FAT DADDY'S SPORTS
  • HOME
    • BIO
    • Reach Me
  • CARD SHOWS
    • Gonzaga >
      • Photos
    • MY SHOW! >
      • Smith & Gordon Show Photos 2014
      • 2015 Photos
      • 2016 Photos
  • STORE
    • eBay
  • PHOTOS
    • Card Show Photos >
      • 2012 Card Show Photos
      • 2013 Card Show Photos
    • Recent Pick-Ups >
      • Page 2
  • BLOG
  • LINKS
    • YouTube
  • STUFF
    • ARTICLES
    • BOOK REVIEWS
  • FAQ
  • BUYING

Farewell Mike Rodell

12/16/2014

2 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Wow, it was awfully warm for December in the Milwaukee-Chicago corridor this past weekend. I initially threw on my heavy winter coat when I went out in the early morning to load up my car for the December 14, 2014, Gonzaga show. I had to race back inside the house to get a lighter coat. The warm weather made for a foggy drive. I made it to Gonzaga around 7:15 a.m. I immediately noticed Mike Rodell's table with a nice memorial display. I don't think I will ever grow accustomed to Mike's absence in the room. He was such a fixture at the Gonzaga show. He lost a brave battle with cancer recently. I guess "lost" is an inappropriate word. I watched ESPN's Stuart Scott accept the Jim Valvano Award last week. Stuart said you don't lose in a battle against cancer as long as you fight. Mike Rodell put up a good fight. Mike is winner and someone who had a real impact.

The guys who run the auction stopped the activity in the room in the early morning and said a few things about Mike. It was heartfelt and emotional. We all took a moment of silence in Mike's honor.  He is somebody I appreciated. He was always the first one to greet me as I entered the Gonzaga show. He looked out for me and always found me customers. On many occasions he would bring me a list and a phone number from a collector half-way across the country. I would pull the cards on the list and call the collector. One topic of discussion was always just how much we appreciated Mike Rodell. I won't forget Mike. I feel lucky to have known him.  

I don't think there is a better way to honor Mike than to have a lively card show. Sunday's show was lively early on. I had a few customers at my table almost immediately. I was crazy busy for a few hours then everyone went home to watch the Packers-Bills game... I bet they all wished they had stayed at the show! It is not often that Aaron Rodgers gets outplayed by Kyle Orton. That was a strange game with Jordy Nelson dropping a few perfect passes along with some freak interceptions. Why can't the Packers ever have a game like this against the Bears? Though, every team has steamrolled the Bears this season.

Back at the show, I had an absolutely terrific day! Mark purchased a bunch of 1965 and 1972 Topps football cards. Jeff picked up my 1962 Topps football Ernie Davis. I sold a 1959 Topps and a 1966 Philadelphia Bart Starr to a new customer. Bruce picked up a bunch of T206s as Xmas gifts for his grandsons. Kevin cleaned out my 1933 Tattoo Orbits. Jason picked up some 1971 Topps baseball. Another customer upgraded some of his 1970 Topps. Bill picked up a whole bunch of 1953 Topps baseball. I was mobbed early on and can't remember all my sales. There were many, many more. Just a great day! Thanks guys!!!

When the frenzy at my tables ended, I had a chance to walk around the room. Mark showed me some 1965 Topps hockey he picked up at another table. I went looking for some of that hockey. I did not find any but was able to purchase a handful of 1952 Bowman small football and a nice little stack of 1960 Fleer football. 

Miraculously, I was out the door by 1 p.m. -- a first for me at the Gonzaga show. Traffic on the way home was much lighter than usual. I was home by 2:15 p.m.

As good as Sunday's Gonzaga show was, Saturday's Elgin show was as bad. I did not make table fee. I can't remember the last time I did not make table fee. A big thank you to the few guys who purchased cards from me on Saturday. I was surprised the Elgin show did not attract more customers. That show fits into my schedule just perfectly. We need to get more customers in the door! There is some good stuff in that room. I made some nice purchases including an old St. Louis Browns decal which will find its way onto eBay shortly. Though, I just hate having my tables up against the wall. I am going to set up in Elgin in January and February. Hopefully, sales improve and I can get tables in the middle of the room or I may just cut that show out and try and find an out-of-town Saturday show. 

Next up is the fourth Smith & Gordon show this coming Saturday, December 20, 2014, at the Clarion Airport Hotel, 5311 S. Howell, in Milwaukee. We are in the large Mitchell Room for this one and it should be a terrific show. A bunch of new dealers are setting up. I am working on my 1972 Topps baseball binder and should have it ready to go by Saturday. I am really looking forward to this show. It is always a fun time promoting this show with my buddy Mark Smith.

On Sunday, I am setting up at baseball card shop called Chicagoland Sports Cards in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Most everyone who reads my blog probably knows the owner Les, as he sets up at the Gonzaga, Orland and Rolling Meadows shows. I am going to bring out my display cases only for this show. Apparently, the dealers cover up the store showcases and present their wares atop the showcases. This should be interesting. If anyone is looking for anything special this weekend, let me know. See you this weekend!!

Pictured below are two of my good friends Jim and Mark at the past Sunday's Gonzaga show. 
Picture
2 Comments
mark Smith
12/16/2014 01:22:54 am

Tony, As always you touched a note about Mike. Mike was always are buffer with Leroy when we started doing Gonzaga until we figured Leroy out. Those two had hearts of gold and helped make Gonzaga what it is. Of all the shows I do there is no more family atmosphere. I know Keith will keep up the passion. Mark

Reply
Tony
12/16/2014 02:21:09 am

I agree Mark. I feel lucky to have known both Mike and Leroy. Keith has learned from the best. From chatting with Keith here and there, I am learning the depth of the time and effort he puts into that show -- he works his tail off! I thank my lucky stars we have Keith and his entire family!! You missed some pretty good darn cake last weekend...

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Tony Gordon

    Vintage Sports Cards Addict

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.