Auto-Matic for the People

2000 SAGE Autograph Jamal Lewis

2012-01-29T15:36:00.003-05:00

Who is this? Former Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns Running Back Jamal Lewis.
What is this? An autograph card from 2000 Sage.
Where'd I get it? I got it at the Mansfield Holiday Inn Card Show on January 29, 2012.
How much did it cost? $1.50 (That's right, One-dollar and fifty-cents!)

Why is this so special? Jamal Lewis was drafted in the first-round (5th overall) by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2000 NFL Draft out of the University of Tennessee and played nine seasons (he missed the entire 2001 season) in the NFL and when he retired he was ranked #21 All-Time in career rushing yards with 10,607.

As a rookie, Lewis was the Ravens starting running back on their Super Bowl XXXV winning team. In the Ravens victory over the Giants, Lewis became only the second rookie to rush for over one-hundred yards and the youngest player to ever score a touchdown in a Super Bowl.

Lewis' best season was in 2003, when he rushed for 2,066 yards and 14 touchdowns. At the time, Lewis was one of only five running backs to ever rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season. The highlight of the season was when Lewis set a new NFL record for rushing yards in a single game when he ran for 295 yards against the Cleveland Browns on September 14, 2003. At the end of the season, Lewis was named the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, AFC Player of the Year, and was named to the All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams. (Suprisingly, 2003 was his only Pro Bowl season.)

Before the 2010 NFL Pro Bowl, it was announced that Jamal Lewis was named to the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Second-Team.

To be honest, I was shocked to see this Jamal Lewis 2000 Sage Autograph rookie card in a $1.50 bargain box. I have found lots of great deals in bargain boxes over the years, but a rookie autograph of one of the best running backs of the 2000s for less than a pack of cards might be one of the best deals around.

2003 Topps All-American Fabric of the Game Ty Warren

2012-01-28T21:45:00.007-05:00

Who is this? Former New England Patriots Defensive Lineman Ty Warren
What is this? An autograph card from 2003 Topps All-American Fabric of America.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Ty Warren at Patriots' Training Camp in 2003.
How much did it cost? I pulled this card from a blaster box of 2003 Topps All-American in 2003.

Why is this so special? Ty Warren was the Patriots first-round pick (13th overall) in the 2003 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M. Warren made an immediate impact, playing in every game his rookie season, including the Patriots' victory in Super Bowl XXXVIII. The next year, Warren became a starting defensive end on the Patriots' team that won Super Bowl XXXIX.

Although he did not become as popular as his fellow Patriots' defensive linemen Richard Seymour and Vince Wilfork, Warren was a team leader and key piece of the Patriots' potent defenses. Warren was elected a team captain in 2007, earned All-Pro honors in 2007, and was named to the Patriots All-2000s Decade Team.

Regarded by coaches and teammates as a hard worker and a dedicated member of the community, Warren's career suffered a steep decline due to injuries beginning in 2009, when he missed most of five games because of injuries. The injury bug found Warren again in 2010, when a hip injury during training camp forced him to miss the entire season. After being released by the Patriots on July 29, 2011, Warren signed with the Denver Broncos, but missed his second consecutive season, this time with a tricepts injury.

Given his recent injury history, I think that it is fair to question whether or not Warren will ever again play in an NFL game. But, regardless of what happens in the future, Warren will always have a place as a fan favorite and productive member of the Patriots' 2000s Dynasty.

I was lucky enough to get Ty to sign at least one card almost every summer at Patriots Training Camp, but the signed 2003 Topps All-American Fabric of the America card is my favorite. Unlike some of the other cards that he signed, his signature is clear, easy to see, and well-placed on the Fabric of America card. In addition, I really like that the game-used jersey piece is from a painted part of the jersey and that you can see the white paint. Here are three more cards that Ty signed for me over the years:

2009 TriSTAR Prospects Plus Seth Schwindenhammer

2012-01-22T20:31:00.005-05:00

Who is this? Red Sox Minor League Outfielder Seth Schwindenhammer
What is this? An autograph card from 2009 TriSTAR Prospects Plus
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Seth at the 2011 New York-Penn League All-State Game in Lowell, MA in August.
How much did it cost? I got it when I bought a set of 2009 TriSTAR Prospects Plus.

Why is this so special? If he ever reaches the Major Leagues, Seth Schwindenhammer (15 letters) will break Jarrod Saltalamacchia's (14 letters) record for the longest last-name in the history of Major League Baseball. Fortunately for Salty, that record seems safe for at least a few years.

Seth Schwindenhammer was drafted in the Fifth-round of the 2009 MLB Draft out of Limestone Community High School (IL) and given a $140,000 signing bonus. Since then, he has spent his first three professional seasons playing in the rookie Gulf Coast and New York-Penn Leagues.

Seth's best season came in 2011, when he hit .213 with 9 homeruns for the Lowell Spinners, the Red Sox Short-Season affiliate. For that, he earned a spot on the New York-Penn League's American League All-Star team.

And while his statistics may not stand out, his last name has made quite a "name" for itself. In fact, Seth Schwindenhammer was a candidate in Milb.com's 2010 and 2011 Minors Moniker Maddness, a competition that allowed fans to choose their favorite player name in Minor League Baseball.

2005 Press Pass SE Alex Smith

2012-01-22T13:19:00.005-05:00

Who is this? Cleveland Browns Tight End Alex Smith.
What is this? An autograph card from 2005 Press Pass Signature Edition.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Alex at Patriots' Training Camp in 2009.
How much did it cost? I got it when I bought a set of 2005 Press Pass SE in 2005.

Why is this so special? On the day of the NFC Championship Game when QB Alex Smith will lead his 49ers against the Giants, I am shamelessly trying to generate a little site traffic with some old-fashioned "bait-and-switch."

But, since you're already here and reading this, why not learn a little bit about Edwin Alexander "Alex" Smith?

First, he was born Edwin Alexander Smith on May 22, 1982 in Nassau, Bahamas. His father, Ed Smith, played for the Denver Broncos and is believed to be the first player born in the Bahamas to be drafted in the NFL.

Second, Alex Smith attended Stanford University, where he was a three-year starter. In 2004, Alex was a runner-up for the John Mackey Award, given to the nation's top collegiate Tight End and a second-team All-American.

After college, Smith was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Third-round (71st overall) in the 2005 NFL Draft. That was 70 picks after QB Alexander Douglas Smith from the University of Utah was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the First-overall pick.

Overall, Alex Smith has had a solid career. So far, Smith has spent seven years in the NFL, playing for the Tampa Bay Bucaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Cleveland Browns catching a total of 147 passes for 1,414 yards 12 touchdowns.

In April of 2009, Smith was traded by the Bucs to the New England Patriots, but he was cut at the end of the preseason and signed with the Eagles a few days later. It was during his brief stint with the Patriots that Alex signed these cards for me. He seemed like a nice guy and cool enough to sign a total of four cards for me.

2006 Topps Total Matt Light, Dan Koppen, and Stephen Neal

2012-01-21T15:40:00.005-05:00

Who is this? New England Patriots Offensive Linemen Matt Light, Dan Koppen, and Stephen Neal.
What is this? An autograph card from 2006 Topps Total
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Light, Koppen, and Neal after a practice at Patriots Training Camp in 2010.
How much did it cost? Not much.

Why is this so special? These three offensive linemen have a combined eleven AFC Championships(4 Light, 3 Koppen, 3 Neal), eight Super Bowl Rings (3 Light, 2 Koppen, 3 Neal), four Pro Bowls (3 Light, 2 Koppen), two members of the Patriots All-2000s Decade Team (Light and Koppen), and one member of the National Wrestling Hall-of-Fame (Neal).

Matt Light was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second-round of the 2001 NFL Draft out of Purdue University, where he was a First-Team All-Big 10 selection in 2000. He was the starting Left Tackle on the New England Patriots Super Bowl XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, and XLII teams.

Stephen Neal did not play football in college; he was a Division I Wrestling Champion at Cal State-Bakersfield, where he won the NCAA Division I Collegiate Champion as a Junior and Senior. In fact, in his last championship match in 1999, Neal defeated future WWE and UFC legend Brock Lesner, who was wrestling for the University of Minnesota.

Despite not having played football since High School, the Patriots invited Neal to Training Camp in 2001, but cut him on August 26. He was then signed to the Philadelphia Eagles Practice Squad until the Patriots claimed him and added him to their 53-man roster on December 12, 2001. Neal continued to improve on the field and eventually became the Patriots starting Guard, including a start in Super Bowls XXXIX and Super Bowl XLII. He retired from football after the 2010 season.

Dan Koppen was drafted in the fifth-round of the 2003 NFL Draft out of Boston College and quickly became the Patriots' starting Center. He was the Patriots' starting Center in Super Bowls XXXVIII, XXXIX, and XLII.

I am a fan of multi-player cards, especially if I can get them signed. I think that this card looks cool, even though Neal's signature is king of smushed-in. (Neal was the last of the three that I got to sign) With three important members of the New England Patriots Dynasty, this signed card is a nice addition to my collection.

1980 Topps Steve Grogan

2012-01-21T10:17:00.007-05:00

Who is this? Former New England Patriots Quarterback Steve Grogan

What is this? An autograph card from 1980 Topps.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Grogan at the 2011 Patriots' Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in September 2011.
How much did it cost? 5 or 10 cents for the card.

Why is this so special? Steve Grogan was (when healthy) the Patriots starting Quarterback from 1975 until 1990. After being drafted in the fifth-round of the 1975 NFL Draft out of Kansas State University, Grogan wasted no time and successfully overtook former Heisman Trophy Winner and Number-One Pick Jim Plunkett as New England's starting Quarterback.

In his second season, Grogan led the Patriots to an 11-3 record, the best season in franchise history and their first playoff appearance since 1963. In addition, Grogan set a NFL single-season record for Quarterbacks by rushing for 12 touchdowns. (The record stood for 35 years until Cam Newton rushed for 14 in 2011.)

Grogan went on to lead the Patriots to the playoffs again in 1978, 1982, and 1985. In 1985, Grogan completed 17 of 30 passes for 177 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions after relieving struggling starter Tony Eason in the Patriots' 46-10 loss to the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XX in 1985.

When he retired in 1990, Grogan was the Patriots All-Time leader in passing yards (26,886) and passing touchdowns (182). Since then, Grogan has been honored as a member of the Patriots' 35th Anniversary Team in 1994, All-Decade Teams for the 1970s and 1980s, and elected to the Patriots' Hall-of-Fame in 1995. In addition, Grogan had his #11 retired and he was added to the Wildcats Football Ring of Honor at Kansas State

While his records have since been broked by Drew Bledsoe and Tom Brady, Steve Grogan remains a fan favorite and Patriots' legend. He has returned that affection by being very friendly and generous to Patriots' fans and the community. Grogan brought his own sharpie to the Hall-of-Fame ceremony in September and seemed more than happy to sign autographs for fans of all ages.

Steve was nice enough to also sign a 1986 Topps card for my wife.

2010 Bowman Topps 100 Jesus Montero

2012-01-15T21:32:00.003-05:00

Who is this? New Seattle Mariners Catcher/Designated Hitter Jesus Montero.
What is this? An autograph card from 2010 Bowman Topps 100.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Jesus Montero before a Pawtucket Red Sox v. Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees game last Spring.
How much did it cost? I paid about 25 cents for this card last winter.

Why is this so special? Jesus Montero has been one of the most highly-touted and closely scrutinized prospects in the Minor Leagues for the last few seasons. Montero has been championed as an elite power-hitter who can handle advanced pitching, while his critics point to his lack of a clear defensive position as a weakness.

After two years of trade talks and rumors, the Yankees (finally) traded Jesus Montero to the Seattle Mariners on January 14, 2012 for Pitcher Michael Pineda. Looking forward, Montero could help bring some offensive fire-power to that Seattle has been lacking in recent years.

In my experience, Montero is a reluctant signer, AT BEST. In the four or five times that I tried to get him to sign some cards, he only signed once. Luckily, I had two clipboards hanging over the SWB Yankees dugout during batting-practice and he signed two cards on each.

Unfortunately, Montero's signature isn't much to look at and he smudged his autograph on the 2009 TriSTAR Obak card. Nonetheless, I am happy to have these cards signed and I (reluctantly) wish Jesus good luck with the Mariners.

2009 TriSTAR Obak Pedro Alvarez

2012-01-14T13:13:00.003-05:00

Who is this? Pittsburgh Pirates' Third Basemen Pedro Alvarez
What is this? An autograph card from 2009 TriSTAR Obak
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Pedro Alvarez when he was a member of the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians playing against the Pawtucket Red Sox in 2010.
How much did it cost? I got this card when I bought a set of 2009 TriSTAR Obak in the Spring of 2010.

Why is this so special? When I got this card signed, Pedro was one of the best prospects in Minor League Baseball. Alvarez was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 14th-round of the 2005 MLB Draft, but chose to attend Vanderbilt and was later drafted in the First-round (Second-overall) by the Pirates in the 2008 MLB Draft.

After a solid-if unspectacular- Major League debut in 2010, Alvarez had a disappointing sophomore campaign, hitting .191 with a .561 OPS in 74 games.

Fortunately, each new season brings hopes of better things. And that hope is essential to Pirates' fans, whose historic futility needs no exaggeration. If the Pirates are going to turn things around, they are going to be counting on Alvarez to help make it happen.

Alvarez was nice enough to also sign this 2008 TriSTAR Prospects Plus card for me.

2010 Bowman Sterling Team USA Game-Used Tony Wolters

2012-01-08T19:25:00.005-05:00

Who is this? Cleveland Indians Prospect Tony Wolters.
What is this? An autograph card from 2010 Bowman Sterling Team USA Game-Used.
Where'd I get it? I got this card and several others signed by Tony during batting practice at the 2011 New York-Penn League All-Star game in Lowell, MA last August.
How much did it cost? I paid $2 for this card at a card show last summer.

