Atlantic City

[Kco]

Originally Posted by biohazard

Funny, but Cal Ripken manages to take pictures with anyone who pays for an autograph ticket. Which makes sense because, he is the iron man. Cal KNOWS he is going to be there for a substantial amount of time. Cal signs 15-20 items, gets up and someone from his organization takes a picture with your camera. I just checked the Tristar site and the autograph ticket entitles the ticket holder to a photo with Cal with your camera. His autograph is not cheap at $159, but at least he is not doubling up and charging for the photo op as well.

Cal gets it.

Depends on the signer too, obviously, but as nice a guy as Mo is, he isn't going to stay at a public signing for 6 hours and take photos, he knows he can do a "meet and greet" type even in NY with Steiner and get paid far more for those same photo ops.

Trust me this is no offense to Cal, I love him and he was a phenomenal player but he has been on the show circuit for nearly a decade, he makes multiple appearances at card shows on a monthly basis and is common. Mariano's public appearances are much fewer and further between, and I'd take a guess that since this show is within the vicinity of NYC, the turnout for him will be very high, where as Cal would probably pull in a couple hundred auto tickets, I could easily see a Mariano public at the National selling out.

And, TBH, Mariano is as nice and patient of a guy as there is out there, he takes pictures with fans for free all the time, out in public, for free. It's simply show logistics.

[Exhibitman]

Why does anyone want a photo with a player? It isn't like you and he are going to be friends. Just a paid momentary encounter with a celebrity. At least an autograph potentially has value.

I settled my PITA fall trial case on Tuesday so my trip is confirmed.

[Kco]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Why does anyone want a photo with a player? It isn't like you and he are going to be friends. Just a paid momentary encounter with a celebrity. At least an autograph potentially has value.

I settled my PITA fall trial case on Tuesday so my trip is confirmed.

I agree with you, never understood why anyone would want to pay for a photo with someone, if you happen to encounter the person out and about a photo is definitely cool, but I always hate the "staged" photo ops.

[Snapolit1]

Fyi, I received an email from the Tropicana saying they have special rates in effect for the rest of the summer. Won't be cheap but definately worth a look if you are still not settled on hotel. Big property, no more rukus than your typical casino hotel, and the best fitness facility in AC.

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Why does anyone want a photo with a player? It isn't like you and he are going to be friends. Just a paid momentary encounter with a celebrity. At least an autograph potentially has value.

I settled my PITA fall trial case on Tuesday so my trip is confirmed.

True. I had my camera for this one but didn't use it. All I paid was admission.

(BTW, a lawsuit over pocket bread? who was the other litigant in the PITA case? FETA?)

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Paul S

(BTW, a lawsuit over pocket bread? who was the other litigant in the PITA case? FETA?)

Yeah, I purposely left that straight line hanging.

Public works contract dispute that was supposed to go to trial in early October. Had it not settled I'd probably have had to cancel my trip to work on the trial prep; big paper case, fun forensic engineering, lots of money at stake. Defendant decided to fork over a big pile of $ now rather than do so after burning $200K on a trial.

[Snapolit1]

For what it's worth, my top 10 places to eat in AC.

1. White House Sub Shop - a classic of classic. Amazing sandwiches. Full of press clippings and pics of every celebrity who was ever passed through. Should be a national landmark. Get bread a few times a day from the Italian bakery up the street. Order a half, a whole is enough for about 4 people. Pepper and egg with onions on hot bread. Heaven on earth.

2. Knife and Fork Inn: amazing place. If you are a fan of Boardwalk Empire you can't miss. Old time AC. Amazing food. Really a walk back in time. Lobster thermidor! Where the hell can you can lobster thermidor in 2016?

3. Chef Vola's: amazing Italian. Good luck getting a res. Need to take a taxi. At end of a residential street a little off the street. If they tell you they can only seat you at 10 take it anyway. Safe to go to.

4. Matorano's: Italian place in Harrah's. Just ate there for the first time. Very very good Italian food. Meatballs to die for.

5. Chart House: seafood, in Golden Nugget. Nice views and great food.

6. Cuba Libre: Cuban as you might guess. In the Quarter area of the Tropicana. Food is good but maybe its the high octane great rum drinks that have had me coming back for years.

7. Izakaya - in Borgata, Best Japanese, including sushi, I've had in AC.

8. Iron Room - really cool spot, new spot. An old bottling company turned into a high end restaurant. Wife and I loved it. Will need to take a taxi. (I walked, but the street its on is a little sketchy.)

