2012 East Coast National Recap

i had taken off from work today as i was going to see Chicago play at Jones Beach tonight.
(The show was awesome, as was expected!)

So i had some free time early in the day and decided to check out the show.  i usually attend this show on Friday, as i prefer those hours to the weekend hours.  That being said, it may be the "norm" to have people line up outside for entry to the show on the weekends, but its not like that on Fridays.

i got in and noticed something right away.  the room was packed. not pack as in a lot of people, but packed as in the walking space in the aisles was considerably less then normal.  There was also no way there were 450 dealer tables.

Well, it is what it is, and it was time to have a look around.  Even a "bad" show is a good show, as it IS a show :)  after walking around for about three hours i hadnt picked up anything.  There were a couple of things that interested me, but overall pretty underwhelmed.

What i did see were a lot of customers walking around and seemingly happy to be there shopping.
there seemed to be a lot of Bryce Harper and Mike Trout low end rookie cards changing hands.  thats a good sign in my book.   of course, some people want then for "cheaper" no matter what the dealer offers.

well as my "time to leave" time approached, i had to make some decisions.  And here they are:

(My scanner is not working, and these pics suck and do NOT do the cards justice)

i fell in love with this card as soon as i saw it.  centering on this card is a PITA, it really is.
even though it's not a rookie card, i had to have it.

Next up ... somewhat of a return to an old focus.  those of you that have known me for some time realize that i tend to jump all over the place.  well, time to revisit an old friend ... BGS Gold.
i am going to try for true gems when given the opportunity, but it wont be a deal breaker like it had been back then.    The BIG Picture of this Focus is to go for Topps Rookie Cards of players of note (that i do not already have). 

Here are two that i picked up today ...

i also picked up a box of 2012 Topps Football Jumbos that i hope to open sooner rather then later :)

Thanks For The Read,
Eric

Damn, still cant believe .....

That the 2012 National has come and is now over for over a week.

seems like just last night i was hanging out with my newly found card friends.  How nice it was to just sit, hang out and talk about cards.  i know that sounds weird to those that do not have this gene known as collector.  But those that have done this for a long time know exactly what i am talking about. 

i was fortunate to make a bunch of new friends while at the show this year.  i hope we are all able to make it to Chicago next year.

things here are alright i suppose.  still looking for some key football rookie cards.  for baseball, im almost done with what ive been working on for the last 8 years.

i opened some of the 2012 Topps Mini Baseball.  Ripped two boxes.  Really fun rip.  highly recommended.

2012 National Recap

Eh, im going to post this later.  i need to gather my thoughts.  im pretty down about the show being over, having been looking forward to it all year.

2012 National day five

Today was the last day of the 2012 National.

im not going to lie, i am depressed as im typing this.  it just ALWAYS goes by so damn fast.  im not even kidding.  its now after 3am and i should be tired and asleep, but im not.  its pouring rain out and im typing away here.

while thinking about what to be on the hunt for today (while trying to fall asleep last night), i was giving serious thought to adding basketball to the mix.  i looked around at some Jordans, but decided that it just wasnt going to be, not now anyway.

What i wound up picking up today were some ..... wait for it ..... yes, what im about to type is not typed in error .... modern .... BGS RCs!  ::gasp::   yep, two of them even!  saved me some money on one, and the other is just not to be found in a PSA (actually, the other one is pretty damn hard as well)

also today i met another Twitter Card Friend, always a good thing in my book.

then it was more walking around, chatting, saying goodbye to those that were still around today.  Most everyone left early this morning to catch flights, so i said farewell to the last night.

All in all i wound up picking up 22 Slabs (20 PSA, 2 BGS) ... 7 baseball and 15 football.

Bet you never would have guessed that would be the ratio, eh? :)

2012 National day four

Day Four recap.

Not having access to my iPad, i am writing this from home, after the fact.  but thats the way it goes.

