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Cleveland the Comeback City as former stars return for 2024 National
In an 11-year major league career, Len Barker pitched for the Texas Rangers (1976–78), Cleveland Indians (1979–83), Atlanta Braves (1983–85), and Milwaukee Brewers (1987), finishing with a 74-76 record. The right-hander was an All-Star in 1981 and a two-time AL strikeout leader (1980, 1981).
Cleveland faithful simply remember him for the night of May 15, 1981, when Barker pitched the 10th official perfect game in baseball history, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays, 3–0.
Barker inscribes most of his autographs with “P.G. 5-15-81.”
Barker will kick off the autograph fest at the 44th National Sports Collectors from July 24 to 28. Barker and former Cleveland Browns cornerback Hanford Dixon will sign on July 24 as part of the VIP Program.
Dixon, a three-time Pro Bowler credited with naming the “Dawg Pound” at Browns home games, has one of the most distinctive, flowing signatures from anyone in any sport.
Barker and Dixon are two of many signers with strong ties to Cleveland or the state of Ohio who will appear in the TRISTAR Autograph Pavilion.
“Cleveland is one of the best regions for loyalty to their players. They support the Guardians, Browns and Cavs big-time, hence one of the reasons why the show is in Cleveland,” said TRISTAR Vice President Bobby Mintz. “All of our shows around the country, we always have regional and local celebrities as that is who the local fan base has been supporting and rooting for for many years. Finding and securing the ones who have not done [many signings] is always the key.”
Joining Barker will be fifteen others who played for the Indians, including Hall of Famers Roberto Alomar, Dennis Eckersley, and Jim Thome. The lineup also includes members of the Cleveland Hall of Fame, such as Omar Vizquel, Manny Ramirez, and Carlos Baerga.
Other popular past Indians appearing include Terry Francona, Chris Chambliss, Joe Charboneau, Bartolo Colon, Cory Snyder and Pat Tabler, among others.
The Cincinnati Reds, who play about 250 miles away, will be represented by four icons: Tony Perez, Johnny Bench, Barry Larkin, and Pete Rose.
The Browns also will be represented by several former players, including two who are making their first-ever appearance at The National and are expected to be among the most popular signers: Tom Cousineau and Bob Golic.
TRISTAR also tapped into the legacy of Ohio State football with signing sessions for former Buckeyes Archie Griffin, Eddie George, Will Howard, Cardale Jones, Andy Katzenmoyer, Mike Tomczak, and even former head coach Urban Meyer.
Basketball collectors will seek signatures from Shawn Kemp, a former member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Jerry Lucas, a Hall of Famer and a 1960 NCAA Champion for Ohio State.
“Cleveland and Ohio have a very loyal fan base going, in some cases, on four and five generations of fans, so having regional and local names is important,” Mintz said.
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