Why is this so special? Tony Wolters was a member of the Team USA 18 & Under squad in 2009 and 2010 before being drafted and signed by the Cleveland Indians in the third-round of the 2010 MLB Draft. In order to secure Wolters, the Indians had to offer him a $1.35 million signing bonus, over three-time MLB's recommendation for a third-round pick.

Wolters, who currently plays shortstop, but is expected to move to second base after the Indians drafted SS Francisco Lindor in the first-round of the 2011 MLB Draft, was recently ranked as the Indians #3 prospect by John Sickels and played well in his first season of professional baseball, hitting .292 with 10 doubles, 3 triples, and 19 steals in 69 games for Mahoning Valley in 2011.

Wolters has a loopy and kind of sloppy signature that seems to be made of a T and W with some loops. He was nice enough to sign six cards for me when the American League All-Star Team was taking batting practice. Although he was only playing in Short-Season A ball, he seemed to have the swagger of a Major Leaguer and looked good at the plate and in the field.

2001 UD Tour Time Sergio Garcia

2012-01-07T10:31:00.004-05:00

Who is this? PGA and European Tour Golfer Sergio Garcia.
What is this? An autograph card from 2001 Upper Deck Tour Time.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed at the 2006 Deutsche Bank Championship in Norton, MA.
How much did it cost? About 25 cents.

Why is this so special? A member of the PGA Tour since 1999, it is hard to believe that Sergio is still only 31 years-old. (He turns 32 on Monday 1/9/2012) Since turning pro, Garcia has earned over $28 million and won seven PGA Tour events, including the 2001 and 2004 Buick Classics, and the 2008 Players Championship. During that time he has also been one of the most dominant players on the European Tour.

Garcia was a phenom as a teen, becoming the youngest golfer to ever participate in the Ryder Cup as a 19 year-old in 1999. His early success and advanced skills made many think that he would be the biggest threat to Tiger Woods' dominance on tour, but he has often fallen short of expecations.

For a short time in 2011, Garcia actually walked away from golf. Fortunately, after some time away from the links, Garcia returned and has begun to remind fans why he was considered one of the best golfers in the world.

Sergio was nice enough to sign this card for me during a practice round at the Deutsche Bank Championship. He had just completed some practice on the putting green and was headed to the First Hole to tee-off and I was the only fan there at the time.

2010 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Mike Nesseth

2012-01-05T18:42:00.005-05:00

Who is this? Phillies Minor League Pitcher Mike Nesseth.
What is this? An autograph card from 2010 Donruss Elite Extra Edition.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Mike at the 2011 New York-Penn League All-Star game in Lowell, MA.
How much did it cost? I got this card when I bought two sets of 2010 Donruss Elite Extra Edition last year.

Why is this so special? Mike Nesseth was the Philadelphia Phillies Seventeenth-Round pick in the 2010 MLB Draft out of Nebraska. After undergoing Tommy John Surgery in 2010, Nesseth made his professional debut with the Williamsport Crosscutters of the New York-Penn League, a Short-Season A-League, where he pitched well, posting a 3.21 ERA.

So, why is Nesseth notable? Perhaps it is because he has an excellent signature. But it could also be because of the way that he reminds some people of another Phillies pitcher.

As Paul Hagen wrote in the Philadelphia Inquirer in May 2011:

"(Phillies Catcher Carlos) Ruiz grinned. "He surprised me. He has great stuff," he said. "And his body reminds me of Roy."

That would be Roy Halladay, one of the best pitchers in baseball. And while the comparison is grossly unfair, it's also one that's heard repeatedly around the Carpenter Complex these days. Little Doc, they call him.

The physical resemblance is unmistakable. Halladay is listed at 6-6, 230; Nesseth at 6-5, 210. They both have short, sandy colored hair. Their deliveries have much in common.

They're even both represented by the same agents at CAA Sports.

And then there's this: Like Halladay, Little Doc has also become known as a workout fiend. "He's outstanding, one of the best workers and competitors we have in our system," assistant general manager, player development and scouting Chuck LaMar said."

It might be quite awhile before Nesseth joins Doc in the Phillies rotations, but if it does happen, remember: you (probably) read it here first.

1995 Topps Kerry Collins

2012-01-04T18:46:00.004-05:00

Who is this? NFL Quarterback Kerry Collins
What is this? An autograph card from 1995 Topps.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed in 2001 when the NFC Champion New York Giants practiced against the New England Patriots at Bryant College in Rhode Island.
How much did it cost? I got this card out of a pack in 1995.

Why is this so special? Kerry Collins was a Quarterback in the NFL for 16 seasons, playing for the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and Indianapolis Colts.

While he is unlikely to be ever by elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he would be an ideal candidate for a Pro Football Hall of a Good Career. Collins was a two-time Pro Bowl selection (1996, 2008) and led his team to the playoffs four times (1996, 2000, 2002, 2008), highlighted by his Quarterbacking the New York Giants to an NFC Championship and the Super Bowl in 2000.

Collins was the first draft pick in the history of the Carolina Panthers franchise when he was selected fifth-overall out of Penn State, where he was an All-American and recipient of the Maxwell Award, Davey O'Brien Award, Sammy Baugh Award, and College Quarterback of the Year in 1994.

Kerry was very nice about signing after the scrimmage, especially considering that almost all of the fans at Bryant College were Patriots' fans.

2008 UD Football Heroes Jim Brown

2012-01-01T12:55:00.006-05:00

Who is this? Legendary Cleveland Browns Running Back Jim Brown.
What is this? An autograph card from 2008 UD Football Heroes.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Brown after a lecture that he gave at Williams College on October 29, 2009.
How much did it cost? I paid 1 dollar for the card.

Why is this so special? Jim Brown is arguably the best running back to ever play in the National Football League and his signature is probably the best autograph that I have in my collection.

When I heard that he was giving a lecture about "Social Justice" and his "Amer-I-Can" Program at Williams College, located just a few miles from my alma mater, the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, I decided that the opportunity to get his autograph was too good to let it slip by.

So, I bought this card for $1 with free shipping on eBay, got to the lecture hall about an hour-and-a-half before the program, and tried to find the best location to wait for Jim Brown. After failing to get his autograph before the show, I grabbed a seat towards the front of the auditorium, on the aisle near the stairs to the stage.

After the lecture and a question and answer session, Brown came down the stairs (just as I expected), and I asked him if he would sign my card. And he said no. But, after more people gathered, he began to (reluctantly) sign for some kids, then took my card, and signed his name.

1988 Topps Rich Gedman

2011-12-31T10:25:00.004-05:00

Who is this? Former Boston Red Sox Catcher Rich Gedman.
What is this? An autograph card from 1988 Topps.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Rich at the 2011 New York-Penn League All-Star game where Rich was the American League Batting Coach.
How much did it cost? I found this card and two other Gedman's in a shoebox a few minutes before I left to go to the All-Star game. I assume that I basically paid nothing for the cards.

Why is this so special? Rich Gedman played for the Boston Red Sox from 1980 until 1990 before ending his career with the Houston Astros (1990-1991) and St. Louis Cardinals (1991-1992).

A two-time American League All-Star (1985, 1986), Gedman caught two of the most historic games in the history of the Boston Red Sox organization. First, Gedman caught the first nine-innings of the Longest Game in the History Professional Baseball, the 33 inning battle between the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox and Rochester Red Wings that began April 18, continued into April 19, and was completed on June 23, 1981 at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, RI. Other participants in the Longest Game included Cal Ripken, Jr. and Wade Boggs.

In addition, Gedman was the Red Sox Catcher in Game Six of the 1986 World Series, where a "Wild Pitch" by Bob Stanley (that many considered an error by Gedman) and a ball hit through Bill Buckner's legs were the difference that allowed the Mets to win the game and go on to win the World Series.

Gedman's career included an additional bizarre twist in 1987, when he, along with ten other free agents (including Tim Raines and Andre Dawson), failed to reach an agreement with their teams by a January 8th deadline and were thus not allowed to re-sign until May 1.

After retiring from baseball at the age of 34, Gedman has spent some time coaching and managing. Gedman made his return to organized baseball in 2011 when he took over as the Lowell (MA) Spinners (Red Sox Short Season NYPL A-Ball Affiliate) batting coach.

Gedman was very nice about signing the three cards that I had and his signature looks very nice.

2009 UD SP Authentic Josh Reddick

2011-12-29T14:35:00.003-05:00

Who is this? Oakland Athletics' Outfielder Josh Reddick.
What is this? An autograph card from 2009 UD SP Authentic
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Josh Reddick after a Pawtucket Red Sox game in 2010.
How much did it cost? A dollar or two.

Why is this so special? Josh Reddick, drafted by Boston in the Seventeenth-Round of the 2006 MLB Draft out of Middle Georgia College, was one of the Red Sox Top Prospects since 2008 before making his Major League debut in 2009. Since then, he has split his time between Boston and Triple-A Pawtucket, filling-in for an oft-injured Boston squad of JD Drew, Mike Cameron, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Carl Crawford.

Yesterday, Josh Reddick was one of the key pieces in the trade that sent closer Andrew Bailey to Boston from Oakland. Now an Athletic, Josh looks well-positioned to win a starting job in Oakland and reach his Major League potential.

During his time with Pawtucket, Josh was a good signer, especially in 2010. A "Good Ol' Boy" from Georgia, he used to sometimes vacuum his muscle car with a dust-buster while smoking a cigarette before games. I wish him all the best in Oakland and hope that he has a long and successful career.

Here are eight more cards that Josh signed for me during his time in Pawtucket.

2010 Topps Ross Detwiler

2011-12-28T09:55:00.005-05:00

Who is this? Washington Nationals' Pitcher Ross Detwiler.
What is this? An autograph card from 2010 Topps.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Ross before a Pawtucket Red Sox v. Syracuse Chiefs game in Spring 2010.
How much did it cost? I got the card when I bought the 2010 Topps set.

Why is this so special? Here's a fun fact: Ross Detwiler was the first 2007 MLB Draft pick to make it to the bigs when he made his Major League debut for the Washington Nationals when he pitched in relief against the Atlanta Braves. That put him ahead of fellow 2007 draftees David Price and Matt Wieters.

Unfortunately for Detwiler, his meteoric rise to the Majors was not exactly a sign of things to come. Although he saw time in the Majors in 2009 and 2010, he spent the majority of the next three years in the Minors, pitching for Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse.

The good news is that Detwiler had his most productive Major League season in 2011 when he went 4-5 with a 3.00 ERA in 15 games (10 starts) for the Nationals. He will be 26 on Opening Day in 2012, and still has plenty of time to prove that his early rise was no fluke.

Ross also was nice enough to sign these two 2008 rookie cards for me.

2010 Sage HIT Brandon Spikes

2011-12-23T23:18:00.005-05:00

Who is this? Patriots Linebacker Brandon Spikes.
What is this? An autograph card from 2010 Sage HIT.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Brandon at Patriots' Training Camp in 2010.
How much did it cost? I got this card when I bought a set of 2010 Sage HIT.

Why is this so special? Brandon was a two-time All-American at the University of Florida, where he was a part of their 2007 and 2009 BCS National Championship teams. But, despite his stellar collegiate career, he slipped to the Patriots in the second round (62nd overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft.

When he has been on the field, Brandon has been a key contributor on the Pats' "No Name" defense. In his rookie season, Spikes played in 12 regular-season games, logging 61 tackles and one interception, but missed the last four games of the season for violating the league's substance abuse policy (allegedly for a medication that included a banned substance).

This season, Spikes has been limited to seven games and has not played since he saw action against the New York Giants on November 6th. However, although he has missed considerable time, Spikes did manage to make 44 tackles. The Patriots' hope that Spikes can make a full-recovery for the Playoffs and help a struggling Pats' Defense.

Despite his struggle to stay on the field, I still have high hopes for Spikes' long-term prospects. A competitor who always seems to be around the ball, he is the kind of player that the Patriots' had when they won their three Super Bowls.

Visually, I like how the blue sharpie looks on this card, although I thought that it was interesting how Spikes signed his name on the card.

2008 Donruss Threads Carl Erskine

2011-12-17T23:11:00.003-05:00

Who is this? Legendary Dodgers' Pitcher Carl Erskine.
What is this? An autograph card from 2008 Donruss Threads.
Where'd I get it? I got this card (and four others seen below) signed by Mr. Erskine Through the Mail.
How much did it cost? I got the 2008 Donruss Threads card when I bought the set in 2009 and the other cards here and there over the years.

Why is this so special? Carl Erskine spent his entire career, which lasted from 1948 until 1959, as a member of the Dodgers. During that time, Erskine had a career 122-78 record and a 4.00 lifetime ERA.

While Erskine may not be as well known as some other pitchers from the 1950s, he was a key piece of the Dodgers' teams that won 5 National League Pennants and the 1955 World Series; threw two of the seven no-hitters pitched in the National League 1950s; and set a World Series single-game record by striking out 14 Yankees in 1953.

In addition to his performance on the field, Erskine stands-out for his generosity to fans, as demonstrated by his willingness to sign autograph requests Through the Mail. Erskine's signature is clear and stylish, and I like the way that he seems to look for an open space to sign on the card. In addition to the four cards of him that I have sent, I also asked him to sign the Ebbet's Field card from 2010 Topps.

2001 Upper Deck Golf Brad Faxon

2011-12-17T09:17:00.003-05:00

Who is this? PGA Champions Tour Golfer Brad Faxon.
What is this? An autograph card from 2001 Upper Deck Golf
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Brad Faxon at the 2009 Deutsche Bank Championship.
How much did it cost? About 25 cents.

Why is this so special? Brad Faxon was a member of the PGA tour from 1984 until 2010, winning a total of $17.76 million in earnings. Over the course of that time, Faxon won eight tournaments, including the 1991 and 2005 Buick Opens, the 1999 and 2000 B.C. Opens, and the International. In addition, Faxon was also a member of the Ryder Cup team, received the Payne Stewart Award in 2001, and lead the PGA Tour in putting multiple times.

When he turned 50 last August, Faxon joined the Champions Tour and wasted little time before making his mark, winning the Insperity Championship. That is projected to be just the first of many Champions Tour wins for Faxon.

