The National Facebook Group Being Decommissioned

I started The National facebook group page about 2 years ago. I emailed and called the people running the National Sports Collectors Convention several times about a facebook page, but no one ever returned my call. I wanted to see if they already had one.

When no one returned my messages asking them about a facebook page, I decided to create my own.

I only had one goal for the group page: Create an open forum to discuss the National. A few months after I created the group page, the people running the National finally created a facebook fan page for the event and began spamming our group page. When asked why they were spamming our group page, the answer I received was, "your page is our competition."

Really? How can my group page be your competition? I don't have a product to sell - I'm talking about your product.

We finally came to an understanding that the group page wasn't competition. They also finally realized that I wasn't competing with them, I and everyone in the group were more than customers, we were evangelists for their product.

Their fan page has made good improvements. It also has a long way to go, but this is their first toe dipping into the deep end of social media marketing. In the past two years it has provided a lot of good information, but their needs to be more discussion - more "social" interaction. The fan page is more than a channel to post links to websites. I think a fan page should be about the fans of the product, not just the product.

I'd like to see the National really embrace the social market by providing specials to facebook fans, use twitter and the hashtag #NSCC, and bring in a mobile marketing effort like foursquare or gowalla.

This week I will decommission the group page called "The National." I had a lot of fun running it, posting links and talking about the National, but I think we've hit a redundant stage with the two pages. Thanks to all of those who joined the group and participated in the discussions.

Minor Leauge Manager Ejected and Signs 1st Base for Fan

This brings game-used memorabilia to a whole new level.

Minor league manager, Gary Robinson, of the State College Spikes was thrown out of a game after arguing if a player was hit by a pitch. During his exchange with the umpire, Robinson was tossed out of the game.

Robinson eventually rips first base out of the ground, signs it and gives it to a fan sitting 2 rows behind the dugout.

The Answer: Stephen Strasburg

The Question:
Why should collectors avoid the temptation to overspend on rookie cards and buy into the hype of the yearly "greatest player ever?"

That's my weak attempt at Jeopardy.

I hate to see Strasburg have this injury. It hurts the game and the hobby. I kept quiet on all the people talking about buying his latest card and spending thousands of dollars on an autograph card. Everyone has their own taste and interests, but this is why I resist going all in.

Let's hope Bryce Harper isn't next.

Pete Rose Returns to Cincinnati to Celebrate 4192

An update to my previous post, Baseball's all-time Hit King, Pete Rose will be on the field at the Great American Ballpark to celebrate the 25 year anniversary of his 4,192nd career hit.

Source - Cincinnati Reds Blog.

Ironic and Sad: 25 Year Anniversary of Pete Rose Hit 4192

The Cincinnati Reds have permission to celebrate the 25 year anniversary of Pete Rose breaking Ty Cobb's hit record and Pete's finally allowed on the field with them to celebrate. 

This is great news, except Pete can't make the actual Sept. 11th anniversary date. Why? He has a previous commitmment with a casino! Are you kidding me?

Pete will be at the Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg, IN for a roast.  Tickets are $200 a piece for the event.

The Reds may have the on-field celebration Sept. 10 or Sept 12.

Dmitri Young to be a Card Corner Club Radio Regular

Former All-Star and current hobby enthusianst, Dimitri Young is going to be a regular on Card Corner Club Radio.

Voice of the Collector announced this week that Young, a previous guest on the show, will soon be a regular contributor.

How cool is that?! Dimitri is more than a former major league player, he has a huge card collection and really gets into the hobby.

If the live show doesn't fit your schedule (Friday nights), then definitely subscribe via RSS. It's a great weekly recap of the week's hobby news.

Like a Beacon of Hope - Sports Cards Vending Machine

I went to my first Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre last week. It was "Twitter Tuesday," which I'll write more about later, but this vending machine jumped out at me.

A vending machine for baseball cards! I love it.

Maybe this is common at every stadium and I haven't noticed before that game. Personally, I'd like for my work place to get one of these. Instead of walking way from my desk to get a cup of coffee, I'd much rather walk away to buy a pack of cards.

I think I can make a case for productivity increase in the workplace by having a 5 minute distraction each day to open a pack of cards.

A New Card Can Make it All Good

It's been a long week at work. It's going to be a long month actually, but there's something about getting a new card in the mail that just helps you get through it all.

Today I added to my '52 Bowman Large Dallas Texans team set with this Buddy Young card. I have the '52 Bowman Small set, and now I'm going large.

Buddy was a 5'4" running back for the Texans and Yanks prior to that. I paid around $8 for this card on eBay.

Now, back to work.

33 Years Since the King Died

Elvis died on Aug. 16, 1977. (Or is he living in Kalamazoo, MI?)

Long live the King. I need to get some of these Donruss cards.

Vintage Football Card - New eBay Purchase

I was lucky enough to win this Art Donovan, 1952 Bowman Large card.

Were most buyers at the National when this card auction ended? It has a slight crease, but I paid less than $40 for this. I don't think I overpaid, but either way, I'm happy with the card.

My scanner is pretty horrible which is why the bottom and right borders are missing.

