2022 National Free Signer - Mike Nelms

Now that I am breaking down all of the free signers at this year's National, I've realized that there were a lot of signers.  Usually, I skip the non-baseball guys, but I think this year, I got at least one card signed by all of them except for the football guy at the VIP party (I forgot his name already).

There was a vendor right near the bathrooms at the show who had a display board with cards of most of the free signers for $5.00/card.  Some (most) of those were a gross overpay, but in the end, my time was valuable, and it saved me from spending hours at dime boxes looking for random folks.  So, I purchased a few of the guy's cards, like these of Mike Nelms.  The card above is a 1983 Topps.

I also found his 1981 Topps and a 1990 ProSet.  All of the cards turned out great and are a little something different in my album.

Nelms (b. 1955) played in the NFL from 1980 to 1984 for the Redskins.  He was a 3-time Pro Bowler (1980, 1981 and 1982) and an All Pro in 1983.  He won the Super Bowl with the Redskins in 1983 (1982 season) when the Redskins defeated the Dolphins.

2022 National Free Signer - Roy White

Roy White was another signer that I had seen before at a past National.  A few years ago, he was a last minute replacement for Steve Garvey at the VIP party.  This year, he was a free signer during the Wednesday portion of the show.  I had gotten him in the past on a baseball.  This year, I had 2 cards and 2 vouchers that I could use.  The above 1984 Topps came from a card shop I had stopped at in New Jersey back in June.  I was glad to add this to the album.

I also had this 1980 Topps, which turned out nicely.  I liked how White signed along the bat shown on the card, and not the faux autograph printed on the card.

White was pretty nice, but I didn't try for a selfie with him.  We weren't sure at the time who would be cool with one or not, so we just went through the line and moved along.

2022 National Free Signer - Pat Listach

The common theme among the free signers at this year's National was that I had gotten most of them before, either TTM or at past Nationals.  Pat Listach was someone I got early on TTM.  I didn't have very many of his cards left, but was lucky enough to find a couple prior to the National, like the above 1994 Stadium Club.  I have been complimented on the card already.  This is kind of a forgotten set, in my opinion, but it still a pretty cool design.  I was glad I found this one and can get it in my album.

The 1993 Ultra was another card that I found on my own, and it turned out great.  This is also a great design and will look good in the album.  The 1992 Stadium Club was found at the show itself, since I had extra vouchers for Listach but not enough cards.

Finally, Michael had found this 1993 Upper Deck but didn't want to start a new project by trying for the two Hall of Famers on the card (Molitor and Yount).  I may take it on, or I may just leave this in the album.  We'll have to see.

Listach was pretty nice.  We blew in and out of his line, which was good, since I had so many people I was seeing.

2022 National Free Signer - Bill Madlock

Bill Madlock was another of the free VIP signers who I was able to get at the National, but had already gotten in the past.  Thankfully, I had a bunch of Madlock's cards, still, so I added some nice early 80s to my autograph album.  The above 1981 Topps turned out really well.  I always enjoy this set, and was glad that I had it among the few loose 81s I still have left.

I also added a 1982 Topps and a 1983 Topps to the album, since I ended up with three vouchers for Madlock.

He was pretty nice, and I should have posed for a selfie, but I was in a rush to get everything signed that I had with me, so I didn't pose with Madlock.

2022 National Paid Signer - Mariano Rivera

The big name that I signed up to meet at the National this year was former Yankees closer, Mariano Rivera.  I already had him on a ball (thanks to Mom), but I still wanted to meet him.  I remembered that I had this 2018 Topps Stadium Club, so I opted to get it signed and into my album.

The price point is crazy for a card, but I felt like this card was worth it.  This is an amazing shot of Rivera.  The only problem, now, is that he switched pens on me when he was signing and signed it in black Sharpie, even though I told the handler that I wanted blue.  It wasn't worth making a fuss over; the card still looks amazing.

2022 National Free Signer - Mickey Morandini

Mickey Morandini was another of the free VIP signers at this year's National.  Like most of the others, he was someone that I had gotten in the past via TTM.  I also think I had sent my friend, Max, some of Morandini's cards, but I still had plenty that I was able to use for the National.

Morandini was announced as one of the VIP signers for the 2020 National that was canceled due to COVID.  So, I had most of these cards already put aside.  Thankfully, I found them quickly, and was able to be prepared for the show.  I had a lot of his vouchers, so I got a 1991 Fleer, 1991 Donruss, 1993 Triple Play, 1997 Pacific, 2000 Topps and a 1991 Studio signed.

All of the cards turned out great.  I used to have a friend who was working on the 1991 Studio set, but he took off, so I will just file this away in my album.  I like the set, but am definitely not going to try to complete it.  I have enough going on.

2022 National Paid Signer - Dave Parker

Dave Parker was one of the paid signers at this year's National that I just wanted to meet in person.  I didn't have any special cards of his put aside, so I went to Ebay and bought this 2002 Upper Seck SP Legendary Cuts.  The card looks great.

Parker's signature is getting shakier.  He was diagnosed with Parkinson's a while back, and it seems to be taking a toll.  That was the main reason why I wanted to get him in person.  He was nice enough, but you could tell the disease has him worn down.  The guy should be in the Hall of Fame, as well.

I enjoyed meeting Parker, and at that price point, it was a no-brainer.