Harrisburg Senators vs. Erie SeaWolves – Iguana Bobblehead Night

My fourth and final bobblehead game of the summer took me back to Harrisburg, PA. The Harrisburg Senators (AA of the Washington Nationals) took on the Erie SeaWolves (AA of the Detroit Tigers). The Senators lost 8-4.

When the Nationals traded Juan Soto to the Padres one of the players they received in return was CF Robert Hassell III. Hassell is currently playing for the Senators. Doing a quick eBay search you can clearly see collectors/investors think of him as a major prospect in the minor league system.

It was Playeros de Harrisburg night. According to the Senators “Harrisburg’s “Playeros” identity, which roughly translates to “beachgoers,” connects the familial bonding of going to the beach to the importance of family to the Hispanic community. The beach-themed moniker also celebrates the team’s home on City Island.”

The first 1,000 fans through the gates received a Playeros de Harrisburg Iguana bobblehead. Both the head and tail bobble. It looks like something you’ed get if you combined Jurassic Park and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Robert Hassell III #9

Robert Hassell III

State College Spikes vs. Mahoning Valley Scrappers – Wally Triplett Bobblehead Night

My second bobblehead night within a week! The other being the Harrisburg Senators vs. Altoona Curve.

On Friday, July 29th I saw another MLB Draft League game. This time the game took place in Happy Valley between the State College Spikes and Mahoning Valley Scrappers. The Spikes went on to win 6-3.

You know if I’m attending the game there must be a bobblehead giveaway. The first 1,000 fans through the gates received a talking bobblehead of Wally Triplett. Upon pushing the button on the bobblehead’s base the crowd cheers “We are… We are… We are… Thank you.”

Who is Wally Triplett? He was a halfback who played for Penn State in the 1940s. After college he went on to play for the Detroit Lions and Chicago Cardinals.

Wally Triplett’s career accomplishments:

• Back – 1948 Cotton Bowl – caught the game-tying TD pass – 2018 Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame Inductee
• 1949 Draft Choice – Detroit Lions – 1st black player drafted by an NFL team to play in the NFL
• Single-game Lions record – total kick return yards – 294 – (10/29/50)
• 1st NFL player drafted to serve in the Korean War
• 594th Field Artillery Battalion, United States Army

When it comes to cards of Wally Triplett he only has two – 1948 Topps Magic Photos #1R, and 1950 Bowman #109. The Bowman is considered to be his true rookie card.

Cheeseburger, fries, and cinnamon roasted cashews for dinner.

Beaver Stadium across the street

Good Luck Attending The 2022 National Sports Collectors Convention

Good luck to everyone attending the National Sports Collectors Convention this year in Atlantic City, NJ. It runs from July 27-31.

There are a lot of card shows held all over the country all year long, but in my opinion the National Sports Collectors Convention is the best. Others will argue with that thought and that’s ok. Its always had a little bit of everything for collectors. Looking for that $0.50 base card to complete a set? Need to get an item autographed? Interested in looking at museum quality cards and memorabilia? Want to voice your opinion on a topic directly to a card manufacturer or other business involved in the industry? These are all things you can do.

I will not be attending the show this year. In 2016 I went when it was held in Atlantic City, but I just decided I didn’t want to go through the travel process. Lets not forget the price of everything is through the roof as well. The Atlantic City Convention Center didn’t impress me very much either. I wasted a lot of power in my wheelchair going from the parking garage up to the area where the show was being held. Cleveland, OH will always be my favorite venue. Now that the I-X Center is back open for business, I hope the National Sports Collectors Convention considers placing them back in the rotation. The second you walk into the I-X Center the show is right there in front of you.

Content will not be in short supply. Each night I look forward to seeing what went on that specific day. Just don’t believe everything some of these “influencers” who have popped up over the last few years are telling you. They may make it look as if they’re living a high and mighty lifestyle, but so many of them are in debt up to their eyeballs just to keep their show going. Others will use undisclosed non-sports card related income to make it look as if flipping cards is their only job. Some will even arrange fake deals just for video views. A lot of manipulation can and does go on.

Cash is king. So take plenty of it. Dealers accept all types of payment methods, but cash is almost always preferred.

