Card of the Day: Aaron Judge 2022 Topps Chrome Heart of the City #13

Looking Back On The 2016 National – Atlantic City, NJ

Today is July 29, 2020.  This was suppose to be the first day of the 41st National Sports Collectors Convention making it’s return to Atlantic City, NJ.  Thanks to COVID-19 this won’t be happening right now.  Currently it has been postponed until December 12-16, 2020.  Honestly, I don’t see that date sticking either.  Between COVID-19, weather, and the holiday season you’re just asking for trouble.  It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if the National eventually gets cancelled altogether for 2020.

The last time the National was held in Atlantic City, NJ was back in 2016.  I attended this one.  Meeting people in-person who you only talk to online, sharing photos of high-end artifacts that only Mike Trout could afford, and participating in wrapper redemption programs were all major highlights.  If I remember correctly, 2016 Topps Chrome Baseball was released around this time and it was on fire.  Everyone was looking for rookies of Corey Seager, Trevor Story, Kenta Maeda, and Luis Severino to name a few.

Collectors should be picking-up their VIP packages, and running to the Topps booth to sign-up for their Q&A session.  But not today.  Hopefully one day we can return to normal.

In the meantime, enjoy these photos I got when I was there in 2016.

Getting my own baseball card made at the Topps booth.

Babe Ruth baseball bat from the 1930s.

Bobbleheads!

You never know what you’re going to find.

Pulled this Kevin Smith autograph #’ed/25 from an Upper Deck wrapper redemption pack.

Pulled this Julio Urias autograph #’ed/30 from a Topps wrapper redemption pack.

Great prices on boxes.

Wade Boggs not looking too happy.  Get him some chicken!

Fidel Castro Vintage Single-Signed Cuban Baseball.

Merry Christmas!  Shitter was full!

Card of the Day: Bill Murray 1988 Salt Lake City Trappers Team Issue #29

Card of the Day: Len Dawson 1961 National City Bank #1

Flashback Product of the Week: 1988 Salt Lake City Trappers Team Issue

Minor League Baseball sets issued by teams today don’t carry much weight when it comes to the collecting world.  They’re drastically overproduced, and the players most likely already have cards in more in-demand products such as Bowman, Bowman Chrome, Bowman Draft, Bowman’s Best, Pro Debut, and Heritage MiLB.  I’m not saying there isn’t a market for them.  Today’s collectors just have more options.

During the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s is where you’ll find some of the more popular team issued sets.  Guys like Ryne Sandberg, Cal Ripken, Jr., and even John Elway pictured in an Oneonta Yankees uniform all received Minor League Baseball cards predating their nationally issued rookies.  Depending on rarity and condition, these can be extremely valuable.

Baseball Cards Etc issued a team set in 1988 for the Salt Lake City Trappers.  Now they’re known as the Ogden Raptors.  At the time, actor Bill Murray owned five percent of the team.  It makes perfect sense that he received his own card.  His brother Brian is also featured on another card in the same set as well.  These two cards are literally the only reason why this set is continued to be talked about today.  None of the other players went on to have historic careers.

If you watched any of the World Series last year, you’d know what a huge baseball fan Bill Murray is.  He was rocking that t-shirt that said “I AIN’T AFRAID OF NO GOAT.”  The 1988 Salt Lake City Trappers team set is the first time Bill Murray was featured on cardboard.  It wouldn’t be his last though.  Over the years, other teams he’s been involved with have included him in their sets.  Here is a rundown of all the Bill Murray baseball cards you could add to your collection.

• Bill Murray/Brian Murray 1988 Salt Lake City Trappers Team Issue #2
• Bill Murray 1988 Salt Lake City Trappers Team Issue #29
• Bill Murray 1989 Salt Lake City Trappers Team Issue #29
• Bill Murray 1996 Butte Copper Kings Best #2
• Bill Murray 1998 Charleston RiverDogs Grandstand #19
• Bill Murray 2004 Brockton Rox #28
• Bill Murray 2008 St. Paul Saints Team Issue #15
• Bill Murray/Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Mayor 2012 Charleston RiverDogs Grandstand #36

Mr. Murray does have a handful of other cards from various entertainment products.  Leaf even made a cut signature of him in 2012 numbered to only (1).  Most collectors treat the card of him pictured alone from 1988 as his “rookie” card.  Three copies recently sold for $75 each.

I know one of these years we’re going to see Bill Murray show up in Allen & Ginter or Goodwin Champions.

Sporting Kansas City ’16 Topps MLS Jumbo Jersey Contest Winner Announced

Congrats to Thomas Coleman on being the lucky winner of the Benny Feilhaber 2016 Topps MLS Jumbo Jersey #’ed/55.  Once Thomas Coleman sends me his mailing address, I will ship this card ASAP.  Thanks!

Exclusive Roberto Clemente Card From Steel City Collectibles For National Attendees

One of the top things to do while attending the National Sports Collectors Convention is bust boxes.  There are always plenty of dealers ready to provide you with your box breaking fix.  Among the dealers you’ll find is Steel City Collectibles out of McKeesport, PA.  And guess what?  They have a promo for this year’s National.  While supplies last, anyone who purchases a box from the Steel City Collectibles booth will receive a Roberto Clemente Beckett Sports Card Monthly cover card.  This card looks just like the cover to an issue of BSCM, and is a National exclusive.  Limited quantities will be available.

Orioles Hometown Heroes Auto Contest! – NOW CLOSED

This contest is for a Mike Boddicker 2013 Panini Hometown Heroes – City Hall Auto.  I never heard back from the collector who won this card before, so it is up for grabs again.  Good luck!!!

Contest Details:

• This contest will end Friday, December 20, 2013 @ 8:00 p.m. EST.
• To enter, please leave a comment in this post.
• You can enter once per day.
• The winner will be selected at random.
• Please provide a valid e-mail address when entering.
• The winner will receive an e-mail when the contest is over.
• The winner has one week to send me their contact information or the contest will be held again.
• Once the contest is over, I will need the winner’s mailing address so I can ship them this card for FREE!!!

Orioles Hometown Heroes Auto Contest! – NOW CLOSED

This contest is for a Mike Boddicker 2013 Panini Hometown Heroes – City Hall Auto.  Good luck!!!

Contest Details:

• This contest will end Friday, November 29, 2013 @ 8:00 p.m. EST.
• To enter, please leave a comment in this post.
• You can enter once per day.
• The winner will be selected at random.
• Please provide a valid e-mail address when entering.
• The winner will receive an e-mail when the contest is over.
• The winner has one week to send me their contact information or the contest will be held again.
• Once the contest is over, I will need the winner’s mailing address so I can ship them this card for FREE!!!

Brilliant Lowry Jersey Contest! – NOW CLOSED

This contest is for a Kyle Lowry 12-13 Brilliance – City To City Jersey.  Good luck!

Contest Details:

• This contest will end Friday, June 21, 2013 @ 8:00 p.m. EST
• To enter, please leave a comment in this post
• You can enter once per day
• The winner will be selected at random
• Please provide a valid e-mail address when entering
• The winner will receive an e-mail when the contest is over
• The winner has one week to send me their contact information or the contest will be held again
• Once the contest is over, I will need the winner’s mailing address so I can ship them this card for FREE!!!