Last Bit of Autos From The National

As far as I know, this is the last of the stuff that I brought home from last year's National.  It only took me about 7 or 8 months to get it all posted.  There were a couple vendors at the show who had some nice, cheap cards signed by deceased former players (and one other), so I figured I would grab a few for my album.  For some reason, I never sent the above 1957 Topps to Virgil Trucks for him to sign.  Whenever I see a Trucks card, I usually pick it up, and this one was no different.

I got the Burke Waldron (above left) cards from the Signatures for Soldiers.  I wanted to send one TTM, but Waldron passed away before I could.  I also liked the Monte Ivrin 1988 Pacific, 1959 Topps Mudcat Grant and 1961 Topps Bill Virdon 1960 World Series Highlight.  These were all cards I would have liked to send out back then, but didn't get a chance (probably because I didn't have extras of said cards).

I'm hoping to signer list for the National comes out soon.  I'd like to start pulling cards for those guys as soon as possible.  The days will be flying away, and July will be here before I know it.

National Pickup - Ari Lehman Signed Card

A while back, I bought one of those Rubbermaid drawer/organizers.  The first thing I did with it was designate a drawer for the autographs I got at the National this past summer that still had yet to be scanned.  While I was looking for my snap case of Hickory cards for graphing next week, I searched this drawer and realized that I still had several autographs that I picked up at the National that needed to be scanned and blogged.  Again, I am way behind on posting stuff.  So, here is one of those autographs, that of Ari Lehman.

I met Lehman at the show and had him sign a couple 8 x 10s, a poster for Chris and this card.  It was strange he was at the National and not across the street at the Horror-Con that I went to that Friday.  I had told him that an actress from Friday the 13th (Part V) would be over there, so he wrote her a note for me to give to her.  It made her day!

Lehman (b. 1965) is the first actor to play Jason Voorhees on screen.  He was the child actor used to portray Jason as he (spoiler alert) jumped out of the lake at the end of the movie and pulled Alice under the water.  According to his IMDB page, he mainly stuck to horror thereafter, taking parts in what looks like several B or C movies and some exploitation films.

Lehman was really cool when I met him.  He was very eager to chat with me and we talked about how I grew up with the Friday films and also how my son loves them.  He was happy to sign a poster for Chris, which Chris really enjoyed when I got home.

2021 National Pickup - Burleigh Grimes Signed Card

This 1983 Donruss Hall of Fame Heroes card signed by Hall of Famer, Burleigh Grimes, was among the assortment of deceased former player signed cards I found at a vendor's table at the National.  I liked the card and thought it would make a nice addition to my autograph album, so I picked it up.

I had added Grimes on a baseball (thanks to my awesome mom) a couple years ago, but I figured, at the price this card was at, I'd be dumb to leave it in the box at the show.  Now, it is in my album.

2021 National Pickup - Elrod Hendricks Signed Card

Elrod Hendricks was a coach with the Orioles when I met him back in 2005.  I got him to signed a cheap baseball, which has since faded to oblivion.  I wish I knew then what I know now, because I would have come off the money for better baseballs.  So, when I saw this 1975 Topps signed by Hendricks, I added him to my autograph album.  He was nice to us when we met him, but he did admonish the group of us for going crazy when Don Mattingly, then a Yankees coach, walked by.  Again, if I knew then what I know now, I would have dropped an 87 Topps on Mattingly to sign.  He didn't stop, though, so it probably didn't matter.

Hendricks (b. 1940 - d. 2005) died only a few months after I met him.  He had been in the Orioles organization for a very long time as a player and coach.  He played in the majors from 1968 to 1979 for the Orioles, Cubs and Yankees.  He had 415 hits, 62 home runs and a .220 batting average.  He won the World Series with the Orioles in 1970.  Hendricks died of a heart attack in 2005, just one day short of his 65th birthday.  He had been reassigned in the Orioles organization following that season, after serving 28 years as the Orioles bullpen coach.  He had a mild stroke in April of that year, which led to him being reassigned.

