HP Show haul & my nice little story… (Pics included)

TraderShea

First off YAY~ I was able to connect today … (Been having some internet problems lately)


Just got back from the Hollywood Park show and all I can say is… WOW. I hadn’t planned on going but decided to stop by on Saturday to just check it out. Ended up purchasing a couple items for my Indians collection, couple special items for me and two beauties!



The $5 Graded card table of course was a favorite of mine where I found a couple pieces I hadn’t even seen before as well as a couple Sam McDowell cards which I had to add to my set. Top it off with the Luke Sewell (OC but nice shape otherwise) and the Eck and I was a happy person.



The Newhouser filled a hole in my Team set, the 75Minis I had previously not had any of so I was able to obtain the team set for those and the Bowmans were just gorgeous and calling my name. They are a Dale Mitchell rookie, Hank Edwards, Sam Zoldak, Gene Bearden and of course the 51 Ray Boone rookie, nothing too special name wise outside of Indians history, just cards I needed that I was thrilled to add to my collection.

Then there were these which I couldn’t pass up…




The Lemon is from 03SP Cuts #4/34, the Hafner/Ramirez is from this years Finest and is # 21/25. What great additions to my collection, but it wouldn’t end there…

Then I noticed something even more mind-blowing for me, Bob Feller was going to be there in the morning!!! I knew then that I had to come back for a second trip to meet one of the most amazing men ever. Getting there early with my items to be signed I actually took a couple minutes to speak with the ladies at the ticket area about his time in the Navy, how he actually joined only 3 days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, spending 34 months at see as a gunner on the USS Alabama in the south pacific and how he is still such a big part of the team; they apparently were thrilled with the respect I showed towards Mr. Feller and could tell how much this day meant to me. A few minutes later I would be standing in line to purchase my autograph tickets and was pulled out of line by one of the two for a chance to go backstage before the signing began and meet this HOF Idol.

Rapid Robert was everything I have ever heard, one of the friendliest people you could ever imagine! At 88 years old I didn’t know what to expect, what I found was that he was in better shape than I was He quickly jumped from his sheet to shake my had and began joking around with both me and the show promoter. Possibly even more amazing, he remembered everything! I’ll explain more after the pics… He actually offered to sign the pieces right then but the promoters balked a bit and I said that it was fine, I was so honored to be able to talk to him alone I didn’t expect free signings and wanted to pay. He then said that he wanted me to be first in line then ~ wow…



I had gotten this about 15 years ago and it’s still the only I have seen. I don’t think its rare, but its special to me. Its not in the best of shape with bad corners and two holes where it was once hung, with a white matting covering the border though it will look good as new. When Mr. Feller first saw it his comment was “wow, haven’t seen that picture for a while; that was taken in 1951”. I had to step back, how could he remember that in a split seconds time ~ I often have a hard time remembering what I ate for lunch afetrall I quickly learned it was no fluke…



The other item I had brought with me to have signed, I had purchased these 1930 Lakefront Stadium blueprints a little while back and hadn’t gotten around to getting it framed yet. When I learned of Feller being there today it came to mind quickly as an item I would like personalized; his first reaction when seeing them, “These are great… hey, its not the right company”. I had to take a step back once more, how would he even know that? The stadium was built in hopes to bring the 1932 Olympics to Cleveland ~ he didn’t even start pitching till 1936 and they wouldn’t play fulltime in the gigantic stadium until 1946 (I believe)! They did play there off an on over the years, mainly weekends and holidays, but how in the world would he know this information, let alone remember it and be able to spit it out in a minutes time??? He of course was right, the “American Bridge Company” was not responsible for building the stadium but did do some of the work for the “Osborn Company”. I then pointed out the stamp which stated “The Osborn Engineering Company, December 22, 1930” showing its authenticity. His next statement? “You know I threw the first night game there in 1939, threw a 1 hitter beating Detroit 5-0”. Again, I just stared in amazement ~ this game took place nearly 70 years ago and he was able to spit off the information within a matter of seconds. Just WOW, what more can you say...

So that was my 2 day adventure, what special memories it will hold for this Indians fan! Not only is he a hero on the field, but also for the organization since and most importantly for his country! It was such an honor to meet him period, to be able to talk with him for a while and listen as he somehow remembered things you would think long lost in his old age ~ well he is one of the greatest men ever and I feel truly blessed!

Bosox1976

Fantastic - that's what it's all about. Great story, great show.

Volver

Shea - As a Tribe fan past and present your "stuff" looks great. The blueprint is a great piece.

