A Few Set Need Pickups From The National

The National wasn't all autographs.  I also knocked out a few set needs from two of the vintage sets I have been slowly working on.  I've been chipping away at the 1955 Bowman and 1962 Topps sets.  I didn't get any 1964 or 1967 Topps while I was there, mainly because it was so hard to get into any of the tables.

Still, I added around 10 cards, each to the 1955 Bowman and 1962 Topps sets.

I didn't add any huge stars to the sets, but there were a bunch of Yankees in thr 1962 pile like the above Elston Howard, a Bobby Richardson, a Whitey Ford in action, etc.

I have updated my needs list, so they are finally accurate, for now.

2024 National Free Signer - Ellis Burks

Ellis Burks is still pinch hitting. When Steve Sax couldn't attend the National this year, Bulls subbed in his place, and in Burks's words, he hit a grand slam.  

Because we didn't know ahead of time, I wasn't able to bring cards for Burks.  I purchased an 8 x 10 and got this one signed in silver paint pen.  The photo turned out great.

Later, they staged a bunch of photos at his table, so I went up and paid for another.  I asked him if Tristar had Burks on standby, and he said no, he lives in Cleveland, so he drove on over for the signing. 

I went through Burks's line a third time, not to get something signed, but to ask him where some good places to eat were.  Pater in the week, we made sure to try one of his recommendations, Mallorca, and really enjoyed our meal.

Burks was super cool, and I'm glad he pinch hit for Sax.

2024 National Pickup - Fred McGriff Signed Baseball

Another Hall of Famer on a baseball was added to my collection at this year's National when I picked up this ball signed by Fred McGriff.  I had met McGriff a few years ago in Danville, but couldn't get him to sign.  So, I passed on paying the premium to meet him and bought this ball at a good price.

McGriff (b. 1963) played in the majors from 1986 to 2004 for the Blue Jays, Padres, Braves, Devil Rays, Cubs and Dodgers.  He had 2,490 hits, 493 home runs and a .294 batting average.  He was a 5-time All Star (1992, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 2000) and a 3-time Silver Slugger Award winner (1989, 1992 and 1993).  His best MVP finish was 4th (NL, 1993).  He won the World Series with the Braves in 1995.

McGriff was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2023 via the Veterans Committee.  McGriff is my 169th Hall of Famer on a baseball.

2024 National Free Signer - Doc Gooden

The 2024 National has come and gone.  I picked up a decent amount of stuff and still cake home with a little money in my pocket.  I wanted to lead off with the first free signer, Doc Gooden, who was one of the VIP party signers.  I wanted Doc on this 2000 Topps Chrome All Star Rookies card.  I thought the card was cool, since he only played one game with the Astros in 2000.

I also got a 1985 Fleer, 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen and a 2016 Topps Bunt signed after a couple trips through the line and a little help from Michael's Uncle Stanley.

Gooden was really nice, and it was cool to meet him.  It was a great way to start the show.

FYI, I don't plan on doing each and every signer/pickup in order.  I want to mix the posts up.  We'll see how it goes.

July 23, 2024, Graphing of the Legends at Dirty Birds

On my way to Cleveland for the 2024 National, I met up with my friend, Michael, in Charleston to catch the Lexington Legends at Charleston Dirty Birds.  Greg Zaun is managing the Legends and Arthur Rhodes is their pitching coach.  These were two former Orioles that I wanted to get to sign some cards. 

I cleaned out the rest of the Charleston cards that I had, including a couple more Delino Deshields, Jr. that I found in a box just a couple days before i left for the show.  I was also happy that I finally got my David Lebron Frederick Keys team set card signed.

It took me a while to find some Zaun cards, but I found enough for both Michael and I.  I found some JT Riddle cards in the same box I found the Deshields cards in.  I also got a Midwest League All Star team.set card signed by Brady Whalen.

When Michael and I were looking at teams to see on the way to Cleveland, I saw that former Wood Duck. Nic Laio was on Lexington.  I was able.to finally get his 2021 Wood Ducks team set card signed.  I'm down to just a couple cards left to complete that set.

While I didn't find a whole lot of Greg Zaun cards, I found a ton of Arthur Rhodes cards. 

I loaded a ton of the cards into my book, then also got some help from my friend, Josh, who lives near Charleston.

Josh and his friend Jimmy came to the game, which was the first time I've seen Josh in person since he and I went to Myrtle Beach during the full throes of COVID.  He has since gotten married and now has a one-year old son.  I wish I could have also seen his wife and son, but the little guy isn't quite old enough to catch a Dirty Birds game.  I'm glad Josh brought Jimmy along; Jimmy isn't a huge baseball fan but enjoyed himself and seems to be turning into a fan.  It really made me happy that Josh went out of his way to get to the game to see me.

In all, I got the following autographs: Delino DeShields Jr x 2, Phil Ervin x 6, David Lebron x 1, Cristofer Ogando x 1, Korry Howell x 2, Nic Laio x 3, Arthur Rhodes x 19, JT Riddle x 2, Brady Whalen x 1 and Gregg Zaun x 4 (41 total autographs).

A Signed Card From Jimmy K

A while back, Jimmy from the Wood Duck games gave me this signed 1992 Upper Deck signed by Manny Ramirez. He had this card for a long time and was willing to part with it.  I like the full Manny signature; I got a short sig the other day at the National. 

Thank you so much, Jimmy!

Dugan Has His Own Card

Dugan is one of my favorite people. I've told that to many people (including him). So when he told me that he was in the Florence Y'alls team set, I was excited.  He sent me a signed version of the card, which was awesome.  Dugan is the guy on the right (obviously).

Thank you so much for the signed card, Dugan!