Sunday, June 22, 2025, Civic Center, Orland Park

I try to bring something new, different to every show I set up at so folks who see me at multiple shows can find something new on my tables at each and every show. For the June Orland show, I broke out my pennant collection. I have been collecting pennants since I was a kid in the 1970's and most of the pennants I brought out to Orland date back to that time.

The older guys set up on my right, noticed the pennants right away. A few others throughout the day looked at them but not a whole lot of action. I think they're cool. I have a bunch of older ones I have not priced yet. Not sure when I'll bring them out again.

Also new for this weekend's set of shows was my 1960 Topps baseball binder, a 1969 Topps baseball high number binder, and 1961 Fleer Greats of the Game.

Slow arriving crowd today. No one was at my tables early on, so I decided to walk around. The father and son team that sells vintage on the opposite wall had some interesting stuff including a 1960 Fleer Greats of the Game complete set. As usual, Steve's table was crowded early and I couldn't see what he brought out.

Gil was the first customer at my table today. I knew he would go straight for the new 1960 book. He ended up pulling a nice stack of cards. Thanks Gil! A few other guys found some cards for their sets but like last month, not a whole lot of action at my tables. I haven't seen the customer I lovingly dubbed "the sweaty guy" for the last two shows. Some of my other big spenders like Pat or the guy putting together a '50 Bowman set have not been around in a while either. I need to change some things around for next month to spike some sales.

On the buying front, I was not eager to purchase anything after spending so much money yesterday in Madison. Well, I just can't help myself.

One of the old guys on my right had a poster on his table of the 1970-71 Chicago Bulls that he said he picked up at a game in 1970. He said he had it up on his bedroom wall in the 1970's which explained the tape marks on the corners. I purchased it for $10 for my personal collection. I need to find a frame and put it up in the card bunker.

Then a long-time customer/attendee to the Orland show brought me 200 1967 Topps baseball cards with some minor stars and semi-high numbers. I had to buy it. I also picked up a few cards from Walt including a 1964 Topps Yogi Berra and a 1967 Topps Ernie Banks. Nice haul.

I was really tired today because I did not sleep very well the night before so I skipped the sub shop and went home and hit the sack.

I was disappointed that I could not find a nearby show to set up at for Saturday, June 28. My only options were a three-day show in Joliet or a show in Peru, Illinois. I just don't like the Joliet shows because they are too crowded from every angle. There is not nearly enough space for dealers and not nearly enough space in the aisles for customers. I just can't bring myself to set up there again because I know I'll be absolutely miserable.

So glad I did not attend the Joliet show. I heard it was disaster with no air conditioning and poor attendance.

I also considered setting up at a newer Peru show on Saturday but after talking to my pal Jim, who has attended this show, I decided against it as Jim said it is 80 percent Pokémon. It was nice to sleep in on Saturday.

On Sunday, June 29, 2025, I was back in Rockford. Rockford blog coming soon. 

Next Oak Creek show is July 12.

Announcing the formation of the Oak Creek Vintage Sports Collectors Club!

Anyone can join. I hope to have meetings every month at the Salvation Army in Oak Creek in addition to my regular monthly show. The meetings will essentially be a vintage-only card show. Tables cost $35. First meeting is scheduled for Saturday, August 23, 2025. We will be set up in Fellowship Hall. Free admission. I think the Salvation Army may run their concession stand during the show. Anyone interested in tables, send me an email at [email protected]

The next Wisconsin MegaShow is slated for September 20 at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex in Franklin, WI.

I have a few other things in the hopper and will report back once I have some solid dates.

​I might set up at the Wilmot Flea Market on Sunday, July 6.

Saturday, June 21, 2025, Alliant Center, Madison, WI

While I look forward to every show I do, there are some that elicit an extra element of excitement. I felt that extra element of excitement prior to the Alliant Center show, which is an expansion of the monthly Madison show that has been housed at the Sheraton Hotel for several years.

The Alliant Center show had 250 tables with one room for Sports Cards, another room for Pokemon, and a third room for a mixture of both.

