Fisher Of Autographs

My second day at the National and my second day spending less than $10.  And I couldn't be happier.  I have had a blast sitting and looking through thousands of autographs for the gems I need to fill my collection.  Yesterday I brought three more of those gems home.  I have my eye on many more and am hoping to get some good deals as the show progresses.

Jack Fisher 1962 Topps #203

 My curiosity helped me land this well loved beauty.  At the booth, they were moving a ton of bats and I was being nosy, trying to see who they were for.  I couldn't tell, but I found a small box of autos on the table.  There was a second Fisher, as a Met, much less loved but it wouldn't do.  A few creases and absolutely zero corners is perfect and the price could not be beat.  I even talked them down a buck, every bit helps.

Mike Hartley 1991 Donruss #545

 Mike Hartley only appeared in 3 games for the Orioles in 1995 to end his major league career.  He was lights out but never pitched again in the majors.  He took a year off in 1996, came back in 1997 and then retired.  Then eight years later he made a start for the Mesa Miners, not a great day.  He coached in the U.S. for three years and then moved across the pond.  He has coached German professional baseball, the Croatian National team and now in Italian professional baseball.  Difficult to track down a European nomad.

Izzy Molina 1994 Bowman #164

What happened on May 6, 2002 in Baltimore Maryland?  Hint: it has to do with Izzy Molina.

Answer, Izzy Molina played in his one and only game as a Baltimore Oriole.  He went 1-3 in a 9-4 Orioles loss at the hands of the Cleveland Indians.  He also drove in a run on his only hit.  He stayed in the Orioles organization until his retirement in 2003.  This Bowman card is one of only two major releases, both with the Athletics.

Stay tuned,  today should bring a good haul.

The Manley Portion of the National

Many of this years autograph guests I took a pass on.  Each VIP Oriole I have multiples of, so my I switched my focus to the Redskins.  Five different Skins will be at the National this year and first up, the original "Beast Mode", Dexter Manley.

I was afraid of Dexter Manley when I was a kid.  And that was only having seen him on T.V.  He just seemed so damned violent and as an eight year old, it was terrifying.  And that is why I love him today.  He personified what I now appreciate in my football players, I was just too young to really appreciate it.

Evidence.

Dexter Manley 1984 Topps #383

He should have been allowed to play without a helmet.  I would have allowed him to sack the QB, would not have stood in his way.

 Dexter Manley 1983 Topps #191

Dexter Manley 1988 Topps #20

Aside from being a beast, Dexter was as nice as could be.  There were a lot of items with pre-existing signatures and each time, Dexter asked who they were.  He seemed interested and excited to hear about his teammates that had already signed.

Here is the gentle giant.

I will be keeping the "mohawk" card for my collection and my brother is taking one of the others.  Not sure but it may be available if their is interest, just don't know which one.



Murder Investigation Reveals Deceit in High School Sports

The death of Lennie Guttman on July 18, 2012, sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Willow Cove community.  Police are still investigating all of the circumstances of his murder and have no official  suspects as of yet.

Guttman's death has been hard for his neighbors but the revelation of cheating on their State Championship baseball team has shaken this community to its core.  Guttman's baseball bat used to crush the game winning home run of the 1996 Montgomery County Wooden Bat High School Class 2AA Regional Championship was found at the scene of his murder, shattered.

Deputy Danny Young commented, "the championship bat was smashed to pieces, revealing a core of cork".  He made no comment as to whether the bat was merely collateral damage of a struggle or the murder weapon.

The 1996 MCWBHS title is the only in the 100 year history of Willow Cove High School.  The County Superintendant Steve Sellsnow is launching an independent investigation into impropriety in Willow Cove.

Terry Changuris, head coach of runner-up Seneca Valley High School, only offered one word, "Cheaters!" 

The investigation to both the homicide and bat-gate remain open as a community waits for resolution.

First Purchases of the National

This year I was going to be smart.  I started looking for the autographs I needed with a comprehensive list, unlike two years ago.  I even started taking notes as to what dealer had what.  I was not rash and just pulling out cards and buying anything.

Hell.  I haven't even seen a third of the tables.  I was able to pick up these two very different cards, from very different dealers.

Jose Leon 2001 Royal Rookies #14

It may not look it on the surface, but this is indeed an Orioles card.  It says so on the back.  It may not be licensed, but it counts.  This is an upgrade from a 2000 Bowman card I traded for a while back.  I thought about waiting until I could check other tables, but for $3, I had to make a move.  I am very happy I did.

Ozzie Virgil 1962 Topps #327

I have tried Mr. Virgil multiple times TTM and at multiple locations.  One in the U.S. and one in the Virgin Islands.  My cards haven't been returned, but I am not confident I will ever see them again.  I almost passed up on this card because I couldn't tell it was an Orioles card.  The whole thing is nondescript and easily overlooked.  Again only a few bucks.  I will be back to this table later to pick up a few old timers unless they show up as Orioles elsewhere.



A Shot of Jack

The headliner of the VIP Autograph guests just so happened to be the first.  Jack Morris was a huge draw for autgraphs and he was free.  Twice.

Jack signed during the VIP reception before the gates opened up.

