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!