FAT DADDY'S SPORTS
  • HOME
    • BIO
    • Reach Me
  • CARD SHOWS
    • Roma Lodge >
      • Photos
    • Oak Creek Show >
      • Smith & Gordon Show Photos 2014
      • 2015 Photos
      • 2016 Photos
    • Wisconsin MegaShow
  • 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

Large Crowds Continue on Day 3

8/7/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
Friday, July 28, 2023, Donald E. Stephens Center, Rosemont, IL

While the excitement builds in the weeks prior to the National, by Day 3, it is all routine. Wake up, drink coffee, get down to Rosemont.

After suffering through the hot-as-hell walkway the past two days, I decided to just walk the street into the convention center. It is a shorter walk and less stifling in the morning. I was the first to arrive at the booth. 

My morning booth routine begins with removal of the tarps covering my display cases. Then I unlock the cases and fill all the holes where I sold cards the previous day. I try to get this done before the masses enter the building.

Once again, I watched a monstrous crowd come down the nearby escalators for a couple of hours. Friday, like the past two days, was jam-packed with people. Sales continued fast and furious with Wednesday’s slow sales a distant memory.

My sales outpaced Thursday. My buys were non-existent. 

I felt much better Friday morning than I did on Thursday. I did not take any insulin this morning so I did not have to worry about going hypoglycemic. Dave brought me a sandwich.

Now I would like to talk about briefcases and backpacks. This stuff is out of control. I saw more insanely large backpacks than ever before. The problem with briefcases and backpacks in a massive crowd is that those carrying these weapons are completely devoid of any common sense and compassion. They will peg you with their briefcases and backpacks with blinding abandon. It was nearly impossible to walk the show without getting hit with either a briefcase, backpack or both.

Friday, I was at the edge of my booth helping a customer when a guy with both a briefcase and a backpack muscled through the crowd to get at my neighbor’s table. First he hit me in the knee with his briefcase. As I doubled over in pain, he turned around and nailed me in the chest with his backpack. It was a pop, pop, then dizzy dance where I almost hit the ground. The guy did not apologize. None of them ever apologize.

As a result, if it was up to me, both briefcases and backpacks would be banned at the National. Guys are totally irresponsible with these things and will hit you with impunity. This needs to end. No more backpacks and briefcases at the National!

I soldiered on with my numb knee and my bruised chest. It helped that sales were excellent. I hardly sold any T206s on Wednesday and Thursday, but Friday was a different story. I sold a bunch of them along with all sorts of other stuff. Seemed like a lot of folks were asking for 1972 Topps baseball and football high numbers but I did not bring any of the baseball along, big mistake.

I had a little incident while selling T206s. At one point, I had a crowd around my T206 display case. While I was pulling cards out of the case and handing them to customers, some knucklehead came behind my tables and stood next to me. I figured he wanted to get a look at the T206 display case that was covered with people on the other side, so I allowed him to stay behind the table. When he started telling all my customers that he had T206’s in his backpack that were for sale, I chased him out of the booth. I paid $1,300 for the right to sell cards at the booth. Go get your own booth! The guy is lucky he walked away with his teeth. I was ready to knock him out!

I do not mind folks walking up to my booth and offering to sell me cards, but when they start pulling customers away from my display cases in an attempt to sell their own cards, that is where I draw the line. Only I have the right to sell cards at my booth, no one else. Dave did not think it was a big deal but the guy was not pulling Dave’s customers away from his display cases, he was pulling my customers out of the booth and away from my display cases. I will fight to the death with anyone who attempts to pull customers out of my booth to sell them cards. Again, go get your own booth! This one is mine!!

Thankfully, the customers at my T206 display case ignored the guy and purchased cards from me. I can’t believe what a dooshbag that guy was. I was in a foul mood after that. Yet, continued good sales changed my mood. Though, I got tired in the afternoon, too tired to walk around. This may be the first National where I did not walk around and explore. I was pretty much tied to the booth the whole time.

Once again, I saw all sorts of friendly faces on Friday. Big Paul came by early on but I was much too busy to chat. Sorry Paul. Great to see you! Scott S. came by and purchased my 1950 Bowman Ted Williams. Thanks Scott! I saw Donny and Anthony. Love those guys!  Tom D. came by early with some modern Ernie Banks autograph cards to sell. I just don't do modern. I saw many, many others. Sorry, my memory is foggy. Thanks for stopping by!!!

After the show, PJ and I again ventured to the square behind the parking garage. This time we decided to hit the Park Tavern. The hostess told us the wait would be about 40 minutes. We saw an open table and sat down. After a while, a waitress kicked us out of the table and we moved to another empty table. 

The waitress eventually served us at the second table. She was sassy! I had an ice cold Lagunitas IPA which hit the spot. PJ had a Heineken. To eat, I had a cup of chili and some hot wings. PJ went with the roasted chicken again. My food was awesome. 

Like Thursday, the parking lot was empty after dinner and I had an easy exit and drive home. Day three in the books.

Before I get to my Day 4 blog, I want to let you know that I am taking the next weekend off — August 12 & 13. I’ll be at the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, Michigan, on Saturday, celebrating my main man Mr. Cigar’s 50th Birthday. Happy Birthday Mr. Cigar!

I’ll next be set up on August 20 in Orland Park. I am probably bringing display cases to that one, as I am way behind on reloading the binders as usual. I am slowly but surely working on reloading my 1970 Topps baseball binder. I hope to have it done by the September 2 Oak Creek show. If anyone wants to see any binders in Orland, let me know beforehand.

A huge thank you to everyone that came by my booth Friday at the National. There sure was a lot of you and I appreciate it!

I was pretty excited Friday when Robert Plant, pictured below right, arrived at the booth. Who woulda thunk that he was working on the 1960 Fleer baseball set.
Picture
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Tony Gordon

    Vintage Sports Cards Addict

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    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

Copyright © Fat Daddy's Sports 2025. All Rights Reserved.