Visitors to the Tristar Autograph Pavilion at The National can walk away with just about anything. Seriously, if you’re a fan of Hall of Famers of any sport…they’ve got you covered. Super Bowl champs? That too. Looking for a Captain James T. Kirk autograph to add to your collection? Yeah, they’ll help you out there as well. Wade Boggs supercollector Rich … [Read more...] about Wade Boggs Surprises Superfan at The National
Chicago Greats Have Collectors, Fans Excited for Autographs
Christmas came early this year for Chicago sports fans planning on attending the National Sports Collectors Convention. Of the more than one hundred former athletes that will be signing at the Tristar Autograph Pavilion, close to three dozen of them have called The Windy City home at some point during their career. “The National always has a great lineup of legends,” … [Read more...] about Chicago Greats Have Collectors, Fans Excited for Autographs
The National Continues to be a Family Affair
The 38th installment of The National Sports Collectors Convention has officially come to a close and (hopefully) everyone left Rosemont, IL with exactly what they were looking for. That said, if you weren’t among the lucky few that got to brush elbows with Jennifer Lopez while she was slumming it alongside her latest boytoy Alex Rodriguez or catch up with Los Angeles Lakers … [Read more...] about The National Continues to be a Family Affair
The (Unofficial) Dress Code at The National Seems Oddly Familiar
While there’s not an official dress code at The National Sports Collectors Conference (because, c’mon…how could you realistically enforce it?), many of the attendees of the annual memorabilia supershow share the same eye for fashion. You know the look…baggy cargo shorts coupled with a mis-matched ballcap/jersey (or shersey) combo and, for some forward thinkers, a backpack to … [Read more...] about The (Unofficial) Dress Code at The National Seems Oddly Familiar
Strange Finds at The National: Baseball Edition
For generations, fathers have shared their love of baseball with their kids. In my house, it’s the same…but with a twist. You see, every other year, The National Sports Collectors Convention hits Rosemont, IL, and, again, my 13-year-old son (who is NOT a sports fan) will be in tow. “It’s like Comic-Con for sports nerds,” I tell him every year, “but this year…Jose Canseco … [Read more...] about Strange Finds at The National: Baseball Edition
Jose Canseco Headlines Day One of The National
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Similarly, if Jose Canseco is invited to sign autographs (for free!) and no one shows up, is he really there? Wednesday night, the 1988 American League Most Valuable Player hit Rosemont, IL to take part in opening night of The 38th National Sports Collectors Convention and alongside NBA … [Read more...] about Jose Canseco Headlines Day One of The National
FLASHBACK: Strangest Finds of the 2015 National
If you can navigate your way through autograph seekers, vintage card enthusiasts and the dozens (it feels like dozens) of companies doing live case breaks, you never know what you might find at the annual National Sports Collectors Convention. And while that’s not the most flattering lede ever…I love The National. Really…I do. It’s pretty fantastic and two years ago, I took … [Read more...] about FLASHBACK: Strangest Finds of the 2015 National