Susquehanna Valley Mall Card Show – 5/20/23

The Susquehanna Valley Mall located in Selinsgrove, PA hosted another card show this weekend.

With the Easter Bunny now gone the show was back to it’s normal location right in between an Auntie Anne’s and Gertrude Hawk Chocolates.

I’ve become a regular attendee of this show. It has 40+ dealers with lots of Phillies, Penn State, Eagles, and Steelers stuff.

A dealer who specializes in selling sports plaques mentioned that it was his first time setting up at this particular show. Usually he sticks to the Harrisburg area and shows held at the Capital City Mall. I was surprised to hear how well a simple decorative plaque with a photo and a couple of cards can sell. He said that he sold hundreds of plaques at a show in Harrisburg not too long ago. Decorative sports plaques typically aren’t my thing, but I guess some people are in to them. I noticed his booth had some shoppers when I left.

Most of the dealers I saw were selling singles. Some had sealed boxes. I’m staying away from purchasing hobby boxes right now. The prices are just too high. I prefer picking up singles and blaster boxes. Much more affordable.

I ate a cup of cinnamon pretzel bites from Auntie Anne’s for lunch.

I was able to find a few new items for my collection. Take a look!

Bryce Harper 2023 Topps Series 1 Super Box Pin

Bryce Harper 2023 Topps Big League 8 BIT Ballers #14 – A freebie from the dealer when I bought the pin.

Scott Rolen 1997 Donruss Signature Series Auto

Alec Bohm 2023 Topps Series 1 Baseball Stars Auto

Susquehanna Valley Mall Card Show – 4/8/23

Another card show was held at the Susquehanna Valley Mall this past weekend. Thanks to the Easter Bunny the show was moved to another section of the mall. Those mythical fuzzy creatures always get the top spots.

I like to get there as early as possible so things don’t get picked over. It was quite crowded once again which I’m happy to see. A good mix of vintage and modern cards were available. Some dealers had sealed wax, but singles were much more dominant.

While browsing the dealer booths I came across a few big items that stuck out to me.

The first is a Bob Feller 1954 Bowman #132 graded by BVG an 8.5. The asking price is $3,000.

The second is a Muhammad Ali autographed ticket stub certified by PSA/DNA. The ticket stub is from a Williamsport, PA boxing club fight Ali attended in 1973. Ali was there scouting another boxer to potentially fight. The asking price is $725.

After making it around to all of the tables it was time for a cup of cinnamon pretzels from Auntie Anne’s.

I made one purchase, and it was a big one for my Phillies collection. I bought a Mike Schmidt 2001 Donruss Classics Legend Significant Signatures Auto. Cards #101-150 in this set come with sticker autographs. Cards #151-200 are signed on-card. Mike Schmidt is #172, and the on-card signature looks great. Although there is a spot on the back where it looks like a serial number should be, these cards are not serial numbered.

The next card show held at the Susquehanna Valley Mall is on Saturday, May 20, 2023.

Susquehanna Valley Mall Card Show – 2/18/23

Never underestimate the value of a good old fashion mall card show.

Over the weekend I attended a card show held at the Susquehanna Valley Mall. It took place right in between an Auntie Anne’s and Gertrude Hawk Chocolates. Not a bad location.

The show was very well attended. There seemed to be more dealers setup at this show compared to the last one I attended here back in September. Large crowd too. It was quite common to have to wait for people to move in order to view a dealer’s table.

A few dealers had sealed boxes for sale. Very expensive though. I’d say a majority of them were selling singles. Lots of Phillies, Eagles, Steelers, and Penn State cards.

When purchasing the Scott Rolen 2022 Topps Stadium Club Auto the dealer showed me a mini batting helmet that he got Scott Rolen to sign. Turns out he got it signed in 1998 at the PA Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg. I remember attending that exact show when I was in middle school. Talk about a small world.

I spent about two hours browsing all of the tables. Left with three new cards for my collection, and a belly full of cinnamon pretzel bites.

Greg Luzinski 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary Auto

Scott Rolen 2022 Topps Stadium Club Auto

Sean Clifford 2021 Pro Set Power Football Platinum Auto #’ed/99

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

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.

Lehigh Valley IronPigs vs. Buffalo Bisons – 6/19/16

Coca-Cola Park, home of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Triple A affiliate of the Phillies), is one of the nicest minor league ballparks I’ve been to.  There really isn’t a bad seat in the stadium, unless the temperature is nearing 100° outside.  Then you’d at least want to have a seat in the shade.  My seat was not in the shade, so things got hot pretty fast.  The next time I order tickets I’m going to remember to ask for seats in Section 104 and up.  According to the usher that was working in my section, the game was a complete sellout.  I saw a bunch of empty seats though.  Those people either decided not to come because of the heat or were in attendance but hung out in the shade.

The IronPigs played the Buffalo Bisons (Triple A affiliate of the Blue Jays) on Sunday.  Former Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown currently plays for the Bisons.  So does first basemen Casey Kotchman.  Kotchman played with the Angels for awhile, and then went on to the Braves.  He bounced around with a few other teams, before signing a minor league deal with the Blue Jays.  I remember his rookies were a big deal in 2002.  David Buchanan pitched for the IronPigs, and I got to see Darin Ruf.  Future Phillies shortstop J.P. Crawford was also playing.  They say Crawford’s fielding has been good, but his work at the plate could use some improving.