2021 National Pickup - Razor Shines Signed Card

Not all of the signed cards I bought from this vendor at the National were deceased.  I picked up this Razor Shines card because of his name, and because I've wanted to get one of his signed cards in my album for a while.  This 1987 Indianapolis Indians card is pretty cool, and also features the old 80s Pepsi logo.

Shines (b. 1956) played in the majors from 1983 to 1985 and 1987 for the Expos.  He had 15 hits, no home runs and a .185 batting average.

I thought Shines had more of a career than that, but I probably was only focusing on the front of the cards of his and not the back.

2021 National Free Signer - Tim Stoddard

Tim Stoddard was the last free signer for this year's National, and is the last free signer I am posting, thus wrapping up the bulk of my 2021 National posts.  I had amassed a ton of Stoddard vouchers, as most folks weren't sticking around til 2pm on Sunday to get him.  I was short on cards, so Max came in and helped me out with what I needed to match up with each voucher, save for one.  I rushed to a table near the signing area and found this 1984 Donruss Stoddard, which I ended up having him inscribe with 1983 WS Champs.  I don't have many 84 Donruss at all in my albums, so adding this one is pretty cool.

I had also pulled my 1991 Crown Orioles Stoddard to send along, and got it done.

Max hooked it up with a ton of Stoddard Topps cards; his 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1988 getting signed.

I also had gotten his 1984 and 1987 Fleer, as well as his 1987 Donruss taken care of.

This just about wraps up my 2021 National posts.  I'll be back with a Wood Ducks recap, an in-person signing going on tonight and lots more TTM posts.  Hopefully you enjoyed my look at the 2021 National Sports Collectors Convention; there may be one or two more posts sprinkled in there, but the bulk of what I saw and did have been summarized.  Thanks for reading.  Also, I do see your comments, but Blogger doesn't allow direct replies, so if you truly want an answer to something, shoot me an email.

2021 National Free Signer - Brian McRae

Brian McRae was one of the few free signers at the National this year who I hadn't gotten TTM, or at past Nationals.  He was pretty nice, and I had to ask him about his dad, Hal McRae.  I have needed Hal for my 87 set, but have struck out so far.  Brian said his dad doesn't sign much, and I left it at that.

The above 1993 Stadium Club turned out great.  When I had only one voucher, this was the card that I absolutely wanted to get signed.  It turned out really well, and I was able to find a few more vouchers, so I got some other cards signed as well.

I believe I am out of McRae cards in my boxes, now that I got all of these done.  I could be (and probably am) wrong, however.  He signed a 1991 Fleer, 1992 Pinnacle, 1991 Upper Deck and a 1992 Donruss.

Finally, I got this 1995 Leaf signed.  These cards were some of my favorites to open in the parking lot of the card shop back then with my mom.  They turn out really well when signed, and the set had some really great inserts.  The only drawback was that they, like most 90s cards, were over-glossed and tend to stick together and become bricked after a while.  Don't store your cards in an attic, boys and girls.

McRae (b. 1967) played in the majors from 1990 to 1999 for the Royals, Cubs, Mets, Rockies and Blue Jays.  He had 1,336 hits, 103 home runs and a .261 batting average.

2021 National Free Signer - Frank White

Frank White was another of the free signers at the National this year who I had added to my 1987 Topps set via a private signing.  I did have several of his cards, so I picked a few nice ones to match the number of vouchers that I had, and added them to my autograph album.  The above 1990 Topps is a nice card; I have always liked this design.

White also signed a 1986 Topps and a 1988 Donruss Baseballs Best.  Those cards really look nice, and I have a bunch, still, that I can use for future signings, if the need arises.

I am getting close to wrapping up my recaps of the 2021 National; just two more free signers to go.  Then, I'll be back on the TTM recap train, as this has put me even farther behind than I was before.  It's a happy problem to have, though.  I won't run out of stuff to talk about for quite a while.

