Autographs
Astros stars, historic memorabilia help TRISTAR celebrate 40th Houston collectors show
There were multiple dealers at the TRISTAR Productions Houston Collectors Show selling orange Styrofoam balls that looked like small bowling balls, minus the finger holes, each with imperfect paint, a hologram for authenticity and a $200 price tag.
Each carried local lore.
The Houston Astros’ home run train had a new look for 2025 with Minute Maid no longer the naming rights holder of the stadium. Baseball fans now see a pile of oversized baseballs in the home run train that runs along the upper left field wall of newly renamed Daikin Park.
The pile of oranges from Minute Maid, the longtime ballpark naming rights holder, are now collector’s items. As one seller hawked: “Take home some original history of Minute Maid Park today!”
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The three-day show Jan. 30– Feb. 1 celebrated TRISTAR’s 40th anniversary, drawing a large variety of dealers selling everything from tobacco cards to new releases, from game-worn relics to game-used souvenirs. The autograph lineup featured baseball, football and basketball Hall of Famers, plus heralded prospects and Hollywood heroes.
“This show gave us the chance to reflect on how much things have changed over 40years—in show business, the hobby and life in general. Lots has stayed the same, too,” said TRISTAR Vice President Bobby Mintz. “Overall, it was a strong, well-received show, which collectors look forward to annually.
“Reflecting on 40 years of shows, I think about Brandon Crawford, who spent 14 seasons in Major League Baseball, playing all but his last season for the San Francisco Giants. Brandon once told me that he grew up to coming to our shows [as a collector], and we ultimately had Brandon at shows as an autograph guest.
“Grandparents come to our shows, as they did this year in Houston … and some were coming to our shows when they were teenagers.”
Added TRISTAR president Jeff Rosenberg: “From humble beginnings to 40 years with hundreds of thousands of collectors buying, selling, trading and meeting their heroes for autographs and photos. Names such as Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Muhammad Ali, Mark McGwire, Willie Mays and Joe Namath [have appeared at TRISTAR shows]. A lot of smiles and lifelong memories have been created at the TRISTAR Collector Shows. I am honored and blessed to lead a team of talented people whose mission is to create memories for fans and collectors.”
New Baseball Hall of Famer Jeff Kent was a popular signer during his first public autograph show in 20 years. Many collectors told Kent how glad they were to see him. Kent played 19 years with the Giants, Astros, Dodgers, Mets, and Blue Jays. He retired after the 2008 season and was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Contemporary Baseball Era committee as part of the 2026 class.
Kent’s son, Kaiden, also was a show signer as he makes his way to the majors. Last summer, the New York Yankees drafted the younger Kent, who played at Texas A&M. Kaeden, 21, moved to shortstop full-time in 2025 after splitting time around the infield in 2024 and getting some starts in the outfield in 2023.
Jose Altuve was another popular signer in Houston, particularly among Astros fans. This was his first signing at a TRISTAR show and Altuve commented on “how much fun he had and that he didn’t know how large in scope the show was,” Mintz said.
“He was a very nice and accommodating guest,” Mintz added.
Other show signers included Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Robert Brazile, Randy Gradishar, Warren Moon, Dennis Rodman, Lee Smith and Rudy Tomjanovich, among others. Also appearing: former WNBA stars Cynthia Cooper, Tina Thompson and Sheryl Swoopes—the first appearance for the trio together since 1999.
On the entertainment side, Houston show signers included Charlie Sheen, Randy Quaid, Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Martin Kove, Kevin Dillon, Tom Berenger, and Patrick Renna, among others.
Rosenberg confirmed that entertainment celebrities will be a big part of future TRISTAR shows “as we widen the net to attract more fans and collectors to the show,” he said.
“The show was extremely well attended, one of the best-attended shows we’ve had in many, many years,” Mintz said. “The show was a blockbuster [and] the entertainment stars were great to work with.”
The top signers were Altuve, Sheen, Rodman, Macchio, Kent, and Will Clark.
Mintz said Rudy T, the Houston Rockets and NBA legend, drew a large line of autograph-seekers, which surprised Mintz.
“Mostly because he’s almost 80, so you have to be 40 or 50 to have seen him play,” he said. Ironically, Mintz noted that Tomjanovich had a strong contingent of autograph-seekers in their 20s. “That was cool to see,” he said.
Here’s a look at some of the collectibles spotted on the show floor:
• Willie Mays signed 16-by-20 photo with JSA Authentication: $650.
• 16-by-20 photo signed by Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio: $3,000.
• Johnny Unitas signed football: $500.
• 1940 World Series program (Detroit vs. Cincinnati) from games in Detroit ($350) and Cincinnati ($250).
• 1939 World Series program: $350.
• Autographed jerseys: Sonny Jurgenson ($250), Gale Sayers ($499), Peyton Manning ($699), Eli Manning ($799), Sammy Baugh ($950), Larry Bird ($600), Stephen Curry ($600).
• Graded Cards:
1970 Topps Rod Carew (6): $35.
1959 Topps Willie Mays (4): $275
1964 Topps Duke Snider (8): $130
2018 Panini Cornerstones Kobe Bryant (10): $26,500
1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan (9.5): $48,000
2017 Panini National Treasures Patrick Mahomes #1/1 (9): $70,000.
• Houston Astrodome tray, $90
• Hot Boxes:
2025 Panini Football (Cosco): $80
2025 Donruss Football (Mega): $85
2025 Donruss Football (Blaster): $50
2024-25 Topps Chrome Basketball (Blaster): $55
Topps Chrome Soccer: $150
• Ken Griffey signed helmet with two inscriptions (hits and home run totals): $1,200.
• Carlos Correa game-used cleats ($300), turf shoes ($500).
• Two Diamond Club chairs from Minute Made Park: $1,600
• Tom Brady framed, signed jersey: $2,500.
• JJ Watt signed jersey: $1,000.
•Stephen Curry signed jersey: $900
• Ronaldo signed soccer jersey: $1,250.
• Full baseball sets: 1982 Upper Deck ($90), 1985 Donruss ($100), 1982 Topps ($105).
• Mickey Mantle signed book: $225.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo autographed, framed jersey: $350.
• Autographed 8x10 photos: Reggie Jackson ($75), Pete Rose ($100), Warren Spahn ($60).
• Just Cool Cards: 1958 Topps Johnny Unitas (5), $100; 1959 Topps Sandy Koufax (5.5), $250.
• AJ Hinch Father’s Day game-worn jersey: $800
• 1914 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb: graded 2.5 ($55,000); graded 1 ($32,000).
• More graded cards: 1952 Topps Mantle (1), $52,000; 1958 Topps Bobby Hull (6), $6,500; 1967 Topps Bobby Orr (6), $1,800; 1982 Topps Traded Cal Ripken Jr. (10), $7,100; 1989 Fleer Billy Ripken (10), $1,000.
• Trevor Hoffman signed 16-by-20 photo: $75.
• Clayton Kershaw signed 16-by-20 photo: $500.
• NBA Championship replica rings: $30.
• Astros autographed media guides: 1993 Luis Gonzalez ($50), 2000 Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio ($200).
• 1985 Sports Illustrated (newsstand edition) with Hulk Hogan on the cover (7.5): $750.
• Autographed baseball bats: Dale Murphy ($99), Duke Snider ($150), Wyatt Langford ($199-$299), Kyle Tucker ($299).
• Signed jerseys: Kevin Garnett ($275), Tim Hardaway ($150), Dennis Rodman ($160) and Kevin Durrant ($450).
• Autographed soccer jerseys: Kaka ($350), Lionel Messi ($2,200) or Ronaldinho ($500).
