2025 Strongsville Show Report – FAT DADDY’S SPORTS

After feeling awful on the Oak Creek present, I used to be just a little nervous about driving out to Cleveland and establishing on the three-day Strongsville Classic present. Fortunately, I felt okay. I used to be just a little shaky on Sunday however for probably the most half, no issues.

After Oak Creek, I hustled to cost playing cards for Strongsville. I used to be additionally slowed down on prep work for the April 19 MegaShow. Usually, I like to move to Strongsville Wednesday night time or Thursday morning however couldn’t get out the door till after dinner on Thursday due to all of the work wanted for the MegaShow.

An accident close to thirty first Avenue slowed visitors on the I294 all the way in which again to Irving Park Highway. Pissed off with stop-and-go visitors, I popped off at North Avenue and took York Highway south down previous thirty first Avenue and popped again on the freeway the place it began to maneuver properly.

It took about an hour and a half to get to the Indiana border when it usually takes about 45 minutes when visitors is mild. I hit a few development snags in Indiana which slowed me down earlier than entering into Ohio.

I drove for 5 or 6 hours then stopped round midnight about an hour out of Strongsville. I used to be supposed to satisfy my pal Tony Schaefer at our resort in Middleburg Heights, simply north of Strongsville however I didn’t need to arrive there at 1 a.m. and wake him up.

Then I remembered the one time some years in the past that Dave and I arrived in Strongsville at 1 a.m. on Friday morning, consequently we had been actually drained and worn out the entire present. Fortunately, I didn’t really feel almost as dangerous this time.

I pulled right into a Vacation Inn and tried to get a room round midnight however discovered my debit card was maxed out by my earlier fee to the desk rental firm for the MegaShow. I known as my financial institution earlier than I hit the highway and requested that they take away the restrict on my debit card. Apparently, they didn’t take away the restrict. They suck! I really want a brand new financial institution.

Then I attempted to pay for the room with my Visa card solely to study it had expired in February. Ugh! Reveals you ways a lot I exploit that factor. I should have a brand new card at dwelling someplace.

The resort clerk wouldn’t let me pay for the room with money. He mentioned the resort required a safety deposit on a bank card. Ugh!

I Googled some close by motels, figuring they might not want a bank card. I ended up at a dumpster of a motel that was completely happy to take my money. I needed to put down a further $50 as a safety deposit. When did this complete safety deposit factor begin? For many of my grownup life, I simply paid money for my resort rooms with none trouble. Looks like such a trouble today to acquire a resort room!

The price of the dumpy motel was half that of the Vacation Inn, so there was minor win. Subsequent up, the place to park. No parking zone. The Motel solely had about 12 rooms and seems that every room had its personal storage. My SUV barely match on this 1940’s period storage that seemed like an excellent place for an axe homicide.

The room was a dump and a half. The window within the rest room was partially open and I couldn’t shut it or lock it. Moreover the push of chilly air coming in, I used to be nervous I might be murdered in the midst of the night time by the axe assassin I figured was lurking within the storage. 

I shined my cell-phone flashlight out the lavatory window and noticed an previous overturned sofa beneath the window together with a laundry-mat cart and diverse junk. Creepy!

The room was freezing chilly. It took me some time to determine how one can get the heating unit to work. There was a razor skinny blanket on the mattress with a great deal of cigarette burns in it. I needed to pull a bunch of hair up and doing sheet. Sure, there was a present of hair on the mattress sheets. Not less than I didn’t see any mattress bugs.

Powerful night time of sleep in that chilly, bushy, gross room the place I used to be virtually sure I would be murdered. I used to be up round 7 a.m. and out the door by 8 a.m. The resort clerk wouldn’t return my safety deposit till he inspected the room. Apparently, I handed the inspection and acquired my fifty bucks and hit the highway.

I made it to the Brunswick Area round 9:30 a.m. The oldsters on the entry sales space wouldn’t let me load in as a result of I didn’t have a wrist band. I texted Tony, who introduced out my wristband and was in a position to load in.