9. Il Mulino - in Trump Taj. AC outpost of one of NY's best Italian places. Also one in Vegas. Is the restaurant part (a little formal, but a great experience) and the cheaper grill.

10. White House sub shop. See no. 1.

[hangman62]

White House Sub Shop ! # 1

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

For what it's worth, my top 10 places to eat in AC.

1. White House Sub Shop - a classic of classic. Amazing sandwiches. Full of press clippings and pics of every celebrity who was ever passed through. Should be a national landmark. Get bread a few times a day from the Italian bakery up the street. Order a half, a whole is enough for about 4 people. Pepper and egg with onions on hot bread. Heaven on earth.

2. Knife and Fork Inn: amazing place. If you are a fan of Boardwalk Empire you can't miss. Old time AC. Amazing food. Really a walk back in time. Lobster thermidor! Where the hell can you can lobster thermidor in 2016?

3. Chef Vola's: amazing Italian. Good luck getting a res. Need to take a taxi. At end of a residential street a little off the street. If they tell you they can only seat you at 10 take it anyway. Safe to go to.

4. Matorano's: Italian place in Harrah's. Just ate there for the first time. Very very good Italian food. Meatballs to die for.

5. Chart House: seafood, in Golden Nugget. Nice views and great food.

6. Cuba Libre: Cuban as you might guess. In the Quarter area of the Tropicana. Food is good but maybe its the high octane great rum drinks that have had me coming back for years.

7. Izakaya - in Borgata, Best Japanese, including sushi, I've had in AC.

8. Iron Room - really cool spot, new spot. An old bottling company turned into a high end restaurant. Wife and I loved it. Will need to take a taxi. (I walked, but the street its on is a little sketchy.)

9. Il Mulino - in Trump Taj. AC outpost of one of NY's best Italian places. Also one in Vegas. Is the restaurant part (a little formal, but a great experience) and the cheaper grill.

10. White House sub shop. See no. 1.

Bolded for whole-hearted agreement.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by Kco

Depends on the signer too, obviously, but as nice a guy as Mo is, he isn't going to stay at a public signing for 6 hours and take photos, he knows he can do a "meet and greet" type even in NY with Steiner and get paid far more for those same photo ops.

Trust me this is no offense to Cal, I love him and he was a phenomenal player but he has been on the show circuit for nearly a decade, he makes multiple appearances at card shows on a monthly basis and is common. Mariano's public appearances are much fewer and further between, and I'd take a guess that since this show is within the vicinity of NYC, the turnout for him will be very high, where as Cal would probably pull in a couple hundred auto tickets, I could easily see a Mariano public at the National selling out.

And, TBH, Mariano is as nice and patient of a guy as there is out there, he takes pictures with fans for free all the time, out in public, for free. It's simply show logistics.

Since his retirement, Mariano has not been a complete stranger to the autograph circuit like a Griffey. I agree that Mariano attends fewer shows than Cal. At the former Tuff-Stuff shows in Richmond, players used to sell out quite frequently. I can't remember that last time a baseball guest sold out at one of the larger shows. At $249 a throw, I would be surprised if Mariano sold out. Adding the "Enter Sandman" inscription adds another $100. He has a nice signature. Mariano was a Yankee and there are a ton of Yankee collectors, so a sell out could happen but at $249, unlikely.

[Jewish-collector]

I really miss the Tuff-Show in Richmond. That was one of my favorite shows !!!

[Huck]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

I really miss the Tuff-Show in Richmond. That was one of my favorite shows !!!

Those were great shows! Mini Nationals!

[herbc]

Arrived today in AC to look around before tomorrows opening. I'm staying at Ballys. It was no more than a 15 minute walk from my hotel to the Convention Center. All looked well and lively.

A few shots in the center.


A shot of signs and electronic billboards with NSCC promotion. See how they change


A view of the Sheraton across from the convention center


A shot leaving the center heading back to Ballys, and looking back behind me towards the sheraton / convention center.


Will Post more tomorrow

[Snapolit1]

Now I'm really excited! Thanks.

[packs]

Well I've got to take a bus from the Port Authority at 8:00 am but I'm pretty excited about Saturday. I'll be heading down to get Pettitte to complete my Core Four baseball.

Does anyone know how PSA handles cards that have a cert but you want them to holder instead? I assume there's a fee for the holder, but you don't have to pay for the authentication again do you?