Sport collector trade show and Pedro Martinez appearance!!!

This is one of my favorite weeks of the year.  Other than this being my birthday week, I look forward to attending the Greater Boston Sports Collector's Club Card and Memorabilia Show.  It has happened the first weekend in November at the Shriner Auditorium in Wilmington Mass. for as long as I can remember.  This year's show is scheduled for Friday November 2nd - Sunday November 4th and is featuring Pedro Martinez. I have not missed attending this show since I first attended in 2002.  I have found hundreds of deals on anything including memorabilia, photos, cards, supplies and autographs. There will be over 80 dealers in attendance, both from the region and nationally.


Me and Pedro Martinez
















One of the reasons this show is my favorite is that everyone is very friendly and helpful.   There are items out there for the bargain hunter or the high end collector and of course all of us in between.  I've seen autographs for sale that include almost every hall of famer for every sport.  I've seen rare items like Cy Young, Babe Ruth and Alan Shepard(First U.S. astronaut in space) signed items.  Since I've been attending I've learnt much about collecting, how to preserve autographs and what's out there on the market.  I always feel that when I walk and speak with dealers, I learn something new every November.

So here are some tips on how to make the most of one day or the weekend at the show.
1.  Walk the entire floor at least once before purchasing anything.  My experience is that you will find the same item in multiple locations.  The dealers are very competitive and will almost always come down in price to get the sale.
2.  Prepare to spend at least 2 hours browsing.  Be patient and ready to negotiate.
3.  Bring something to drink with you.  It is very dry in most facilities.
4.  Wear comfortable footwear.  The entire floor is concrete.
5.  If you are purchasing an autograph or game used piece of memorabilia make sure it is has authentication.  Ask the dealer where it came from and who authenticated it.  If the price is too good to be true, then don't purchase it. 
6.  Most dealers will come down in price on the last day of a show.  They honestly don't want to haul it back to their homes or businesses. 
7.  Have cash on hand.  Most dealers cannot accept credit cards and if they do, they might charge a service fee to pay for the connection at their table.
8.  Sign up for raffles and door prizes.  Almost every show has them and there are usually great prizes.
9.  If you are attending to meet players, be ready to wait in line, and in small spaces.  Also, if you have no idea what you want autographed the promoter's merchandise table will have the best items at reasonable prices.

This year's autograph guests include:
Pedro Martinez
Baseball Hall of Famers Ozzie Smith and Brooks Robinson
Cecil Cooper
Red Sox WS Champion, Doug Mientkiewicz
Boston Bruin and Stanley cup champion, Shawn Thornton
New England Patriot, Aaron Hernandez
Jake LaMotta
Fred Lynn
Will Middlebrooks
Ramiro Mendoza

For more information on autograph guest information please visit www.sureshotpromotions.com

Opportunity to meet New England Patriot, Stevan Ridley

New England Picture and Sure Shot Promotions have teamed up for another great autograph signing.  They will have running back Stevan Ridley available to sign autographs at outstanding prices on November 14th.  Stevan is having a great season to this point and as his stock and playing time rise, his autograph price will as well.    This could be a great cost effective gift for a child or the casual Patriot Fan or an outstanding chance to meet Stevan for the diehard fan.  So come and out, and take advantage of this now. 

Pricing is as follows:
$29 for small, regular items and photos.
$39 for premium items such as jerseys and helmets.
$15 for inscriptions.

Welcome back to Boston, John Farrell

The Red Sox announced today that John Farrell was hired as the next manager.  He will be the 3rd Sox manager in 3 years.  He pitched for the Cleveland Indians, Anaheim Angels and Detroit Tigers.  He was the pitching coach on the Sox when they won the World Series in 2007, then for the past 2 seasons was manager of the Toronto Blue Jays.  So enough of his history, what my readers want to know is what is his autograph worth?

The answer is not much.  In fact, I wouldn't value him at more than $35 - $40 on any item and that is only because he was the pitching coach for a world series winning team.  That doesn't mean his autograph won't appreciate in value, but until the Sox get back into the playoffs and even win a playoff series, any manager's autograph won't be of much value to any collector.

Meet Celtics Guard Rajon Rondo

Ever meet an NBA point guard before?  Now's your chance.  Boston Celtic's point guard is making a public autograph appearance in Portsmouth NH on Thursday October 25.  Rajon is one of the most dynamic point guards in the NBA as well as Celtics history.  He is one of the most valuable players for the Celtics, as is evident by their win-loss record when he doesn't play.












Pricing for Rondo's autograph is $69 for regular items and $99 for premium items with an additional charge for inscriptions.  This pricing is outstanding, because as his popularity increases prices will increase by another 30% - 40% in the next 4 years.  Take advantage of this now.

For more information please click on websites below:
www.sureshotpromotions.com
www.newenglandpicture.com

All Fenway Team Autograph Opportunity

At the last Red Sox home game of 2012 the organization announced the all Fenway Park Team as voted on by the fans.  I did participate in the voting process throughout the season and was proud that everyone I voted for except Bruce Hurst and Marty Barrett were honored.  I was also happy to note that even if you disagreed with the voting process and/or the final outcome, that this team will provide some great autograph opportunities for a Red Sox collector.