The present is in an ice rink and the tables are arrange in pods. Related group from final yr in my pod. Mile Excessive was on the tip. Cleveland’s personal Jerry Katz was on my left. Tony on my proper. Behind me was Larry from Canada, who was behind Tony final yr. Behind Jerry was Bryan Dec. Like final yr, Larry had a shoe field of Viagra.

The older man from New York, who was behind me final yr, was not right here this yr. Neither was Brad from Phoenix. Surprisingly, I didn’t see Brad in any respect. He has been to all of them previously.

Of their spots was this man I’ve recognized for years. I can not keep in mind his title. I feel he is from West Virginia. He rubbed me the improper means years in the past after I was arrange behind him on the Moeller present and he went right into a racist tirade after some candy African American youngsters had been at his desk. Fortunately, no loopy racist stuff this weekend.

Talking of racists, Jerry identified this one buyer with some Nazi tattoos on his neck. The Nazi additionally wore a T-shirt that said one thing to the impact that he was going to bang your spouse. Jerry mentioned these Nazi guys are popping up throughout Cleveland currently. I do not perceive racism, particularly card-carrying racists who accumulate sports activities playing cards. How do guys with Nazi tattoos accumulate Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson? Is mindless.

Anyway, final yr, I arrived early and was in a position to transfer the tables round so I may have some further area to hold my show instances off my desk which allowed me to slot in a small further show case. No such luck this yr, as I used to be the final man within the pod to reach and arrange. With out that further area, I used to be solely in a position to put out 5 of my six show instances. Ugh!

I keep in mind the pod being tight final yr. It was worse this yr. Larry created stadium seating behind his desk, leaving me little or no room. I used to be in a position to make it work nevertheless it was uncomfortable.

I introduced some completely different stuff this yr in an try to spur gross sales, which weren’t excellent final yr. I didn’t convey out any graded playing cards that are an enormous flip off to most set builders, that are my principal prospects. I figured I may appeal to extra set builders if I put out all uncooked playing cards — which labored. Much more set builders stopped by this yr and gross sales had been a lot improved.

With simply 5 show instances, I just about stacked my playing cards in chronological order by yr. This arrange allowed me to get out all of my soccer, basketball and hockey. I used to be solely in a position to get out about half of my soccer final yr and no basketball or hockey.

This arrange labored nice. Soccer and hockey had been my largest sellers. I used to be stunned that I didn’t promote a lot pre-Warfare baseball. I had much more 1939 Play Balls this yr together with a pleasant group of 1934 Batter Ups, some 1934-36 Diamond Stars, and a few 1911 Mecca Double Folders that noticed no motion. I did promote a T206 Hughie Jennings and a handful of 1933 Goudeys.

I had a big stack of 1956 Topps baseball that fairly lots of people considered however I solely offered a couple of. Total, my gross sales out of my 1950’s and 1960’s baseball stacks had been underwhelming. I used to be fairly stunned.

My greatest sellers for baseball had been 1969 by 1983, persevering with a development from the previous couple of years in any respect exhibits — which is de facto nice as a result of I’ve an limitless provide of these things.

Hockey playing cards have been promoting like mad in any respect the massive exhibits, this present was no exception. I offered a ton of hockey. Woot! Previous to the present, I questioned whether or not I might promote any hockey since Cleveland doesn’t have a hockey crew. Foolish me. Numerous hockey collectors right here!

Soccer continues to be an excellent robust vendor for me. I blew by a lot of soccer playing cards this weekend. Woot! I additionally offered a pleasant quantity of basketball playing cards, particularly 1970-71 Topps tall boys.

Total, a significantly better present than final yr. Friday was the strongest day, adopted by Saturday. Sunday at this present is a large waste of time yr after yr. I’m not positive what number of years I’ve been doing this present however I can solely keep in mind one yr with a robust Sunday.