Faxon was also nice enough to sign this 2001 Upper Deck Stat Leaders card for me.

2009 TriSTAR Obak Junichi Tazawa

2011-12-04T08:56:00.004-05:00

Who is this? Boston Red Sox Pitcher Junichi Tazawa.
What is this? An autograph card from 2009 TriSTAR Obak.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Junichi Tazawa at the 2010 Pawtucket Red Sox Hot Stove Party.
How much did it cost? I paid about a dollar for the card in 2009.

Why is this so special? Junichi Tazawa was a bit of a sensation in the Red Sox Minor League system in 2009. Before coming to America, Tazawa had only played in Japanese Industrial League, pitching for Nippon Oil, and made unprecedented request, at the age of 23, that he not be drafted in Japan, but instead become an international free agent. According to multiple sources, Tazawa turned down bigger contracts to have the opportunity to play for the Boston Red Sox.

Debuting with Double-A Portland, Tazawa exceeded all expectations, winning 9 of his 18 starts, striking out 88 batters to only 26 walks, and posting a 2.57 ERA. Those numbers were so impressive that he earned a spot on both the 2009 Eastern League All-Star Team and the 2009 Futures Game World Team. In fact, Tazawa was scheduled to start the Futures game, but ended-up being scratched after a rain-delay. Soon after, Tazawa earned a promotion to Triple-A Pawtucket and then made his Major League Debut with Boston on August 7, 2009.

Unfortunately, Tazawa was forced to miss all of 2010 and the start of the 2011 season after undergoing Tommy John Surgery. Luckily, after struggling to recover his form early in 2011, Tazawa climbed the organizational ladder again, rising from High-A Salem, to Double-A Portland, to Triple-A Pawtucket, and back to Boston, appearing in three big-league games late in the season.

Junichi has been a good signer since coming to the United States and is unique in his willingness to sign both his Japanese and American signatures. I really like that I have his 2009 TriSTAR Obak card signed in both American and Japanese.

2008 Bowman Sterling Game-Worn Jersey Green Dan Koppen

2011-11-26T22:40:00.003-05:00

Who is this? New England Patriots' Center Dan Koppen.
What is this? An autograph card from 2008 Bowman Sterling Authentic Player Worn Pro Bowl Jersey Green Parallel Short-print numbered 076/249.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Dan at Patriots' Training Camp in 2009.
How much did it cost? I paid a total of about $5 for the Green and Blue (seen below) versions of Koppen's 2008 Bowman Sterling Pro Bowl Jersey cards.

Why is this so special? Dan Koppen has been the Patriots' starting center for the past nine seasons since he was drafted in the fifth-round of the 2003 NFL Draft out of Boston College. During that time, Koppen anchored the line of two Super Bowl winning teams in 2003 and 2004 and the Patriots' AFC Championship team in 2007. For his efforts, Koppen was named to the Patriots' 2000s All-Decade Team and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2007.

Unfortunately, Koppen fractured his ankle in Week 1 of the 2011 season, forcing him to miss the rest of the season after being placed on the Injured Reserve list on September 21.

While I love all of my autographed cards, I think that some of my favorite cards that I have gotten signed are game-used cards. There is something all-the-more special about asking a player to sign a card with a piece of their game-worn jersey on it, and it is even cooler that the 2008 Bowman Sterling cards were specifically from the 2007 Pro Bowl.

Dan has always been good about signing at Training Camp, and I was fortunate enough to also get him to sign the Blue version of the card, numbered 040/349. I'm hoping that he is able to bounce back from the injury that forced him to miss almost all of the 2011 season and return to Center the Patriots for years to come.

1978 Topps Steve Nelson

2011-11-23T22:57:00.004-05:00

Who is this? Former New England Patriots Linebacker Steve Nelson.
What is this? An autographed card from 1978 Topps.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Nelson before the 2011 New England Patriots Hall of Fame Induction ceremony in September.
How much did it cost? I bought the card for about 5 or 7 cents.

Why is this so special? Steve Nelson played his entire 14-year career with the New England Patriots and after his retirement was honored by being inducted into the Patriots' Hall of Fame in 1993 and having his #57 retired.

Nelson first made a name for himself playing linebacker for North Dakota State, where he was a two-time All-American. After graduating, he was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second-round of the 1974 NFL draft. A two-time Patriots' team MVP and three-time Pro Bowler (1980, 1984, 1985), Nelson was a defensive standout who helped lead New England to Super Bowl XX.

When he retired in 1987, Nelson had recorded a very Patriotic 1776 career tackles. Since then, Nelson has been active in the community and is admired for being one of the players that helped bring respectibility to the New England Patriots' franchise.

Nelson was very nice about signing autographs for fans at the Hall of Fame event. In addition to his 1978 Topps Rookie Card, he also signed this 1986 Topps card for me.

2010 Topps Team USA Brian Ragira

2011-11-19T20:02:00.006-05:00

Who is this? Stanford University and Team USA First Baseman and Outfielder Brian Ragira.
What is this? An autograph card from 2010 Topps USA.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Brian last June before Team USA's game against the New England Collegiate Baseball League All-Stars at Fenway Park.
How much did it cost? I got this card when I bought two sets of 2010 Topps Team USA sets.

Why is this so special? Brian Ragira was recognized as a 2011 Freshman All-American by Baseball America, the 2011 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, and a 2011 Honorable Mention All-PAC-10 after his first year as a Cardinal. Playing First Base and the Outfield, Brian hit .329, slugged .465, led the team in RBIs, Triples, and Home Runs, and had a .993 fielding percentage.

Brian was also a member of the 2009 and 2010 Team USA 18U squads, batting .386, leading the team in RBIs and slugging .649, good for second best, in 2010. In the summer of 2011, Brian played in five games as an alternate for the Team USA Collegiate Team, where I saw him play at Fenway.

A raw and powerful athlete, Brian was also a top young soccer player, competing with the U.S. Development Program 12U team, before focusing on baseball full-time and is the son of Elijah and Abigael Ragira, both of whom were Kenyan Marathon runners. And, although he was born in Texas, Brian is actually a dual-citizen of both the United States and Kenya.

If he continues his development, Brian could become a top draft-pick in 2013 and an elite prospect. Brian was nice enough to sign six cards for me before the game, and was even nice enough to sign with his appropriate jersey number for each card. In fact, he signed with a smile and thanked me when he handed me back the clipboard and blue sharpie.

2007 Upper Deck Stephen Gostkowski

2011-11-12T17:33:00.005-05:00

Who is this? New England Patriots Kicker Stephen Gostkowski.
What is this? An autograph card from 2007 Upper Deck.
Where'd I get it? My wife, Kristina, got this card autographed by Gostkowski at Patriots' Training Camp in 2008.
How much did it cost? I got the card out of a pack in 2007.

Why is this so special? Stephen Gostkowski replaced Adam Vinitari as the New England Patriots' placekicker in 2006 after being selected in the fourth-round out of Memphis, where he played both football and baseball. As a matter of fact, Gostkowski was originally on a baseball scholarship, and had to make the football team as a walk-on.

Known for his accuracy, Gostkowski is one of only two players in the history of the National Football League to score 500 or more points in his first four seasons. In addition, he led the NFL in scoring in 2008 and was selected to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams.

As you can see from the 2007 Upper Deck card that my wife got signed in 2008, Gostkowski has a very nice and clear signature. However, when I got him to sign his 2009 Upper Deck card during Patriots' Training Camp in 2011, the signature was not nearly as nice. To explain the difference, I have a few theories: (1) Gostkowski was less popular in 2008, and was more enthusiastic to sign his card for a fan, (2) Gostkowski was more enthusiastic to sign for my beautiful wife than he was to sign for me, or (3) Gostkowski was suffering from severe dehydration/heat stroke and/or was intoxicated when he signed my 2009 card. My guess is theory 1, but I could be wrong.

2008 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Wilson Ramos

2011-11-10T22:43:00.005-05:00

Who is this? Washington Nationals Catcher Wilson Ramos.
What is this? An autograph card from 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Edition.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Wilson when he was a member of the Minnesota Twins Triple-A affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings, before a game against the Pawtucket Red Sox.
How much did it cost? I got this card when I bought two sets of 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Edition for about $12.00 around Christmas-time in 2009.

Why is this so special? Wilson Ramos is one of the best young catchers in baseball. He was acquired by the Washington Nations from the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline in 2010 in exchange for closer Matt Capps. In his first full-season in the Majors in 2011, Ramos batted .267 with 15 homeruns in 113 games.

Unfortunately, on November 9, 2011, Ramos was kidnapped by four armed men in Venezuela, his homeland, where he was playing in the Venezuelan Winter Baseball League. Ramos is just the most recent target of gangs who target athletes and their families in what has become a lucrative kidnapping and ransom business.

Wilson seemed like a very nice young man when I met him, and I hope that he is quickly and safely returned to his family. Until then, he will be in my prayers.

2008 TriSTAR Prospects Plus Ray Kruml and Addison Maruszak

2011-11-06T14:47:00.003-05:00

Who are these guys? New York Yankees Minor Leaguers Ray Kruml and Addison Maruszak.
What is this? An autograph card from 2008 TriSTAR Prospects Plus.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Addison in July and Ray in August when they were playing for the Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees against the Pawtucket Red Sox.
How much did it cost? I got this card when I bought two sets of 2008 TriSTAR Prospects Plus a few years ago.

Why is this so special? Neither Kruml nor Maruszak are top prospects, but both took the time to sign this card, which means that, regardless of whether or not either of them ever make it to the Bronx or become big-leaguers, both will always have a place in my autograph collection.

All too often, fans and autograph collectors are focused on chasing the "big fish," allowing players like Ray Kruml and Addison Maruszak to pass their entire careers barely noticed playing in half-empty ballparks across America. I like the inclusion of Kruml, a 2008 11th round-pick out of the University of Southern Alabama, and Maruszak, a 2008 17th round-pick out of the University of South Florida, in sets like TriSTAR Prospects Plus and Donruss Elite Extra Edition not just because they provide me something to get signed, but also because they memorialize their baseball careers on cardboard for all-time.

Ray Kruml was also nice enough to sign two copies of his 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Edition and two copies of his 2008 TriSTAR Prospects Plus card for me.

I thank Ray and Addison for signing my cards, and I wish they both long and successful careers in the future.

2010 Topps Daniel Hudson

2011-10-30T19:18:00.005-04:00

Who is this? Arizona Diamondbacks Pitcher Daniel Hudson.
What is this? An autograph card from 2010 Topps Series 1.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Daniel after a game against the Pawtucket Red Sox in 2010 when he was pitching for the White Sox Triple-A Affiliate, the Charlotte Knights.
How much did it cost? I got this card when I bought 2010 Topps Series 1 for about $23.00.

Why is this so special? Daniel Hudson is one of the best young pitchers in baseball. Over the course of his first three season in the Majors, Hudson has a record of 25-15 over 49 starts with a 3.19 ERA, with 267 strikeouts and only 86 walks. Not bad for a fifth-round pick out of Old Dominion.

And, not only is Daniel a rising star on the mound, he is also a very good signer. Not only was he very nice when I met him after a Paw Sox game (after security had turned off all of the lights and there were a few collectors asking him to sign in pitch black), but he has also signed cards through-the-mail for both my wife and me.

Daniel personalized the cards for both of us, something that I think is cool, and even wrote a note on the cardboard piece that I include in every return envelope to protect my cards.

2004 Score Tedy Bruschi

2011-10-23T09:09:00.002-04:00

Who is this? Former New England Patriots' Linebacker Tedy Bruschi.
What is this? An autograph card from 2004 Score.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Tedy at Patriots' training camp in either 2005 or 2006.
How much did it cost? I think I got it from a 2004 Score Patriots' Team Set.

Why is this so special? Tedy Bruschi spent his entire career with the New England Patriots from when he was selected in the Third Round of the 1996 NFL Draft until he retired before the start of the 2009 season.

Bruschi played on five New England Patriots' teams that reached the Super Bowl (the most of any Patriots' player), winning three (XXXVI, XXXVIII, and XXXIX) and was elected to one Pro Bowl (2004) and two All-Pro Teams (2003 and 2004).

Often forgotten is the fact that Bruschi was also a stand-out collegiate player. Bruschi set an NCAA Division 1-A record with 52 Quarterback sacks as a Defensive End for the University of Arizona and was a two-time All-American (1994 and 1995).

However, what might make Bruschi most memorable was his return to football after suffering a mild stroke just days after the 2005 Pro Bowl. After doctors diagnosed that he had had a stroke, Bruschi announced that he would sit out the entire 2005 season to recover. However, remarkably, he was able to return to the field on October 30 for the Patriots' game against the Buffalo Bills. For his heroic recovery and return, Bruschi was named the 2005 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

Bruschi is, and should remain, one of the most beloved players in the history of the New England Patriots. This card and signature look nice, and captures the essence of who Bruschi was as a player.

2008 UD Goudey Bobby Doerr

2011-10-15T19:51:00.005-04:00

Who is this? Red Sox Hall of Fame Second Baseman Bobby Doerr.
What is this? An autograph card from 2008 Upper Deck Goudey.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed through the mail from Mr. Doerr last week.
How much did it cost? I got this card when I bought a set of 2008 Upper Deck Goudey for cheap last spring.

Why is this so special? How many Hall of Famers sign through the mail for free and return signed cards in less than a week? My guess: just Bobby Doerr.

Bobby Doerr spent his entire career with the Red Sox, playing from 1937 to 1951, although he missed the 1945 season when serving in the Army during World War II. He made his Major League debut when he was only 19 years-old and played on Red Sox teams alongside Ted Williams, Jimmie Foxx, Dom DiMaggio, Joe Cronin, and Johnny Pesky.

Ted Williams called Doerr, who was a nine-time All-Star, "the silent captain of the Red Sox" and he was regarded as one of the best defensive Second Basemen of his generation. In fact, in 1948, Doerr set an American League record by successfully fielding 414 balls without making an error.

Doerr was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986 and his number 1 was retired by the Boston Red Sox on May 21, 1988.

