COUNTDOWN TO THE NATIONAL: Thanks to NSCC, Chicago has become the ‘Sports Card Capital’ of the U.S.

Excitement for the 43rd National Sports Collectors Convention kicked into high gear on Wednesday night, June 28. Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville was the setting as the annual NHL Draft was broadcast live on ESPN.

The Chicago Blackhawks — an Original 6 club that struggled this past season with a 26–49–7 record — held the first pick and seemingly everyone in North America knew what the Blackhawks were going to do, what they needed to do and what every National Anthem-screaming Chicago fan wanted them to do.

Sure enough, Chicago picked Connor Bedard with the first overall pick. Chicago collectors and the whole city for that matter threw their sticks in the air to celebrate.

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Bedard, a 17-year-old center who skated for Regina in the WHL this past season, already has been tagged a generational talent. The right-handed-shooting Bedard scored 71 goals and 143 points for the Regina Pats this past season.

“He’s definitely going to be the most-hyped [player] in Chicago,” said Brian Schwartz, president of Schwartz Sports Memorabilia, Inc., based in Morton Grove, Ill. “I’ve heard [Bedard] doing a public [signing session] is very doubtful and I know stuff online is already pricey, but people like to jump on the bandwagon of the hot rookies, so I imagine his rookie cards will be must-haves when they come out.”

The Upper Deck logo was ever-present in Nashville, so no doubt the California-based card maker is pushing out Bedard collectibles with the speed of a slapshot.

Bedard will be the talk of this year’s National July 26-30 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. He is one of the five hottest athletes on the collectibles market heading into The National, according to Arizona-based dealer George Johnson, who spent decades living in Chicago promoting card shows. Just consider:

Connor Bedard

The first No. 1 overall pick of the Blackhawks since Patrick Kane in 2007 — and everyone knows the legendary status Kane carries in the Windy City. He helped lead the Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup championships, and Bedard is now tasked with this tall order.

On eBay, there was a 2021-22 Upper Deck game-used CHL Edition card, signed by Bedard and numbered 98/98 — ironically his uniform number — selling for more than $750,000. And Bedard-signed pucks from the Draft are selling for $350.

“It’s really exciting around [Bedard] and whoever has autographs of Bedard, my God, those [sales] will be huge,” Johnson said.

Shohei Ohtani

The Los Angeles Angels multi-talented megastar from Japan had a monstrous night on June 27, ironically the day before the NHL Draft, and just as ironic, against the Chicago White Sox. That night, Ohtani struck out 10 batters AND hit two home runs on the same night.

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Elly De La Cruz

The Cincinnati Reds sensation hit for the cycle in his 15th game since being called up from the minors, marking the first Reds player in 34 years to accomplish the feat.

The excitement surrounding De La Cruz features a catchy tribute song from singer/songwriter Dan Bern, whose songs are often played on the Tony Kornheiser Show. Bern’s lyrics include, “Hits the ball really, really, really, really hard, I’m thinking you probably want to have his rookie card, find a ’52 Mantle and you won’t sing the blues, or a 2023 Elly De La Cruz.”

On eBay, a 2022 Bowman autographed De La Cruz Chrome Prospect Orange Refractor, numbered 22/25 and graded PSA 10 had an opening bid of $50,000.

“His cards are super-hot,” Johnson said.

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Nikol

The Serbian star who plays for the NBA Champion Denver Nuggets is anything but a joke on the court, despite his nickname. Jokić is a five-time NBA All-Star and has been named to the All-NBA Team on five occasions, including three first-team selections.

On eBay, a 2015-16 Panini Spectra autographed patch Jokić rookie card, graded BGS 9.5 and 1/1, had an opening bid of $300,000.

“His cards are surging,” Johnson said.

Mickey Mantle

The baseball legend was a 20-time All-Star during his illustrious career for the New York Yankees that ultimately landed him in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. Nearly 50 years later, he remains hobby royalty. A 1952 Topps Mantle card, even graded only 5 or 6, can draw $300,000 or more.