Members of the All Fenway who were in attendance on Sept. 26th.  Notable players missing:  Wade Boggs, Curt Schilling, George Scott, Dave Roberts, Terry Francona, Mo Vaughn and more.

First, is that autographs from all the living members of the announced team are very attainable.  In fact in the next 3-6 weeks many of the honorees will be participating in autograph signings around eastern Massachusetts.  Moreover, I would recommend purchasing a ball signed by Johnny Pesky and adding the living members to that item.  Most Pesky balls or other signed items will not be that expensive and a great way to start this unique item.

100 Year ball is a great item for the honorees to autograph.






















Second, as the season ends, expect to see many Fenway 100 year items such as hats, photos, books, balls, shirts and bats get marked down.  These are great items to get signed by the All Fenway team. 

I recommend collecting the signatures on one item and build it up over time.  This will make the item more valuable instead of 35+ individual signed items.  The team is listed below.

Starting LineupC: Carlton Fisk*
1B: Jimmie Foxx**
2B: Dustin Pedroia*
3B: Wade Boggs
SS: Nomar Garciaparra*
LF: Ted Williams**
CF: Fred Lynn*
RF: Dwight Evans*
RHP: Pedro Martinez*
LHP: Lefty Grove**
Closer: Jonathan Papelbon
DH: David Ortiz*
Manager: Terry Francona
PR: Dave Roberts
PH: Bernie Carbo*
First reserves
C: Jason Varitek*
1B: Mo Vaughn
2B: Bobby Doerr
3B: Mike Lowell
SS: Johnny Pesky**
LF: Carl Yastrzemski*
CF: Dom DiMaggio**
RF: Trot Nixon*
Pitcher: Roger Clemens*
Pitcher: Luis Tiant*
Pitcher: Tim Wakefield*
Pitcher: Dennis Eckersley*
Pitcher: Dick Radatz**
Manager: Joe Cronin**
Second reserves
C: Rich Gedman*
1B: George Scott
2B: Jerry Remy*
3B: Frank Malzone*
SS: Rico Petrocelli*
LF: Jim Rice*
CF: Reggie Smith*
RF: Tony Conigliaro**
Pitcher: Babe Ruth**
Pitcher: Smoky Joe Wood**
Pitcher: Curt Schilling
Pitcher: Bill Lee*
Pitcher: Jim Lonborg*
Manager: Dick Williams **
*Indicates players in attendance at Wednesday’s ceremony
**Indicates players who are deceased

Meet a Red Sox Pioneer

There are many, many individuals who have made Red Sox history.  You all know the popular names; Yaz, Pesky, Clemens, Evans, Rice, Fisk, Ruth, the 2004 team, etc...  However there is one person that most fans never mention, Elijah (Pumpsie) Green.  Any real fan and historian knows that he was the first african american player to play in a Red Sox uniform.  The Red Sox were the last major league team to sign an african american to play at the big league level.  He went through much an intense amount of ridicule and suffering in his short 4 seasons with the Sox.  He played in 327 games for the Sox and none of those games were easy. 

Sox fans have the unique opportunity of meeting this Red Sox and historic baseball legend.  On Saturday September 8, he is appearing in Burlington Mass. from 11:00am - 2:00pm.  His price is only $20 for any item.  I recommend that you take the time to meet him and have him sign an item from the Fenway 100th Anniversary selections (Ie. baseballs, hats, or bats).  Pumpsie will inscribe the date of his debut on any item if requested.  His autograph is one that is vital to own for any real Red Sox autograph collector or fan.


A great item to have signed by Pumpsie Green under the 100 year logo.





















Please click on this link below for more information.
http://www.vspsports.com/HG-show-info.php

Priceless Pesky

Earlier this week, the Red Sox organization and their fans lost a great man.   Johnny Pesky, passed away at age 92.  He was an active and loyal member of the Sox organization for over 60 years.  He had roles as a player, manager, coach, broadcaster, ambassador and many other titles, for the Red Sox since the early 1940's.  His loyalty, personality and consideration toward all fans was incredible.  There isn't a person I've met in sports that was more accessible and friendly toward their fan base. 



My personal photo of Johnny from spring training (2004).  He autographed this photo of mine and asked for a copy to which I mailed to his home.  He sent me back an autographed black and white photo as a thank you.


I've had the pleasure of meeting Johnny over 20 times in my life.  Some were at spring training, Fenway park, baseball dinners and autograph events.  Every encounter always started the same; he'd shake my hand, ask me my name, and ask how I was doing.  Yet, every interaction was different in it's own way, and I have a different story to share for each of the 20 encounters.  He never had anything bad to say about the Sox or anyone, for that matter.  His autograph was always the same and he would sign anything put in front of him. 



Johnny with me and my daughter in 2005.















If you are lucky to have a Johnny Pesky autograph, keep it and cherish it.  Make sure it stays preserved as there are only a couple of more people in sports that will have been with their organization for that long.  If you had an encounter with Johnny, make sure you remember what that was like and tell the story over and over.  If you don't have a Pesky autograph, purchase one (they are not expensive).  Having an item from the person for whom the Red Sox retired the number 6, will be a priceless keepsake to share with your family and friends forever.


Johnny Pesky autographed ball and card.  Ball is the American League 100th anniversary ball.