What was your earliest National Convention?

[donmuth]

For me it was 1999 in Atlanta. Many people say that was one of the worst Nationals ever, but for me as a grad student taking a day trip from Knoxville to Atlanta, and the first (and only) one I have ever been to, it was great! I remember picking up some T205s, T207s, T206s, and some golden age vintage. Maybe I will get to another one next year or the year after...

[HercDriver]

My first one was in 1983. I remember hoarding the Ryno RCs and taking them to the show. I traded my whole lot of Rynos for a stack of T205s. The only HOFer was the Frank Chance, with a hole in the middle of it. It was the trigger that sent me on my T205 quest, though, and I eventually completed the set, and then completed it again, with Sovereign only backs. Somewhere along the way, I traded that Chance with the hole punch, but I remember it. If I ever see it again, I'm going all in. I was in high school back then, using my paper route money to buy T205s. Hard to imagine today...paper routes, and T205s at $5/hr wages. As a kid who just went to the local Stop-N-Go to buy packs, it was amazing to see the old cards. The oldest I had ever seen in person, was a 1973 Topps, before I went to that show. I remember my dad bought me the 1981 Beckett Price Guide, and it opened my eyes to what was out there, then I went to that show and saw those cards. I was overwhelmed by it, but like I said, fell in love with the T205s. They're still my favs...love the T202, T206, and T207s...but the 205s are like your first love for me. And that 1983 show is probably why I'm posting here today.

Cheers,
Geno

[babraham]

Originally Posted by HercDriver

I was in high school back then, using my paper route money to buy T205s. Hard to imagine today...paper routes, and T205s at $5/hr wages.

Cheers,
Geno

Ha, nice! That was me too. Using my paper route money to buy nothing but baseball cards all thru junior high and high school.

[jakebeckleyoldeagleeye]

1982 in St. Louis. Picked up a great looking 1948 Leaf J. DiMaggio for $20.

[roarfrom34]

1984 in Parsippany, NJ

[Steve D]

I've been to two Nationals.....2013 and 2015.

Steve

[LEHR]

I've only been to three Nationals.

2002 in Chicago.
2004 in Cleveland.
2023 in Chicago.

In my younger days (prior to 2002) I really didn't have the money to hit these big shows and would stick to the regional St. Louis shows because i could make a day trip out of it and not have to spend money on flights or hotels. Now that money isn't an issue it seems work or family obligations typically get in the way as it did again this year. Hopefully next year I'll make it back to Chicago.

[Jay Wolt]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

1984 in Parsippany, NJ

Same here, that was my 1st

[yanks87]

1993 in Chicago, on the drive we spent the night in Toledo and caught a Mud Hens game, I got a autograph from the opposing team's 3rd Baseman after the game, Chipper Jones. Year later my son would play catch with that ball and it was subsequently left outside and hit by a lawnmower. As a Yankee fan, I was OK with the story being worth more than the auto.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by HercDriver

I remember my dad bought me the 1981 Beckett Price Guide, and it opened my eyes to what was out there, then I went to that show and saw those cards.
Cheers,
Geno

Ah, the annual Beckett Price Guide. That book opened my eyes to what was out there as well.

My fist National was the 25th National in Cleveland in 2005. I always dreamed of attending a National and since I had relatives who lived in Lorain, OH, it was an easy choice. My second and third National was the 31st and 33rd Nationals in Baltimore, Maryland in 2010 and 2012. Good times.

[GasHouseGang]

My first National was 1982 in St. Louis. Unfortunately I was in college at the time and had almost no disposable income. I think all I bought were commons to fill in my set needs.

[Griffins]

I set up at the first one in LA and sold off my collection. T206's to '75 mini's and Hostess, every last card. I"d been attending the annual Anaheim show from '74 to '77, lost interest in high school and sold it all to fund college and beyond.
Got back in the hobby in late '99 and first National after that was '00, then every other one or so to date.

[skil55voy]

1981 Plymouth Michigan. Lloyd and Carol Thoerpe (SP) were the hosts.

[Natswin2019]

My one and only national was the 2012 national when I was a teenager. Family made a whole trip out of it and everything. Was such a fun time, I imagine it's a much different experience now.

[Bigdaddy]

I've only been to two, both on the East Coast.

1988 in Atlantic City with my dad - remember seeing Ernie Banks walking around the show floor. I never knew there were that many baseball cards.

2010 in Baltimore with my son. The highlight was seeing Earl Weaver, Carmelo Anthony and Mankind in the hotel lobby and then wiggling our way into a Panini VIP event and meeting John Riggins and Pudge Rodriguez.

[Andy Sandler]

I went to the first one in Los Angeles in 1980. I was 20 years old. I have been to all but five of them. I look forward to them no matter where they are located. It is great to see everyone, there, and catch up!

[paul]

I almost went to the very first National in Los Angeles in 1980. I was only 15 at the time and still a year a way from driving. So I had to rely on my brother (who also collected) for a ride. Unfortunately, he got sick and our plans were cancelled. So I had to wait until 1985 when the National came to Anaheim.