I’m all the time able to pack up and go dwelling Sunday morning however the people that run this present threaten to ban you from the present if you happen to go away early, so most sellers keep arrange the entire time. Although, I believed it was just a little a lot when one of many present staff hassled the seller throughout from me for having his cart in entrance of his desk at 3:15 p.m. on Sunday when the present closes at 4 p.m. There was virtually nobody within the place at 3 p.m. Come on!

On the shopping for entrance, there have been many wonderful purchases. I picked up some 1933 Goudeys, some hockey (oddly I offered a 1961-62 Topps Blackhawks crew card then bought one in a gaggle). I additionally bought some soccer and about two thirds of a 1970-71 Topps basketball set.

Much more folks provided objects to promote than ever earlier than. I feel I benefited from Tony’s massive signal that said “Shopping for.” A lot of the stuff provided was fairly good however there was additionally a considerable amount of 1980’s and 1990’s stuff and a few trendy playing cards which I do not recall ever being provided at this present previously. I feel the issue is that Leland’s, who owns this present, fails to advertise the classic facet and just about simply promotes its autograph visitors.

For my part, Leland’s is lacking the boat. There isn’t a different present within the nation fairly like this present the place 95 p.c of the tables function classic solely. I may care much less in regards to the autograph visitors. I do not assume any of the sellers care in regards to the autograph visitors. This present is all in regards to the classic. Come on Leland’s!

Cha, cha, modifications….

This present has modified fairly a bit over time. One of many older sellers throughout from me (there are a whole lot of older sellers at this present!), advised me the present started in 1978 and he has been establishing the entire time. The one fixed, he mentioned, is classic. This present has all the time been centered on classic.

He advised me that the unique promoter disappeared and the confirmed died at one level. Paul Fusco resurrected the present and was the promoter after I first arrange. One other seller jogged my memory how Paul would get on the loud speaker and inform sellers to take away all the fashionable playing cards on their tables. Paul was fierce about not permitting trendy playing cards on seller tables. Leland’s, not a lot.

One of many issues I cherished about this present after I first arrange 10 or 15 years in the past, I can not keep in mind precisely after I first arrange, was that it jogged my memory of the primary exhibits I attended as a child within the 1970’s. It was in a resort, all of the sellers had classic, all the purchasers collected classic. One or two autograph visitors.

The present was a lot smaller when it was situated on the Vacation Inn, which finally grew to become a Greatest Western. It was actually tight in there. Paul didn’t care. He advised me he was all about custom. He advised me that the present was all the time on the Vacation Inn/Greatest Western and that was the place it could keep.

I used to be just a little nervous when Leland’s moved the present to the ice area however I feel the transfer labored out nicely. Although, we misplaced the old-timey feeling of the resort. There are far more public sale homes establishing now. I’m not a fan of public sale homes establishing at exhibits. I might a lot moderately see a seller promoting playing cards in these spots. Although, one public sale home, Baggers, really sells playing cards on the present. Others show some cool stuff. Mile Excessive had a T206 Wagner at their sales space. Most simply settle for submissions.

The present has greater than doubled in dimension from the previous days with room for future progress. The ice area has two rinks. Many had been questioning if the present will develop to cowl each rinks. I feel they may fill each ice rinks with sellers. In the event that they do, I like to recommend they put all of the auctions homes and all the fashionable card sellers in a single rink and preserve the second rink all classic.

I’ve additionally noticed that lots much less set builders attend this present than previously, which is de facto the case for all exhibits. I cater to set builders so it’s a little discouraging to see the decline.

Then there may be the OBC, quick for Outdated Baseball Playing cards. I do not know the historical past of the group however I’ve been coping with members of this membership for many years. I really like them as a result of they love off-grade classic — which is my specialty! In addition they love classic oddball and inserts. Although, I’ve had some issues with them over time as a result of some guys will solely pay pennies on the greenback and may be relentless.

