Cabrera (b. 1983) played in the majors from 2003 to 2023 for the Marlins and Pirates. He had 3,174 hits, 511 home runs and a .306 batting average. He was the AL MVP in 2012 and 2013. He was the AL batting champ in 2011 (.344), 2012 (.330), 2013 (.348) and 2015 (.338). He was an All Star 12 times (2004-2007, 2010-2016 and 2022). Cabrera is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2029.
I paid a good bit to meet Pujols in person and get a ball signed, but he was one of the two big ticket guys I chose to get. He grunted when I said hello, signed my ball, and rhat was it. Oh well.
Pujols (b. 1980) played in the majors from 2001 to 2022 for the Cardinals, Angels and Dodgers. He had 3,384 hits, 703 home runs and a .296 batting average. He was a 3-time NL MVP (2005, 2008 and 2009) and NL Rookie of the Year in 2001. He was the NL batting champ (.359) in 2003. He batted over .300 in 10 straight seasons. He led the league in home runs twice. Pujols is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2028.
Johnson (b. 1899) played in the Negro Leagues from 1923 to 1927, 1929 and 1932 to 1936 for Hilldale Club, Homestead Grays, Pittsburgh Crawfords and New York Cubans. He had documented statistics that included 481 hits, 32 home runs and a .288 batting average.
I'm pretty sure Johnson is my 177th Hall of Famer on a baseball.
I found this baseball signed by the late Dick Allen very cheap at the show. It is authenticated, and has a lot of toning on the ball, but that's ok.
Allen (b. 1942 - d. 2020) played in the majors from 1963 to 1977 for the Phillies, Dodgers, White Sox and A's. He had 1,848 hits, 351 home runs and a .292 batting average. He was the 1964 NL Rookie of the Year and AL MVP in 1972. He led the AL in hone runs in 1972 (37) and 1974 (32).
I'm pretty sure he is Hall of Famer 176 in my collection.
Kunz (b. 1947) played professionally from 1969 to 1978 and 1980 for the Falcons and Colts. He was a 7-time pro bowler (1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976 and 1977).
I mailed to Kunz on August 7 and got the card back on August 18 for an 11-day TAT.
I was right that the card would look awesome signed. He also added the HOF 92 inscription. Definitely well worth the $20.00 fee.
I mailed to Fingers on August 5 and got the card back on August 15 for a 10-day TAT.
Willard (b. 1943) played professionally from 1965 to 1973 for the 49ers and Cardinals. He had 6,105 yards and 45 touchdowns.
I mailed to Willard on August 7 and got the card back on August 14 for a 7-day TAT.
I bought the card because it is signed by John Donaldson, a North Carolina native, and someone I have met at the Wilson Hot Stove Event. I figured the card would look cool in my album.
It turned out, the vendor knows Donaldson personally. Donaldson signs a few of the cards and the vendor sells them, giving the money to Donaldson. So, I was glad I picked one up, because Donaldson is a very nice guy.
I was glad to cross the cards off of the needs list. Maybe next year I'll hit a couple of the other sets harder.
Purdue (b. 1965) played in the NBA from 1988 to 2001 for the Bulls, Spurs and Trailblazers. He had 3,740 total points and 595 assists. He won the NBA Championship four times (1991, 1992 and 1993 with the Bulls; and 1999 with the Spurs).
The above 2012 Leaf Limited looks great signed by Blomberg in silver paint pen.
Blomberg was super nice again. If he shows up at another show, I'm going to have to find some more of his cards.
The next card that I'd like to show off from this year's National is this 1993 Upper Deck Brewers checklist that I finally got completed. I paid for Robin Yount and Paul Molitor right before I left for Chicago. I had picked this card up and had it signed by Pat Listach during the 2022 National. My friend, Michael, found the card at that show but didn't want to start a new project. I had forgotten about the card until I saw Listach earlier this summer, then decided to complete it. The card looks great.
Gooden was awesome, as always. Im glad he came to the show forward second time.
Plank was nice as usual. I was glad to get him again.
Helton (b. 1973) played in the majors from 1997 to 2013 for the Rockies. He jad 2,519 hits, 369 home runs and a .316 batting average. He was a 5-time All Star (2000 to 2004) and his best MVP finish was 5th (2000). He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2024 with 79.7% of the vote (on his 6th ballot).
By my math (which may be off), Helton is my 175th Hall of Famer on a baseball.
Corzine (b. 1956) played in the NBA from 1978 to 1991 for the Bullets, Spurs, Bulls, Magic and Supersonics. He had 7,615 points in his career. He was our next free VIP signer at the National.
Roland (b. 1943) played professionally from 1966 to 1973 for the Cardinals and Giants. He was a Pro Bowler in 1966 and 1967. He was the 1966 AP Rookie of the Year.
Moorehead (b. 1954) played professionally from 1977 to 1988 for the Giants, Broncos and Bears. He won Super Bowl XX with the Bears. He had 224 receptions for 2,980 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Cangelosi was really nice, as was everyone we met. The VIP signers were all pretty cool selections. I always wonder who will be selected for the next batch of VIP signers. I always hope they choose some guys I jeed for the 87 set, but being down to around 25 or so makes the choices pretty low.
The card turned out nicely. Williams was really nice, and shook my hand after he signed. I had heard that he could be very difficult at Wrigley, but he was nice at the show. I probably should have upgraded my signed baseball, but this 61 Topps will look awesome in the autograph album.