One way to get out of the sun was to visit their Majestic Clubhouse Store.  Compared to last year, it wasn’t stocked as much.  They could’ve been running low on merchandise because of the doubleheader they played the day before.  Either way, I picked-up a new Coca-Cola Park t-shirt and a few lanyards.  With the Little League World Series coming up in August, I’m going to need those lanyards to store pins.  One of the lanyards has a Star Wars theme to it, while the other is covered in bacon.

For lunch I had a cheesesteak.  I’ve eaten hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, and pretzels at games before, but never a cheesesteak.  It was really good.  I finished it off with some chocolate ice cream.  Out of all the ballparks I’ve been to, I think Coca-Cola Park has the widest range of different food options.

The next minor league game I’m scheduled to attend is in Harrisburg on July 9th.  That evening the Senators will be unveiling a life-sized bobblehead of Cliff Floyd.  Cliff Floyd is scheduled to be there, and fans will receive a replica bobblehead.

The IronPigs ended up losing 5-3 in 10 innings.  While going through the gate I received a set of BBQ tools as a giveaway.

Buffalo Bisons

Remember this dude from the Angels?

Darin Ruf (batting) A.J. Jimenez (catching)

J.P. Crawford leading off 1st base

Darin Ruf

J.P. Crawford

State College Spikes vs. Mahoning Valley Scrappers – 8/9/15 – The Bus Bobblehead Night

A lot of fans came out to watch the State College Spikes take on the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Sunday night.  Good baseball wasn’t the only reason people came out though.  It was Jerome Bettis bobblehead night!!!  The first 1,000 fans through the gates received a commemorative Jerome Bettis Hall of Fame Gold Jacket bobblehead.  I think the coolest part of this specific bobblehead is that the platform he’s standing on is in the shape of a bus.  Jerome Bettis was once or still is involved with a company that owns different minor league baseball teams including the Spikes.  That’s why I think they did this.  Plus he was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame over the weekend too and is a PA favorite.

The Spikes went on to win 4-1 over the Scrappers.  Instead of having chicken fingers and fries, I went for a cheeseburger this time.  I could smell them on the grill while waiting to get in.  Everything in the gift shop was 20% off as long as it had black and/or gold on it.  So I picked myself up a new “Fear The Dear” t-shirt.

LuCKy the Lion from Lion Country Kia.

Lehigh Valley IronPigs vs. Louisville Bats – 6/28/15

For the last couple of years I’ve been wanting to see the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Triple A of the Phillies) play.  The IronPigs played the Louisville Bats in a doubleheader since Saturday’s game was rained out.  The giveaway was a popcorn bowl shaped like an IronPigs batting helmet.  I didn’t get one because they were for kids 17 and under.  I usually only attend games when the home team is giving out bobbleheads, but this being my first time at Coca-Cola Park the giveaway really didn’t matter to me.

The first game of the day started at 1:05 p.m. and the gates opened at 12:00 p.m.  Right before they opened the gates, a machine turned on and covered the entire crowd in tiny bubbles.  Moments later I got to see the inside of Coca-Cola Park.  My seat was right behind home plate in Section 111.  I was also sitting right in front of the cinnamon roasted almonds, pecans, and cashews stand.  In all of the stadiums I’ve been to, I don’t think I’ve seen such a variety of food.  On one side you have pulled pork sandwiches and bacon on a stick.  On the other you’ve got ice cream and fried calamari rings.  In between are the hot dogs, chicken fingers, hamburgers, pizza, pretzels, etc…  After lunch I visited the Majestic Clubhouse Store.  They sucked me in with the OYO minifigures.  I picked up (2) OYOs, (2) t-shirts, (5) pins, and a bobblehead of their mascot Ferrous.  Next month they will be releasing a new t-shirt that combines the IronPigs logo with Iron Man.

Since it was a doubleheader, both games were only seven innings long.  The IronPigs lost the first game 6-1, but won the second game 8-3.  Coca-Cola Park is overall probably one of the nicest stadiums I’ve ever been to.  I look forward to going back.

Who wants a Pepsi?

FeFe

Russ Canzler

Russ Canzler

My girlfriend is a total pig 🙂

“Pin-Up” of the Week: Lehigh Valley IronPigs Bacon Strip Logo Pin

The Philadelphia Phillies Triple-A affiliate Lehigh Valley IronPigs unveiled a slew of new logos this week.  Fans attending Saturday games this year might get a little hungrier than usual.  The IronPigs Saturday uniforms will be covered in head to toe with bacon.  Player uniforms will have bacon styled piping down both sides of the pants.  Jerseys will have the word “Pigs” written on the front which will be underlined with a piece of bacon.  The caps, you guessed it, will have a piece of bacon on them as well.  Lets just say this isn’t the place to be if your a vegetarian.

It didn’t take long for the IronPigs to pack their store with all the new logo merchandise.  They even have a shirt that smells like bacon.  This bacon strip logo pin can be yours for $5.00.

New Addition To The Kalas Collection

This afternoon I received my Harry Kalas replica memorial statue that was a stadium giveaway last Thursday night from the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.  It sure looks nice on my shelf.  Anyone pull the Kalas cut signature yet found in Sportkings Series E?  I need it!

Holding this thing makes me feel like I won an Oscar.