2021 National Free Signer - Stan Bahnsen

A common theme among the free signers at this year's National was that most of them were guys I already had, either due to them signing TTM, or I got them through past paid signings.  I'm not complaining, but the past successes made it tough to find cards in my boxes, such was the case with Stan Bahnsen.  I cleaned up a bunch of cards I had for him once I got him TTM.  So, at a card show in Raleigh back in June, I picked this 1975 Topps up.  I figured it would be nice to add a 75 to the album, since it has been a while, and the card looks really nice.  Even with my bad crop job.

I also got these cards, a 1977 and 1978 Topps signed.  I also had him sign a 1980 Topps, but I realized I already had one signed by him, so that one will go in my trade bait pile.  One of these days, I'll make a list of the cards I have extras of and may be able to pull off some trades.

Bahnsen was nice, even though he was questioning whether or not my wife really did approve of all the cards I have in my collection.  If he knew about the signed movie memorabilia she had; or her signed hockey stuff, maybe he would have understood a little better about the dynamic of our relationship.  It was funny, though, and I definitely didn't take offense.  That being said, I tried to have conversations with every signer that I met at the National, and all of the conversations were great.  I didn't meet a single signer at the show who didn't seem to want to be there.

2021 National Free Signer - Cecil Cooper

Cecil Cooper was another of the free signers who was at the National this year that I had gotten before (several years ago) and also TTM.  So, when it came time to find cards of Cooper, I was pretty dry.

I did find this 1986 Donruss that I had him sign, and because I wasn't able to score any more vouchers for him, it was the only card I was able to get done for him,.

I do like the 1986 Donruss set.  It is known for the bad Jose Canseco mustache rookie card, but it is a nicely designed card.  I was able to get through Cooper's line fairly quickly and move on to the rest of the show.

2021 National Pickup - Marvin Miller Signed Baseball

When Marvin Miller was finally elected to the Hall of Fame, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get a baseball that had been signed by him because I had tried him TTM in the past and was rejected.  He passed away before he was enshrined, and I was able to find a nice baseball that had been signed by him at this year's show for a good price.

Miller (b. 1917 - d. 2012) was the executive director of the MLB Players Association from 1966 to 1982, and a key figure in baseball due to his ushering in free agency.  Like it or not, his influence on the MLBPA changed baseball forever, and abolished the reserve clause which bound players to teams for the entirety of their careers.

After 7 failed attempts at being elected to the Hall of Fame between 2003 and 2018, Miller was elected in 2020, after receiving the required 75% of the vote.  He becomes my 158th Hall of Famer on a baseball.

2021 National Free Signer - Darrell Evans

Darrell Evans played for a long time, and has a ton of cards.  I brought every card I could find with me to the National, hoping I could get a few of them signed.  After some wheeling and dealing, and the acceptance of Wild Cards through his line, I got every single Evans card I brought signed.

I had someone I chatted with in line who used a ton of Wild Cards, in conjunction with what I had left over; he kept only 3 or 4 of my cards and gave the rest back to me.  I think he was just happy the Wild Cards didn't go to waste.

I was disappointed that I couldn't find my 1981 Topps of Evans (or a 1980); I think those had gone out on an unsuccessful TTM request.  I did finish the two 1972 Topps, a 1978, 1983, 1984 and 1986 (along with the other Donruss, Upper Deck and Fleer cards that I found).

I had even found the mini 1986 and 1988 Topps Leaders cards (one of which was floating around on my desk for who knows how long).

Evans was super nice, and very accommodating, especially since I had found so many of his vouchers in my travels at the show.  I was so glad I was able to get all of these cards signed and not have to put them back in my boxes.  I just hope I don't have to dig for his cards any time soon.

Evans (b. 1947) played in the majors from 1969 to 1989 for the Braves, Giants and Tigers.  He had 2,223 hits, 414 home runs and a .248 batting average.  He was the AL home run leader in 1985 with 40 home runs; he had also hit 41 in 1973.  His best MVP finish was 12th (1987; AL) and was an All Star in 1973.  He won the World Series with the Tigers in 1984.  He appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot in 1995, but only received 1.7% of the vote.

