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KC show a hit, while Clemens has
signing
By Ross Forman
July 25, 2001
Stan Musial had his fabled harmonica and, of course, played it for the fans.
David Terrell had a Sharpie pen and pictures, and he wanted other sports superstars to sign autographs for him.
Jerry Lawler had his lovely wife (Stacy, aka, The Kat, formerly of World Wrestling Federation fame) sitting to his right, and his regal crown was on the table in front of him. The veteran wrestler is, of course, nicknamed The King.
This was the annual Tri-Star Collectors Show in Kansas City, held June 15-17, at the Overland Park International Trade Center. About 4,000 attended the three-day show.
But not Jeff Rosenberg, president of Tri-Star Productions.
He was, instead, about 1,000 miles east, in New York, for a private signing session with New York Yankee sensation Roger Clemens.
And it was quite a controversial signing, at least in the eyes of the New York media members.
Clemens was, reportedly, removed from a pitching assignment against the Mike Piazza-led New York Mets at Shea Stadium. He was, meanwhile, going to sign for Tri-Star.
That, no doubt, didn’t sit well with some, er, most of the tabloid-style New York media.
“I heard some rumblings,” about that scenario, Rosenberg said, smiling. “People of New York, especially Mets fans, really wanted to talk about Roger not pitching against the Mets. But, as Roger said, he has absolutely no control over that; it’s his manager and pitching coach who control that. He did say, ‘I would love to pitch against the Mets in Shea Stadium.’”
The tabloid-style story, Rosenberg added, “was just good for talk-show debates and papers trying to sell more papers.”
Was there any concern on Rosenberg’s part, or a chance that the signing session would have been cancelled?
“There’s always a concern,” Rosenberg said. “While we hope and honestly believe we are an important part of Roger Clemens’ life, we know the No. 1 priority is Roger Clemens’ pitching for the Yankees. That’s what it comes down to. Anything that matters to the New York Yankees clearly is No. 1.
“We left the option (of changing the date of the signing) up to his discretion, and we made that real clear.
“Was I surprised by the media’s reaction? No … they’re in business to sell papers and do things to get people to listen to their talk-shows.”
Clemens, the flame-throwing right-hander who is bound for the Hall of Fame upon retirement, is in the third year of an exclusive signing agreement with Tri-Star Productions, Inc.
He signed about 750 items on June 15.
“It was a pretty exciting day,” Rosenberg said. “The demand for his (signed) product is really escalating. We’ve worked real hard over the past couple of years to get people excited about Roger Clemens’ (memorabilia). Now, the fruits of the labor are really paying off.”
In addition to signing items for Tri-Star, Rosenberg arranged Clemens signings for “select, high-profile customers and a couple of trading card companies.” Rosenberg would not identify the card makers, what they had signed or their plans.
“Suffice it to say, everyone there had a lot of fun,” Rosenberg said.
Clemens signed balls, photos, pitching rubbers and special, limited-edition 20K jerseys – made exclusively for Tri-Star. Rosenberg said the jerseys have a “K” on the back to commemorate the 20 strikeout games, thrown by Clemens, Randy Johnson and Kerry Wood. (Johnson was scheduled to sign the uniforms in early-July; Wood in late-July.)
“I think Roger really enjoyed signing the stuff, particularly knowing that Randy and Kerry will eventually sign the items, too,” Rosenberg said. “It’s pretty exciting to be involved with men who have accomplished such a feat, starting with the best American League pitcher in the game right now.”
Rosenberg said items from the signing will be available at select locations almost immediately. The jerseys, though, won’t be available until August-time.
Clemens signed for about 90 minutes.
At the Tri-Star signings, according to Rosenberg, Clemens has a, ‘Let’s get to it; let’s work' attitude. But, “he’s constantly talking. He loves to watch sports, too, especially ESPN SportsCenter. He loves to know what’s going on; he’s a huge sports fan.”
Clemens is tentatively scheduled to sign again for Tri-Star near the end of June.
“We have a big demand for Clemens-signed items, always do. Usually from New York (fans),” Rosenberg said.
At the Kansas City show, Musial, who hasn’t attended a card show in some time, was the top-signer. He penned about 750 items.
“Stan Musial always is a great guest; he always puts on a great show for the fans,” Rosenberg said.
Former Pittsburgh running back/Hall of Famer Franco Harris signed about 600 items. Other signers were Don Larsen, Desmond Howard, Drew Brees, Aaron Brooks, Jim Plunkett, Cliff Branch, Earl Morrall, Ray Lewis and Deacon Jones, plus more.
“Kansas City has a very good collector base,” Rosenberg said. “Kansas City always has a good autograph-base. They definitely came out for this show."
(Tri-Star returns to the suburban Overland Park International Trade Center Oct 19-21. Already confirmed to appear: Michael Irvin, Earl Campbell, Jim Kelly, Raymond Berry, Gino Marchetti and Harmon Killebrew.)
“I’ve heard great feedback about the Kansas City show, from all levels. Tri-Star as a company was very pleased with the show, relative to today’s marketplace and past performance in that market. Our dealers were very pleased; we had great comments from many, many dealers on how well they did. We also had great feedback from the collectors who we spoke with; they seemed particularly pleased with the autograph lineup.
“I was real happy to hear things went so well in KC, even though I was in New York City.”
Houston-based Tri-Star presents its second show this year in its hometown on July 20-22, at the George R. Brown Convention Center (Hall A). The loaded autograph lineup includes such ex-Cowboys as Troy Aikman, Bob Lilly, Ed “Too Tall” Jones and Mel Renfro. Also appearing in Houston: Preston Pearson, Charlie Waters, Michael Irvin, Marcus Allen, Early Campbell, Jim Kelly, Kenny Houston, Bill Mazeroski, Kerry Wood, Billy Williams and many, many more.
“I had a customer (in mid-June) visit our office, and he’s been attending our shows since 1987,” Rosenberg said. “The customer said, ‘I don’t know how you guys keep doing it; you keep out-doing yourselves on the autograph lineup.’”
That’s a fact. “I think it will be one heckuva show,” Rosenberg said of the Houston extravaganza. “We’re gonna have a heckuva turnout just for the Astros, and others.” Signing free autographs: Lance Berkman, Roy Oswalt and Wade Miller.
“It’s going to be a great weekend for baseball, sports and collectibles.”
Later this summer, Tri-Star will host shows in Arlington, Texas (August 24-26), and San Francisco, Calif. (August 31-September 3). It also has been announced that Tri-Star’s final 2001 show will be Nov. 23-25, at the Millennium Hotel (former Regal Riverfront) in downtown St. Louis.
“The show industry has really contracted, yet Tri-Star is in a great position,” Rosenberg said in mid-June. “Outside of the National (Sports Collectors Convention) and SportsFest, and the league shows, there just aren’t many (large) shows left. Tri-Star offers the large shows on a regular basis, and we delivery on each one. The (major) shows are few and far-between in comparison to what we’ve seen over the past five- or six-years, but the big ones are still great, fun for collectors.
“The show market has, for sure, leveled off. I think it’s going to remain where it’s at right now for the immediate-future.”