I liked how dealers were able to pre-register and pick their location. Initially, I wanted a wall spot but I was too slow on the trigger and took two tables in the back of the room. Generally, I do not really care where I am located at a show. I have found that my sales are the same no matter where I am located. It is just nice to be on a wall spot so you don't have to mess with another dealer behind you.

Luckily, I had the same dealer behind me at the Alliant Center who is behind me at the Sheraton. I wish I knew his name. He is a super nice guy and sells mostly modern sports cards but has a few vintage bangers in his display case like a 1952 Topps Willie Mays. Nice guy and it is always a pleasure being set up behind him.

The aisles at the Alliant Center were wider than the Sheraton and it seemed like I had a least a foot or so extra space behind me. We had a nice crowd in the sports room, not too crowded, thanks to the Poke people being in another room. It was really pleasant in there all day long.

Also, load in was so much easier at the Alliant Center than the Sheraton. It was so nice not having to deal with the elevator and with plenty of space to move around. I much prefer the Alliant Center to the Sheraton.

So, Beau, the Madison promoter, is going to rotate the show monthly between the Sheraton and the Alliant Center. Next Sheraton show is July 26. Of course, I goofed, and booked a show in Naperville that day, so I'll have to miss that one. I'll be back at the Alliant Center for the August 30 show.

New venue but the same pattern of sales for me as the Sheraton. I had my usual busy morning with quite few set builders, though, some regulars were noticeably absent. Overall, sales were okay. I had quite a few sales but most were for low-dollar amounts.

On the buying front -- MONSTER DAY! Madison has become one of my best buying shows whether at the Sheraton or the Alliant Center. Prior to this show, I worked out a deal with my pal Rod, who I've known for decades. We met years ago at the old Gonzaga show and have been doing several deals every year since.

It was so nice to see Rod and his wife Caroline, two of the nicest people you will ever meet. Rod sold me a great group of 1956 Topps baseball that included Ted Williams, Sandy Koufax, Ernie Banks, Warren Spahn, and more.

Later, my neighbor at this show, Shawn, hooked me up with a Pokémon dealer Alex who was selling some vintage sports cards for a family member. Shawn picked up some bangers from Alex like a 1955 Topps Jackie Robinson but he was not interested in a stack of T206's and sent them my way. Thank you Shawn! I picked up 10 slabbed T206s! Woot!

I also purchased a couple of 1954 Bowman football cards from Shawn then found a 45 of the "Super Bowl Shuffle" on some random dealer's table -- the purchase of the day!

Needless to say, I was pretty freakin' happy after the Alliant Center show. My one complaint was that the concession stand was kind of gross. You know you are in for some bad food when the hot dogs are cooked on rollers. Reminded me of the food at the Strongsville show. I gotta remember to bring sandwiches to the August show.

Load out was easier than loading in, despite the crazy heat. I had a really great day. Big Tim spent much of the day at Shawn's table, so I got to hang out with him. Heard Gary G. could not get a table. I know Gary reads this blog. Gary, if you are ever in that situation again, send me a text and I'll give you one of my tables!! Gotta have Gary at the show!!

Also, want to give a shout out to East Coast Tom, who was a staffer for Beau at the show. I appreciate Tom watching my table so I could take some bathroom breaks. Thanks Tom!

I really enjoyed this show and can't wait for the next one at the Alliant Center. While I like the show at the Sheraton, the extra space and the layout at the Alliant Center makes this show special. I see good things ahead in Madison!

This was a double-bill weekend with Orland on Sunday. Orland blog coming soon.

Up next for me is Rockford on Sunday, June 29.

Next Oak Creek show is July 12. Next MegaShow is September 20.

​Hope to see you guys in Rockford!

​Below are some of the cards I purchased at the Alliant show. I hope to have them priced and ready to go by the National.

Saturday, June 7, 2025, Salvation Army Community Center, Oak Creek, WI

I had a little extra work this month as many regular dealers had to skip the June show causing me to work the waiting list. I am always amazed when waiting list dealers do not respond -- why get on my list? Anyway, we had a bunch of new dealers at the June show which is always fun.