Day four was a good one as far as picking stuff up goes.  Since the last card that i "need" for my Post-War HOF RC Collection was being held "hostage", that meant that the fundage i saved up for it could be used for other things.  That meant that it was time to really delve into a new Focus.  Football HOF RC's

i was thinking about it a lot as i was trying to get to sleep after Firday nights events.  it was then that i decided to go ahead and really go "all in" on the new focus.  As soon as the doors opened, i went straight to one table (on purpose) and picked up four of the huge 80's rookies.  Very happy to have added them.  i also decided it was time to buy one of those 2012 Topps Mini Boxes that EVERYONE seemed to be ripping.  so i bought one (yay for free promos!)

i was able to hang out with some of the new friends i made.  it was a really great day overall.

2012 National day three

Day Three of this years National.

Well, the charger for my iPad died, So I'm typing this on my phone, so it may be shorter then I'd like, but it was such an awesome day that I want to get it written now.

So today was day three.

This morning I was able to land four PSA RCs and the card side of the day ended with another one.

But what made today amazing was the stuff away from the showroom floor.

Today was the PSA Luncheon.  What a great time that was. There was a great speaker, and also a really funny video.  The shindig lasted about two hours.

Then it was back to the show for more browsing and chatting. Did that for the rest of the day.

After the show was a get together for the net 54 crew.   A group of us went, and it was fun. The cheese was good.

About 8:15 we headed over to an exclusive party for Steiner Sports. It was at some happening place in the inner harbor. Lots of young people everywhere.   Once we got into the club, who do we see standing near the bar? Yep, the one and only Dwight Gooden! 

Having known that he was supposed to be there, I was prepared to tell him the story about my favorite card that I keep in my wallet.  For about the last three years ive kept a 1985 Topps #620 Dwight Gooden card in my wallet that i personally pulled out of a pack back in 1985.  It's my favorite card of all time, and the card that got me to where i am today as a collector.  I told Dwight my story and he was very nice and politely agreed to sign my card.  He even personalized it "To Eric, Best Wishes"  Man i couldnt believe it, i really couldnt.  i was like a flustered kid again, having just conversed with my childhood idol.

After all that took place, I was on cloud nine! waawaawewa!  Wow I'm still having it all sink in.   Barry Larkin was also there.  We pretty much all took pictures with both of them.  Everyone was having an amazing time.  We then stayed there a few more hours before it was time to head back to grab some shut eye for the evening

2012 National Day Two

Day two of this years National.

The day started out well.  Woke up before my alarm went off.

What is it about being on vacation that make a person sleep even less then when they're at home? lol

I went for a little stroll as I waited for the show to open.  Took a walk down around Camden Yards.  The place is now 20 years old and it still looks amazing.  I also walked over to where Baba Ruth was born.  Then it was time to head in for day two.

Day two meant that it was a good time to make some purchases and not risk them being available later on.  I was quite successful in scoring things that I wanted to pick up.  

Then the rest of my day was spent talking with old and new friends that were at the show.  Then it was time for the Topps Panel.  This years was about the same as last years (but the food was better last year).  I did enjoy myself thought.

Then day two was a wrap.  A few of us were hanging around outside of the hotel to decide where to go for some dinner and such.   As we were waiting, two fellow collectors were walking by and in one of those "Wow moments", one of the guys recognized me from this very here blog! Right on, that was awesome.

We as a group decided to then head down to the "Inner Harbor" to see what we could see, and what there was as far as eating establishments.  Well, I have to be honest, the "Inner Harbor" was nothing short of unimpressive.  A few stores here and there, and get this, a freaking MALL! lol

We decided on an Irish Bar & Grill.  A good time was had by all.  Then it was time to head back and rest up for tomorrow.

So my day two was fantastic.  I am really having a good time and enjoying myself.  Anytime I can make new friends, AND talk about cards? #WINNING 

Can't wait for tomorrow!

2012 National Day One

Day one of this years National has ended.

My trip west was a smooth one, not much to report, trains were on time, Amtrak was crowded, but comfortable and dint seem all that bad.  I will use them again.  I enjoyed my view of America as I rolled on down the tracks.

