See legendary sports artifacts, players at I-X Center

CLEVELAND (WJW) — Thousands of avid sports and entertainment collectors are coming to Cleveland for what is considered the largest show of its kind in the world.

The National Sports Collectors Convention is the largest event held at the I-X Center since it re-opened after COVID-19 — more than 600,000 square feet of vendors buying, selling, trading and showing sports and entertainment collectibles, including some of the most coveted sports artifacts that exist.

Memory Lane is offering visitors a chance to see, even hold a mounted Honus Wagner card valued at more than $5 million.

Heritage Collections is displaying a Babe Ruth World Series Worn Jersey from 1932, the infamous “called shot” jersey, which the company is auctioning, expecting to sell it for more than $30 million.

“That’s our estimate for it, given the magnitude of it, how thoroughly it’s been vetted, authenticated; two separate photo matches. It’s undeniably the most important Babe Ruth jersey that’s come to market,” said Mike Provenzale of Heritage.

This is the show’s 44th year. It was last in Cleveland in 2018.

“Last year when it was in Chicago, it was their biggest attendance they have ever had for the show — we are talking 100,000 people in Chicago. From what my understanding is, we are already outpacing that for Cleveland,” said Scott McGorty of the I-X Center.

It will also feature more than 100 sports legends and entertainers to sign autographs.

“You have names like Albert Pujols, Barry Sanders, Dan Marino, Jerry Rice, Joe Montana — just to name a few. And if you are local here in Cleveland, we’ve got Manny Ramirez, we’ve got Jim Thome, Roberto Alomar, Terry Francona,” said Jeff Rosenberg, president of Tri-Star.

“Its the biggest signing of the year in the world in our business of sports memorabilia,” said Rosenberg.

“We actually have a couple of companies here. One is from Australia, one is from China, one from Japan. So the show has actually grown to go worldwide,” said Jimmy Ryan, one of the show’s managers.

On display is everything from sports cards, to political memorabilia, to Pokémon cards, and music and movie artifacts including a pair of ruby slippers that were worn in the movie “The Wizard of Oz.”

Visitors are expected to account for 10,000 room nights in Cleveland during the five days it runs.

The show opened Thursday afternoon and will run through Sunday.

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