting my dad, and hopefully meeting up with a few friends from high school.
It's going to be a crazy week, but a good one. It's been two years since I was last in Cleveland, so it'll be good to get back. I haven't been to the I-X Center in ten years and I've heard they added some floor space and repainted since then (first ceiling repainting since 1984). Plus, I plan to update here after every day of the show.
Hope to see you there, and if you can't make it to the North Coast, you can always follow along here.
For more information, visit NSCCShow.com for a full floorplan, list of dealers, sponsors, autograph signers, promotions, and photos from last year's show in Chicago.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Rangers atone, and first trade of 2014
Looks like tomorrow's original plans will get changed a bit. I was going to do the Dallas Stars' practice, then hit the Rangers Caravan, and try to get to a possible N.Y. Islanders practice, but I'm thinking it'll just be the Caravan. The Stars are playing in New York tonight, so I have no idea why they hell they have a practice scheduled. The Islanders might practice, but it would likely be at the same time as the Caravan.
The Rangers, meanwhile, atoned for an originally shitty Caravan lineup by adding Elvis Andrus and Jurickson Profar each to one. Additionally, with the untimely knee injury to Derek Holland, Elvis will be at tomorrow's event in Frisco. Also added were Steve Buechele and Mark McLemore. Chris and I will be heading out there tomorrow for certain.
Anyways, the main reason for this entry was to post that the first trade of 2014 has been completed with Jeff in Ontario. Jeff, whom I met on a Facebook autograph group, had a ton of set needs for me in my 2003-04 Choice AHL Top Prospects set and Upper Deck Rookie Class sets-- 29 additions in fact-- so we did a 29-for-29 trade. We agreed to it in December but thanks to the slowness of the USPS, Canada Post, and Customs, his end just now got to me today. It was definitely worth the wait though.
As you see, on the right, the tracker has been updated for the start of 2014. I only have one resolution for 2014: to hit 1500 net additions. I did no hockey early last year and almost completely stopped TTM'ing, and still hit 1000 in 2013. I think 1500 is a challenging, yet reachable goal for 2014.
The Rangers, meanwhile, atoned for an originally shitty Caravan lineup by adding Elvis Andrus and Jurickson Profar each to one. Additionally, with the untimely knee injury to Derek Holland, Elvis will be at tomorrow's event in Frisco. Also added were Steve Buechele and Mark McLemore. Chris and I will be heading out there tomorrow for certain.
Anyways, the main reason for this entry was to post that the first trade of 2014 has been completed with Jeff in Ontario. Jeff, whom I met on a Facebook autograph group, had a ton of set needs for me in my 2003-04 Choice AHL Top Prospects set and Upper Deck Rookie Class sets-- 29 additions in fact-- so we did a 29-for-29 trade. We agreed to it in December but thanks to the slowness of the USPS, Canada Post, and Customs, his end just now got to me today. It was definitely worth the wait though.
As you see, on the right, the tracker has been updated for the start of 2014. I only have one resolution for 2014: to hit 1500 net additions. I did no hockey early last year and almost completely stopped TTM'ing, and still hit 1000 in 2013. I think 1500 is a challenging, yet reachable goal for 2014.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
A lost one returns
I updated my last post with the cards Andrew sent me from our baseball deal over the summer, adding 11 more to the collection.
My wife also texted me, that one came in for me in Wichita Falls. I was expecting it to be NASCAR's Mark Martin since I had sent to him with a Wichita Falls-addressed SASE so I could use one that had been in an RTS'ed request and not lose a stamp, plus he had been returning a bunch lately.
It wasn't. Instead, I got one closer to completing the Sutter Brothers collection as Rich signed 3 of the 4 cards I sent him. Took over a year (394 days, or a day short of 13 months to be exact). I sent to all the Sutters on the same day, November 5, 2012. Brent came back fastest (35 days via the Calgary Flames), then Ron (43 days via the Flames), then Darryl (49 days via the L.A. Kings), then Duane (119 days via the Edmonton Oilers), and finally Rich in 394 days, put in with Ron's request since I couldn't find an address for him. I'm only missing Brian, sent c/o the Bentley Generals. Unfortunately I was unaware he had left the Generals for the Innisfail Eagles (and is no longer with them either), so I may be SOL on that one.
Currently, I'm only 54 away from netting 1000 autographs for my collection this year. That doesn't include the 93 items I've gotten for others, and takes into account the 88 I've traded away. With two more outings before the end of the calendar year, it's doable.
I'm also only 27 away now from 2000 different signed hockey cards-- that doesn't include doubles or set cards.
My wife also texted me, that one came in for me in Wichita Falls. I was expecting it to be NASCAR's Mark Martin since I had sent to him with a Wichita Falls-addressed SASE so I could use one that had been in an RTS'ed request and not lose a stamp, plus he had been returning a bunch lately.
It wasn't. Instead, I got one closer to completing the Sutter Brothers collection as Rich signed 3 of the 4 cards I sent him. Took over a year (394 days, or a day short of 13 months to be exact). I sent to all the Sutters on the same day, November 5, 2012. Brent came back fastest (35 days via the Calgary Flames), then Ron (43 days via the Flames), then Darryl (49 days via the L.A. Kings), then Duane (119 days via the Edmonton Oilers), and finally Rich in 394 days, put in with Ron's request since I couldn't find an address for him. I'm only missing Brian, sent c/o the Bentley Generals. Unfortunately I was unaware he had left the Generals for the Innisfail Eagles (and is no longer with them either), so I may be SOL on that one.
