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.

2026 National Free Signer - Mike Squires

Another guy that I had gotten in the past via TTM was a free signer this year at the National. I had gotten Mike Squires on a few cards back in 2024, but luckily didn't get him on a 1982 Topps. I forgot to check if I had gotten him before, but it worked out anyway.

I only had one voucher for Squires, so I got only one card signed. It was fine, though, as I got through the line really quickly and went back to looking through bargain boxes.

2026 National Free Signer - Randy Martz

Randy Martz was the next free signer at this year's National. I had him sign the above 1982 Topps and the 1983 Donruss and 1983 Topps shown below. 

Martz (b. 1956) played in the majors from 1980 to 1983 for the Cubs and White Sox. He had a record of 17-19 with 78 strike outs and a 3 78 ERA.

Martz was pretty friendly, and his line moved quickly. Something I noticed this year was how much better the VIP lines moved. I went through **most** of the lines very fast.

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....