Below are four more cards that Mr. Doerr has signed for me through the mail over the last two years.

1993 Topps Drew Bledsoe

2011-10-12T14:58:00.004-04:00

Who is this? Former Washington State Cougars, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, and Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Drew Bledsoe.
What is this? An autograph card from 1993 Topps.
Where'd I get it? My wife and I got this card, along with the 1993 Score card (below), signed by Drew Bledsoe after his induction into the New England Patriots Hall-of-Fame in September 2011.
How much did it cost? I think I got both cards for about 10 or 20 cents each at a card show.

Why is this so special? Drew Bledsoe was my favorite player as a child growing up in Massachusetts in the 1990s. In many ways, the history of the New England Patriots can be divided into the Pre-Bledsoe Era and the Bledsoe-Brady Era.

Drew Bledsoe was selected by the New England Patriots with the first-overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft out of Washington State. Drew lead the Patriots to two AFC Championships (1996 and 2001), was a Four-Time Pro Bowler (1994, 1996, 1997, and 2002) and Two-Time All-Pro Selection (1994 and 1996).

When he retired after the 2006 season, Bledsoe ranked Fifth All-Time in completions, Seventh All-Time in Passing Yards, and Thirteenth All-Time in Touchdowns.

After his retirement, Bledsoe has spent his time working on his Parenting With Dignity campaign and founding the Doubleback Winery and the Bledsoe Capital Group.

Drew was very personable and interactive with the fans both before and after the Hall-of-Fame Induction Ceremony. He talked casually with fans while signing dozens and dozens (if not hundreds) of autographs. These two cards will always have a very special place in my collection.

2001 Topps Richard Seymour

2011-10-08T20:49:00.004-04:00

Who is this? Oakland Raiders, and former New England Patriots, Defensive Lineman Richard Seymour.
What is this? An autograph rookie card from 2001 Topps.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Richard turning Patriots Training Camp in 2005 or 2006.
How much did it cost? I got this card out of a pack of Topps in 2001.

Why is this so special? Richard Seymour was the Patriots First-Round Draft Pick, sixth-overall, in the 2001 NFL Draft from the University of Georgia. A six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro selection, Richard Seymour was a member of all three New England Patriots Super Bowl Championship teams.

Standing at 6-feet, 6-inches tall and weighing a solid 310 pounds, Richard was the largest human being that I had ever seen in my entire life; but that didn't stop me, and my sister, from going back for proverbial seconds with the happy-to-sign Seymour. In fact, I remember that I got two cards and a photo signed and she got two cards signed before Richard got wise to us and politely shut us off.

I find it interesting that Seymour seemed to sign all of the cards off-center and to the right side of the card. While the signature still looks nice, it does appear to be a bit smushed into the corner.

2010 Topps Jenrry Mejia

2011-10-07T09:20:00.006-04:00

Who is this? New York Mets Pitching prospect Jenrry Mejia.
What is this? An autograph card from 2010 Topps.
Where'd I get it? Before a Buffalo Bisons' game against the Pawtucket Red Sox this spring.
How much did it cost? I got this card when I bought 2010 Topps Series two last year. I think I paid about $15 for the whole set.

Why is this so special? Jenrry was the Mets top pitching prospect before undergoing Tommy John Surgery to repair his torn medial collateral ligament in his elbow last spring.

Despite an apparent language barrier, Jenrry was very nice about signing autographs for fans before the game. In fact, Jenrry was generous enough to sign the 2010 Topps card, a 2009 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Card, a 2010 Bowman card, and a 2010 Topps T-206 card for me.

What makes Mejia so interesting to me is the fact that, according to his Wikipedia page, he did not begin playing baseball until he was 15 years-old, when he learned that it was a way to get rich. Then, just a few years after picking-up the sport, Mejia was signed as an International Free Agent by the Mets in April 2007 and made his Major League Debut just three years later, on April 7, 2009.

Although Mejia missed most of the 2011 season and could miss the start of the 2012 season, I sincerely hope that he will make a complete recovery and continue his remarkable baseball journey. Few players have accomplished so much in such a short time playing a sport, and only time will tell what Mejia is capable of doing when his elbow is back to 100% health.

2011 Bowman Topps 100 Ryan Lavarnway

2011-10-06T11:13:00.005-04:00

Who is this? Boston Red Sox Catcher/Slugger Ryan Lavarnway.
What is this? An autograph card from 2010 Bowman Topps 100 insert set.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Ryan when he was a member of the Pawtucket Red Sox in July 2011.
How much did it cost? I think I paid 25 cents or so for it at a card show last spring. Oddly, I have seen far fewer of Lavarnway's Topps 100 cards than just about any other card. I am not sure if it is a secret short-print or someone is hoarding them, but I just don't see as many of them as I expect to.

Why is this so special? Ryan Lavarnway might be the best slugger to come out of the Red Sox farm system in a generation. A sixth-round pick out of Yale in 2008, Ryan has quickly risen through the ranks, smashing Minor League pitching at every stop.

Ryan hit 21 homeruns with the Greenville Drive in 2009; 22 homeruns with the Salem Red Sox and Portland SeaDogs in 2010; and 32 homeruns with the Portland SeaDogs and Pawtucket Red Sox in 2011, before making his Major League debut with Boston, where he smashed two more.

But, while his bat has been impressive, the lingering question with Lavarnway has been: where he will play defensively? Originally an outfielder in college, Lavarnway moved behind the plate at Yale to boost his draft stock. And, although his catching skills have improved since joining the organization, many scouts still doubt that he will ever be more than a below-average catcher, defensively.

Ryan's immediate future is likely to be determined by two factors: Will the Red Sox offer up the cash to re-sign David Ortiz this off-season? And how long will Jason Varitek continue to play with the Red Sox? If either of them depart, Ryan could find himself with Boston on Opening Day 2012.

Ryan has a very nice and consistent signature, which shows works well on this card. He is usually a better-than-average signer before and after games, and definately worth trying to get if he returns to Triple-A to begin the 2012 season.

2009 Bowman Chrome WBC Ray Chang

2011-10-04T09:52:00.005-04:00

Who is this? Minor League journeyman Ray Chang, most recently of the Rochester Red Wings.

What is this? An autograph card from 2009 Bowman Chrome.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Ray after a Rochester Red Wings v. Pawtucket Red Sox game at McCoy Stadium in September 2011.
How much did it cost? I got this card for about five cents at a local card show last year, when Ray was playing for Boston's Double-A affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs.

Why is this so special? Ray was one of the few bright spots on an otherwise forgetable 1-and-2 Chinese WBC team in 2009. In China's three games, Ray went 5-for-11 at the plate, including a homerun. That performance brought two critical facts to light: Chang was the only member of China's WBC team to have professional baseball experience in the United States, and that he was an American citizen, born in Kansas City, Missouri.

Now twenty-eight years-old, Raymond Bo-Shue Chang has played seven seasons of Minor League baseball with affiliates of the San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, and Minnesota Twins. In 2010, playing for Boston's Double-A affiliate, Chang was a member of the Eastern League All-Star team and was named the Best Defensive Third Baseman in the Eastern League by Baseball America.

Whether or not Change ever makes it to the Major Leagues is unclear, but he will always have a tiny spot in baseball history as the lone American that helped the Chinese WBC team scratch out some level of dignity in 2009.

Chang was nice enough to sign his 2009 Topps Chrome WBC card for me, too.

2008 Upper Deck Draft Edition Wes Welker

2011-09-24T22:57:00.005-04:00

Who is this? Patriots' Wide Receiver Wes Welker.
What is this? An autograph card from 2008 Upper Deck Draft Edition.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Wes Welker during Patriots' training camp in 2008.
How much did it cost? I think I paid about 50 cents for the card in 2008, which is far more than I would spend on it now, but seemed like a good deal at the time.

Why is this so special? From a signature perspective, this autograph is crap. Wes Welker's signature is essentially W W 83.

Nevertheless, Welker has been a tremendously productive and important part of New England's offense since he joined the team in 2007. Although the Patriots have not won a Super Bowl during his time with the team, he has become Tom Brady's go to receiver and was a Pro Bowler in 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Hopefully the Patriots can reverse their playoff skid in 2011 and finally find their way back to the Super Bowl. If they do so, there is no doubt that it will be due, at least in part, to the consistent excellence of Wes Welker.

2007 Topps Allen and Ginter's Mini Rich Hill

2011-09-12T19:58:00.004-04:00

Who is this? Boston Red Sox pitcher Rich Hill.
What is this? An autograph mini card from 2007 Topps Allen and Ginter's.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Rich earlier this season when he was a member of the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.
How much did it cost? Not much. I found this card in a nickel or dime box at my local card show in Mansfield, MA.

Why is this so special? Rich Hill is one of the nicest players that I have had the pleasure to meet since I began collecting baseball autographs three years ago. Born in Boston, MA, Hill attended Milton High School before attending the University of Michigan. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the second round of the 2002 draft and made his Major League debut with the Cubs in 2005.

Now 31 years old, Hill has played parts of seven seasons in the Major Leagues with the Cubs, Orioles, and Red Sox. His best seasons came in 2007 as a member of the Cubs when he finished eighth in the NL with 8.446 strikeouts per 9 innings and a WHIP of 1.195. Unfortunately, Hill struggled in 2009, forcing his return to the Minors.

Hill appeared to have turned things around with the Red Sox out of the bullpen in 2010 and 2011, not allowing a single run in 12 innings pitched while striking out 15 batters. However, just as things appeared to be getting better, Hill was found to have an elbow injury that required season-ending Tommy John Surgery early in the 2011season.

Hopefully Hill will recover quickly and be back to the Boston bullpen in 2012.

2010 Topps Neil Walker

2011-09-04T11:29:00.004-04:00

Who is this? Pittsburgh Pirates Second Baseman Neil Walker.
What is this? An autograph card from 2010 Topps Series 1.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Neil when he was a member of the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians before a game against the Pawtucket Red Sox in 2010.
How much did it cost? I got the card when I bought the 2010 Topps Series 1 set.

Why is this so special? Neil Walker had a tremendous 2010 season that earned him a place on both Baseball America's and Topps Major League All-Rookie teams. He has been solid at the plate and in the field and is a major reason why the Pittsburgh Pirates have regained respectability.

In addition, this is one of the best 2010 Topps cards that I have gotten signed thus far in my quest to get as many cards from the set signed as possible. To see my 2010 Topps Autograph Project, click here.

2007 Allen & Ginter's Black Border Mini Jarrod Saltalamacchia

2011-08-28T22:48:00.006-04:00

Who is this? Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
What is this? An autographed black bordered mini card from 2007 Topps Allen & Ginters.
Where'd I get it? Jarrod signed this card for me before a game last year when he was playing for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.
How much did it cost? I got the card for 15 cents at my local card show last July. I bought it because I love mini cards and I buy every short-printed mini card that I can find for less than 25 cents.

The buy was made even better when the Red Sox acquired Saltalamacchia about a week or so later and he was assigned to the Paw Sox.

Why is this so special? If he only had one at bat in his entire career, Jarrod would still have a special place in baseball history by holding the record for the longest last name in the history of MLB with 14 letters. Fortunately for Salty and the Red Sox, he has really put things together this year and is a major reason why the Red Sox are in first place in the American League East as they go into September.

The card looks great, and autographs always look fantastic on Allen & Ginter's. Jarrod was very friendly and a great signer when he was in Pawtucket last season and I hope that he continues to find success with Boston.

1999 Pacific Troy Brown

2011-08-27T12:57:00.005-04:00

Who is this? Former New England Patriots wide receiver, cornerback, and punt returner Troy Brown.
What is this? An autograph card from 1999 Pacific.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed at Patriots' training camp in 2001 or 2002.
How much did it cost? I got it when I bought the team set in 1999. I probably paid $5 or so for the set.

Why is this so special? Other than Tom Brady, Troy Brown was perhaps the most important player on the New England Patriots' teams that won three Super Bowls between the 2001 and 2004 seasons.

Drafted in the eighth-round of the 1993 draft out of Marshall, Brown spent most of his first four seasons as a Special Teams ace before having a breakout 1997 season when he had 41 receptions and 6 TD catches.

Brown had his best statistical season in 2001, when he caught 101 passes, including 5 touchdowns on his way to a Pro Bowl and All-Pro season.

In 2004 the Patriots turned to their leader to take on a new challenge: playing cornerback. Ravaged by injuries in the secondary, Brown may have helped save the Patriots' season, intercepting three passes and recovering two fumbles.

Brown retired as the Patriots' all-time leader in receptions, was a member of the New England Patriots 50th Anniversary Team, is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, and is one of the most beloved players in the history of New England sports.

2009 Upper Deck Signature Stars Garin Cecchini

2011-08-18T10:21:00.006-04:00

Who is this? Red Sox Third Base Prospect Garin Cecchini.
What is this? An autograph card from 2009 Upper Deck Signature Stars.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Garin before the New York-Penn League Short-Season A-League All-Star Game in Lowell, MA on Tuesday.
How much did it cost? I bought this card for about ten cents a year ago.

Why is this so special? Garin was the Red Sox fourth-round pick in 2010 and he received a $1.31 million signing bonus to lure him away from attending LSU. A former member of the Team USA 18U squad, Cecchini lead the team in doubles and slugging percentage during the Pan Am Junior Championships, besting teammates Bryce Harper and Manny Machado.

Garin made his professional debut this season for the Red Sox Short-Season Affiliate Lowell Spinners. In 32 games, Cecchini batted .298 with 3 HR, 12 2B, 23 RBI, 12 SB, and an .898 OPS, impressive enough to earn a spot on the NYPL American League All-Star Team. Unfortunately, Garin injured his forearm on July 23 and is likely to miss the rest of the season. Nonetheless, even in his limited time, Cecchini demonstrated the above-average tools that made him a Top 10 Prospect for the Red Sox before the 2011 season and he should begin next season with the Low-A Greenville Drive.

