My 2016 National And What A Doozy It Was
BPorter26
Posts: 3,499 ✭✭✭✭✭
I'm not sure when the last time I've made a post on these boards. I hope everyone is doing well and is still enjoying the hobby even with card prices reaching record highs daily. I hope you don't mind me sharing my experience to this forum that I had a few weeks ago.
I decided I was not going to the 2016 National because of the location. I like convenience and Atlantic City is not convenient in my opinion, Every spring or summer I make a pilgrimage to the Steel City. I found out last year that Hunt Auctions for the past 3 years has had a show called the "Celebration of Pittsburgh" featuring current and former players. The show runs during a Pirates home weekend series which it's either in June or July. This year it was in June. This is my National!!
I was excited to learn that Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, Gerrit Cole, Andy Van Slyke, Bill Mazeroski and many more Pirate greats were signing. Since players were signing I assumed that Hunt would line up dealers around the country or at least the Ohio Valley region. You would think a card/memorabilia show would attract tons of collectors especially in Pittsburgh, like I said this would be my National. I will let the pictures do the talking, but I did enjoy my time with my best bud Matt Miller and Tim Becker who drove down from Cleveland to join us for drinks Friday night after the Bucs game and the show on Saturday.
100's of dealers YEA BABY!!! There were 3 tables and only one had decent stuff. All of our purchases came from that table. I should have taken pics.
Me and Cutch. I actually had auto ticket #1. I was joking around with the MC who was announcing the players as the came into sign. Matt was my photographer and Tim would be playing my walk up music as I approached Cutch. Walk up song "How do you like me now" by "The Heavy" The MC was rolling as the three of us kept it going. Cutch was courteous, but not overly friendly. Cutch signed his first home run ticket with the inscription "First MLB HR off F. Liriano" The ticket is currently at PSA for grading.
Andy was very personable, I told him of the time when he stiffed me in 1992 when I asked for just a photo. I told him I didn't want an autograph-- just a picture. He was cool and jokingly apologized to me. He said I probably went 0-4 with 3 K's. When I told him it was a spring training game and not a regular season game. He then proceeded to go on for a good 3-4 minutes about how once you start taking pics and signing it never ends. It was a very funny conversation. He's a good dude who looks like he can still play.
We purchased a few cheap wax boxes from BBCE and this is what our hotel room looked after the rippage that night. We did pick up some more unopened at the show but didn't take another pic of the aftermath of that rippage. We purchased (8) 88 Fleer Wax packs, 1989 Upper Deck as well as a 1985 rack box (all Baseball) I did pull a Stockton and Pippen, Tim pulled a Jordan Sticker. The 89 Upper Deck had 4 Griffey's. One is grade-able. The 85 was awful no Clemens or McGwire, but two OC Pucket's and 2 OC Gooden's I do have a pack I kept, unopened that has Jordan on the back and possibility of Jordan on the front. It's hard to make out.
We went to Friday and Saturday games.
Our seats for Friday
Taillon's 3rd MLB start
Cutch
Adam Frazier's first MLB AB plus hit.
You can "RAISE IT"
Miller and I at Jerome Bettis's restaurant for drinks.
I decided I was not going to the 2016 National because of the location. I like convenience and Atlantic City is not convenient in my opinion, Every spring or summer I make a pilgrimage to the Steel City. I found out last year that Hunt Auctions for the past 3 years has had a show called the "Celebration of Pittsburgh" featuring current and former players. The show runs during a Pirates home weekend series which it's either in June or July. This year it was in June. This is my National!!
I was excited to learn that Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, Gerrit Cole, Andy Van Slyke, Bill Mazeroski and many more Pirate greats were signing. Since players were signing I assumed that Hunt would line up dealers around the country or at least the Ohio Valley region. You would think a card/memorabilia show would attract tons of collectors especially in Pittsburgh, like I said this would be my National. I will let the pictures do the talking, but I did enjoy my time with my best bud Matt Miller and Tim Becker who drove down from Cleveland to join us for drinks Friday night after the Bucs game and the show on Saturday.
100's of dealers YEA BABY!!! There were 3 tables and only one had decent stuff. All of our purchases came from that table. I should have taken pics.
Me and Cutch. I actually had auto ticket #1. I was joking around with the MC who was announcing the players as the came into sign. Matt was my photographer and Tim would be playing my walk up music as I approached Cutch. Walk up song "How do you like me now" by "The Heavy" The MC was rolling as the three of us kept it going. Cutch was courteous, but not overly friendly. Cutch signed his first home run ticket with the inscription "First MLB HR off F. Liriano" The ticket is currently at PSA for grading.
Andy was very personable, I told him of the time when he stiffed me in 1992 when I asked for just a photo. I told him I didn't want an autograph-- just a picture. He was cool and jokingly apologized to me. He said I probably went 0-4 with 3 K's. When I told him it was a spring training game and not a regular season game. He then proceeded to go on for a good 3-4 minutes about how once you start taking pics and signing it never ends. It was a very funny conversation. He's a good dude who looks like he can still play.
