Sports Illustrated?

[Topps206]

I took a vacation day to go to Louisville today. Well spent.

I found Will Wolford's 1994 SI cover at the card shop a couple of weeks back, and decided to try to do something different and pay him a visit to where he works now. I went to the receptionist, and after a few minutes, someone told me to come on back and told me to wait in a room. I told him I was there for something later in the night and asked if he'd be kind enough to supply his John Hancock for my SI, and he was gracious and took a photo. He couldn't have been nicer, nor could have the other workers there.

After spending some time at the Louisville Zoo and a nice meal in downtown Louisville, I head on over to Carmichael's Bookstore in Louisville and wait more than an hour for Kentucky Basketball legend Jack Givens, who is famous for being the Most Outstanding Player of the 1978 Final Four and scored 41 points in Kentucky's National Championship Game. I knew he'd sign for me, but I also knew he was going to talk for an hour and then do his book signing. A lot of people turned out and went to another room for him to talk.

I greet him by the front door and tell him who I am, that he agreed to sign for me and would love to hear him talk, but I have an hour-and-a-half drive back and an early day at work tomorrow, and he was so kind enough to sign and take a picture. So, I'm tickled pink.

I didn't pay a single penny for Wolford or Givens.

I also recently got back a sending to a Michigan signing for Steve McCatty, who signed his 1981 cover that featured him and five other Oakland pitchers. I know Matt Keough has passed, not sure how I'll be able to track down Mike Norris, Rick Langford and Brian Kingman. Not bad for $10 and they sent a COA.

Three new signed covers, plus Andy Katzenmoyer earlier this month. Heck yes.

[Huck]

Nice. I have always liked that A's cover and started to track down the players but once Keough passed, I was done.

[Topps206]

Thanks. I know you’ve said that before, but I like the cover and want to get as many covers signed as I can. If only one person signs a cover or I can’t complete it, I still count it. I will say, though, if I have the choice to get a solo cover signed or a cover with multiple people, I’m choosing solo every time.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by Topps206

Thanks. I know you’ve said that before, but I like the cover and want to get as many covers signed as I can. If only one person signs a cover or I can’t complete it, I still count it. I will say, though, if I have the choice to get a solo cover signed or a cover with multiple people, I’m choosing solo every time.

Multiple signature covers can be tough to complete. Currently, I have at least half a dozen covers waiting for other signatures to complete. I have quite a few multiple signed covers with one of the best being the 1968 SI The Rookies. It was a huge sigh of relief when Johnny added the fifth and final signature to the cover. The A's cover would have been a cool one to complete.

[Topps206]

Originally Posted by Huck

Multiple signature covers can be tough to complete. Currently, I have at least half a dozen covers waiting for other signatures to complete. I have quite a few multiple signed covers with one of the best being the 1968 SI The Rookies. It was a huge sigh of relief when Johnny added the fifth and final signature to the cover. The A's cover would have been a cool one to complete.

Maybe you can see if you’d be able to buy a certified cover of all five signed.

[Topps206]

So, as a sports editor, I've had the honor and privilege of some unique experiences, and I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cover my local semipro team opening its 2024 season Sunday at Busch Stadium.

And before the game, it just happened St. Louis held its monthly show, which I went to, added Dal Maxvill on the October 7, 1968 cover. Only Maxvill, Orlando Cepeda and Julian Javier are still with us, and I also added Doug Flynn on his 1983 Topps, with Doug wearing his World Series rings with the Reds, being kind enough to allow me to take a photo of his rings.

[Topps206]

I'm now at 127 total, with Charlie O'Brien having signed his cover. I know I'll still have to get John Cangelosi, but I count it towards my total. I was the very first one in line for him at the St. Louis show yesterday. He started signing a little early, maybe around 10:56 local time, when he was scheduled at 11:00.

I also got Mike Moore on his 1987 Topps, see the 1987 Topps thread and since St. Louis usually has inexpensive guests, I decided to add Bob Shirley to his 1983 Topps, having previously gotten him by mail on his 1987 and I believe also his 1985 card.