2026 National Free Signer - Steve Trout

Steve Trout made his return to the National this year as a last-minute replacement signer. I can't remember who he replaced, but it was one of the football guys. Jim Osborne maybe. Well, I scoured my boxes for Trout cards, and came up with a few that I didn't yet have in the autograph album. 

He was cool, as always. I've gotten him 3 or 4 times now.

I didn't mind that several of the signers were guys that I had gotten before, since it still helped me get cards out of the boxes. It would be nice, though, if there was a little more variety of the signers. Oh well.

2026 National Paid Signers - Jim Thome and Mike Schmidt

There were two paid signers I wanted to get on one card this year. I had never met Mike Schmidt before, and when I saw that he was added to the National lineup, I penciled him in as a guy I wanted to get this year. I had a couple newer cards that I had my eye on, but then I went through my 2004 Topps box looking for something else, when I found this card of Schmidt and Jim Thome. I had met Thome before, but had no problem meeting him again, so the goal of completing this card was set.

I got Schmidt first. His table was beside Thome's, and when he saw the card, he held it up and said "Hey Thome, take a look!" When I got over to Thome next, he held it up and said "Hey, Schmiddy". It was really cool meeting both. I chatted with Schmidt a bit but talked longer with Thome. I mentioned again about Kinston, and he talked about how much he loved playing there. He shook my hand, patted me on the shoulder and thanked me for coming. Jim Thome is such an awesome guy.

I love that I got this card signed by both guys. Dual Hall of Famer autos are tough, but some can still be done. I may have to try some more later down the line.

2026 National Paid Signer - Brian Bosworth

The first paid signer that I got at this year's National was former football player, Brian Bosworth. I was going to get him on an older Topps card that I would have picked up online. I went through some cards Gerard had given me prior to leaving for my trip out west and went through a set of Oklahoma cards. There was a Bosworth in there, so I used it at the show. The card turned out great.

Bosworth (b. 1965) played professionally from 1987 to 1989 for the Seahawks. He has 3 forced fumbles for 38 yards. He starred in the movie Stone Cold about a cop who goes undercover in a biker gang. I remember watching it with my Uncle Joe when I was a kid and remembered that he loved the movie. I talked briefly to Bosworth about the movie and had a nice interaction with him.

Uncle Joe also has some deer meat in the fridge....

2026 National Free Signer - Gene Hiser

Gene Hiser was the next free signer at this year's National. I had sent to him TTM a while back and never got my card back. So, at the show, I found a vendor who had an album of 1974 Topps. I picked up a replacement for the card I had sent and got it signed. 

Hiser (b. 1948) played in the majors from 1971 to 1975 for the Cubs. He had 53 hits, 1 home run and a .202 batting average. 

2026 National Free Signer - Grant Mulvey

A former hockey player was next on the lost of free signers at the National, Grant Mulvey. I don't follow hockey much, but i reappy enjoy old hockey cards. I found enough of his cards at the show to cover the vouchers I accumulated, starting off with the above 1979-1980 Topps. I liked the blue border, and I was right that it would look great signed in blue.

I also found the above left 1976-1975 Topps and above right 1977-1978 Topps. All of the cards turned out great, and Mulvey was pretty cool. 

Mulvey (b. 1956) played from 1975 to 1984 for the Black Hawks and Devils. He had 149 goals with 135 assists, for 284 points.

2026 National Free Signer - Chuck Knoblauch

Chuck Knoblauch was the next free signer at this year's National. I was excited to get him because I had found so many of his cards in the lead up to the show. I had gotten him once before; by way of TTM back in 2021. I also had met him at a past National when I had a free photo voucher with him. I couldn't find my photo before I left for the show, however.

I had gotten a couple Knoblauch vouchers and then was able to get a bunch more cards signed when they called wild cards on him. That was great, because it helped me not to have to put a bunch of stuff back in my boxes. 

Knoblauch was nice enough. He didn't really say a whole lot, but wasn't rude or anything like that.

2026 National Free Signer - Wendell Davis

The next free signer at this year's National was former Bear, Wendell Davis. I ended up with a few vouchers for him and picked up some cards from a vendor that I have seen at several past Nationals who always has cards of the signers. It made life so much easier when I could just go by his tables and pick up the guys I needed. We ended up making a coupke trades later in the show, and then I also got him some of his own cards signed.

Davis (b. 1966) played professionally from 1988 to 1993 for the Bears. He had 207 receptions for 3,000 yards and 14 touchdowns receiving.

Davis was pretty cool and talked to everyone. He seemed really happy to be there.