Got to the hotel and checked in, no problem.  Then I was time to check to see what was around here as far as grocery stores go.  Well,  that was a big big "fail". They don't seem to have any of those around here.  They have a CVS, a 7-11 and a knock off 7-11 that refuses to use plastic bags. WTF? right? lol

Well after checking out all three stores, i found that the knock off was the only one rolling diet cherry pepsi.  So that was the "winner". I picked up 6 20oz' and headed back to the hotel room to put. them intense fridge. As I was walking back, I. Got some strange looks, as I'm guessing it looked liked I was carrying a six-pack of beer on a Wednesday afternoon lol

Then it was time to head to the show to pick up my VIP bage and promo package.

On the way there I ran into a twitter fella I knew and we hung out until the doors opened.  The doors opened at 3:30 and it was time to "enjoy the show"

First place I went to was the Topps booth.  I wanted to sign up for tomorrows panel.  Well, the line for the promo giveaways was HUGE!   I just wanted to sign up, don't want to rip for promos.  Eventually they got a list together, I signed up, and was on my way.

Next stop was BBCE.  Made my first pickup of the show, a PSA 3.5 Wilhelm RC (NICE!).   Then of course, chewed the fat with those fine fellas.  Then it was time to start walking the floor.  

Wow, it sure is easy to forget how MASSIVE this show is.  Sheer volume is not one that can be put to words.  Wow.   I will admit to feeling a little overwhelmed, punch drunk even.  I. Stood there for a Knute, and took it all in.  Then it was the to get to business.

As a self admitted slab head, its easier for me to get through it all then those that are raw fans.  That being said, it still took me a couple of hours to give all the tables a once over.  There seem to be less slab sellers this year then I remembered there being last year.  Maybe it's just me.

Through it all, I was only able to make one more purchase today., a PSA 3 George Kell Leaf RC.  Happy to have it, price was decent.  

That pickup has my PSA Post War HOF RC want list down to five.

Before you knew it, the show hours for day one were over and it was time to head out.   I ran into some friends and we went to some burger and beer joint to consume some food and drink.

Overall today was a good day at the show.  Not Great, but good.  There are going to be a lot more people showing up tomorrow, and it will add to the enjoyment to get to see them again.

I hope to add some pickups as well.  Thinking about another Focus  ... yea, cause you know I don't have ENOUGH of those, eh? lol

Until next time,

Eric

ThoseBackPages

On the way there I ran into a twitter fella I knew and we hung out until the doors opened.  The doors opened at 3:30 and it was time to "enjoy the show"

First place I went to was the Topps booth.  I wanted to sign up for tomorrows panel.  Well, the line for the promo giveaways was HUGE!   I just wanted to sign up, don't want to rip for promos.  Eventually they got a list together, I signed up, and was on my way.

Next stop was BBCE.  Made my first pickup of the show, a PSA 3.5 Wilhelm RC (NICE!).   Then of course, chewed the fat with those fine fellas.  Then it was time to start walking the floor.  

Wow, it sure is easy to forget how MASSIVE this show is.  Sheer volume is not one that can be put to words.  Wow.   I will admit to feeling a little overwhelmed, punch drunk even.  I. Stood there for a Knute, and took it all in.  Then it was the to get to business.

As a self admitted slab head, its easier for me to get through it all then those that are raw fans.  That being said, it still took me a couple of hours to give all the tables a once over.  There seem to be less slab sellers this year then I remembered there being last year.  Maybe it's just me.

Through it all, I was only able to make one more purchase today., a PSA 3 George Kell Leaf RC.  Happy to have it, price was decent.  

That pickup has my PSA Post War HOF RC want list down to five.

Before you knew it, the show hours for day one were over and it was time to head out.   I ran into some friends and we went to some burger and beer joint to consume some food and drink.

Overall today was a good day at the show.  Not Great, but good.  There are going to be a lot more people showing up tomorrow, and it will add to the enjoyment to get to see them again.

I hope to add some pickups as well.  Thinking about another Focus  ... yea, cause you know I don't have ENOUGH of those, eh? lol

Until next time,

Eric

ThoseBackPagesbn