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Large turnout for Houston Tri-Star Show
By Ross Forman
August 19, 2001
HOUSTON - Lance Berkman signed free autographs for 2 ½ hours, even though he was only scheduled to sign for one hour. And he easily could have signed for another 2 ½ hours, except he had to be at Enron Field for a game against the visiting Chicago Cubs. Berkman posed for pictures with fans, personalized autographs and never once complained.
His parting gift from the show: a pizza. And also, of course, a debt of gratitude from his faithful fans and show promoter, Houston-based Tri-Star Productions, Inc.
The Astros’ superstar outfielder, who played his college ball locally at Rice University, was among 30-plus superstars attending the annual Tri-Star Collectors Show, held here July 20-22 at the George R. Brown Convention Center (Hall A).
Houston teammates Roy Oswalt, an Olympic gold medallist; Wade Miller, the National League Pitcher of the Month for April; and Tim Redding also signed, and signed, and signed, and signed some more.
Tri-Star’s 2001 summertime Houston show was, without question, one of the company’s best ever. Definitely its best summertime Houston show ever.
More than 5,000 fans attended, many enduring long morning lines outside in the heat and humidity of a summer in sweltering Houston.
“That was a good sign and I was pretty pumped about (the attendance),” said Tri-Star President Jeff Rosenberg. “I think it was a combination of things that led to a strong show. First, the Astros are playing real well. Second, the Cubs are playing extremely well, and they were in town. Third, bringing together 12 former Dallas Cowboys proved to be a tremendous draw. Fourth, shows at the George R. Brown Convention Center have been known to be top-rate. Fifth, we truly had a superstar dealer lineup. And last, but certainly not least, we had former Houston Oilers’ legends Earl Campbell and Dan Pastorini.
“It was a combination of a lot of things that all came together."
Not to mention the on-site appearance of Beckett Grading Service and PSA for the first time at the Houston show. “A lot of things came together well for us. We were real pleased with the turnout,” Rosenberg said.
“Based on the collectibles climate today, I was very, very pleased. This show proved that people are willing to pay for quality. And when you deliver, like we did, they come out.
“It really was a great feeling Saturday morning, watching the long lines of fans just waiting to get into the show. I kept saying, ‘Man, I remember when every show was just like this.’ Now, though, it’s a little more difficult to do this. (The long lines) sent chills up and down my body from pride. I was pumped, very excited.”
Former Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman was the top signer, penning about 800 autographs. Baseball Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski signed about 700 signatures. Kerry Wood, the 1999 National League Rookie of the Year, signed about 500 autographs.
No guest signed less than 300.
Also appearing: Bob Lilly, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Cliff Harris, Billy Joe Dupree, Don Perkins, Tony Hill, Mel Renfro, Preston Pearson, Larry Brown, Charlie Waters and Michael Irvin. Plus: Marcus Allen, Jim Kelly, Cliff Branch, Kenny Houston, Billy Williams, Ron Santo, Chip Caray, Jerry Lawler and Stacy Lawler.
“The numbers were real, real strong. We were very pleased,” Rosenberg said. “It was great to see the camaraderie among the guys, like the former Cowboys who were all telling stories about their playing days – and that was real cool to see and hear.”
The show attracted widespread mainstream media, from KTRH-AM, to the Houston Chronicle to various TV news crews.
“There were big, big lines and a lot of excitement; that was great to see,” Rosenberg said. “Several dealers told me this was the best show they have ever done, and this comes from dealers who have been in business for 15-plus years doing shows week after week after week, including the National (Sports Collectors Convention). Seeing so many dealers do so well really put a smile on my face.
“What this show said was: if you give people quality, they will respond. The summertime usually is a slower time (on the show scene), but this show said something about great promotion and great management.”
Tri-Star has two more shows this summer: August 24-26 in Dallas, followed by the annual Labor Day weekend extravaganza in San Francisco. The Dallas show is headlined by the autographing appearance of the Cowboys’ Doomsday Defense: Bob Lilly, Jethro Pugh, Larry Cole and George Andrie. Also appearing in Dallas: Bart Starr, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, John Dutton, Randy White, Harmon Killebrew, Gabe Kapler, Steve Owens and others.
The 14th annual Labor Day show is, as usual, loaded, starting with new Oakland Raider receiver Jerry Rice. Also scheduled to appear: Jim Davenport, Rich Gannon, Charles Woodson, Harmon Killebrew, Bobby Doerr, George Blanda, Ted Hendricks, Jeff Kent, Rich Aurilia, Shawn Chacon, Juan Pierre, Steve Carlton, Bob Gibson, Barry Sanders, Joanie Laurer (formerly played the character of Chyna in the World Wrestling Federation), Frank Menechino and Steve Sax, among others.