Topps usually holds a Q&A meeting after show hours one of the days. If you have a VIP or Media Pass I would recommend signing up for it ASAP. Typically only (150) spots are available. From my experience Media Pass holders can get in to the show well before VIPs. During this Q&A session you can learn a lot about what Topps has planned for the future. You can also voice your opinion on certain issues. At the conclusion Topps hands out a special card to everyone who attended.

If you’re looking to buy boxes and participate in some of the manufacturer’s wrapper redemption programs, I’d suggest checking out Marty’s Sports Card Exchange. I’ve always found his prices to be very decent. His booth can be located in the corporate area.

The five days will go quickly, but take time to soak it all in. Safe travels. Have fun. Good luck.

Harrisburg Senators vs. Altoona Curve – Gregg Mace Life Size Bobblehead Hall of Fame Induction

It was a hot night for a baseball game in Harrisburg, PA. The Harrisburg Senators (AA of the Washington Nationals) took on the Altoona Curve (AA of the Pittsburgh Pirates). At the end of the night the Senators won 2-1.

One of the main attractions on City Island is the Harrisburg Senators Life Size Bobblehead Hall of Fame. Each year they induct a new member. On July 23, 2022 we saw former WHTM ABC-27 Sports Director Gregg Mace get inducted. In 2019 he passed away. He never missed a Senators opening day from 1987 to 2019. The first 1,000 fans through the gates received a replica bobblehead.

On August 27, 2022 the Harrisburg Senators are scheduled to give out a Playeros de Harrisburg Iguana bobblehead. Although they haven’t posted any pictures of that bobblehead on social media yet, I did see some images of it around the ballpark. It looks really cool.

Cheeseburger, fries, and a dish of chocolate ice cream for dinner.

Altoona Curve

Harrisburg Senators 3B Omar Meregildo

Harrisburg Senators SS Gilbert Lara

Williamsport Crosscutters vs. Mahoning Valley Scrappers – Ed Ott Bobblehead Night

On the evening of Friday, June 17th I attended a Williamsport Crosscutters game. The Crosscutters took on the Mahoning Valley Scrappers and won 9-5. Historic Bowman Field is the same place they play the MLB Little League Classic. The Orioles and Red Sox are scheduled to play here in August.

No longer associated with the Phillies, the Crosscutters are a founding member of the MLB Draft League which was formed in 2021. The MLB Draft League is a summer collegiate baseball league that is for top draft-eligible prospects leading up to the MLB draft. Only six teams make up the league – Williamsport Crosscutters, State College Spikes, Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Frederick Keys, Trenton Thunder, and the West Virginia Black Bears.

Former Pirates and Angels catcher Ed Ott was the guest of honor. He lives close by in Montgomery, PA. One of his career highlights was when he tripled on a misplayed ball in the outfield before scoring the winning run on a throwing error. In 1979 he won the World Series with the Pirates beating the Orioles. Card #594 in the 1976 Topps set is where you will find his rookie card.

Former Pirates and Angels catcher Ed Ott talking on the field before the game.

The first 1,000 fans attending the game received an Ed Ott bobblehead.

2021 Little League World Series Pin Pickups

Pins! Pins! Pins! Williamsport, PA is flooded with people from all over the country thanks to the Little League World Series. They, and many local businesses have lots of pins available to buy/trade.

So far for 2021 I’ve added (24) new pins to my collection. Stops made in Williamsport included Dunkin’ Donuts, Dairy Queen, Winner, Rise and Shine Nutrition, Genetti Hotel, Clothier, Lycoming County Visitors Bureau, Dolly’s Diner, Buffalo Wild Wings, Robert M. Sides, and Taco Bell. One of the major pin manufacturers, Infiniti Pins, is setup in a conference room at the local Holiday Inn. Tons going on in there. People making trades, and freebies.

Even though the official Little League Store & Museum is closed (despite the Little League World Series taking place) merchandise for this year’s games can be found at the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau, and online.

When it comes to Little League pins, I follow the Little League Pin Traders Club on Facebook. People are constantly showing off new pins they’ve found, and updating lists of places that have pins. Very good resource.

Honestly, I’m surprised we haven’t seen PSA, BGS, and SGC grading Little League pins yet. Vintage pins have been graded for years. It seems like an untapped market along with bobbleheads.

Although it wasn’t the plan at first, I began to purchase duplicate pins to flip. Except for a few, most Little League pins need to be obtained in person. Buying them directly from the source online isn’t really an option. If you’re a collector and not in the area, eBay and trading groups are you’re best places to go. The best pins to flip are newer ones which haven’t been listed for sale yet. Doing this while the Little League World Series is going on helps a lot too.