2021 National Trade Night Signer - PJ Washington

This year, Trade Night was a bit different.  It was slam packed, but it turned out to be a lot of fun regardless.  It was arranged by the host, Kentuckybasketballcards (on Instagram), that Charlotte Hornets player, PJ Washington would be signing at Trade Night.  The line to get Washington stretched around the room, but Andrew and I were able to get him.  Andrew found 4 awesome cards, and gave me two of them.  Washington signed both in bronze Sharpie.  It looks better than the scan shows, really.

Washington (b. 1998) was drafted with the 12th overall pick by the Hornets out of the University of Kentucky.  He has played for the Hornets for two seasons from 2019 to 2021.  He has 38% 3-point percentage and 49% 2-point percentage and a total of 1,534 total points aver those two seasons.

2021 National Pickup - Dizzy Dean Signed Baseball

The main reason I even looked at this ball at the National was because I missed out on another ball from the same seller that was signed by Dizzy Dean.  I had talked with Andrew as we walked around the show the first day about how it would be nice to cross Dizzy Dean off of my list.  I had seen a ball for a good price that was signed by Dean, Sandy Koufax and Pee Wee Reese.  I made a note of where it was, and watched it for a few days.  When I was ready to pull the trigger on the ball, I went to where I saw it, and the ball had sold.  The seller then showed me this one, signed by Dean, and the two other guys I needed.  It was a bit more, but I had knocked some credit cards down over the COVID lockdowns, and had a little room to spend.  So, I wouldn't let this one get away.

Dean (b. 1910 - d. 1974) played in the majors in 1930, from 1932 to 1941 and 1947 for the Cardinals, Cubs and Browns.  He had a career record of 150-83 with 1,163 strike outs and a 3.02 ERA.  He led the league in wins in 1934 (30) and 1935 (28) and strikeouts from 1932 to 1935 (191, 199, 195, and 190, respectively).  He was the NL MVP in 1934 and finished second in the NL MVP voting in 1935 and 1936.  He won the World Series with the Cardinals in 1934.  He also was a 4-time All Star (1934 to 1937).  He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1953, after appearing on 11 various ballots.

Dizzy Dean died in 1974 from a heart attack.  He is my 157th Hall of Famer on a baseball.

2021 National Signer - Ric Flair

When I saw that Ric Flair was added to the National signer roster at the last minute, I decided to go ahead and finish this card that I got signed by Arn Anderson earlier this year.  It wasn't that I HAD to finish the card, it was more of taking the time to meet Flair again after all these years, mainly because his health hasn't been the best lately.

He signed my card in gold paint pen, over the top of where Anderson signed.  Oops.  Still, the card is signed by the both of them, and I'm glad I got him to sign it.  It looks a lot better in person, with the gold reflecting light when held at certain angles.

Flair was really nice and had one of the longer lines that I saw at the show.  While in line for Flair, I was able to get a good shot of Hulk Hogan, who was at the table beside Flair.  I think Hogan had the longest line of anyone at this show.

I asked Flair how he was feeling and how his health was.  He said he was in good health, and feeling great.  He shook my hand after I asked him that, because I told him we had been worried about him last year.

Unfortunately, a couple days following the show, Flair was released from his contract with WWE.  I heard it was a mutual parting of ways, so it looks likely he will be joining AEW sometime soon.  That's just my guess.

Still, I was really happy to meet Flair for a third time.  I just wish they would have let me pose for a selfie.  I guess I should have paid extra for the professional photo op.

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.

2021 National Pickup - Frankie Frisch Signed Baseball

The second of three signatures on the Cardinals old timers ball that I needed in my collection was that of Frankie Frisch.  Frisch signed the sweet spot of the ball, with a really nice signature.  I didn't mention before, but this ball has a JSA full letter of authenticity, and I got it for an amazing price.  I couldn't turn it down.  The ball now resided in my safe deposit box in my bank.

Frisch (b. 1898 - d. 1973) played in the majors from 1919 to 1937 for the Giants and Cardinals.  He had 2,880 hits. 105 home runs and a .316 batting average.  He was a three-time All Star (1933, 34 and 35) and the 1931 NL MVP.  He won the World Series in 1921 and 1922 with the Giants and 1931 and 1934 with the Cardinals.  

