The National: An autograph -- or two -- to hunt down each day

Via @tristar1 ... Bo Jackson

This year's National Sports Collectors Convention is nearly here -- it's set for July 30-Aug. 3 in Chicago with a strong roster of autograph guests ready to sign for collectors who get a ticket and get in line for their moment beyond the ballpark.

Some signers are free if you attend the VIP reception on opening day of the show or buy a VIP ticket package -- a bonus for taking the time to hit every day of the show -- but landing other signers will take some planning and a few bucks.

It's tough to see everything at The National -- it's that big -- and the time it takes to work through autograph lines is valuable in that it impedes your shot at seeing it all. But, if you have wanted to meet a player and get that ink, a number of past and present stars are on the list this year. With that said, here are my picks -- skewing toward the best names for the lowest prices possible -- to grab off the autograph list during the full days of the show this year. (Keep reading for the full signers list at the end ... and, remember, times are always subject to change.)

Thursday -- Pete Crow-Armstrong (11 a.m. $168 and up)
This young star for the Chicago Cubs is having himself a year and figures to be in demand with this first National appearance in his hometown where, if his career continues to progress like it has this year, future shows and lower prices might get rarer. His fee here isn't all that cheap for a younger guy, but it is a lot lower than many names at the show. That starting price applies to up to a 16-by-20 image or ball with the next tier up $189 (other items). He will only sign licensed items, will not sign game-used inscriptions, loose jersey numbers or artwork and no more than two trading cards per person. Otherwise, though, if you can find a unique item for ink to be added this could be a spot with potential. His sig is a bit abbreviated due to his name's length but the right piece at this price could be impressive in the long run if you choose well.

Thursday runner-up pick: Sammy Sosa (3:30 p.m.) -- This Cubs legend can be had for only $101 for the basic stuff (same as PCA) or $143 for Rookie Cards and other premium items ... but that price is a sliver of what his signed stuff used to command. Given the prices on many signers at the show, I think there's good potential here. He will not sign game-used items but everything else is apparently game. Something with him and Mark McGwire could make for a nice piece for a price nowhere near as crazy as not that long ago. I picked off a Texas Rangers auto from the year before his 1990 Rookie Cards long ago ... something about those pre-Chicago cards also have some appeal to me as a lot of people will go Cubs/with McGwire first.

--

Friday -- Bo Jackson (11 a.m. $203 and up)
He's not the cheapest legend and he's not the priciest, either, and he has a lot of things he won't sign ... but he's popular in many a direction and I think something from either the football or baseball realms could be a strong addition if something unique can be found while weaving around his limitations. He won't sign "Bo Knows" or "Bo Don't Know Didley" inscriptions and will not sign artwork, bat on shoulder pad cards or photos, Tecmo Bowl stuff, jersey numbers, stat jerseys, Heisman Trophies, items with Cam Newton or Pat Sullivan Items, Tampa Bay items or his unauthorized biography. (That's a long list.) A Rookie Card is a premium item -- $245 there -- but that might be a route to consider. (I'd go 1988 Topps football ... or maybe 1987 Fleer baseball to save some bucks. Tough call.) He's popular and even if he were to sign more and more I still think he's going to be in demand later as an icon of the 1980s/1990s.

Friday runner-up pick: Diana Taurasi (12:30 p.m.) -- This college basketball legend and WNBA icon/Hall of Fame lock is $105 on any item -- so that means you can find something more deluxe (jersey, ball, oversized, game-used) and land it far cheaper for her than a lot of signers. The key is a good item or something unique -- her early in-pack autos can command serious money as the volume made for WNBA stuff back then was very low by today's standards.

--

Saturday -- Spike Lee (12:15 p.m. $159 any item)
This legendary filmmaker and sports superfan is wide open for potential nice pieces for a modest price. Something from him and Reggie Miller? One of his past card appearances? Maybe a poster, lobby card or VHS? There are many magazines ... and, oh yeah, Mars Blackmon with Michael Jordan stuff is game, too. There are not any posted limitations at all here -- and inscription up to three words can be added for $80.

Saturday runner-up pick: Jerry Rice (12:30 p.m.) -- This all-time great among NFL receivers is $210 -- cheap by A-lister standards these days -- with few limits or exclusions so something nice could come out of a signing. He does have a meaty up-charge for any cards ($315) so perhaps something from the photo realm is safer ... but a signed Rookie Card could be interesting for that same price as others. Unlike others mentioned so far, there are a number of pricing tiers based on item type for him -- so research his listing before you go there if he makes your list.

--

Sunday -- Buffalo Bills legends Jim Kelly, Andre Reed, Thurman Thomas, Marv Levy, Bruce Smith, James Lofton (times staggered throughout day)
A big-time team run can be had here on this day with some legends cheaper than others and all but two of the names here under $100 to start -- but all in one spot is priceless. Some kind of photo might get the job done best or a helmet (higher fees there) with all could be interesting. Kelly is the highest with a start price of $138 or $169 for premium items. Thomas, in contrast is $84/$125.

Sunday runner-up pick: Wade Boggs (1:30 p.m.) -- This Boston Red Sox legend and World Series winner with the New York Yankees is a show regular and his price ($84 to start) is modest considering his Hall of Fame place in the game. I think something creative tied to his chicken superstition could be a classic signed piece as finding him on cards isn't that tough. Even his fee to sign premium/better items are $105 or less with no posted exclusions.

--

A BONUS PICK ... 

Thursday-Saturday (noon to 5 p.m.) -- Chelcie Ross ($TBD)
Fans of Major League likely remember him as Eddie Harris, the junk-baller who put snot on the ball and drank Jobu's rum -- and paid the price -- but he also had roles in Hoosiers, Rudy, Basic Instinct (yep, that one scene), Bill & Ted's Bogus Adventure and more. He's signing for an extended period of times for three days at the show but prices are still TBD as tickets are not being sold in advance via TRISTAR. Instead they are available at the booth along with a few other signers from the entertainment realm. As you can see above, he's done some organized signings and inscriptions can flow as well as that rum did ... with no consequences for you other than a cool item hitting your collection.

For more details on signing fees for all guests -- and what they will and won't sign -- click here.

--

Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com. 

>> Click here to buy cards on BlowoutCards.com