Kevin Savage of Ohio-based Kevin Savage Cards will be selling memorabilia at this year’s National, marking his 42nd National. He attended the second and third Nationals as a collector, then moved behind the table.

“I’m excited for the show,” Savage said. “I enjoy the show moving around the country, but if there’s one place that’s probably my favorite, it’s Chicago. Everything is convenient; the convention center is great; the hotels are close; there are a lot of nearby food options.

“The [collectibles] market is good; the hobby is doing well, so we’re looking forward to a great show.”

Art Smith of Florida-based Sports Cards Plus needs two days to drive to this year’s National, but he’s not complaining.

“Chicago is the best collectibles market in the U.S., day in and day out,” said Smith, who has sold cards and memorabilia at 37 NSCC shows. “The Chicago National is my favorite show of the year.”

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Added Michigan-based dealer Mark Dehem, another longtime hobbyist: “I’ve never had a bad Chicago show. The Chicago National has been great every year and always seems to get better. The Chicago National in 2021 probably was the best National I’ve seen; it was incredible, nonstop [customers].”

Dehem said the 1983 National in Chicago was memorable as it coincided with the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, which he attended. “That was a fun event,” he said.

He also recalled the madness of the 2005 National, when O.J. Simpson appeared unannounced and started signing autographs. During the height of the Saturday afternoon signing session in 2005, Simpson walked into the autograph pavilion and, ironically, there just happened to be an area for him to sign autographs. Word spread like wildfire that the troubled Hall of Fame running back was in the building. He signed for a fee, with handlers collecting the money while organizers appeared to scramble behind the scenes to remove him from the venue.

To this day, many show attendees are convinced that Simpson’s appearance was planned by a very small group, including National organizers at the time, and not a surprise. No one will go on record about Simpson’s 2005 National “appearance.”

“That was classic,” Dehem said, laughing.

Brandon Tolle, a collector from Missouri who also runs Zebra Breaks, is making his second National appearance this summer. He also attended the 2021 show in Chicago.

“The Chicago market is one of the best, if not the best, markets in the United States. It has not only become a hub for sports cards, but a destination for sports cards and sports card conventions,” Tolle said. “Many places have tried to gain the success that Chicago has, but none have come close. It is almost as if Chicago has become the ‘Sports Card Capital of the United States.’

“Chicago is a great market for collecting because it [also] is a great hub for business, culture and art. Chicago is a place where people of so many different backgrounds live and work, creating a very diverse market, which I believe helps the collecting market thrive.”

Tolle said his first National in 2021 was “overwhelming at times as there was so much to see and so much to experience. It was a real introduction to the best of the hobby.”

Chicago scores for The National, always. The Windy City has hosted The National 14 times.

Chicago also plays host to the twice-a-year Chicago Sports Spectacular shows, which also draw record crowds with the best dealers in the nation appearing and countless A-List autograph signers.

“Chicago has teams in all four major sports and loyal fan bases,” which helps on the collecting front, Schwartz said. “It also helps that the most iconic name in collecting played here — Michael Jordan.”

Andre Dawson also had a stint playing for the Cubs, and Dawson was Schwartz’ favorite player growing up in suburban Chicago. Dawson will be signing autographs at this year’s National along with such other Chicago sports legends as Ryne Sandberg, Frank Thomas, Harold Baines, Jim Thome and Dennis Rodman.

“At a National years ago, that was the first time I met and had a conversation with Andre Dawson,” he said. “Since then, I’ve gotten to work with him many times and have had more conversations; he’s always been a pleasure to work with.”

Johnson said he plans to add some Mike Schmidt autographed cards to his collection, with signatures from the Baseball Hall of Famer during his National appearance in the TRISTAR Autograph Pavilion.

“He has a beautiful signature,” Johnson said. “Chicago is one of the best locations for The National in the United States, and sales on Wednesday and Thursday are always great.”

“Chicago always is a great collecting market, one of the best,” added Bobby Mintz, vice president of Houston-based TRISTAR Productions. “Major shows and established hobby shops [have been] there for years and a sophisticated collector base, plus a major population within a six-hour drive just lends itself to great potential for success, which this show has had there over the years.”