Rare Magic Johnson Public Autograph Session

I was a New York Knicks basketball fan growing up, but I wouldn't miss a Magic Johnson basketball game on TV. It didn't matter who the Lakers were playing, if Magic was in the game I wanted to watch him play. And when he played the Knicks, it was tough to route against him.

CSA Shows in Chantilly, VA sent an email today announcing that Magic Johnson will be signing autographs at their October 15-17 show. Magic's prices are:
- $125 for flats
- $150 for premium items
- $50 for inscriptions

Looking for a 2010 National Sports Collectors Convention Recap?

A lot of card blogs have a recap post and trip reports from the National, but I think twitter offers the best review. Do a twitter search on the hashtag #NSCC and you'll get more than the recaps. You'll get the reactions of everyone in the moment including the links to the recaps.

Check out: http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23nscc

Here's my previous article on what a hashtag can do for your sports card show.

What Would You Pay for Tom Brady's Autograph?

We're headed to a double-dip recession, unemployment is still around 10% and the stock market is going in the wrong direction. But why not spend $899 on an autographed Tom Brady helmet.

What?

TriStar announced details of a rare Tom Brady private autograph session. For $899 you can get your full size helmet signed by Tom. Inscriptions? That will cost an extra $149.

Does that seem a little high to you? And to think I was complaining about Emmitt Smith's HOF prices.

Day 2 of the 2010 National - Blogger Kiosk

Here's a blogger recap of Day 2 of the 2010 National Sports Collectors Convention in Baltimore, MD:

• The Beckett Blog
• The Beckett Blog - Walking the Floor
• I am Joe Collector - FBI Crashes the Party
• A Cardboard Problem - Day 2 Report

Please let me know if there are other Day 2 Reports.

Twitter Follow Friday: #NSCC

Slap a hashtag on that tweet! My Follow Friday shout goes to #NSCC. Last year there were a few of us tweeting from the National - this year is another story!

Follow the hashtag and it's as close as you can get to being there. The pictures, recaps and streaming video is fantastic.

Day 1 of the 2010 National - Blogger Kiosk

Here's a collection of some of the Day 1 National Sports Collectors Convention Reports:

• A Cardboard Problem
• Stale Gum - Video
• Field Level View - Redemptions
• Voice of the Collector - Media Coverage
• Sports Cards Uncensored - Not in attendance, but a cool guide

Let me know if there are other Day 1 Reports.

Follow the 2010 National on Twitter

It's not the same as being there, but if you can't get to the National, follow the play-by-play on twitter. The hashtag #NSCC is being used for the 2010 National in Baltimore.

The best and most comprehensive way to follow the National action is by following the hashtag: #NSCC. Here are some pretty easy steps to see the tweets if you are on twitter or not.

Some of the twitter users sending updates are:
- Twitter.com/VOTC
- Twitter.com/stalegum
- Twitter.com/WesYee
- Twitter.com/FCBSportscards
- Twitter.com/TracyHackler
- Twitter.com/chrisolds2009
- Twitter.com/GrandCards
- Twitter.com/witmer
- Twitter.com/StevenTormollan
- Twitter.com/PeteIncaviglia

Add a comment if you have someone to include in the list above.

Joe DiMaggio's Military Service Secrets Revealed

Joltin' Joe had a "defective attitude toward the service." According to records revealed on  TheSmokingGun.com, DiMaggio didn't really have glowing reviews in the military.

Reports from Major Emile Stoloff and Major William Barrett say Joe D's "personal problems appeared to be more of consequence to him than his obligations to adjust to the demands of the service." Stoloff added that the Yankee Clipper had a "conscious attitude of hostility and resistance." Ouch!

Years ago, Hunt Auctions did a big DiMaggio military records auction.

More at TheSmokingGun website.

Great Emmitt Smith Autograph Story

I'm pretty sure the keywords "great, Emmitt Smith, and autograph" will put this story #1 on the google search list because unfortunately stories like this are about as rare as riding a unicorn.


I'm a big Dallas Cowboys fan and I've been to several autograph shows that feature plenty of former Cowboys players (Aikman, Irvin, Dorsett, Daryl Johnston, Ed Jones, Bob Lilly, Mel Renfro, Drew Pearson, and the list goes on). In all of the events I've been to, I have never heard one collector tell a good story about getting Emmitt Smith's autograph. Never.

Then I read this article about a long-time Dallas fan who has his own Emmitt Smith museum and finally caught up with Emmitt to get his scrapbook signed.

2010 Topps Tribute - Three I'd Like to See

Our friends at Cardboard Connection have a cool contest going on. They are giving away a box of 2010 Topps Tribute baseball. Send them an email with the top 3 moments/events in baseball history that you'd like to see on a card.

For my Top 3, I'm going with a series of two autographs and a stadium piece on the card.

1. Branch Rickey/Jackie Robinson Autograph card with a piece of Ebbets Field.
2. Fred Merkle/Johnny Evers Autograph card with a piece of the Polo Grounds
3. Babe Ruth/Harry Frazee card with a piece of Yankee Stadium or playbill from "No, No, Nanette"

Entries are due to the Cardboard Connect by Aug. 13.