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A bit of everything at Houston Tri-Star
show
By Ross Forman
February 18, 2002
Click here to view photo highlights from the 16th Annual Tri-Star Collectors Show in Houston, .
Don Dishaw had a golden opportunity January 27th at the 16th-annual Tri-Star Productions’ Houston Classic. The 58-year-old father of three was center-court, literally, in front of several hundred fans for a game of HORSE against Rockets’ superstar Steve Francis.
Luckily for Dishaw, Francis had a good heart … and the NBA All-Star also was affected, no doubt, by a less than straight rim.
Francis couldn’t, or maybe we should say, didn’t answer Dishaw’s first three shots, leading to speculation that the greatest upset in HORSE history was about to unfold.
But then Francis showed why he’s known locally as Stevie Franchise.
He promptly disposed of Dishaw’s challenge.
“I thought it probably was the best experience in my life, and I’ve had a lot of experiences in my life,” said Dishaw, randomly-selected winner of a pre-show drawing for a game of HORSE versus Francis, held in the Houston Chronicle. “Playing basketball against Steve Francis was incredible. Who gets to do that, especially at my age?!
“He’s a nice sport … he probably could have ended the game in five shots, but was gracious enough to let me get ahead on him.”
After the game, Francis signed the ball for Dishaw … and as soon as Dishaw walked off the court, he was offered $300. No way, Dishaw said.
“This was something I’ll cherish my whole life,” he said.
And there were many other memories, and memory-makers, at the Tri-Star show, held Jan. 25-27 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The autograph lineup read like a who’s who from the sports world. Baseball Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Enos Slaughter, Stan Musial and Bob Gibson signed on Saturday, along with Football Hall of Famers Bart Starr, Len Dawson and Dick Butkus. Sunday was dedicated to Texas sports, starting with Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt of the Astros and former Houston Comets superstar Cynthia Cooper. The main attraction Sunday was the appearance by 13 former Dallas Cowboys, including Hall of Famers Randy White and Bob Lilly, and popular past stars Drew Pearson, John Dutton, Walt Garrison and Everson Walls.
Also appearing at the show: Quentin Jammer, Steve Owens, Chris Burke, George Andrie, Larry Cole, Jethro Pugh, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Lee Smith, Jason Lane, Michael Downs, D.D. Lewis and Mike Renfro.
“The show met and exceeded Tri-Star’s expectations,” said Mandy Fuerst, recently promoted to Tri-Star’s Director of Events and Marketing. “Everyone involved with the show seemed to have a successful show. The sports fans and collectors of Houston really came out.”
About 6,000 attended the three-day show.
“The interactive element of the Francis game of HORSE was very nice, something special at this show,” Fuerst said. “We’re looking forward to other similar activities at future Tri-Star shows.”
One of the show’s main draws was Craig Biggio … his bobble head doll, that is.
Biggio bobble heads were given away free, courtesy of the Shop At Home Network, to the first 250 fans on Friday, the first 350 fans on Saturday and Sunday. And they were gone “within minutes of the show opening each day,” Fuerst said.
Starr was the busiest signer, penning his name more than 600 times. Other top signers: Francis (more than 400), Bench (500), Musial (350) and Berkman (350).
“It was a great show, far surpassing the (Tri-Star) July show (in Houston),” said Kyle Boetel of Kyle’s Sportscards (Aurora, Colo.). “At the end of Friday it already was better than last July show. And I beat my expectations (financially) on Saturday.
“It seemed like the attendance was better (than in July) and the people were spending. Maybe the summer floods affected the July customers. But they definitely came out – and were spending – this time. This definitely was one of the best Houston shows ever, and certainly comparable to some of the better shows across the country.”
“This was a pretty good show – could be better, could be worse. Definitely was well worth the trip here from Florida, some 15- or 16-hour drive,” said Jay Conti of Jay’s Cards (Inverness, Fla.) “Collectors were spending money, mostly on low-end items, not much of the high-end items.”
Conti said Jeff Bagwell, Biggio and Berkman were hot weekend sellers. And, the Upper Deck 2001 Minor League Centennial set, too, “mostly selling because of top draft picks like Chris Burke, Jason Lane and Drew Henson, and others.” Conti sold more than 50 sets for $20 apiece.
“This was one of the best shows I’ve been at,” he said.
Added dealer Larry Tom of Arlington, Texas: “It was a steady show, with a steady flow of collectors. Never overwhelming, but a good flow. I’m happy with the crowd. I had a lot of early dealer sales; those really made it worth the trip.” Tom said Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds were hot sellers. Interest was high, according to Tom, in vintage and graded cards.
“We didn’t sell as much as we anticipated, but we bought five sets from the ‘50s and ‘60s and we’re happy with that. Plus, we bought some individual cards that we can get graded. That makes for a good turnout, a good show,” said Johnny Adams (Plymouth, Minn.)
Bill Goodwin of Goodwin & Co., was given the annual Starry Award by Tri-Star on Sunday, recognizing the top dealer in the nation, as voted by his peers. He has been dealing in trading cards for 19 years.
“It was a good show, always is in Houston,” said Goodwin, who has displayed his wares at 15 of the 16 January show promoted by Tri-Star. “The show was well-attended, excellent. There was a constant flow of people all day long. There were a lot of old customers and many new ones and we did very well. Our sales were excellent. I was able to buy some exceptional walk-in cards.
“Houston is, traditionally, more of a selling market, but this show had a lot of good walk-in purchases.”
Goodwin added: “It was a great show to kick off the year. The award is a real honor. It was something very special to be singled out among so many other great dealers.”
Tri-Star’s next show is April 12-14 at the Royal Plaza Trade Center in Massachusetts. Magic Johnson is scheduled to appear and, no doubt, members of the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots will be present. (Exact names were not available at press time.)
Tri-Star is holding private signings in early-March with Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady, Antowain Smith and David Patten who scored a second-quarter touchdown in the Super Bowl.
“We have a lot of exciting events on the
horizon,” Fuerst said. “It
looked like the Houston show set the tone for a very promising collecting
year in 2002.”