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 Davis of Plainfield, Illinois walked away with a little more than some fresh new ink for walls of his Boggs-inspired tavern.
Davis has a room with thousands of cards, signed jerseys and all kinds of Boggs-a-bilia at his home but on Saturday when he met the Hall of Famer in the autograph pavilion, he got a nice surprise.
At the National. Got to see @ChickenMan3010 again. Mr Boggs, always a pleasure and you’re too good to me! Thank you for the surprise jersey and autograph! You’re truly the best! Your biggest fan! #wadeboggs #hof2005 #retired26 ????⚾️ @nsccshow pic.twitter.com/VVcD4FJK9K
— Richard Davis PA-C (@boggs328) August 2, 2019
In case you’re wondering, yes, that is the Chicken Man himself gifting Davis the Team of Dreams jersey that he wore during last year’s event held at the “Field of Dreams” movie site in Dyersville, Iowa.
Closer look at this awesome celebrity softball game worn Field of Dreams jersey from #WadeBoggs with the best inscription ever! ????⚾️Honored and still flabbergasted at Mr Boggs’ generosity. He is one for the ages! #baseballlegend #boggstavern #NSCC19 #NSCC2019 @nsccshow pic.twitter.com/BXTFhHuMxM
— Richard Davis PA-C (@boggs328) August 3, 2019
“I knew right away what it was,” Davis said. “I was truly flabbergasted that Mr. Boggs thought of me and brought it to Chicago. Then, when his agent asked where I wanted it signed, I was like, ‘wow, I get it signed too?’ He’s been really good to me.”
With the addition of the new threads, Davis now has ten Boggs jerseys and one pair of game worn pants. All told, his collection is beyond countless and includes thousands of baseball cards featuring the 2005 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee.
So, for a guy who has everything Boggs, what’s the one piece of his collection that even Davis admits is a little strange?
It’s gotta be “the shoes.”
“The strangest piece I have has got to be the shower shoes,” Davis added. “It’s the one piece that gets more head shaking action than any other item when friends and family stop over. It goes to show how true a fan I am (or crazy). Cooperstown can borrow them any time they want. Have them call me!”
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