2026 National Free Signer - Geovany Soto

Geovany Soto was the next free signer at this year's National. I had sent most of his cards to Max over the years, but was still able to find a couple to take with me to the show. The above 2010 Topps Heritage was one of them. This is such a good looking card and I'm glad I got it signed. 

I worked out a deal with the vendor I had been talking to all show; I took a bunch of his Soto cards and some wild card vouchers and went through the line for him so he wouldn't have to leave his booth. We split the cards, so I ended up with several extras.

I also got the other card I brought from home (this 2017 Topps) signed. Since I already had one in the album, I got this one done in red paint pen.

Soto (b. 1983) played in the majors from 2005 to 2017 for the Cubs, Rangers, A's, White Sox and Angels. He had 619 hits, 108 home runs and a .245 batting average. He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2008. He was also an All Star that season and finished 13th in the NL MVP race.

2026 National Free Signer - Ron Kittle

At this year's National, I got to see Ron Kittle as a free signer for the third time. He had been a signer at the 2021 and 2023 Nationals as well. I was surprised that I even had any cards of him left, but I did. The above 1988 Fleer turned out great. I have a partial set of 88 Fleer somewhere, but I haven't located it in all of my mess.

I did raid a partial set of 1989 Upper Deck. I didn't realize that Kittle had two cards in that set. I also had him sign a 1989 Score and a 1989 Donruss.

I had several vouchers for Kittle (obviously), so I got several cards out of my slider box. I think I have a couple left, in case he shows up at next year's National. 

2026 National Paid Signer - Barry Sanders

At every National, I try to pick up paid vouchers for at least one marquee signer. This year, it was one of the greatest football players of all time, Barry Sanders. I had thought about getting him a couple years ago, but decided against it. He, then, had a health scare, and I felt like this was going to be a repeat of when I passed on meeting Jim Brown several years ago. I could have paid for Brown, decided against it with the thought "He will be there next year..." and he never showed back up to a National. So, this year, when I saw Sanders on the list again, I paid the fee and brought this awesome 1994 Classic Pro Line Live card along. The card turned out great. Sanders was awesome to me, he asked my name, where I was from and shook my hand. He was such a great guy. 

Sanders (b. 1968) played professionally from 1989 to 1998 for the Lions. His career 15,269 rushing yards are 4th all-time and his 99 rushing touchdowns are 11th. He was a Pro Bowler in each season he played. He was the 1989 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and the UPI, PFWA and Sporting News Rookie of the Year. He was the 1997 AP and PFWA NFL MVP. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004. His number 20 is retired by the Lions and his number 21 is retired by Oklahoma State. He also won the Heisman Trophy in 1988.

2026 National Free Signer - Otis Wilson

Otis Wilson was the next free signer at this year's National. I found this card at the same vendor who had cards of the signers. It is a 1983 Topps football card, and it turned out pretty well. 

Wilson (b. 1957) played professionally from 1980 to 1987 and 1989 for the Bears and Raiders. He won Super Bowl XX with the Bears.

2026 National Free Signer - Mike Hartenstine

Former Bear, Mike Hartenstine was the next free signer at this year's National. 

I didn't have anything of him before I left for the show, so I was glad there was a vendor there with cards of the free signers.

Hartenstine (b. 1953) played professionally from 1975 to 1987 for the Bears and Vikings. He won Super Bowl XX with the Bears.

2026 National Free SIgner - Sheryl Swoopes

The next free signer at this year's National was a different one. Former WNBA star and Hall of Famer, Sheryl Swoopes was at the show signing for VIPs. She was very friendly, even when she paused the line right when she got to us to order her Door Dash. She was really funny, and genuinely seemed happy to be at the show signing. 

I had found the above card at the card shop a few days before I left for the show. I pulled it from a dollar box and had it signed in gold paint pen. The signature didn't show up as well as I thought it would, but it's ok.

Swoopes (b. 1971) played professionally from 1997 to 2000, 2002 to 2008 and 2011 for the Houston Comets, Seattle Storm and Tulsa Shock. She had 4,875 total points across 12 seasons. She was a three-time MVP (2000, 2002, 2005) abd a four-time champion (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000) with the Comets. She was elected to the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017. She was the first player to be signed in the WNBA. She won three Olympic gold medals and an NCAA championship (1993, with Texas Tech).

2026 National Free Signer - Jerry Korab

The next free signer at the National was Jerry Korab. I had never heard of him, but that's normal since he was a hockey player back in the 70s and early 80s. He was cool when I met him. I got him on the above card that I found at the show.

Korab (b. 1948) played from 1971 to 1985 for the Black Hawks, Canucks, Sabres and Kings. He had 114 goals, 341 assists, for 455 points.