Photos: Ryan Zimmerman Life Size Bobblehead Night & Spencer Torkelson Might Be “The Fonz”

The Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals) took on the Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers) on Saturday, August 7, 2021. The Senators lost 7-0.

Before the game began the Senators unveiled their newest addition to their Life Size Bobblehead Hall of Fame. Mr. National a.k.a. Ryan Zimmerman now has a life size bobblehead on display at FNB Field. The first 750 fans through the gate received a replica bobblehead.

While eating my dinner at the River City Grille I looked over the rosters for both teams. None of the names on the Senators roster rang any bells, but two names stuck out from the SeaWolves – Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson. Both are highly watched prospects. Riley Greene hit a lead off home run.

Spencer Torkelson doing his best impression of “The Fonz”.

Spencer Torkelson #7

Spencer Torkelson can fly!

Spencer Torkelson running towards 3rd base.

Harrisburg Senators vs. Portland Sea Dogs – 6/5/21

Bobblehead night in Harrisburg!!! On Saturday evening I attended my first minor league game since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world. The Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals) took on the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox). The Senators won 3-0. (750) fans received a Trea Turner bobblehead. It was HOT! Grabbed myself a cheeseburger & fries, and a dish of Hershey’s chocolate ice cream. I also picked up a new pin, and a couple of t-shirts for my collection. Their bundle of two t-shirts for $25 is a great deal. I’ll be going back on August 7 when they unveil Ryan Zimmerman’s life-size bobblehead.

1st in line!

Rascal

Grrrounder

Trace McSorley Highlights 41st Ephrata Lions Club Sports Card Show

POSTPONED DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS!

The Ephrata Lions Club Sports Card Show is known as one of the longest running one-day shows in the country.  Their 41st show will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at the Ephrata Recreation Center in Ephrata, PA.  Its impressive that a show which started in the late 1970’s is still going strong.

Over (70) dealer tables will be setup.  Buy!  Sell!  Trade!  Lots of Phillies, Pirates, Orioles, Eagles, Steelers, and Ravens stuff!  I’ve been attending this show since 1997, and it certainly never disappoints.  A good mix of both modern and vintage cards.

Former Penn State and current Ravens quarterback Trace McSorley will sign autographs from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  You can read more about the show here.

See Sports Card Info’s coverage of their 2019 show.

Harrisburg Senators vs. Trenton Thunder – Star Wars Day

The Harrisburg Senators, Double-A of the Washington Nationals, is a regular stop for me when it comes to obtaining stadium giveaway bobbleheads.  My first bobblehead giveaway of the year took place on May 4, 2019 – Star Wars Day!  This has become a big deal all over the country for both major and minor league teams.  Combing Star Wars with baseball is a fantastic idea.

Juan “Solo” Soto bobbleheads were a huge draw.  This was the busiest Senators game I’d ever attended.  A limit of 1,500 bobbleheads were given out.  Arriving an hour before the gates opened was a good idea.  Moments after getting in line, the crowd ended up going down the steps and wrapping around the side of the stadium.  Unless they paid extra for a special ticket guaranteeing them a bobblehead, not everyone was able to get one.

Cheeseburger, fries, and Hershey’s chocolate ice-cream made for a good dinner.  Lots of Star Wars characters were in attendance.  All were encouraged to take pictures with the fans.

None of the names on the Senators starting lineup stood out to me.  But one did for the Trenton Thunder, Double-A of the New York Yankees – Clint Frazier.  Clint Frazier is one of the many injured players the Yankees have had this season.  He’s down there right now doing some rehab, and is expected to make it back to the Yankees shortly.

Harrisburg won 6-5.  The bobblehead turned out very well.  Juan Soto is in that famous Han Solo pose.  Instead of a blaster, he’s got a glove.  Even the box got a lot of attention.  It has graphics on each side.  Way better than the standard white cardboard.

My next bobblehead giveaway game is on July 20, 2019.  Back in Harrisburg to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.

How was your Star Wars Day?  I FINALLY got caught, and a couple of Stormtroopers sent me to the trash compactor.

The odds of me surviving this are 3,720 to 1.

Life-size bobbleheads received a new paint job.

Clint Frazier at bat.

Clint Frazier

Clint Frazier