What is not fun is prepping for the Oak Creek show which is just a ton of work. I am always trying to figure out ways to make this thing easier. Along those lines, I stopped holding space for dealers if they miss a show. It is extra work for me when a dealer misses a show because I have to contact five to 10 people on the waiting list until someone agrees to set up and fill the spot. Then I just don't want to kick the new guy out for the next month's show. We need new blood and it is easier for me to keep the new guy instead of letting the old guy back in. 

So I started moving dealers to the top of the waiting list after they miss a show. Sometimes I can get them back in the next show, sometimes not. If a dealer misses multiple shows, it is extremely difficult to place them in their old spot. So I started moving these guys around.

There is a pushback from some dealers on this but in the long run it simplifies the immense amount of work I must do each month prior to the show. I am also being very nice about it. I could easily tell the noisy dealers who miss shows that they are out because I have such a huge waiting list. They don't seem to get it. I don't know how much longer I can be nice.

All the work I have to do prior to the show is not fun and it is not nice. In addition to making sure all 191 spaces are filled with dealers, I must map out each room. It was sad to delete Dell from the Fellowship Hall map this month. During the show, I was amazed at how many people stopped me to ask where was Dell? There really is no one quite like Dell, who was a regular at shows across the country. Dell's death is a huge loss to the hobby. 

Reminder: A Celebration of Life for Dell Heyn will be held at 5 p.m. on July 6, 2025, at the Cornerstone Church, 2 Shermer Road, Glenview, IL.

Can I complain about the dealers a little more? But first I must state that most of the dealers are awesome and I absolutely love them but there are a handful of the 130 regular Oak Creek dealers that are a real pain in the ass. Unfortunately, it is usually the newer dealers that are trouble. I have had a rash of new, younger, dealers leave the show without paying for their table space. I do require some to prepay but it is such a hassle and extra work to fight with the dealers to get them to prepay, so I don't really bother. It amazes me that dealers leave every show without paying for their space. It is always a newer dealer.

So I gave out a newsletter to all the dealers prior to the June show and stated that dealers who leave without paying will not be invited back. Guess what! I had a dealer leave without paying after the June show!! I could hunt him down for the table fee but I'd rather just give him the boot and add someone new for the July show and hope they can pay for their table before they leave the show. Unreal!!!

Health Update

I have been hyper-focused on managing my blood sugar lately which has been out of control for far too long. I actually felt pretty good at this show. Maybe the best I have felt all year. Many folks sort of complimented me saying that I did not look as shitty as usual. Thanks guys!

I was set up on the stage on the Chapel again. Most dealers do not want to set up there, so this may be my regular spot for a while. I actually had a much better show in June than May. Again, thanks guys! Sales were excellent. Buys were excellent! Good show for me.

However, the best part of the June Oak Creek show was the appearance of Big Tim. Wow! What a sight for sore eyes!! Tim was a regular visitor to the Oak Creek show until the Pandemic hit and he disappeared. He had some sort of illness and said he is feeling better. So great to see Tim. Welcome back!!

I also want to give a shout out to Tommy Larson aka Daddy Warbucks. Man, Tommy makes everybody's show. He buys, buys and buys. Thank you Tommy!!!

It was also nice to meet Tony Lehman, who flew in from Atlanta for the show. Tony was looking for Brewers Police sets. Quite a few guys brought out sets for him including Bruce Folger who dropped off a set at my booth and I gave it to Tony. Thanks Bruce!! 

Well, we had a nice string going without a theft. Mike Johnson reported that his son had a Pokémon card stolen in the gym. I talked with Mike's son who said he had the card in his display case but had the case open as several customers at once wanted to see cards and later he realized that someone swiped the card.

Below is a picture of the stolen card. Please be on the lookout for this card. Any info would be appreciated. You can contact me, Mike or our police officer John.

We had nice attendance at the June show with 1,095 through the door. Summer months can be tough so I was pleased with the turn out.

Now I have a couple of tough things to talk about. I am collecting prayers for my friend Dave McDonald who is battling some serious health issues. Dave is one of my best friends. We have been partners at the National since 2008. We started setting up at the Sports Spectacular together around 2000 or 2001. We have done so many shows together and have had so many good times. I can't imagine a world without Dave. I don't know if Dave will be able to read this but if you do, I want you to know that I love and appreciate you. Our friendship has been absolutely wonderful. You are amazing and have made this hobby more enjoyable and my world a much better place. I'm hoping for a miracle. I need my pal Dave! 