Garin signed a total of six cards for me. Knowing that he is religious and that he used religious themes for his 2009 Upper Deck Team USA Inscriptions cards, I asked him to include a bible verse on some of the cards. He signed my 2011 Bowman card with Psalm 83:18 (That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.), telling me that he has that verse on his glove.

I had heard rumors that Garin was a tough sign, but he was very friendly and talkative with fans.

1987 Topps Tim Raines

2011-08-15T20:56:00.000-04:00

Who is this? Newark Bears manager Tim Raines
What is this? An autographed 1987 Topps card
Where'd I get it? Raines signed it before a Bears game last week
How much did it cost? 1987 Topps cards seem to spontaneously appear, and the autograph itself was free

Why is this so special? Tim Raines is a seven-time All-Star, and was the MVP of the 1987 game. He has three World Series rings (two with the Yankees and one with the White Sox) and had his number retired by the Montreal Expos. Raines has 808 career stolen bases, fifth all-time in major league history.

I don't think that Raines really enjoys signing autographs, but he does it for the handful of fans that come to Newark Bears games. His signature is impressively legible.

2009 Topps Allen & Ginter Justin Masterson

2011-08-14T22:30:00.005-04:00

Who is this? Cleveland Indians starting Pitcher Justin Masterson.
What is this? An autograph card from 2009 Topps Allen & Ginter.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed through the mail by Justin in August of 2009, right after he was traded from the Red Sox to the Indians.
How much did it cost? I paid 50 cents for the card, plus postage.

Why is this so special? This is the first card that I ever got signed through the mail and kicked-off my Justin Masterson super-collection. Justin is/was (I havn't sent him anything since Sping Training and he has had a monster year in 2011) a great signer through the mail and seems like a very decent and down-to-earth king of person.

The A&G cards look fantastic signed and this autograph helped start my hobby of getting cards signed through the mail.

2005 DBC Ticket Tiger Woods Autograph

2011-08-03T13:41:00.003-04:00

Who is this? Tiger Woods.
What is this? An autograph ticket from the 2005 Deutsche Bank Championship Gold Tournament.
Where'd I get it? I got this ticket signed by Tiger during his practice round on August 31, 2005.
How much did it cost? My uncle got the ticket for me, and I think that it cost around $20.
Why is this so special? Tiger Woods is one of the greatest golfers of all-time and his autographs is one of the most difficult and valuable signatures of any modern athlete. While I do not support some of the decisions that he made off the course, watching Tiger golf was one of the best sports memories that I have ever had.

Tiger's signature is clear and legible and looks great on the ticket that features him and Vijay Singh. This is one of, if not THE, best autographs that I have ever got in-person and is one of the centerpieces of my collection.

Here is a close-up of Tiger's signature:

2010 Topps USA Brian Johnson

2011-08-01T10:00:00.003-04:00

Who is this? Pitcher/Designated Hitter Brian Johnson of the Florida Gators, Team USA, and Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League.
What is this? An autograph card from the 2010 Topps Team USA Box set.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Brian before a Yarmouth-Dennis game against the Brewster Whitecaps last week.
How much did it cost? I bought the whole set for around $9.

Why is this so special? It isn't everyday that you find a pitcher who is also one of the best hitters in college baseball. Brian has been an important part of Florida's College World Series teams in 2010 and 2011 and is one of the most interesting prospects in the 2012 draft.

While his signature does leave something to be desired, the blue ink does look sharp and he was nice enough to sign three cards for me (two 2010 Topps and one Bowman Platinum).

2010 Topps Pro Debut Collin Cowgill

2011-07-27T08:00:00.000-04:00

Who is this? Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Collin Cowgill
What is this? A signed 2010 Topps Pro Debut card
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Cowgill at the beginning of July and asked him to sign it; I got it back on Monday.
How much did it cost? I got the card out of a box that cost approximately $30 last winter

Why is this so special? Cowgill came to my attention for his somewhat unusual name. When I looked him up online, I saw that he was having a great year for Reno in the Pacific Coast League. He hit for the cycle in June, and was batting .354 with 13 home runs and 70 RBI in 98 Triple A games when the Diamondbacks called him up.

Last night, he made his big league debut and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Hopefully he has better days ahead of him.

Cowgill has a loopy signature, and not much is readable beyond his initials. The silver pen was an interesting choice. Still, I'm happy to have this autograph in my collection.

1997 Collectors' Choice Tiki Barber

2011-07-22T11:33:00.005-04:00

Who is this? Former New York Giants' Running Back Tiki Barber.
What is this? An autograph card from 1997 Collectors' Choice.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed in 2001 when the NFC Champion New York Giants practiced against the New England Patriots at Bryant College in Rhode Island.
How much did it cost? I got the card out of a pack of 1997 Collectors' Choice when I was 9 years-old.

Why is this so special? Tiki Barber is the New York Giants all-time rushing and receptions leader and was a three-time All-Pro running back. Barber shocked many Giants' fans when he chose to retire from football in 2006 after rushing for 1,662 yards and 5 TDs in his final season. However, after four seasons away from football, Barber is attempting a comeback to football for the 2011 season.

What makes this autograph so special is how well Barber signed it. In all of my years of autograph collecting, Tiki's signature is easily one of the best-looking and clear autographs that I have ever seen. It is also memorable because the Giants players were much nicer about signing than the Patriots players, even though we were almost all New England fans.

2010 Topps Pro Debut Miles Head

2011-07-19T22:00:00.005-04:00

Who is this? Red Sox minor league First Baseman Miles Head.
What is this? An autograph card from 2010 Topps Pro Debut.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Miles before the 2010 Futures at Fenway Game between the New York-Penn League Lowell Spinners (Boston) and the Jamestown Jammers (Florida).
How much did it cost? About 25 cents.

Why is this so special? If Miles never made it to the pros, he would still be noteworthy for being one of the best Little League baseball players of his generation. In fact, as a 12 year-old, Miles hit 75 homeruns and later won the Triple Crown at the Continental Amateur Baseball Association World Series as a 14 year-old.

Unfortunately, Miles dominance did not continue in High School and he slipped to the Boston Red Sox in the 26th round of the 2009 draft. After a moderately successful 2010 season, Miles has shattered all expectations in 2011. Playing for the Single-A Greenville Drive and Salem Red Sox, Miles has hit 17 homeruns with a .954 OPS in his first 85 games and was elected to the South Atlantic League All-Star Game.

Now, things are looking up for Miles as he continues to slug his way through the minors. If he keeps up his performance for the rest of the year, it will be difficult for scouts and prospectors to ignore this 20 year-old as he charts his path towards Fenway Park.

2004 Topps Total Pete Laforest

2011-07-16T09:25:00.000-04:00

Who is this? Quebec Capitales catcher/infielder Pete Laforest
What is this? An autographed card from the 2004 Topps Total set
Where'd I get it? Laforest signed it for me before last night's game between the Capitales and the Newark Bears
How much did it cost? I got it out of a pack in 2004.

Why is this so special? If I didn't lose track of anything, this is the sixth item I've gotten signed for my own collection at a Can-Am League game this year. Most of the guys playing in the league just do not have cards.

Technically, this is not a Pete Laforest card. Sure, it's got his name on the front and his stats on the back - but the guy in the picture is current Camden Riversharks catcher Toby Hall. Not being a big Devil Rays fan, I didn't notice. Fortunately, Laforest was a good sport about it - I imagine he's been asked to sign the card hundreds of times since it came out. Still, it felt a bit awkward.

Laforest played in a handful of games for the Devil Rays in 2003 and 2005, as well as brief stints with Philadelphia and San Diego in 2007. He has 29 major league hits - including 2 home runs - in 68 games.

Laforest was a 2004 Olympian, representing Canada. He also played for his home country in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.

There are a lot of overlapping loops in Laforest's autograph. I wonder if it would be less compressed on a larger item.

1993 Scranton Wilkes-Barre Red Barons Greg Legg

2011-07-14T08:00:00.001-04:00

Who is this? Lakewood BlueClaws hitting coach Greg Legg
What is this? A signed 1993 Scranton Wilkes Barre Red Barons team set card
Where'd I get it? I wrote to the Legg c/o the BlueClaws at the beginning of July and asked him to sign it. I got it back about a week later.
How much did it cost? I found it in a dealer's dime box at a card show earlier this year.

Why is this so special? Greg Legg played 14 games for the Philadelphia Phillies between 1986 and 1987, but that's not why I remember him.

Legg played for the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Red Barons in each of their first six years of existence, though he only reached the 100 game plateau in two of those seasons. My family had relatives in the Scranton area, and every summer we'd go out to visit. Going to a Red Barons game or two was usually the highlight of the trip. While Legg was never a superstar, you have to admit he's got a memorable name.

Legg retired as a player in 1994, but he remained in the game as a manager and a coach.

Although its a bit small, Legg has a clear and legible autograph.

2008 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects Chrome Kyle Weiland

2011-07-12T16:36:00.005-04:00

Who is this? Boston Red Sox pitcher Kyle Weiland.
What is this? An autograph card from 2008 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects Chrome.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Kyle before a Pawtucket Red Sox game in June.
How much did it cost? I bought the card for 10 cents at a local card show.

Why is this so special? Kyle Weiland made his Major League debut this past Sunday (7/10/2011) against the Baltimore Orioles, but things did not go as planned. In fact, Kyle became the first player to be ejected from his Major League debut since 2008 when he hit Vladimir Guerrero in the fifth inning. Overall, Weiland's debut was a mixed bag. He pitched 3+ scoreless innings, but was tagged for six runs in the second inning.

Hopefully Weiland's debut will just be a minor bump on the road to a long and successful Major League career. Pitching for AAA Pawtucket this year, Kyle has been an International League leader in strikeouts and threw an eight-inning one-hitter against the Rochester Red Wings on June 29th.

Kyle has been a great signer all year. In addition to the 2008 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects Chrome card, Kyle also signed this 2008 TriSTAR Prospects Plus Boston Top Pick Pitchers card. I already had Stephen Fife, a pitcher for Boston's AA Portland Sea Dogs, sign the card and I only need Bryan Price, now in the Indians' organization, to finish-off the card.

2010 Topps Turkey Red Ryne Sandberg

2011-07-08T16:03:00.004-04:00

Who is this? Baseball Hall of Famer and current Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs Manager Ryne Sandberg.
What is this? An autograph card from 2010 Topps Series 1 Turkey Red.
Where'd I get it? I got the card from a nickel box at a local card show and got it autographed by Ryne Sandberg as he was entering McCoy Stadium for a Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs game vs. the Pawtucket Red Sox.
How much did it cost? A nickel.

Why is this so special? Ryne Sandberg is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame who is best known for his career with the Chicago Cubs. Sanberg now manages the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, the AAA-Affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, and is often mentioned as a possible Major League manager in the near future.

This autograph is special because it is the first autograph that I have ever gotten from a Baseball Hall of Famer in person and Mr. Sandberg was very nice about signing for the twenty-or-so fans that were waiting for him outside of McCoy Stadium before the game.

I was lucky enough to get four other cards signed by Sandberg the next day inside of the stadium and hope to get a couple more cards signed by him next time that he comes to town.

2008 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Mark Cohoon

2011-07-07T08:00:00.001-04:00

Who is this? Buffalo Bisons pitcher Mark Cohoon
What is this? An autographed 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Edition card
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Cohoon c/o the Bisons last month and asked him to sign it.
How much did it cost? The card was about a quarter, and postage was 88 cents.

Why is this so special? Mark Cohoon was a 12th round draft choice in 2008 who has enjoyed some success in the Mets' organization. He got off to a phenomenal start at Class A Savannah last season, earing a 7-1 record with a 1.30 ERA before being promoted to Double A Binghamton. After some early struggles, he rebounded and received the Sterling Organizational Pitcher of the Year award.

Cohoon began 2011 in Binghamton and was later promoted to Triple A Buffalo. Although he has had difficulties there, he was briefly considered for promotion to the majors when R.A. Dickey hurt his foot earlier this season.

Cohoon is not a hard-thrower, but he does have a reputation as a hard worker. He could be a solid, if unspectacular pitcher at the major league level.

Cohoon has simplified has autograph to include just a few letters - I'm not sure if this is to save time or because of the limited space on a baseball card. Nevertheless, it's more readable than many.

2009 Topps David Robertson

2011-07-05T08:00:00.001-04:00

Who is this? New York Yankees relief pitcher David Robertson
What is this? An autographed 2009 Topps card
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Robertson and asked him to sign it during spring training.
How much did it cost? I got the card out of a pack in 2009, and I spent 88 cents for postage.

Why is this so special? Robertson is having a career year for the Yankees, leading some to believe he should have been selected for the All-Star team. I think he was a victim of his teammates' success - there are only so many spots on the team, and they can't all go to Yankees.

That takes nothing away from Robertson's success. In 33.1 innings, he struck out 53 batters while allowing 23 hits and 20 walks. His record is 1-0 with a minuscule 1.08 ERA through Saturday's games.

Robertson is in his fourth year with the Yankees. He pitched in Trenton briefly in 2007 and 2008, but I don't think I ever saw him as a member of the Thunder. He is the brother of former Athletics and Diamonbacks pitcher Connor Robertson.

I'm impressed with Robertson's autograph. It is legible, which is not the case with many current ballplayers. I'm more impressed that he's still taking time to answer fan mail during this fantastic run of success.

2004 Upper Deck Vince Wilfork

2011-07-01T18:52:00.006-04:00

Who is this? New England Patriots' three-time Pro Bowl Defensive Lineman Vince Wilfork.
What is this? An autograph card from 2004 Upper Deck.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed at the Patriots' Training Camp in Foxboro(ugh), MA in 2005. (Normal people spell it Foxboro, snooty residents spell it Foxborough)
How much did it cost? I think I paid about a buck for it on eBay in 2004.

Why is this so special? Vince Wilfork has been one of the best and most important players on the New England Patriots since he was drafted in 2004. Wilfork was on the Patriots Super Bowl winning team in 2004 and has made the Pro Bowl three times. But, what makes Vince even more impressive in my mind is his community involvement and his treatment of fans. While many Patriots stars avoid fans and signing autographs as much as possible, Vince continues to be a great signer during Training Camp and holds many charitable events each year to raise money for Joslin Diabetes Center and The Diabetes Research Center at the University of Miami.