Frisch managed the Cardinals from 1933 to 1938, winning the 1934 World Series.  Then, he moved on to the Pirates and managed there from 1940 to 1946, never finishing higher than 2nd; finally, he went to the Cubs and managed from 1949 to 1951.  In all, his managerial record was 1,138-1,078 (.514 win %).

He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1947, when he was named on 84.5% of the ballot.

Frisch died at the age of 74 from injuries sustained in a car accident a month earlier, a similar manner of death as other former Giant Hall of Famers, Carl Hubbell and Mel Ott.

Frisch is my 156th Hall of Famer on a baseball.

2021 National Free Signer - Ron Kittle

Ron Kittle was another of the free signers at the National.  I had recently gotten him TTM, so I was short on some cards.  I had wanted him on this 1991 Crown Orioles card, so I had it put aside, and it was easy to locate.

I also found this 1990 Fleer of Kittle in a random box.  I haven't gotten many of these signed, though.  I have a partial set of 1990 Fleer around the house somewhere, but I have no idea where I put the box.

The 1990 Fleer looks great signed.  Kittle was nice, but he wasn't signing his 1984 Topps card for anyone.  I overheard him saying that he hated that card, and the photo was ugly.  Several players refuse to sign certain cards for various reasons.  It's kind of funny hearing some of the reasons, but for set builders, it hurts sometimes.  I think he did sign one for someone who put some additional money down for Kittle's charity, so the 84 Topps can be had, for a price.

2021 National - Phil Hughes Autographs

Since he retired, Phil Hughes has been very involved in the card collecting hobby.  His Youtube channel, Phils Pulls, is very popular, as is his Twitter account.  Hughes had a table set up at the National this year, and when Andrew and I found out that he was going to be there, I pulled a couple cards to bring along with me, just in case.

We ended up meeting Hughes, and I got him to sign two of the four cards that I brought; I gave the other two to Andrew, which he got signed.  Phil charged $15.00/card, which wasn't a problem for me.  I figured it was so he could keep the lines small around his table.

The above 2007 Topps Turkey Red chrome turned out great.  I was glad I was able to find that one and bring it along.  It is numbered 529/999.

This 2008 Bowman blue parallel is  numbered 279/500 and also turned out well.

Hughes (b. 1986) played in the majors from 2007 to 2018 for the Yankees, Twins and Padres.  He had a record of 88-79 with 1,040 strike outs and a 4.52 ERA.  He was an All Star in 2010, and his best Cy Young Award finish was 7th in 2014.  He won the World Series with the Yankees in 2009.

2021 National Pickups - Signed 87s For The Set

Six cards were crossed off of my 1987 Topps checklist when I found a few cards at different tables.  A few of them were purchased from the Signatures For Soldiers booth, which has the proceeds go to a good cause; helping veterans and wounded soldiers.

I had someone set to get me this Keith Hernandez card signed, but COVID messed that up.  I went ahead and bought this one, since it helped out a good cause, and it got the card out of the way.

I joined a private signing for Mitch Williams the same time I joined one for Charlie Leibrandt, and I have to say, I will never use that promoter again.  They have stopped answering my emails, and my cards never came back.  I'm out the $25 or so that I sent in for that signing.  They say that they sent me my cards, but that was supposedly over a year ago.  They would have gotten here by now.

I had sent to Mike Krulow TTM, and if that card comes in, I will upgrade this one.

Someone had told me they had the Mike Boddicker for me, but I haven't seen that, either, and I'm not about to pester someone to get it, so if that one comes in, it will be an upgrade, as well.

Finally, I added Tracy Jones and Jorge Orta, and both cards look pretty decent.  Both are signed in thin marker, so if the TTMs I sent out ever come back, maybe those signatures will be better.

These 6 cards put me well within 100 remaining for the set (actually, I need 97 more to complete the set.  They are going to be fewer and farther in between, unfortunately.  I think I can get close, but there are still several that I don't think I have a chance of completing.