2023 National Free Signer - Bob Dernier

Bob Dernier was the next free signer on the last day of the National.  By the time I got through Dernier's line, most of the people had cleared out.  Still, I had two more signers to go after Dernier, but it was a far cry from earlier in the week.

I had sent all of my Dernier cards out to my friend, Max, in the past, so I picked these three cards up from the guy selling signer cards at the show.  I liked the above 1982 Topps Traded, even though I didn't realize it was a Traded until later on.

I also got a 1985 Topps and a 1985 Fleer signer by Dernier.

Dernier (b. 1957) played in the majors from 1980 to 1989 for the Phillies and Cubs.  He had 634 hits, 23 home runs and a .255 batting average.  He finished 17th in the 1984 NL MVP race abd won a Gold Glove that year.

2021 National Free Signer - Jeff Burroughs

Jeff Burroughs was another free signer at the National, and another that I had already gotten TTM in the past.  I didn't have many cards left of him, so, I bought the 1975 Topps below at a Raleigh show a few months ago, and the above 1982 Topps Traded at the National itself.  I didn't have any signed 82 Traded cards in my collection, as I had never found any bulk anywhere.

The 1981 Topps and 1981 Topps Traded were the last Burroughs cards that I was able to find in my boxes, and I was glad that I found enough VIP vouchers at the show to be able to finish them off.  I was one short, and would have had to leave out the 81 Traded, but found a voucher at the last minute when I was in line.

Burroughs was really nice, as were all of the other signers.  It turned out that most of them had already signed TTM for me in the past, but some, more than others, had a bunch of cards remaining in my boxes.

Happy Birthday, Cal

Today, my childhood icon turns 50. Wow. That is hard to believe. If he was Jamie Moyer, he'd still be playing. He has been retired almost 10 years. Makes me feel really old.
15 years ago, Cal broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive games streak. I was 14, getting ready to turn 15. I remember sitting on my brother's bean bag in the room we shared, watching the game. I, wearing my black Ripken jersey (which I still own) jumped up and cheered when he hit his home run in the game and I teared up when they dropped the number on the warehouse sigifying that Ripken had, indeed, broken the record.

Now, Cal is 50. All signs point to Cal becoming a part of the Oriole's front office sooner than later. I hope he makes an impact, but I know it will definitely take some time.

So, I tip my cap to one of the greatest players the game has ever seen and wish him a happy birthday.

What I got for Christmas

FINALLY!!!! After collecting Ripken for 20+ years, I finally have all of his rookie cards...

1982 Topps Traded Cal Ripken. I have been wanting this card for forever. I finally have it. Of course, if you follow my blog, it shouldn't take you long to figure out who got it... my MOM!!! She knows exactly what to get me.

I had a really great Christmas, and ended up with a lot of cool stuff. I'm really happy about it. I hope you all had good ones as well!!!