Wilfork's signature is clear and looks nice against his orange University of Miani uniform on the card. Of the handful of Vince autographs that I have, I think that this may be my favorite because it takes up the whole card and does not get obscured by the blue Patriots uniform.

2001 Upper Deck Golf Stewart Cink

2011-06-30T11:46:00.003-04:00

Who is this? PGA Tour Golfer Stewart Cink.
What is this? An autograph card from 2001 Upper Deck Golf.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Stewart Cink after the second round at the Deutsche Bank Championship in 2007, when he did not make the cut.
How much did it cost? I paid about 10 cents for it at a local card shop along with a dozen or so other golf cards before the Deutsche Bank Championship.

Why is this so special? The Deutsche Bank Championship is played at the Tournament Players Club of Boston in Norton, MA near where I grew up and even closer to where I now live. I used to go to a practice round and one official round of the Deutsche Bank Championship with my Uncle and cousin over Labor Day weekend. Stewart Cink's autograph is special because, despite not making the cut at the 2007 Deutsche Bank, he won the 2009 British Open Championship and has won over $30 million in career PGA tour earnings. I like the way that the 2001 Upper Deck Golf cards look and the autograph fits nicely on the card.

2010 Topps Team USA Michael Lorenzen

2011-06-28T11:10:00.006-04:00

Who is this? Michael Lorenzen, an outfielder with the 2011 Team USA Collegiate Team from Cal State Fulerton.
What is this? An autograph card from the 2010 Topps Team USA Box Set.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed, along with two other Team USA cards, by Michael before yesterday's Team USA v. New England Collegiate All State game at Fenway Park in Boston.
How much did it cost? I got the card when I bought the Team USA box set for around $10.00.

Why is this so special? This card is special to me not only because Michael is a top prospect with an elite outfield arm and speed, but because he was so nice to all of the fans. I asked him if he could sign a few cards when he was coming out of the dugout and he told me that he would as soon as he finished outfield practice. After watching him throw a few lazers from deep center right to home plate, he came back and signed for me.

He wrote a different bible verse on each card and asked me if I was a "believer." When I told him that I was he said to "Preach the word to all nations." He signed three cards for me, inscribing Galations 2:20 ("I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."), John 14:6 ("Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."), and Romans 10:9 (" If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.").

2007 Topps Co-Signers Andrew Miller

2011-06-26T19:31:00.011-04:00

Who is this? Red Sox pitcher Andrew Miller.
What is this? An autograph rookie card from 2007 Topps Co-Signers, card #100 in the set.
Where'd I get it? I got it before a Pawtucket Red Sox game at McCoy Stadium in May.
How much did it cost? I got it from a 10 cent box at my local card show at the Mansfield Holiday Inn in March.

Why is this so special? Andrew Miller played for the AAA Pawtucket Red Sox from April to mid-June of this season after being acquired from the Florida Marlins in a trade for LHP Dustin Richardson in the offseason. Miller was selected six overall in the 2006 draft by the Detroit Tiger's out of the University of North Carolina, where he won Baseball America's College Player of the Year Award as a Junior and became the first player drafted in 2006 to make it to the Majors when he made his debut on 8/30/2006 against the New York Yankees. Unfortunately, so far in his career, Miller has been unable to find the form that made him such a dominant pitcher in college and has posted mediocre numbers.

To most fans, Miller is best remembered for being traded to the Marlins as part of the Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera deal in December of 2007. However, since being traded to the Red Sox, Miller has had better control of his pitches and has recently been added to the Red Sox rotation and won his first game as a member of the Red Sox today, June 26, 2011.

This autographed card is so special because Andrew Miller is a true Major Leaguer, even when he was in the Minors. While many players with his skills and background avoid fans at Minor League ballparks, Miller was always very kind: signing autographs, taking pictures, and talking to fans. I hope that he remains in Boston and finds the success that has eluded him for too long, and will have his autographed cards as a reminder of what a nice guy he was in Pawtucket.

2010 Somerset Patriots Tim Raines Jr.

2011-06-26T13:27:00.000-04:00

Who is this? Newark Bears outfielder Tim Raines Jr.
What is this? An autographed 2010 Someset Patriots team set card
Where'd I get it? Raines signed it for me before Monday's Newark Bears game.
How much did it cost? The autograph was free, and my Dad picked up the team set when he went to see a Patriots game earlier this month. It really didn't cost me anything.

Why is this so special? Tim Raines Jr. is the son of former Montreal Expos star Tim Raines. They got to play together in four games for the Baltimore Orioles at the end of the 2001 season, and for the second year in a row Raines Jr. is playing for his father's team.

Though the younger Raines is not the player that his father was, he did appear in 75 major league games. At age 31, he still has the speed to steal bases and he's one of the best players on the Newark Bears team. However, it's unlikely that he'll have another chance to play affiliated baseball at this point in his career.

Below is a Bowman Heritage card showing Raines Jr. as an Oriole that he signed for me last year.

2007 Topps Total, Dwayne Bowe

2011-05-10T21:02:00.003-04:00

Who is this? Kansas City Chiefs All Pro wide receiver, Dwayne Bowe
What is this? An autograph card from the 2007 Topps Total set
Where'd I get it? At the Menards grand opening in Salina, Kansas yesterday
How much did it cost?The autograph was free, the card was a dollar.

Why is this so special? After a failed drug test and a bunch of dropped passes, Dwayne finally had a breakout year last season for the Chiefs. He set the Chiefs single season record for consecutive games with a touchdown with seven straight and for most touchdowns in a season with fifteen.

I am not a huge football fans by any means and I normally wouldn't have gone out of my way for this autograph. But, I just happened to be at the local card shop last week looking for some Gypsy Queen when the shop owner asked me if I was going to see Saberhagen this week. I had no idea what he was talking about, so he told me about the big Menards grand opening week schedule that includes autograph appearances from Bowe, Bret Saberhagen, and Christian Okoye. I didn't find any Gypsy Queen at the shop that day, but I did pick up two cards of Dwayne Bowe. I figured I would head over for the event just to get an idea of what it was going to be like for Saberhagen.

And, I am glad that I went since there was a much larger turnout than I anticipated. I got to the store about forty minutes before the signing began and I was amazed to see 200-300 people already there. Dwayne arrived promptly at the 6:00 scheduled start and I did not make it through the line until right before 7:30. Who know what it will be like for Saberhagen. For all I know, there could be fewer people there since the Royals aren't nearly as popular as the Chiefs are around here. But, I guess I will find out tomorrow.

I was watching a Chiefs game last year when they showed a clip of Dwayne. He said that he always wanted a bumper sticker that read "somewhere over the Dwayne Bowe". I couldn't help but laugh at that. I almost asked him to inscribe that on the card, but it looks like there wouldn't have been much room for that.

As for Bowe's signature, I have no idea what is going on with it. I can make out a "D" and his number and that is it.

Here is the other card that I got signed yesterday.

2011 Topps Gaby Sanchez

2011-04-10T07:20:00.000-04:00

Who is this? Florida Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez
What is this? An autographed 2011 Topps card
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Sanchez at the Marlins spring training camp and asked him to sign it
How much did it cost? I got the unsigned card out of a pack.

Why is this so special? Sanchez hit .273 with 19 home runs and 85 RBI as a rookie for the Florida Marlins last season. He finished fourth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, behind Buster Posey, Jason Heyward and Jaime Garcia, but ahead of Starlin Castro and Ike Davis.

His autograph is a bit tough to make out since he signed in black on a mostly dark background, but he did personalize the card to me.

2006 Bazooka Chris Capuano

2011-04-03T23:59:00.000-04:00

I don't have time to continue posting an autograph every day. For the short-term future, I'm going to change the format a little bit - on Sunday night or Monday morning, I'll share the best autograph I added to my collection during the previous week.

For the longer-term future, I'd like to add a few more contributors. Email PaulsRandomStuff@verizon.net if you're interested and would like more details.

Who is this? New York Mets pitcher Chris Capuano
What is this? An autographed 2006 Topps Bazooka card
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Capuano at the Mets spring training camp and asked him to sign it. I got it back the day before the season started.
How much did it cost? I got the card out of a pack in 2006.

Why is this so special? Capuano was originally drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Shortly after making his big league debut in 2003, Capuano was included in a 9-player deal that brought Lyle Overbay to the Milwaukee Brewers for Richie Sexson.

In 2005, Capuano won 18 games for the Brewers and in 2006, he was an All-Star. Then came the injuries. Capuano missed all of 2008 and only pitched 9 innings in the minor leagues in 2009 as he recovered from Tommy John surgery.

Capuano returned to the majors last season with Milwaukee. Though he was effective in limited duty, the Brewers did not re-sign the 32-year-old lefty at the end of the season. Instead, he signed with the Mets and won the fifth starter's job out of spring training.

Capuano's autograph is a little bit sloppy, but definitely recognizable.

In addition to Capuano's autograph, I also received a signed Pedro A. Martinez card last week. (I already wrote about it on my other blog, RandomBaseballStuff.com.)

1988 Star Co. Sam Horn

2011-04-02T18:09:00.000-04:00

Who is this? Former Boston Red Sox slugger Sam Horn
What is this? An autographed card from an 11-card set produced by Star. Co. in 1988.
Where'd I get it? Bought from a local card show dealer
How much did it cost? 50 cents (you can get your own full set for $32.95 on eBay if you want; I just have the signed checklist card.)

Why is this so special? Sam Horn was once a highly-regarded prospect. He hit 14 home runs in 158 at-bats for the 1987 Red Sox as a rookie. He never lived up to the expectations fueled by that early success, but he did play in the majors for parts of 8 seasons and went on to play in Taiwan.

Horn currently works for the New England Sports Network as a baseball analyst.

Horn's autograph is clear and easy to read, but the signatures on the Star Co. cards look very different from the other Sam Horn autographs I've seen on the internet.

2008 Topps Josh Johnson

2011-04-01T23:32:00.000-04:00

Who is this? Florida Marlins pitcher Josh Johnson
What is this? An autographed 2008 Topps card
Where'd I get it? I bought it from former Mike Pelfrey collector Anthony when he decided to get out of the baseball card hobby last fall.

Why is this so special? Josh Johnson is a two-time All-Star and the best pitcher in the Florida Marlins rotation. I watched him hold the Mets hitless for six innings earlier tonight en route to a 6-2 Opening Day victory. Johnson has a lifetime 8-1 record against the Mets in 13 games.

Though Johnson only had an 11-6 record last year, he led the National League in ERA (2.30) and adjusted ERA+ (182) last season. It's scary how good Johnson could be with better defense behind him.

Johnson's autograph isn't particularly pretty, but it's easy to make out his initials.

2009 Somerset Patriots Teuris Olivares

2011-03-31T07:00:00.000-04:00

Who is this? former Somerset Patriots infielder Teuris Olivares
What is this? An autographed card from the Somerset Patriots 2009 team set.
Where'd I get it? Oilvares signed it for me last September before the final Newark Bears home "game" of the season. (It got rained out after an inning or two were played.)

Why is this so special? Since the 2011 baseball season will officially begin in a few hours, I wanted to make sure I posted the final autograph I got at the ballpark in 2010.

Teuris Olivares signed with the New York Yankees as an undrafted free agent in 1995. He spent 9 seasons in their farm system. Since 2005, he's played in the Atlantic League, primarily with the Somerset Patriots.

When I went to Patriots games, I usually took the train - there's a NJ Transit station just beyond the outfield wall. Occasionally, I'd run into Olivares there before or after the games.

He's got an interesting autograph - it leaves out a bunch of letters, but you can read the ones that are there.

1994 Signature Rookies Hiram Bocachica

2011-03-30T07:00:00.002-04:00

Who is this? Former Montreal Expos prospect Hiram Bocachica
What is this? An autographed Signature Rookies insert card
Where'd I get it? I purchased it from a dealer at the local card show this month
How much did it cost? 50 cents

Why is this so special? This is the second Hiram Bochachica card I've posted this year. The first one, from the 2003 Topps Total set, is one that I got signed in person last season. His autograph has changed a lot since 1994.

Bocachica has been playing professional baseball since 1994. He spent parts of 8 seasons in the major leagues and two more in Japan. In 2008, Bocachica hit 20 home runs for the Saitama Seibu Lions and helped them to win the Japan Series.

Last year, he split the season between Bridgeport in the Atlantic League and the Broncos de Reynosa in Mexico. For the Bluefish, he batted .282 with 8 home runs and 32 RBI in 69 games.

2001 Fleer Triple Crown Talmadge Nunnari

2011-03-29T07:00:00.001-04:00

Who is this? Former Montreal Expos infielder Talmadge Nunnari
What is this? An autographed 2001 Fleer Triple Crown card
Where'd I get it? I received it from Zach of Autographed Cards, who likely got it signed at some point last year at an American Association game.

Why is this so special? I'm not completely sure, but given my inability to identify the set without searching online, I'd say this is the only 2001 Fleer Triple Crown card in my collection.

Nunnari was a first baseman who did a better job getting on base than hitting for power. In 8 minor league seasons, he hit a total of 30 home runs. Nunnari did earn a major league call up from the Montreal Expos in 2000. He had one hit in 12 at-bats, a single off of Florida Marlins pitcher A.J. Burnett.

Nunnari last played in 2004, according to Baseball-Reference. Last season, he managed the Pensacola Pelicans in the American Association.

Almost a year ago, Nunnari shared some thoughts about baseball cards with Bo of Baseball Cards Come To Life.

I would never manage to decipher Nunnari's autograph.

2009 Topps Fredi Gonzalez

2011-03-28T07:00:00.000-04:00

Who is this? Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez
What is this? An autographed 2009 Topps Throwback logo parallel card from a Target blaster.
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Gonzalez at Braves spring training camp and asked him to sign it
How much did it cost? The unsigned card came out of a $19.99 blaster box from Target.