Next, I want to talk about David Greenwood. Most of you know that I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and am a huge Chicago sports fan. The Chicago Bulls were born the same year as me -- 1966. I have been a rabid Bulls fan my whole life. I remember going to games in the 1970's when Dick Motta was coach. I have always closely followed the Bulls.

While it sucked that the Bulls missed out on Magic Johnson in the 1979 draft, I was happy they drafted David Greenwood with the Number 2 pick. The Bulls needed a power forward. They were set at center with Artis Gilmore and shooting guard with Reggie Theus. Greenwood would help them reach the .500 mark and the playoffs.

However, I never expected David Greenwood to show up on my doorstep! I was 12 years old when I met David Greenwood. He walked into my house and shook my tiny hand with his huge paw. 

This is where it pays to have a pretty blonde for a sister. She met David Greenwood at the nearby grocery store. She was in the canned vegetable aisle and accidentally dropped a can of peas. David Greenwood picked up the can. Later he was at my house shaking my hand. Apparently, he lived in a nearby townhouse.

I can't remember if it was the summer of 1979 or 1980 that he was regularly at my house. I ran to talk to him every time he came over. Often at night, he found me on the driveway sitting in my dad's car talking to my friend Andy on the CB radio in the car. Andy lived in the neighborhood behind David Greenwood's townhouse.

David was into CBs as well. I even had him talk to Andy!

What a super nice guy. I was so lucky to know him. I was crushed to learn he died recently. Much too young. Much too nice. I am still pissed the Bulls did not keep him around in the 1980's. I'm also pissed they got rid of Artis Gilmore and Reggie Theus. I really enjoyed those Bulls teams.

Anyway, rest in peace David Greenwood. Thanks for making 12-year-old me feel special and for talking to Andy on the CB!!

Now for some photos from the June 7 Oak Creek Show:

I am taking a rare weekend off. No shows for me this weekend. I'm driving out to Michigan to hang out with my folks. I'll be back at it for the huge Madison show on June 21. Then I am back in Orland on June 22.

Next Oak Creek is show is July 12, NOT July 5. I decided to push the show back a week because I did not want to be stuck setting up a show all night on July 4. Also, the August show will be on the second Saturday as well -- August 9 because on August 2, I'll be set up in booths 3816 and 3717 at the National in Rosemont, IL.

Happy 50th Birthday to dealer Ray Aukes!!

​Have a Happy Father's Day everyone! 

Saturday, May 31, 2025, IBEW Local 364, Rockford, IL

Man, am I glad to see the end of May! One word describes May -- SLOW. My set builders seemed to disappear this month. While the Rockford show had a really nice crowd, my set builders did not attend. Few vintage set builders translates into few sales for me.

I had been chugging along nicely this year but starting with the May Oak Creek show, my sales have suffered every single weekend.

There was some really nice vintage in the room in Rockford this past Saturday. There was one dealer on the back wall, who I have never seen before, and he had some great vintage. Big Mark from Iowa was also set up back there and he always has some tremendous vintage. 

Speaking of great vintage dealers, a shout out to my vintage buddy Tom Mularz, who was my neighbor in Rockford this past Saturday. I really enjoyed hanging out with Tom, who always has great cards and memorabilia along with terrific stories. I really enjoy his tales from working as an Andy Frain usher at Wrigley Field in his youth.

​With nothing doing at my tables, I just watched Tom sell cards and tell tales. I was impressed with a little kid, maybe 10 years old, who had his eye on Tom's 1956 Topps Ted Williams. The kid had price graphs and charts on his phone and was a pro negotiating the price with Tom. Kids these days are so much smarter than in my day.

Anyway, even with slow sales, I did enjoy myself. Though, I was really surprised that my sales were down because last time I was set up in Rockford there seemed to be a lot more vintage collectors in attendance. Also, last time, there was a lot more vintage walking into the show. I did not buy anything this time around. I hate when I don't buy anything.

