Go to the National or the National Pastime?

I haven't blogged as much about the National this year because I was on the fence about the whole thing.

While I think the National has added some features to the help justify the $17 ticket price (raffle for Cal Ripken autograph jersey for VIP, O's tickets for Wednesday purchasers, etc), it's still $17 to walk in the door.

Last year I paid the $17 (a few times) and the parking fees to walk around the Cleveland IX Center see some dealers leaving early on Saturday or not showing up on Wednesday.

To go this year, I'd have to drive 9+ hours, stay at least 2 nights in a hotel ($200+), pay for parking ($20 per day at least), probably 2 days at the show ($34) and that's before I even look at a table or pay for a TriStar autograph. When you add the food and gas money, it becomes a pricey trip for me to search for some vintage football or baseball cards. For me, I can't justify it. I've seen the TriStar autograph guests (too many times) and I'm not one to collect the newest released cards.

When trying to decide if I should do the 9+ hour drive to the National, I decided to see what else (for the entire family) was in the 9+ hour drive radius - I found Cooperstown, NY.

This year, instead of going to the National. We're going to do the family vacation to Cooperstown, NY and swing around to Niagara Falls. The Baseball HOF is cheaper than the National, the drive is about the same, and adding the Niagara Falls trip to it should keep the Momma happy. With any luck, the Blue Jays will be home when we're in Canada and we can catch a game up there.

I wish my fellow bloggers and tweeters good luck and safe travels to Baltimore. I'll follow the #NSCC tag on twitter to see the updates and twitpics. I'll also tweet some updates from Cooperstown, Niagara Falls and Blue Jays game: twitter.com/JamesRyanJ.

Autograph Collecting Reaches a New Level

It's unique. It's different. It's a little gross too.

A Dallas Cowboys fan at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX had such an autograph request. At the end of the practice session, a fan asked David Beuhler to sign his prosthetic leg!

Beuhler is a kicker for the Cowboys. More.

Free Panini Football Hall of Fame Cards

The pro-football Hall of Fame is giving away their 2010 HOF Panini set for any online purchase.

I think these are some of the better looking HOF trading cards that have been offered. I'd like to have that Emmitt Smith card.

To get the free cards, place your online order and enter the code: FREECARD10.

Dan Edwards Could Be the Old Spice Guy

This 1952 Bowman Large Dallas Texans card is my latest eBay purchase. I'm pretty happy with the condition for the price I paid.

At first, I thought Dan Edwards looked a lot like former Pennsylvania senator, Rick Santorum.

Then I noticed the tilted head, the smile, the football in one hand and the other hand on his hip. There's something senior picture-like about this card.

But the best comparison is to the Old Spice Guy. Can't your hear Dan Edwards, "look at your man, now look at me, now look at your man, now look at me . . . . I play for the Dallas Texans." -Add whistle jingle.

Pete Rose is Back in Cincinnati to Watch Stephen Strasburg Pitch

Pete Rose is back! Well, for one night anyway he was at the Reds/Nationals game to see Stephen Strasburg pitch.

I didn't think Pete was allowed anywhere near a baseball field. I wonder if he signed autographs for people saying, "I'm sorry I bet on baseball" at the Reds game.

Jimmy Johnson Survivor - And He Thought Valley Ranch Was Tough

Jimmy Johnson may have survived the Dallas Cowboys, but can he survive Nicaragua? Jimmy is on the CBS "reality" show Survivor: Nicaragua.

The show began taping in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua in June.

Jimmy joins former Cowboys quarterback Gary Hogeboom as the only other ex-Dallas player to appear on the Survivor series. At least Jimmy isn't going on Dancing with the Stars like Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin.

I'd like to see the following people on the show with Jimmy Johnson:
- Jerry Jones
- Buddy Ryan
- Barry Switzer

Win the Autograph Jersey from Cal Ripken Jr's Back at the National

The National Sports Collectors Convention has done a much better job offering incentives and promotions to get people to attend the show. Their latest efforts is from DACardWorld.com.

"The Luckiest Kid in Town" contest is giving away a few moments with Cal Ripken Jr. and an autograph jersey of the Iron Man.  The winner will also receive 4 VIP passes and packages. Two runner-ups will receive autograph Cal Ripken Jr. bats.

More information here.

Use Foursquare to Get Free Autographs

The Columbus Crew (MLS Soccer) is offering a free autograph poster.

The next foursquare "mayor" of Crew Stadium will receive a free autographed Columbus Crew schedule poster. To become the mayor, you need to have check-in to Crew Stadium more than anyone else in a 60 day span.