ATLANTIC CITY – They came by the thousands, streaming into the Atlantic City Convention Center with the goal of obtaining an autograph from their favorite players and/or coaches. Some came from close by, but many traveled a great distance to be there, and they usually came with a purpose and a specific item that would fulfill their mission.
They paid for flights, gas, meals and hotels. They bought tickets for autographs and photos that guaranteed they would get the signature or memento they desired.
On Wednesday afternoon, July 27, some 45 minutes before the signings started, there were already three long lines formed in the VIP Party hosted by Pristine Auctions, the kick-off event for the 42nd National Sports Collectors Convention.
Warren Huff traveled from Greeneville, S.C. to see former Philadelphia Phillies slugger Greg Luzinski.
“What I have brought is a Sports Illustrated with him on the cover,” he said of the issue dated 8/29/77. “This one has no mailing label, which means that it probably has come off