Currently, I'm only 54 away from netting 1000 autographs for my collection this year. That doesn't include the 93 items I've gotten for others, and takes into account the 88 I've traded away. With two more outings before the end of the calendar year, it's doable.
I'm also only 27 away now from 2000 different signed hockey cards-- that doesn't include doubles or set cards.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Ten Post-Deadline Goals
We're coming down to home stretch for baseball season and starting preparations for hockey season-- only 41 days until the Stars' Training Camp begins! Maybe I'll try some football and basketball as well. Though, if as reader Anthony has reported, the visiting football and basketball teams are as tough as hockey, I may have to forget it and just TTM the hell out of everyone.
But still, we have two months of baseball left before it stops and leaves us to face the fall alone, in the words of A. Bartlett Giamatti. And so, let's set a few goals for this final stretch...
1. Nolan Ryan. Since he didn't sign at the Rangers' Alumni Weekend festivities, I still need him on one more card before I can be done with him. So I need to find a way, a time, and a spot to get him. Unfortunately, I'm not too optimistic about this one.
2. Dennis Martinez. I missed out on him when the Astros came through the first time. Fortunately, they have two more trips in, so I have a few more chances to try for him.
3. Ryan Braun. Oh wait, never mind.
4. Yoon Betancourt. Just because. Yoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon.
5. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. Pipe dream I'm certain, but still, I gotta try.
6. Andrew McCutcheon. I've heard getting him to sign is like shooting fish in a barrel, so hopefully that holds true, and hopefully I'm able to get to one of the games. Unfortunately, I'm already planning on taking off the 13th (and maybe the 12th) for the Stars and the Weezer show in Oklahoma, so I could use all the OT I can get that week. Pirates may lose out.
7. Yoenis Cespedes. Also unlikely, as I will probably miss the entire A's series since my wife's birthday is the 14th. But if I make it out, he's my big target. And everyone else's too.
8. Any visiting player, really. I try not to target any one specific player. I'll take pretty much anyone I can get, but always go for more. A day of 20 relievers and reserves is just as good as a day of a single big-namer.
9. Yu Darvish. Not gonna happen, since I rarely go for the Rangers inside. But I need to fill in spots to get to 10 and I'm struggling.
10. Pat Neshek. I'd love to bring back Wednesday Friendsday and do an interview for it with him. But with my likely inability to get to the A's series, it may have to wait until next year.
There are others for sure-- still haven't ever gotten Garza, Holland, Soria, Soto, Beltre, Kinsler, Profar, Cruz, Berkman, Feliz, or Harrison. But if it comes to going for the visitors or going for the Rangers, I'll take the visitors 99 times out of 100. And since I've only (only?) been to 20 games this season, that 100th time is still way off in the distance.
And so, as hockey, football, and basketball inch closer, it's getting to be time to prepare for hotel trips for those sports-- if they're even worth trying.
But still, we have two months of baseball left before it stops and leaves us to face the fall alone, in the words of A. Bartlett Giamatti. And so, let's set a few goals for this final stretch...
1. Nolan Ryan. Since he didn't sign at the Rangers' Alumni Weekend festivities, I still need him on one more card before I can be done with him. So I need to find a way, a time, and a spot to get him. Unfortunately, I'm not too optimistic about this one.
2. Dennis Martinez. I missed out on him when the Astros came through the first time. Fortunately, they have two more trips in, so I have a few more chances to try for him.
3. Ryan Braun. Oh wait, never mind.
4. Yoon Betancourt. Just because. Yoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon.
5. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. Pipe dream I'm certain, but still, I gotta try.
6. Andrew McCutcheon. I've heard getting him to sign is like shooting fish in a barrel, so hopefully that holds true, and hopefully I'm able to get to one of the games. Unfortunately, I'm already planning on taking off the 13th (and maybe the 12th) for the Stars and the Weezer show in Oklahoma, so I could use all the OT I can get that week. Pirates may lose out.
7. Yoenis Cespedes. Also unlikely, as I will probably miss the entire A's series since my wife's birthday is the 14th. But if I make it out, he's my big target. And everyone else's too.
8. Any visiting player, really. I try not to target any one specific player. I'll take pretty much anyone I can get, but always go for more. A day of 20 relievers and reserves is just as good as a day of a single big-namer.
9. Yu Darvish. Not gonna happen, since I rarely go for the Rangers inside. But I need to fill in spots to get to 10 and I'm struggling.
10. Pat Neshek. I'd love to bring back Wednesday Friendsday and do an interview for it with him. But with my likely inability to get to the A's series, it may have to wait until next year.
There are others for sure-- still haven't ever gotten Garza, Holland, Soria, Soto, Beltre, Kinsler, Profar, Cruz, Berkman, Feliz, or Harrison. But if it comes to going for the visitors or going for the Rangers, I'll take the visitors 99 times out of 100. And since I've only (only?) been to 20 games this season, that 100th time is still way off in the distance.
And so, as hockey, football, and basketball inch closer, it's getting to be time to prepare for hotel trips for those sports-- if they're even worth trying.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)