Oh well, there is always another show.

I am setting up at the next Rockford show on June 29. I should have my 1961 Topps baseball binder reloaded by then. Hey, all you vintage set builders and collectors come on out to Rockford on June 29!! I will have some good stuff and there are always several other dealers with great vintage.

Flea Market Sunday

On Sunday, my son and I trekked out to Wilmot, Wisconsin, for the Wilmot Flea Market. While I love setting up at the flea market, one major drawback is waking up before sunrise.

I immediately hit the snooze when my alarm went off at 4 a.m. It took me a good 45 minutes to get out of bed. Good thing I packed the car after Rockford. We still made it to Wilmot by 6 a.m. and received a really good spot and had a ton of space.

I have a completely different set up at the flea market than the one I have at card shows. I brought out unopened wax from the late 1980's through 2020. I sell single packs and unopened boxes. 

I brought out my hockey binders on a request from my buddy Bill. I also brought out some late 1980's - early 1990's complete sets. I sold a 1988 Topps complete set. Woot! I also had some publications, old baseball gloves, toys, clothes, CDs, DVDs, VHS, stuffed animals, jewelry and assorted bric-a-brac. Kolby brought out his Funko-Pops.

We did not get rich but we sold some stuff and had a nice day. The weather was absolutely perfect. There was a steady flow of customers.

The best part of the Wilmot Flea Market is that I always see a bunch of people I know. J.R. was set up in his usual spot near the restrooms. Frank and his wife stopped by. I saw Dobie Maxwell. Donny stopped by as well. Then there were a few guys I regularly see at the card shows, whose names escape me.

I'd like to talk a little bit about Donny -- a unique character, who I met years ago at the old Fred Copp shows. Donny collects jerseys and publications. He is a huge old-time ABA fan along with being a Dodgers fan but hockey is his sweet spot. Donny is a major hockey fan. He regularly goes to the big card show in Toronto every April in search of hockey jerseys and WHA items.

Sunday at the Wilmot Flea Market, Donny was telling me some great stories. I'd like to share one tale that starts maybe 20 years ago while Donny was attending Chicago Wolves hockey games.

Donny got to know some Wolves players and staffers back in the day. Donny is really personable and extremely knowledgeable on all things hockey.

Back in the early 2000's, Donny was collecting videos of hockey fights. Apparently, he has a legendary collection of hockey fights on video. Word of Donny's collection got out to former NHL enforcer Darcy Hordichuck, who had a brief stint with the Wolves.

Donny said that one day while he was sitting at home, his phone rang and it was Darcy Hordichuck on the line. Donny thinks that someone from the Wolves gave Darcy his phone number.

Anyway, Darcy wanted to view Donny's collection of hockey fights featuring current players. So, Donny and Darcy met up and Darcy studied all of Donny's hockey fight videos to give himself an edge on future fights on the ice. The videos helped Darcy whoop some ass. As a result, Donny and Darcy became great friends, a friendship that continues to this day, long after Darcy retired from the Edmonton Oilers in 2013.

Donny told me that Darcy flew him out to Phoenix last week, where Darcy currently lives with his wife and kids. They hung out all week in Phoenix. Darcy showed off his sports card collection and asked Donny to sell it for him.

Low and behold, Donny brings me Darcy Hordichuck's sports card collection while I was sitting under the trees at the Wilmot Flea Market on Sunday. How cool is that! I ended up purchasing a stack of cards including a 1959 Topps Ernie Banks. Thanks Donny!

I ended up having a really nice day in Wilmot and may set up again next weekend... if I can wake up.

Next up is Oak Creek on Saturday, June 7, 2025. I will probably be set up on the stage in the Chapel. I have two binders of 1969 Topps baseball ready to go. I may have a new binder of 1960 Topps baseball but am not sure if I will get it done by Saturday.

As a special treat, Donny is setting up with Anthony Georgetta in the Chapel Saturday in Oak Creek with the remainder of Darcy Hordichuck's sports card collection for sale!! Come check it out!!

​Below is a photo from the Rockford show on Saturday. Really great crowd.