Sports Stars Take Over Wilmington For The Weekend
Wilmington - Last weekend, the Greater Boston Sports Collectors Club hosted its 24th show at the Wilmington Shriners Auditorium.
In the midst of roughly 5,000 people were superstars such as Mo Vaughn, Cecil Fielder, Bill Russell, Teddy Bruschi, Tom “Satch” Sanders, Robin Yount, Mike Schmidt, Robert Parish, Bronson Arroyo, Keith Foulke, Tommy Heinsohn, Dave Roberts, and Jose Canseco. Pete Rose was scheduled to attend, but did not because he was home with the flu.
Vaughn, former baseball player for the Boston Red Sox in 1991-1998, the Anaheim Angels in1999-2000, and New York Mets in 2002-2003, said he has been in a real estate business called Omni New York LLC, located in Manhattan, NY.
“When I retired I got into the real estate business where I do affordable housing nationwide, said Vaughn. “I’ve been able to create some business up here in the Massachusetts area in the last couple of years.”
Looking back at his career, the former Red Sox slugger said his best year was in 1996, when his numbers were really good. Back then, Vaughn batted .326 in 161 games with 45 HRs, 143 RBI, 29 doubles, and a triple.
In 2008, Vaughn was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame.
“It was great, you know. I went in with Mike Greenwell that I played with. I thought it was a great event. I was surprised,” said Vaughn.
‘Certainly the same’
Robin Yount, Milwaukee Brewer for 20 seasons from 1974-1993, looked back at his career talking about the time he went to the World Series.
“The highlight by far was 1982,” said Yount explaining the Brew Crew went to the World Series that year. “I think every kid that’s ever played the game of baseball probably had dreams of playing in a World Series if they follow baseball at all and I was certainly the same.”
Years after playing the game, Yount has been in the juice business since 2007. He said a close friend of his worked in the business and got everything off to a fast start.
“In Wisconsin we sell Robinade,” said Yount, describing it as old school lemonade and limeade. “The proceeds from our Robinade goes to the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer Fund.”
Yount was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999. He said players he currently follows are Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Prince Fielder, and Ryan Braun.
‘On top of the mountain’
Mike Schmidt, former baseball player with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1972-1989 said, “It would have to be 1980 when I won the World Championship. I was MVP that year so it was a clean sweep all the way around that was my favorite year. It made me feel like I was on top of the mountain.”
Since retiring from baseball, Schmidt said he travels occasionally, plays golf, enjoys fishing, and makes some speeches.
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995, Schmidt said he follows no one but the Phillies to this day. He likes Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and Raul Ibanez.
‘He wanted to win’
Tom “Satch” Sanders, playing for the Celtics, said, “During my career from 1960-73, I had a lot of fun simply because what I really wanted to do was to be drafted by the Knicks because I was coming out of New York.”
Sanders said best thing to happen was being drafted by the Celtics, that he had the chance to play for a championship team. While in college, the Celtics won three titles.
Talking about his relationship with Red Auerbach, Sanders said he was an outstanding coach and an overall nice guy.
“As long as he wasn’t on the court he was a really great guy,” Sanders said. “On the court he enjoyed that dictator type personality. We enjoyed Red, he just pushed very hard and long because he wanted to win all the time and sometimes he would irritate you with the push. The big thing is that he got the most out of his players so you can’t knock that.”
As for the current Celtics, Sanders said he enjoys watching Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo.
“Rondo makes things happen,” said Sanders. “Certainly all the guys fill in behind them and they have a great bench. That’s what’s going to take them to the championship rounds, at least I think.”
Hundreds of vendors
Inside the Shriners Auditorium, there were hundreds of vendors. Doug Allen of Legendary Auctions out of Lansing, Illinois, said he has been operating an auction business for the past 20-years.
“We are a high-end auction house, so what we’re doing here is number one taking in consignments for future auctions and then we’re selling things that are promoting our current auction,” he said.
Legendary Auctions has memorabilia such as Lou Brock’s championship ring, jersey, vintage cards and photography. For more information about Legendary Auctions, go to www.legendaryauctions.com.
Vendor Richard Nice said he has been coming to the show for that past 10 years. He said he is looking to sell memorabilia to make more room, or trade and add to his collection.
“I’m just trying to get rid of excess stuff,” said Nice explaining that his 11-year-old son will get his collection when he gets older.
Vendor Kathy Carterud said, “It’s always fun. They have a buffet at night for all the vendors and it’s very, very good.”
Carterud said she was overwhelmed with excitement because Vaughn was there. The Carterud is from Windsor Locks, Conn.
Timothy Hannan of New England Picture from Manchester, N.H. said, “We do a lot of the autograph signings with the various athletes and a big portion of our business is doing custom framing.”
New England Picture covers the entire United States shipping out framed products to their customers, so if anyone is interested in New England Picture call 1-603-625-8901, or go to www.newenglandpicture.com.
From the weekend event at the Shriners Auditorium, GBSCC President Bill Carvalho said it was well attended, and the vendors got the most business out of the show then previous years.
The next GBSCC event at the Auditorium will be held the weekend of April 30, 2010.
Shawn Hansen
Wilmington Advocate
www.shawnhansenscomedycorner.blogspot.com
www.valleypatriotsportsflash.blogspot.com