Why is this so special? I had been doing pretty well with my spring training autograph requests for awhile, but when I got Gonzalez's card on Friday, it was my first success in nearly two weeks. Unless I get a big run of late returns, I'm going to cut back on the number of letters I send out next year - my success rate is currently around 35 percent.

Gonzalez has the unenviable task of taking over for future Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox in Atlanta this season. The Cuban native spent three and a half seasons managing the Florida Marlins before getting fired last year. He was named the 2008 Sporting News Manager of the Year.

Gonzalez doesn't have a very pretty autograph, but I imagine it's quick to sign.

2002 Fleer Tradition Josh Phelps

2011-03-27T07:00:00.001-04:00

Who is this? Former Toronto Blue Jay Josh Phelps
What is this? An autographed 2002 Fleer Tradition card
Where'd I get it? Phelps signed it for me before a Newark Bears game last season.
How much did it cost? I got the unsigned card out of a pack.

Why is this so special? Josh Phelps was once a highly-regarded prospect. Over the course of 8 seasons, he appeared in 465 major league games for six different teams, though the majority were played for the Toronto Blue Jays. Phelps has 64 career home runs, which is the most by anybody born in Alaska.

Phelps spent most of last season with the Bridgeport Bluefish in the Atlantic League, where he hit .310 with 10 home runs and 67 RBI in 100 games. This season, he will be playing in Italy.

Phelps really did not seem to enjoy signing autographs in Newark - I had to ask him at two or three different games before he reluctantly signed a card for me. As you might expect under those circumstances, his autograph isn't very pretty.

1994 Signature Rookies Paul Spoljaric

2011-03-26T07:00:00.001-04:00

Who is this? Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Paul Spoljaric
What is this? An autographed insert card from the 1994 Signature Rookies set
Where'd I get it? Purchased from a dealer at the local card show
How much did it cost? 50 cents.

Why is this so special? I admit I purchased Spoljaric's card mostly because we share the same first name.

If I was paying more attention to baseball in the late 1990s, I might remember Spoljaric - he was a middle reliever for the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, and made a few appearances for the Kansas City Royals and Philadelphia Phillies. In total, he appeared in 195 major league games between 1994 and 2000.

Spoljaric represented Canada in the 2004 Olympics.

I think it's interesting that "Paul" is written so clearly, but Spoljaric's last name sort of devolves into a condensed scribble. Again, I cannot imagine signing 8000+ cards.

2005 Bazooka Wily Mo Pena

2011-03-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

Who is this? Arizona Diamondbacks non-roster invitee Wily Mo Pena
What is this? An autographed 2005 Topps Bazooka card
Where'd I get it? Pena signed it last year during a Newark Bears game.
How much did it cost? The unsigned card came out of a pack.

Why is this so special? Wily Mo Pena was once a highly-regarded prospect. He played in two All Star Futures Games, and represented the Dominican Republic in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. He has playing in over 500 major league games.

Last season, Pena spent part of the season with the Bridgeport Bluefish in the Atlantic League. If I recall correctly, he wasn't in the lineup on the day that I went. He was one of the last players out of the clubhouse, coming out after the national anthem, so I didn't think he would sign autographs. He surprised me, though; he kept signing even after the game started. Of course, his autograph isn't very pretty (I do think he signed the card longways.)

Here's my other one, a 2003 Fleer Tradition card.

1994 Signature Rookies Brook Fordyce

2011-03-24T23:30:00.000-04:00

Who is this? former major league catcher Brook Fordyce
What is this? An autographed insert card from the 1994 Signature Rookies set
Where'd I get it? Purchased from a dealer at this month's local card show
How much did it cost? 50 cents

Why is this so special? Brook Fordyce was a Mets prospect in the early 1990s, and at one point I hope that he would be the successor to Gary Carter. Fordyce did play in 4 games for the 1995 Mets, but he didn't stick. Fordyce did have a nice career as a major league backup catcher, retiring after the 2004 season.

I have a few other Brook Fordyce autographs obtained later in his career - in those instances, he signed his full name. On every Signature Rookies card I've seen, he signed "Brook 4-Dyce." I guess if I had to sign 8000+ cards, I would have been looking for ways to make the process faster or more interesting, too. :-)

Announcement: Looking for contributors

2011-03-23T23:20:00.000-04:00

I've enjoyed sharing part of my autograph collection with you over the past two years, but I'd like to broaden the focus of Auto-Matic for the People.

I post mainly baseball autographs because that's what I collect. But there's no reason Auto-Matic for the People couldn't feature football, basketball, hockey, celebrity or other types of autographs.

If you are interested in writing for the site and can commit to at least two posts per month, email me at PaulsRandomStuff@verizon.net.

2010 Topps National Chicle Tobi Stoner

2011-03-23T07:00:00.000-04:00

Who is this? Buffalo Bisons pitcher Tobi Stoner
What is this? An autographed insert card from the 2010 Topps National Chicle set
Where'd I get it? Purchased from a dealer at the local card show last year
How much did it cost? Don't remember... around $5, probably

Why is this so special? I can only imagine what it was like going through school with the name "Stoner."

There's not a lot to say about Stoner's major league career to this point. Though he is American, Stoner was born in West Germany (his father served in the military and was stationed there.)

During the past two seasons, Stoner has pitched in a total of five games for the New York Mets, all in relief. It's telling that though the Mets invited him to camp again this spring, Stoner was never really talked about for any of the open bullpen roles.

He does have a nice, legible autograph.

1995 Signature Rookies Old Judge Jimmy Hurst

2011-03-22T07:00:00.000-04:00

Who is this? Former Detroit Tigers outfielder Jimmy Hurst
What is this? An autographed insert card from the 1995 Signature Rookies Old Judge set
Where'd I get it? The discount box of a card dealer at the local card show
How much did it cost? 50 cents

Why is this so special? Jimmy Hurst spent 17 seasons as a pro baseball player. A 12th round draft choice in 1990, Hurst eventually made it to the major leagues for 13 games with the Detroit Tigers in 1997. He got three hits, including a home run off New York Yankees All-Star David Wells.

Hurst played home games in at least four countries during his career - the United States, Canada, Mexico and Japan. He was a star in the Atlantic League in the later stages of his playing career. He suited up for the Newark Bears, Nashua Pride and Atlantic City Surf. For the 2002 Atlantic League Champion Bears, he hit .341 with 35 home runs and 100 RBI.

Hurst's autograph is a little sloppy, but that could be forgiven considering the relatively small size of the card and the number he had to sign.

2010 New Hampshire Fisher Cats Luis Sanchez

2011-03-21T07:00:00.001-04:00

Who is this? minor league infielder Luis Sanchez
What is this? An autographed 2010 New Hampshire Fisher Cats card
Where'd I get it? Sanchez signed it for me at a Trenton Thunder game last year.
How much did it cost? I spent around $10 for the team set.

Why is this so special? I believe this is the last 2010 New Hampshire Fisher Cats team set card I have to post. (Though who knows? Maybe I'll be able to get one or two more signed this season.)

Sanchez was a late round draft pick of the Atlanta Braves in 2004 and 2005, but he didn't sign. Instead, he ended up with the Toronto Blue Jays organization. Last year, he split time between AA New Hampshire and A Dunedin, but he didn't play much at either stop.

Sanchez batted .184 with 10 RBI in 98 at bats for the Fisher Cats. He also pitched in one game.

Sanchez has an interesting autograph, but I don't think I can read any part of it.

2009 Topps Chris Young

2011-03-20T23:08:00.000-04:00

Who is this? Mets pitcher Chris Young
What is this? An autographed 2009 Topps card
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Young during spring training and asked him to sign it.
How much did it cost? I got the unsigned card out of a pack.

Why is this so special? Young began his major league career with the Texas Rangers in 2004. In January 2006, the Rangers made a fairly one-sided trade with the Padres that sent Young, Adrian Gonzalez and Termell Sledge to San Diego for Adam Eaton, Akinori Otsuka and minor leaguer Billy Killian.

In San Diego, Young was an All-Star in 2007 and twice finished in the top 10 in National League ERA. Beginning in 2008, Young's career was hampered by a number of injuries. The Mets are hoping that he'll be able to return to All-Star form in 2011.

Young has a surprisingly neat, clear autograph.

2009 Binghamton Mets Shawn Bowman

2011-03-19T19:03:00.000-04:00

Who is this? Atlanta Braves minor league third baseman Shawn Bowman
What is this? An autographed 2009 Binghamton Mets team set card
Where'd I get it? Bowman signed it for me last season after a game between the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and Trenton Thunder
How much did it cost? The unsigned team set was around $10

Why is this so special? Shawn Bowman was the Mets 12th round selection in the 2002 draft. He advanced slowly through the farm system, hampered by back problems that caused him to miss a lot of playing time between 2006-2008.

In 2009, Bowman represented Canada in the World Baseball Classic.

Last year, Bowman was exposed to waivers in April when the Mets needed to open a 40-man roster spot, and Bowman was claimed by the Toronto Blue Jays. He played in 106 games for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, batting .263 with 22 home runs and 69 RBI. After the season, he signed with the Atlanta Braves organization as a free agent and got an invitation to major league spring training camp.

Bowman's autograph resembles a seismograph line. Here's his 2010 New Hampshire Fisher Cats card.

2009 Upper Deck Sean Burnett

2011-03-18T23:19:00.000-04:00

Who is this? Washington Nationals reliever Sean Burnett
What is this? An autographed 2009 Upper Deck card
Where'd I get it? I wrote to him this spring and asked him to sign it.
How much did it cost? I got the unsigned card out of a $1.99 pack.

Why is this so special? Sean Burnett was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the 19th overall pick in the 2000 draft. He made his major league debut with Pittsburgh in 2004 and finished the season with a 5-5 record in 13 starts.

Burnett missed the entire 2005 season due to injury and spent the next two years trying to get back to the majors. In 2008, Burnett appeared in 58 games out of the Pirates' bullpen. In 2009, Pittsburgh traded Burnett and Nyjer Morgan to the Washington Nationals for Joel Hanrahan and Lastings Milledge.

In Washington, Burnett has enjoyed a measure of success as a lefty specialist. He was unlucky enough to finish last season with a 1-7 record despite having a 2.14 ERA, a 189 enhanced ERA+ and averaging a strikeout per inning.

Burnett's autograph isn't pretty - it looks like a bunch of overlapping ovals.

2010 New Hampshire Fisher Cats Tom Signore

2011-03-17T22:13:00.000-04:00

Who is this? Las Vegas 51s pitching coach Tom Signore
What is this? An autographed 2010 New Hampshire Fisher Cats team set card
Where'd I get it? Signore signed it for me before a game in Trenton last year
How much did it cost? The team set was around $10

Why is this so special? Tom Signore is evidently a well-regarded coach in the Blue Jays season. He was promoted from AA to AAA after last season. Signore only played professionally for one season, going 4-4 with a 7.02 ERA for the Helena Gold Sox in the Pioneer League in 1985.

Signore signed in silver, so you can see his autograph, but there's not much to read.

2010 Topps Pro Debut Dustin Ackley

2011-03-16T23:53:00.000-04:00

Who is this? Seattle Mariners prospect Dustin Ackley
What is this? An autographed 2010 Topps Pro Debut card
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Ackley at the Mariners' spring training camp and asked him to sign it for me. I got it back earlier this week
How much did it cost? I got the unsigned card out of a pack

Why is this so special? Ackley is the Seattle Mariners best position player prospect. The 23-year-old has been having a strong spring, though I'm not sure if he'll be able to crack the Mariners' Opening Day roster. (Perhaps someone more familiar with the Mariners can let us know how soon Mr. Ackley's Major League Debut might be?)

Ackley was the second overall pick in the 2009 draft. He made his pro debut in AA last year and was promoted to AAA Tacoma before the year was out. He went to the Arizona Fall League and earned MVP honors there.

There's every reason to believe Ackley will be a good player for many years, so I'm happy he's signing autographs. He even personalized my card.

2010 New Hampshire Fisher Cats Trystan Magnuson

2011-03-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

Who is this? Oakland Athletics prospect Trystan Magnuson
What is this? An autographed 2010 New Hampshire Fisher Cats card from
Where'd I get it? Magnuson signed it for me at a Trenton Thunder game last season
How much did it cost? The unsigned team set was around $10

Why is this so special? Trystan Stewart Gwyn Magnuson was a Toronto Blue Jays prospect when I saw him last summer. The Vancouver native was a supplemental first round draft pick in 2007, and he's put up some good numbers out of the bullpen in the minor leagues.

During the off-season, the Blue Jays traded Magnuson to the Oakland Athletics along with his fellow 2010 Fisher Cats teammate Daniel Farquhar for Rajai Davis.

Magnuson had a hard time fitting his name on the card, but he did inscribe a Bible reference to Hebrews Chapter 11, Verse 1:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

1994 Signature Rookies Draft Picks Ramon Castro

2011-03-14T07:00:00.001-04:00

Who is this? Chicago White Sox catcher Ramon Castro
What is this? An autographed insert card from the 1994 Signature Rookies Draft Picks set
Where'd I get it? card show purchase
How much did it cost? 50 cents

Why is this so special? Ramon Castro, who is two days younger than me, was drafted out of high school by the Houston Astros in 1994. He was the 17th overall pick in the nation.

I almost passed up the card because I didn't realize that the guy who played for the Marlins and Mets began his career in the Astros' organization that long ago. Castro spent five years in the Houston system, but he didn't really distinguish himself and only rose to the AA level in 1998. That year, he was traded to the Florida Marlins. In 1999, Castro made his major league debut.

Castro developed into a solid backup catcher who provides a bit of power. He never became the star that the Astros were hoping for when they drafted him, but Castro has played in 544 more major league games than most people - and he'll still be adding to that total in 2011.

Castro's autograph was neater and more complete in 1994 than it is now - you can see a card I got signed through the mail in 2008 at RandomBaseballStuff.com.

2010 New Hampshire Fisher Cats Tim Collins

2011-03-13T18:12:00.001-04:00

Who is this? Kansas City Royals prospect Tim Collins
What is this? An autographed 2010 New Hampshire Fisher Cats team set card
Where'd I get it? Collins signed it for me at a game in Trenton last season
How much did it cost? The team set was around $10.