We purchased a few cheap wax boxes from BBCE and this is what our hotel room looked after the rippage that night. We did pick up some more unopened at the show but didn't take another pic of the aftermath of that rippage. We purchased (8) 88 Fleer Wax packs, 1989 Upper Deck as well as a 1985 rack box (all Baseball) I did pull a Stockton and Pippen, Tim pulled a Jordan Sticker. The 89 Upper Deck had 4 Griffey's. One is grade-able. The 85 was awful no Clemens or McGwire, but two OC Pucket's and 2 OC Gooden's I do have a pack I kept, unopened that has Jordan on the back and possibility of Jordan on the front. It's hard to make out.
We went to Friday and Saturday games.
Our seats for Friday
Taillon's 3rd MLB start
Cutch
Adam Frazier's first MLB AB plus hit.
You can "RAISE IT"
Miller and I at Jerome Bettis's restaurant for drinks.
"EVERYBODY LOVE EVERYBODY IT SAYS IT RIGHT THERE ON THE WALL" - JACKIE MOON
0
Comments
Cutch was a little overpriced and the most expensive. He was $115 for flats, I believe $155 for premium and $200 for game used. Add on the $45 for inscription.
BST References:
DanBessette, lwehlers, Lee17, 07diedrt
Glad you guys had fun!
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
Here's a sincere wish you either find a great show later on, and / or land some on-line gems that make your year. Best regards, Indiana Jones (Brian Powell)
It's always nice to catch a game at PNC. It's a beautiful park.
Good to see you!
I just checked my PM to see when we talked last - back in March.
Wish you had some pics of the tables - I like all the "rip" cards tho.
Looks like you guys had a great time.
I - like yourself - am not excited about going to AC.
Will be in Chicago next year and looking forward to it.
It's nice to see all the CU guys there.
If you're still interested, you can shoot me that info I needed - if not? No worry.
If/when you feel like being active? Just PM me.
Again - nice to see you!
Cutch was courteous, but not overly friendly.
It could be due to the bad year he's having!
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
IT CAN'T BE A TRUE PLAYOFF UNLESS THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ARE INCLUDED
Hi Mike, I'll send you a PM either tonight or tomorrow with my info. I plan on going to Chicago for next years Nat.
The show was at the David Lawrence Convention Center. It's a great venue and would be an awesome location for a National. Everything is downtown and walking distance as far as hotels, restaurants, bars, and museums. University of Pittsburgh is near by as well. A lot of things to do in Pittsburgh very underrated city. Great location for a National some day.
Van Slyke charged $29
Marte $49 $59 premium
Polanco $70
Cole $75
Kang $80
Freese $70
Mercer and Jaso $19
Mazeroski $45 $65 for premium
Blass, Tekulve and Friend $10
Groat $19 $5 for inscription
Looking forward to seeing you and Matt again next summer in Chicago.
Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
Best,
Marc
Glad you, Matt, and Tim had an awesome time in the Steel City. I'll miss you in AC, but totally understand. Thanks for sharing the experience!
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
Collecting:
Any unopened Baseball cello and rack packs and boxes from the 1970's and early 1980s.
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
You should have asked Andy to share some dirt on Bonds.
IMF
Barry... Tim didn't go to the game with us on Saturday night or we would have had a group picture. After thinking about it, we should have taken one at the show next to the 3 tables and the rest of the open floor space of that convention room.
At the only table worth buying we picked up the following
9- 88 Fleer packs - Ripped 8 pulled 1-Jordan Sticker, Pippen and Stockton RC. The lone survivor has a Jordan Sticker on the back and possible Jordan on front.
1-1989 Hopps Series 1 -David Robinson on Front (did not open)
1-1989 Upper Deck box low series - Ripped 4 Griffey Jr's pulled
1-1985 Topps Baseball Rack - Awful rip No Clemens, Davis or McGwire. 2-OC Gooden's & 2-OC Puckets
SGC- 1957- John Unitas 5 -Cracked and sent to PSA
BVG- 1966- Mickey Mantle -Cracked and sent to PSA
RAW- 1960- Mickey Mantle -Sent to PSA
I'll post the cards when I receive them back from PSA
Great day and a half for me. Wish I could have made it to the game, but my Visa crossing into PA ran out at midnight, so I had to go back to Ohio.
T222's PSA 1 or better
These are Matt's results, This was a BVG 7
SGC 4
Disappointed with this one
Tim pulled this from pack, we forgot to rub the wax off.
I purchased a sealed 92 Stadium Club Members Club set hoping to pull 10's I still think the Jordan's a 10.
"Molon Labe"
https://www.psacard.com/psasetregistry/pdub1819/othersets/6204
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
collecting RAW Topps baseball cards 1952 Highs to 1972. looking for collector grade (somewhere between psa 4-7 condition). let me know what you have, I'll take it, I want to finish sets, I must have something you can use for trade.
looking for Topps 71-72 hi's-62-53-54-55-59, I have these sets started