Rich Gedman Added to My 1986 Mets Holy Grail Autograph Project

My 1986 World Series Game 6 project is my favorite piece of memorabilia. I've been getting autographs on it for a while and last weekend I added another (and maybe the last) big name to it.

Rich Gedman was the behind the plate for the Red Sox during that 1986 World Series Game 6 moment. On November 14, Gedman was signing at the MAB show where I asked him to sign his name on the photo (bottom right corner).

He laughed and took a few moments to look at the autographs on it and asked some questions on where I found Dale Ford (home plate umpire).

My 1986 World Series Game 6 project is probably complete. It's doubtful that I'll find the other two umpires in the photo. If I don't end up getting their signatures, I'm happy with the autographs I have on it from:
- Mookie Wilson
- Bill Buckner
- Bob Stanley
- Bill Robinson
- Dale Ford
- Rich Gedman

Pete Rose and Bob Boone Autograph Story Baseball

About six years ago, I decided to start an autograph project that did more than collect signatures. I wanted it to be different. I wanted it to tell a story.

Pete Rose is one of my favorite players (add boo/hiss sounds here) and I wanted to do a project with him. "Sorry I bet on baseball" was not for me, but the idea is the same.

I decided to target the 1980 World Champion Phillies. With one out, in game 6, Frank White hit a pop-up down the first base line. Bob Boone chased after and tipped the ball just before Pete Rose could catch it from hitting the ground. Pete spiked the ball to the turf and ran back to first base.

Many credit Pete with making a great play, but Bob Boone remembers it a bit different.

While on vacation in Las Vegas a few years ago, I asked Pete Rose to autograph my 1980 World Series baseball with the inscription "I caught Boone's bobble in the 9th."

On Saturday, August 14, I asked Bob Boone to add to the story on the baseball. He read what Pete inscribed and I asked him to add something with his name. I was thinking, "Nice catch Pete" or "I should get the assist." Boone did even better.

Bob Boone added, "I'm the one that hustled on the play." Awesome.

HGTV for Collectors

It's not Kate Plus 8 Sans John, but from the makers of yuppie house flipping shows and Trading Spaces show extras want to clean your sports collectibles mess!

The National Sports Collectors Convention announced on their web site that HGTV is looking to do a sports collectible makeover. (I pray this is the last sentence I ever write with sports and makeover in it.)

HGTV is looking for families in NY, NJ, CT, PA, MD, MA and other Northeast locations. I guess the price of gas prevents them from going outside an I-95 outer loop.

The National is asking that you email them your piles of sports crap stories and they'll pass it on the people at HGTV. Send your information to: nicole.ford@leopardfilms.com. All e-mails must be received by 12/31/09 to be eligible.

The National Sports Collectors Convention story is here.

MAB Catcher's Show - Saturday Report

I only made it to one day of MAB's catcher-themed show. I was Secaucus, NJ for part of Saturday's autograph signing.

I thought this show was much more organized than the previous one they hosted in Long Island, NY. Why? Was it a return to familiar grounds at the Crowne Plaza? Were things easier because there were not as many tables and booths? Was it less chaotic because there weren't as many people attending the show?

I think those reasons played a factor. However, MAB was much better organized from the last show I went to. They had a clear entry/exit point with a table in the front and they did a better job preparing for their big name guest (Joe Torre).

An entire section of the room became the Torre area. In the past, people waiting for the big name guests were mixed in with all the other collectors. You wouldn't think it's a big deal, but when you consider Torre easily had 300 people waiting for his signature, it made a lot of sense to reserve a bigger section of the room for them.

I'd still like to see more MAB people helping patrol the entry/exit points. I thought there were still too many people jumping in when the MAB workers weren't looking.

I'd also like to give the players more of an official announcement when they are entering the autograph area and exiting. I believe they deserve it and as fans/collectors, we'd like to give them another round of applause. Why not provide a simple, "Fans, please welcome Carlton Fisk to the autograph area." When the players leave, it would be nice to hear, "Fans please join me in thanking Carlton Fisk for his autograph time today." I'm not asking for a wave, but I think it would be a polite gesture to clap for the players as they come and go.

I didn't get too many autographs, but I'm really pleased with the two autographs I picked up on Saturday. I'll post some pictures this week on the blog.

Mr. Mint Episode II: Revenge of the Sith

You've seen the smile, the ads, and the videos of Mr. Mint (Alan Rosen) and he's back for more. This weekend Mr. Mint is back in New York after a 10 year hiatus.

According to the NY Daily News, Rose is doing the memorabilia show in Queens as revenge to a rival promoter who claims he reneged on a deal. "That's the main reason I'm doing this show, to rub a little salt," Rosen said of his feud with promoter Jim Ryan, who runs competing conventions in Nassau and Westchester counties.

MM left the NY scene because of what he perceived as "greed" in the industry. Hello Kettle?

To me, it seems a little ironic that someone promoting them selves as "Mr. Mint," while paying cash to buy collections and then flip them for a huge profit is using "greed" as an excuse to not attend a NY show.

Two Million Dollars For Old Peter King Columns

OK, so it's a little more than old Peter King columns. For $2 Million you can own the most comprehensive autograph Sports Illustrated collection that exist outside of Peter King's garage.

Scott Smith has approximately 94% of the entire magazine's history with autograph covers and he's selling all of it.

I've never been a big autograph magazine collector or even autograph photo collector. I have a few photos, but you end up struggling to find a place to display them or show them. Autograph cards are easy to store in a binder and bring them out to show people. But how do you store thousands of magazines? I guess that's a question for new owner.

More Here:
http://www.1010wins.com/-Sports-Illustrated-King--Selling-His-Collection-f/5632788

And Here:

SIKingCollection.com

Sports Locker Recovering

The PC is getting worked on and I'm borrowing someone's rig so I can make some posts and find the outside world.

I don't know about you guys, but I could live without a TV for a long time without any issues. Taking away my PC and Internet for a few days is about to drive me insane though.

SportsLocker on the DL

Sorry for the lack of posts last week and moving into this week.

I've had some PC problems for a few days. I'll try to get this resolved ASAP.
Note to self: Dude, don't get a dell, get a Mac!