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

Welcome to Big Al's Sports Spectacular!!

11/21/2014

3 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
The boss scowled at me when I left work Thursday evening. I think I am entitled to a day off, no need to scowl. I took advantage of the day off of work and slept in a bit on Friday morning. When I woke up, I loaded up the van then priced a few more cards before heading to Rosemont for the Fanatic Authentic Show. I stopped at the UPS Store to make some photocopies of the December 20th Smith & Gordon Show flier. I was on the road to Rosemont around 10:15 a.m.

I don't really like the new name of this show -- Fanatic Authentic. This is not a phrase that rolls off the tongue. I propose they rename the show something a little more catchy, something a little more fluid, like Big Al's Sports Spectacular. That way they can get a local chubby guy as a mascot and dub him Big Al. He can walk around the show, pose for photos with patrons, give out some cards to kids, and make sure everyone is having a good time. What the hell does Fanatic Authentic mean? I don't get it. Big Al's is a better way to go.

It has been a while since I have had a really good rant, so I would like to take the opportunity to rant about national dealers. There are a large number of dealers at these big shows that are just absolute tools. The Stephens Center puts out a number of carts in the room for dealers to use loading in and out. A bunch of these out of town schmucks take these carts and leave them by their tables the whole show! What the hell? Maybe one of the 250 other dealers in the room may want to use the complimentary cart as well? This is another reason we need a mascot Big Al so he can donk these guys on the head and distribute the carts.

Then there are the tools that hog all the space. This problem also falls on the promoters who do not clearly mark the spots. But there are guys that take advantage and use up more of their share of space. The guys set up behind us this weekend are taking a good two feet that should belong to us. Every dealer should have an equal amount of space. We are all paying the same price. But there are always scumbags that take your space at this show. It sure would be nice if the promoters actually managed this show and made sure every dealer is getting the space they actually paid for.

Then there is this total pud from Texas set up next to us selling pennants. He missed the March show which was really nice. He's back this weekend. He is such a whiny little pud. Last year he complained that I moved our tables out a half-foot or so into the aisle. I did not understand why he was complaining because it did not effect his set up in any way. This afternoon he was complaining that Mark Smith stood in his booth while talking to me. What the hell? The show hadn't opened, there was no customers at his booth. He was complaining we were blocking his merchandise. From who? This guy is a dick.

Okay, enough rant. Once I finally got all my gear into the room, set up took a little while because I had to tie my binders down to the tables. There are many thieves at this bigger shows so I need to take extra precautions.

Gizmo came around a few times early on wanting to buy me out. I like Giz but I don't want to wholesale out my inventory. A lot of folks from Milwaukee also arrived early on. My booth is the designated coat rack. Anyone who wants to drop of their coat at my tables, feel free to do so.

Quite a few people I know dropped by the booth. It seemed like most folks had some sort of comment on my shaved head. Does it look that weird? I've shaved my head many times before and never had so many comments. I also had to explain myself to quite a few of the Orland regulars. They did not quite understand why I am no longer doing the Orland show. I do not think I was treated fairly by the Orland promoter so I am no longer attending. I am still setting up somewhere each and every weekend, just not in Orland. Come see me elsewhere!

It was nice to get reacquainted with my boothmates Bob and Dave. We have been setting up together at the big shows for a good number of years now. Dave had a box of cards for me.  It seemed like Dave had some nice sales early on but not much action during the bulk of the show. Bob seemed to have steady sales all night long. My sales were slow. I sold a bunch of graded cards that a good number of small sales from my binders.  I'm pretty sure one guy stole some cards. He went through five or six binders. I saw him pull out some cards. I turned to talk to my friend Larry then turned back and saw him zip up his coat pocket and walk away. He probably stole $5 or so in cards. Another dealer mentioned that he had some cards stolen Thursday night which is really scary. I have never heard of anyone having cards stolen after setting up early on Thursday night. As I write this late Friday night, I am a bit concerned about my cards at the show.

Speaking of my buddy Larry. He brought me a nice group of cards including some Parkhurst Hockey from the 1950s. I also picked up some cards from Junior. I was pretty happy with my pick-ups on this night but a little disappointed in my sales. Saturday is usually my best day at this show and I'm hopeful I have my typical Saturday.  Leaving the show was really difficult tonight. The Rosemont area with dozens of new restaurants and shopping is an absolute mob scene. A normal five-minute drive from the parking lot to the highway took close to an hour tonight -- it sucked! Quite a few guys commented that they had a tough time getting into Rosemont because of the traffic. I hope tomorrow is little easier getting in and out of Rosemont.

On a sad note, I got word that Mike Rodell died yesterday. I talked about Mike in my last blog. The world lost a good one yesterday. Mike was the best of the best. I will miss him dearly. I am amazed how many true superstars we seem to be losing to that awful disease cancer. I can't find the words to describe how much I hate cancer and losing all these great friends long before their time is due. My heart goes out to Mike's family. If anyone has any stories about Mike that they would like to share here, please do so.

I am looking forward to Day Two of Big Al Sports Spectacular. See you tomorow!!



Picture
3 Comments
ted lee
11/21/2014 06:56:40 pm

Hey Tony, I am doing a show in Rockford today. Is it all right if I drop off my coat with you? LOL. Hope you have a better day for sales on Saturday.

Reply
mark Smith
11/25/2014 03:29:29 am

Tony, At one time I counted 7 coats and numerous bags in my booth, from you can guess what city and it is not chicago.

Reply
Julie Hilditch
11/25/2023 01:26:36 am

In December my health took a turn for the worse I became very weak fast and could not even eat When I say fast I mean going from eating a full plate of food to three days later not being able to drink a a sip of water I went to VA hospital emergency room for dehydration and figure they schedule me for a feeling tube placement They admitted me and two weeks later I woke up to my standing over me in the hospital room this occurred during my second or third drug holiday from Radicava Again no way to know if what I experienced was a side effect When I was discharged I was completely paralyzed So i started on Ayurvedic treatment from Natural Herbs Centre as time went on movement returned to my legs and to my arms and hands Able to hold my head up and strength has returned I give credit to God and NHC for my recovery Almost forgot to mention I was on 24 hours ventilation Now only use vent at night and during naps Was diagnosed in 2021 with ALS, I urge you to seek out natural herbs centre. com. We're a little scared to tell everyone because some people might not believe us, since there's no cure for ALS. But when I saw this post, I decided to share our story. This treatment is a breakthrough!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Tony Gordon

    Vintage Sports Cards Addict

    Archives

    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.