The place have they gone? The OBC guys have largely disappeared. Up to now, there was a big swarm of them at this present all decked out of their OBC gear. I keep in mind some sellers even having indicators on their tables stating: “OBC Pleasant.”

I’ve had actually good gross sales to OBC guys at this present over time and am sorry to see the group’s demise. Previous to this yr’s present, I priced out a bunch of 1970 Kellogg’s baseball. Whereas going by the playing cards, my first thought was that the OBC guys will love these items. I solely noticed two OBC guys on the present. No person checked out my Kellogg’s playing cards all weekend. 🙁 

One other change is the inflow of vloggers. There by no means was once any vloggers at this present. Now they’ve taken the mantel from the OBC as probably the most pronounced group on the present. There are seemingly dozens of vloggers at this present.

I nonetheless keep in mind the primary time I noticed a vlogger on the Strongsville present, it was the dude from Breakout Playing cards. He was actually younger. I feel he was simply a youngster. I keep in mind Paul Fusco giving him a tour. Paul was such an important man. He handled me so nicely. He cherished to mentor younger collectors and sellers. Paul sadly died about 5 years in the past. His spouse offered the present to Leland’s.

Anyway, after Breakout Playing cards broke the ice, vloggers began to attend en masse. The present ended yesterday. I noticed dozens of vlogs in regards to the present on YouTube this morning.

I had a good time hanging out with the vloggers final yr after the present. This yr, I used to be too drained to attend their occasions. I do know I missed out. Nice guys, all of them.

My one criticism is that they do not actually appear to be set builders. I watch their vlogs commonly they usually appear to buy key classic playing cards, a whole lot of high-end stuff. I might like to see some set builder vlogs… which after all would possibly embody some footage of yours really. You will not discover me in any of their vlogs from this yr’s Strongsville present. They appear to take footage of the identical 5 or 6 guys when there are 100 or so sellers on the present.

I imply, I can not blame them. The sellers featured within the vlogs have one of the best stuff on the present…. however do any of them have 1970 Kellogg’s — I feel not! Come on OBC! I want you guys to return again!!

Total, I feel the vloggers are an important asset to the present and I really like that they’re right here. I talked with a lot of them in the course of the present. I view their vlogs commonly. I really like seeing their native exhibits across the nation and all of the classic they encounter. I simply began watching their Strongsville vlogs and can put in a whole lot of viewing time this week. I noticed my again in one in all Sammy Thunder’s vlogs. Woot! 

The spotlight of the weekend for me was going out to dinner on the Timber Lodge on Saturday with Tim and Susan Payne together with Tony. Tim and Susan introduced alongside one other seller to dinner. I’m so dangerous with names and I forgot his title however I’ve seen him for years. He’s a candy older man with all kinds of oddball stuff on his desk. We had a beautiful dinner and I actually loved the good firm.

On a not-so-great word, the meals on the venue is horrible! Don’t order any meals from the concession stand on the Brunswick Area. I ate a scorching canine from the concession stand on Friday for lunch. Nothing worse than biting into a chilly scorching canine. Behind my thoughts, I knew I ought to haven’t eaten it however saved going as a result of I used to be hungry.

By the tip of the present Friday, I used to be pinching my cheeks. I attempted to satisfy Tony and a bunch of different sellers for dinner however needed to flip again and race to the pot within the resort room. Oh my! 

Unhealthy scorching canine apart, I had a beautiful weekend. An enormous thanks to Leland’s for working a wonderful present. An enormous thanks to everybody who purchased and offered me playing cards. I’m particularly grateful for all the good conversations and camaraderie all weekend lengthy. Love Strongsville! Cannot wait until subsequent yr!!

Subsequent up, is the Wisconsin MegaShow, which might be thrice the scale of Strongsville. I nonetheless have a ton of labor to do. Sellers! I’ll get you your desk numbers shortly. If anybody is on the market Friday after 3 p.m., I may actually use some assist establishing chairs and tables.

See you guys Saturday!!!

Listed below are a handful of images from Strongsville: