Card of the Day: Briahanna Jackson 2023 Topps Athletes Unlimited All Sports #140

The basketball and hand are just floating in the air. I think the armband and background are the same color.

Card of the Day: Jon Rahm 2019 Sports Illustrated for Kids #816

Card of the Day: John Elway 1999 Sports Illustrated for Kids Series 2 April Fools’ #788

Hobby Oddities: How To Reach Your Favorite Sports Star

Remember this series of books from the 90’s? Did anyone have success in reaching their favorite sports star using the info found in these? If so, please let me know. I’d be interested to know.

Lowell House out of Los Angeles, CA published at least four versions of the “How To Reach Your Favorite Sports Star” series of books. Inside you’ll find athlete bios, stats, photos, fan clubs, and addresses.

I remember owning a copy of the fourth book. I don’t recall any autographs ever coming my way. Most of the addresses are public knowledge. For example, writing to Michael Jordan meant sending your letter to the address the Bulls’ arena is located at. Very generic. The odds of the information working back then are slim. I certainly wouldn’t have been including valuable cards in the mail hoping to get them back with an autograph.

In the late 90’s Lowell House was purchased by the Chicago Tribune.

The summary highlights how outdated this book is. We don’t need to write letters anymore to let our favorite sports stars know what we think of them. Social media has taken care of that.

Book Summary:

From basketball phenomenon Michael Jordan and all-pro running back Terrell Davis to soccer superstar Mia Hamm and Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski, How To Reach Your Favorite Sports Star 4 will help you get in touch with today’s hottest athletes!

Do you want to tell Kobe Bryant that you watch all of his games, or let Martina Hingis know that you think she’s the best tennis player ever? All you have to do is write each of them a letter! How To Reach Your Favorite Sports Star 4 provides you with the athletes’ addresses, as well as statistics, little-known facts, and fascinating information on each star.

So start writing – and let your favorite sports stars know what’s on your mind!

Happy 15th Anniversary Sports Card Info!

Today is Sports Card Info’s birthday. On December 27, 2007 Sports Card Info was launched.

15 years has gone by so fast. Thanks to everyone who takes time to visit.

More to come in 2023!

Jeremiah Trotter Signing Autographs At The Ephrata Lions Club’s 43rd Annual Sports Card Show and Auction

Former Eagles, Redskins, and Buccaneers linebacker Jeremiah Trotter is scheduled to sign autographs at the 43rd Ephrata Lions Club Annual Sports Card Show and Auction.

When: Saturday, March 25, 2023

Where: Ephrata Recreation Center – 130 South Academy Drive, Ephrata, PA 17522

Show Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Autograph Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Show Admission: $5.00/adult and $1.00 for children under 12

Autograph Price: $25.00 – $35.00 depending on the item

The Ephrata Lions Club Sports Card Show and Auction is the longest running one-day show in the country.

Lots of Phillies, Eagles, Steelers, and Penn State memorabilia spread over (70) vendor tables.

Under The Tree: 1994 Playmates TMNT Sewer Sports All-Stars – Slam Dunkin’ Don

Playmates issued their first line of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures in 1988. That initial release consisted of the four turtles, Splinter, April, Shredder, Rocksteady, Bebop, and a Foot Soldier.

As TMNT mania grew, so did the toy line. Action figures began to take on various shapes, sizes, and themes. In 1991 Playmates introduced the Sewer Sports All-Stars sub-line of figures. Six figures made-up this sub-line – Slam Dunkin’ Don (basketball), Shell Slammin’ Mike (wrestling), Grand Slammin’ Raph (baseball), Shell Kickin’ Raph (soccer), Slap Shot Leo (hockey), and T.D. Tossin’ Leo (football).

Slam Dunkin’ Don has always received more attention. Mainly due to the fact he is wearing a jersey with the #23 on it. Everyone instantly connects that to Michael Jordan.

Over the years it was common for Playmates to reissue their figures. Subtle changes would be made from year to year. The Slam Dunkin’ Don from 1994 is considered a holy grail to many TMNT collectors. What makes this version so special? Its the color of his basketball jersey. For some reason the Slam Dunkin’ Don released by Playmates in 1994 is wearing a white jersey. Every release prior to and after 1994 has him wearing a red jersey. An unopened Slam Dunkin’ Don from 1994 can be worth thousands if in nice condition.

What’s in the package? Of course you receive the figure which features “amazing spring powered hoop shootin’ action”. Accessories include a turtle ball and garbage can rim.

The inclusion of a trading card is also a nice bonus.

Product Highlight: 1988-90 Topps MLB Sports Shots Duo-Tang Pocket Folders

Whether you’re heading back to school or looking for some fun office supplies I think we can all agree these pocket folders are freakin’ awesome.

I’m going to be dead honest. There really isn’t much to say about them. Pocket folders designed to look like giant Topps baseball cards. You could find them in a variety of stores between 1988 and 1990. We know those are the years they were available because 1988, 1989, and 1990 Topps baseball card designs have been used.

Without an official checklist its unclear if every card in each 1988, 1989, and 1990 set was turned into a pocket folder. You will find folders of stars such as Tony Gwynn and Mark McGwire. But then folders were also made for guys like Greg Walker and Dion James. Folders were not just limited to top name players.

These pocket folders are about as easy to find as their baseball card counterparts. Plenty of them floating around the secondary market.

Folders were issued in 1991, but the design doesn’t follow any known baseball card set.

Future National Sports Collectors Convention Sites Announced

Per an e-mail from the National Sports Collectors Convention, here is a list of the next three locations they plan to hold the show:

• 2023 Chicago (Rosemont)  July 26-30, 2023
• 2024 Cleveland IX Center July 24-28, 2024
• 2025 Chicago (Rosemont) July 30-August 3, 2025

I’m glad to see that Atlantic City is off the list, and Cleveland is back on. Cleveland has always been my favorite location. Its possible I might even try to get back there in 2024.

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.