He was not very personable but was not mean.  Yet.

Once the gates opened up for VIP and all guests, Jack was up yet again.  This time in the center of the convention.  He had a pretty decent line, but I was able to go through twice to get cards signed.  I debated a third attempt but thought better of it. 

I started my quest to cross some names off my list.  The first table I stopped at had a ton of in person autographs from private signings and shows throughout the Midwest.  The proprietors and I talked about their graphs and their favorites.  They talked about being friends with Jack Morris and I dismissed it as idle chit-chat.

Booming over the loud speaker was a notice to go get your free Jack Morris autograph.  No less than two minutes later, Morris walks past.  His friends call out and he comes over.  Shame on me for doubting these perfect strangers.  We were all perplexed and Jack explained the situation.

"I will never work for these fuckers again.  Not without my own guy doing the counting".  He agreed to sign only so many autographs and believes his numbers were being misrepresented.  So he walked away.  With a line of people waiting.  For their free autograph.  I don't know if I am on Jack's side or not.  He was kinda an ass, but deservedly so.

No matter.  I was able to hang out and talk with a potential Hall of Fame pitcher for 15 minutes.  And no, I did not ask him to sign because he was "done with that shit".    I did suggest a few places for dinner and to get the beer he so desperately craved.  Thanks for the story Jack.

Why no scans of the autographs you ask?

I was consigned on this occasion and will be shipping a few cards out to Jack Morris fans.  I needed to try and recoup some of the costs to attend this year.

Mobile Fail

I tried my best to blog, live, from the National. I failed miserably. My cell phone went evil on me and would not allow for a capital letter to be typed, pictured to be posted, or anything to actually be accomplished. Crap.

I pulled my laptop from my bag to blog, traditionally. Power? Check. Pictures? Check. WiFi? Nope.

The free WiFi for the Convention Center wasn't working at all and I couldn't piggy-back on an unsecured network. Oh well. I tried.

What I was going to post about was the freebies. I got a good deal of free stuff.

Definitely more to follow.

Live From The National

not sure if my phone can handle it but i will give it a go.

Being Called Out

Everyone knows Fuji and his contest.  When he asks for participation, the blog-o-sphere answers.  When he asked for a question I thought I had a quick way to earn a point in his contest.  I didn't think he would put me on the spot, forcing my own question back at me.

No one card came to mind.  I had to rack my brain and my collection to come up with a response.

Then I saw it, a card I am actually trying to sell.

2005 Donruss Signature InkCredible Trios Autographs 

Cal Ripken/Jim Palmer/Rick Dempsey

The odd thing is that I was a huge Cal Ripken collector, forever.  Yet I bought this card when I was collecting anything and everything Rick Dempsey.  I paid $75 for it on eBay a bunch of years ago.  Probably why my asking price had been refused a few times.  It is still available if anyone is interested, check it all out here.

See What You Started 1987 Topps

Fuji-san was asked:

How did you first decide to collect sports cards, and when?

And I answered.

I started following baseball in 1985 when I went to a game with my Dad and was hooked.  No doubt about it, baseball was it for me.  So much so I didn't learn to ride a bike until I was 10 because all I wanted to do was play "catch" with my old man.

I didn't collect cards at all in '85 or '86, but 1987 changed the game.  Hands down the best design, ever.

I don't know the particulars, but I am guessing my brother and I got a box from Schviate Nikolai (Ukrainian Santa Claus) to split.  There was no turning back.  I shortly thereafter got my first newspaper route and first paycheck at the age of seven.  I had to buy cards and my parents weren't fans of an allowance.  My brother and I also started our own business cutting grass, raking leaves and shoveling snow.  We had our own fliers and business cards, all to buy wax.

I completed my 1987 Topps set at some point, although I no longer have it.  Unfortunately I am a collector who can cut and run.  When my wants change, everything I have collected before is fair game.  That's why I have done this.

I Always Knew I Was Important

And now I have the paperwork to prove it.  I just purchased my 2012 National Convention Super VIP package.  Not only am I Very Important, I am Super Very Important.  That's gotta count for something.

It does.  It counts for autographs.  All 18 of the VIP autographs.

I was able to connect with an old friend, my brother Todd, to split the cost of the tickets.  Who knew I didn't need to post about it on my blog, or on baseball card forums?  All I had to do was pick up the phone and call the Best Man from my wedding.  Weird.

I was looking for early entries, a lounge and free shit.  He wanted to secure autographs of Redskins for his budding collection.  The math was easy and now we are both Very Important.  I mean Super Very Important.

We will be utilizing the autograph tickets of: Dexter Manley, Ricky Sanders, George Starke and Joe Washington.  We are looking to trade for another Dexter Manley, Ricky Sanders and George Starke. 

So if you are in need of:
Mike Hargrove
Qadry Ismael
Chris Hoiles
Milt Pappas
Tom Matte
Don Stanhouse
Roger Wehrli
John Montefusco
Larry Sheets
Al Bumbry
Paul Blair
Jack Morris
Tippy Martinez
Ron Hansen
Bobby Grich

Please let me know.  I am looking to trade first, but would also cut a deal on the price or possibly take consignments.