Thank for sharing

BigDaddyBowman

Feller is always a gracious signer who seems to appreciate the fan.....classy man. He signs alot in the Cleveland area.

jimq112

<< <i>Feller is always a gracious signer who seems to appreciate the fan.....classy man. He signs alot in the Cleveland area. >>



I met him in Erie and he signed a conlon card for me, very nice and told great stories. HOF ballplayer and HOF person!

BobaFett72

Bob Feller was the first HOF I ever met, at my first card show. I still have the cheezy promo card they gave away (signed by him) He was incredibly polite and friendly...(and I wasnt even an Indians fan yet!)

TraderShea

Yeah, I had always heard such great stories about him and the way he treats those he meets. Even at the show when I was waiting to get into line for the auto I had a chance to meet a vendor who is a Tribe fan that had bumped into him at a previous card show and had a long conversation.

All in all it was just an amazing day today; at 88 YO I really did think my chances of running into him was near impossible. To find out he was there, then to experience things as they took place just blows me away.


Oh, I also figured I should mention that on the 54T poster, its actually huge at 36X24 and has the thickness of a baseball card. Framing it with a nice border will end up rivaling only my Jacob Field blueprints in "massive" size and I'm really going to have to start thinking about finding a mansion soon if I keep adding pieces to my display at this pace. Although this card has been in my possession since about 96 or so, its mainly been in the garage until now Also of note is the fact that the dark marks on the bottom of the piece are not on the card itself but the wrapper I had it in to protect it as I made the drive. I'm bummed that the pineholes were there when I got it, but honestly with a matting covering the white portion and maybe a nice blue frame I cant see it looking anything less than perfect.

Again, just so happy... great, great day!

goose3

I met him last year, or the year before, at The Jake in the gift shop.


Great story, great stuff!

Volver

Just make sure you say "please" and "thank you" around Mr. Feller

storm888

Excellent Adventure.

Piman58

I have had the pleasure to meet Mr. Feller twice, once as a ten year old Little Leaguer and much later as an adult. He is simply amazing and a treasure for the city of Cleveland. Some friends of mine who live in Des Moines went to Van Meter to visit his museum there and were leaving the museum when Mr. Feller came in. Knowing I am a huge Indians fan they went back in and bought a Bob Feller Museum t-shirt and got Mr. Feller to personalize an autograph on it to me. Although I never had the pleasure to see him pitch, just seeing him around Idians functions during the late 60's and early 70's reminded me that the Indians were not always in the cellar of the division as they often were when I was growing up.

ArnyVee

Wow, great story Shea! Love those great encounters with Hall of Famers....reminds me of the time that I had Sandy Koufax & Don Drysdale signing at a small show in the early to mid 80's. I had a busted thumb with a cast on my hand and Mr Koufax actually took the time to ask me how it happened and everything. Great guys like that really make an impression!

Congrats on the great Indian pieces and on the memories that will stay with you forever!

MorrellMan

Nice pick ups - I had to pop in there on Friday because the weekend was all booked. Found 11 cards on the $5 PSA table, picked up some great N cards from Bob Marcy and a couple of Bell Brands from Brian (both of Scottsdale cards), picked up a half dozen R312s from Marty Pritchard, visited with the inimitable Paul Markoe (I gotta get out and do some Saturday softball again!) and got a handful of nice Horrors of War from Jean Roy. There were a few changes - it's always been hard to tell where Marty's table ends and Brian's begins, so Marty stepped up to the front row and took Maraya's old table. Going west from Marty was auction alley until you got to the end of the row. I also dropped off my PSA submission: 110 N & T cards with a few American Beauties thrown in for good measure and, most importantly, yakked with some great friends. This hobby is very cool; I'm thankful to be part of it.

Estil

My grandpa would love your Bob Feller stuff; I got him an autographed ball (it too with the HOF 62 sig) for just $25! That's pretty cheap for the guy who along with Jackie Robinson became the first HOFers inducted on the first ballot since the "Original Five" in 1936.

MS70Dreams

Wow, Shea - Great story and some nice pickups for your collection.

Mike

Tedw9

Thats a great story TraderShea! It's nice to hear about a good experience with meeting a HOF'er. And nice added bonus with getting backstage, what a thrill that must have been.


Bob Feller is a real treasure, I've had the pleasure of meeting him twice. His stories and his memory are incredible, listening to him talk was a real treat.



Thanks for sharing the story and pics!

TraderShea

Thank you to all for sharing your Feller stories as well, it is amazing to hear how so many have experienced similar meetings and have such great things to say about this truly special man. I wonder how many baseball fans and card collectors can actually tell a Feller story like this, it seems almost everyone I have talked to can and I see that as a true testament as to how great this legend is.

Do keep them coming!