Why is this so special? When I got this card signed, Collins was a Toronto Blue Jays prospect. Since then, he's been traded twice. Last July, the Blue Jays included him in the deal that sent shortstop Alex Gonzalez to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for shortstop Yunel Escobar. Two weeks later, the Braves sent Collins to Kansas City as part of the deal that brought outfielder Rick Ankiel to Atlanta.

Collins averages better than a strikeout per inning and seems to have a real chance to win a spot in the Royals bullpen this spring. It would be nice to see him reach the major leagues this year.

For a ballpark signature, Collins' autograph looks pretty sharp.

2003 Fleer Platinum Elmer Dessens

2011-03-12T10:27:00.000-05:00

Who is this? former New York Mets relief pitcher Elmer Dessens
What is this? An autographed 2003 Fleer Platinum card
Where'd I get it? I purchased it from Dave Berman
How much did it cost? $4

Why is this so special? Dessens has pitched in 441 major league games during a 14-year career that saw him play for 9 different teams. He has 52 major league wins to his credit, and a post-season appearance with the 2004 Los Angeles Dodgers.

Dessens had some good seasons as a starter with the Cincinnati Reds at the beginning of the last decade. In 2000, he went 11-5 with a 4.28 ERA. In 2002, he was 7-8 with a 3.03 ERA and a 143 enhanced ERA+.

For the past two seasons, Dessens worked out of the Mets' bullpen. He was 4-2 with a 2.30 ERA in 2010. Dessens had agreed to terms on a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants for 2011, but it fell through at the last minute. It's not clear if the 40-year-old right-hander will pitch this season.

Dessens' autograph isn't pretty, but it is fairly clear and readable.

2010 New Hampshire Fisher Cats Ralph Dickenson

2011-03-11T07:00:00.002-05:00

Who is this? Ralph Dickenson, former New Hampshire Fisher Cats hitting coach
What is this? An autographed 2010 New Hampshire Fisher Cats team set card
Where'd I get it? Dickenson signed it before a game in Trenton last year.
How much did it cost? The team set was around $10.

Why is this so special? In another week or so, I should be wrapping up the Fisher Cats cards I got signed last year. That team was really nice about signing autographs.

Dickenson played minor league baseball in the Minnesota Twins organization for six years before joining the college coaching ranks. He has also been a minor league manager and hitting coach for a number organizations. Dickenson will be a member of the Dunedin Blue Jays coaching staff in 2011 (thanks for the tip, Sumosid!)

He runs Torque-It-Up Hitting, which offers hitting lessons in Gilbert, Arizona.

The Fisher Cats cards are not the best for autographs because a large number of them feature players wearing dark jerseys. I tried getting some signed in silver, but it wasn't really much of an improvement.

2010 Allen & Ginter Tommy Manzella

2011-03-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

Who is this? Houston Astros shortstop Tommy Manzella
What is this? An autographed 2010 Allen & Ginter card
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Manzella and asked him to sign it this spring
How much did it cost? The unsigned card cost 10 cents.

Why is this so special? Tommy Manzella seemed to show up in every other random pack of cards I bought last year. I was going to send him one of those cards to see if he'd sign it, but I saw his Allen & Ginter card in a dealer's dime box and decided that I liked it better. Ginter cards look great signed.

Manzella hit .225 in 258 at-bats last year and his OPS was .531. The much-maligned Mets second baseman Luis Castillo hit .235 with a .604 OPS in a similar number of at-bats.

It's not really a surprise that Houston brought in Clint Barmes to play shortstop this year. Manzella is trying to win a job as a bench player.Since he's nice enough to sign autographs, I wish him good luck.

2010 New Hampshire Fisher Cats Zach Stewart

2011-03-09T20:57:00.000-05:00

Who is this? Toronto Blue Jays prospect Zach Stewart
What is this? A signed card from the 2010 New Hampshire Fisher Cats team set
Where'd I get it? Stewart signed it after a game in Trenton last year.
How much did it cost? I think the unsigned team set was around $10

Why is this so special? Zach Stewart was the number one ranked prospect in the Blue Jays system last year, though he slipped to the number five spot on this year's list.

In 26 starts at AA, the 24-year-old righthander was 8-3 with a 3.63 ERA last season. I was not familiar with Stewart when I saw the Fisher Cats last year - I knew about Kyle Drabek and some of the minor league veterans who were helping to fill out the roster.

The other autograph collectors waiting after the game seemed more excited about getting Stewart's autograph than anybody else. I'm not sure if it was because he was a tougher signer or that big of a prospect. I appreciate him taking the time to sign for everybody, but I'm glad I don't have to decipher his signature.

2010 Upper Deck Luke Gregerson

2011-03-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

Who is this? San Diego Padres reliever Luke Gregerson
What is this? A signed 2010 Upper Deck baseball card
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Gregerson this spring and asked him to sign it.
How much did it cost? I got the card out of a pack last year.

Why is this so special? Gregerson is a hard-throwing right-hander who averages 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings during his major league career. He was selected in the 28th round of the 2006 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, but was traded to San Diego in 2009 in exchange for Khalil Greene. He made his major league debut later that year for the Padres.

Gregerson has a great looking autograph, especially for a modern player.

2010 New Hampshire Fisher Cats Vince Bongiovanni

2011-03-07T07:00:00.001-05:00

Who is this? minor league pitcher Vince Bongiovanni
What is this? A signed 2010 New Hampshire Fisher Cats team set card
Where'd I get it? Bongiovanni signed it at a game in Trenton last year.
How much did it cost? The team set was around $10, if I recall correctly

Why is this so special? Bongiovanni was selected in the 24th round of the 2005 amateur draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He spent the first five seasons of his pro career in the Arizona organization, advancing as far as the AA level.

In 2009, Bongiovanni went to the Blue Jays organization during the season. For New Hampshire last year, he appeared in 35 games out of the bullpen and finished with a 6-7 record and 5.13 ERA. I'm not sure where (or if) Bongiovanni will be playing ball in 2011.

It's not easy to make out on a the dark card, but Bongiovanni has a fairly stylized autograph.

signed 8x10 photo of Amber Benson as Tara Maclay

2011-03-06T22:53:00.000-05:00

Who is this? Actress and author Amber Benson
What is this? A signed 8x10 photo of Benson as Tara from the television series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
Where'd I get it? The unsigned photo was purchased from an eBay seller last month. Benson signed it for me yesterday at a book signing at Midtown Comics in New York.
How much did it cost? The photo was around $8 shipped, but the autograph was free.

Why is this so special? "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" remains one of my favorite television series even though it's been almost 8 years since the series finale aired. Despite the silly premise, the stories were (generally) well-written and the actors made the characters seem very real.

Since Buffy wrapped up, Benson has produced, directed and appeared in several independent films and has guest-starred in other television shows. She's also written several novels and some comic book stories. The Midtown Comics appearance was to promote "Serpent's Storm," the latest Calliope Reaper-Jones novel. The urban fantasy series is about Death's daughter, who would prefer to be a regular girl but finds herself drawn into all sorts of supernatural stuff.

Given the number of autographs she's signed over the years, it's hardly a surprise that Benson's signature is little more than a smiley face and the letter "A". What is a pleasant surprise is that she still takes the time to talk to her fans and personalize the autographs.

2011 Topps Neil Walker

2011-03-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

Who is this? Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker
What is this? An autograph 2011 Topps card
Where'd I get it? I got the unsigned card out of a pack from Target & I mailed to to Walker at Pirates spring training camp to see if he'd sign it. I got it back earlier this week.
How much did it cost? Around $1, counting postage.

Why is this so special? I do believe that this is the first 2011 card I've gotten signed.

The Pittsburgh Pirates made Walker the 11th overall pick in the 2004 draft. A highly-regarded prospect, Walker rose through the Pittsburgh farm system and made his major league debut in September 2009. Last season, manager John Russell gave him a chance to play second base after Akinori Iwamura struggled.

Walker responded with a strong rookie season, batting .296 with 12 home runs and 66 RBI in 426 at-bats. That was good enough to finish fifth in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting.

Though it is difficult to see because he signing in black on a partly-dark background, Walker's signature is somewhat legible.

Signed 8x10 Brandon Laird photo

2011-03-04T07:00:00.001-05:00

Who is this? New York Yankees prospect Brandon Laird
What is this? An autographed 8x10 photo
Where'd I get it? I took the photo last summer at a Trenton Thunder game. I mailed a copy to Laird at Yankees camp this spring and asked him to sign it. I got it back yesterday.
How much did it cost? About $5 for the print and postage

Why is this so special? Brandon Laird, the younger brother of St. Louis Cardinals catcher Gerald Laird, was a 27th round draft pick of out junior college in 2007.

He played in Trenton for most of last season, though he moved up to Scranton for the last month or so. Despite missing that time, Laird was named the 2010 Eastern League MVP. He hit .291 with 23 home runs and 90 RBI in 409 at-bats for the Thunder.

Laird has primarily played third base in the minors, with few games at first for good measure. He is playing some outfield this spring and has an outside chance of making the Yankees as a bench player. I suspect he will be a trade chip to help the Yankees improve their rotation sometime this summer.

Laird's got a neat-looking autograph. I like the way he interlocks his initials.

2010 New Hampshire Fisher Cats Luis Rivera

2011-03-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

Who is this? former New Hampshire Fisher Cats manager Luis Rivera
What is this? An autographed team set card
Where'd I get it? Rivera signed it for me after a game in Trenton last year.
How much did it cost? The team set was around $10.

Why is this so special? Rivera spent 11 seasons in the major leagues, primarily with the Red Sox and Expos. He played in 32 games for the 1994 New York Mets, backing up Jose Vizcaino and Jeff Kent.

Rivera was replaced as the Fisher Cats manager by Sal Fasano for 2011. The Kingsport Mets hired Luis Rivera to be their hitting coach this year.

Luis Rivera's autograph is very neat and precise, but I have a hard time making out his name.

2004 Topps Total Scott Spiezio

2011-03-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

Who is this? former Seattle Mariners infielder Scott Spiezio
What is this? An autographed 2004 Topps Total card
Where'd I get it? Spiezio signed it before a Newark Bears game last year.
How much did it cost? I got it out of a pack.

Why is this so special? Spiezio had a 12 year major league career, earning World Series rings with the Anaheim Angels in 2002 and St. Louis Cardinals in 2006.

Last season, he appeared in 52 games for the Newark Bears in the independent Atlantic League, batting .279 with 3 home runs and 35 RBIs.

Spiezio has an ... interesting ... ballpark autograph.

2010 Topps Update Carlos Santana

2011-03-01T07:00:00.001-05:00

Who is this? Cleveland Indians catcher Carlos Santana
What is this? An autographed 2010 Topps Update card
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Santana this spring and asked him to sign it. I got it back in yesterday's mail.
How much did it cost? Postage.

Why is this so special? I was pretty lucky to get my card back - it traveled from Arizona to New Jersey in an unsealed envelope.

Santana made his major league debut last season after being ranked as one of the Indians' top prospects for several years. In 46 games, he hit .260 with 6 home runs and 22 RBI. An injury brought Santana's season to an early conclusion, but he should be ready to play again in 2011.

Though his autograph is a bit sloppy, it's more legible than some current ballplayers.

2009 Binghamton Mets Jose Sanchez

2011-02-28T07:00:00.000-05:00

Who is this? Lancaster Barnstormers pitcher Jose Sanchez
What is this? An autographed card from the 2009 Binghamton Mets team set
Where'd I get it? Sanchez signed it for me at a Newark Bears game
How much did it cost? The team set cost around $10

Why is this so special? Jose J. Sanchez has pitched professionally for seven seasons. He began his career in the New York Mets organization in 2004. He briefly made it to AAA Buffalo in 2009, his final season of affiliated baseball.

Last year, Sanchez started 27 games for the Lancaster Barnstormers in the independent Atlantic League. He was 7-11 with a 5.45 ERA.

Sanchez has a neat autograph - he signed the card on an angle so he wouldn't have to compress it.

2006 Topps 52 Rookies Tim Hamulack

2011-02-27T07:00:00.001-05:00

Who is this? Lancaster Barnstormers relief pitcher Tim Hamulack
What is this? An autographed card from one of the Topps 52 Rookies sets... I think it's from the 2006 one. Where'd I get it? Hamulack signed it for me before a Newark Bears game last year.
How much did it cost? If it's a 2006 card, I probably spent a quarter for it. If it's from 2007, I probably got it out of a pack.

Why is this so special? Hamulack, a 32nd round draft pick, spent nine seasons in the minor leagues with 5 different organizations before finally making his major league debut with the Mets in 2005. During that off-season, he was included in a trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers that brought Duaner Sanchez to New York.

Hamulack got most of his major league experience with the Dodgers in 2006, appearing in 33 games. Since then, Hamulack has pitched for minor league or independent league teams. Last season, he was 6-5 with 11 saves and a 2.35 ERA for the Lancaster Barnstormers in the Atlantic League. I'm not sure where (or if) Hamulack will be playing in 2011.

Hamulack's ballpark autograph doesn't differ much from the facsimile signature on the card.

2009 Camden Riversharks Kyle Haines

2011-02-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

Who is this? Camden Riversharks infielder Kyle Haines
What is this? An autographed card from the 2009 Camden Riversharks team set
Where'd I get it? Haines signed it for me at a Newark Bears game last year
How much did it cost? I think the team set cost $5 or $6, but I really don't remember.

Why is this so special? This scan has been sitting on my computer since last June, so it's time to post it.

Haines was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 31st round of the 2004 draft. He played in their farm system for five seasons, advancing as far as AA ball. In 2009, Haines spent time in the Indians organization and with the Camden Riversharks in the independent Atlantic League.

Haines spent the full season in Camden in 2010, hitting .254 with 1 home rune and 23 RBI in 358 at-bats. I'm not sure where (or if) Haines will be playing in 2011.

He's got a very nice autograph, particularly for a signature obtained at the ballpark.

2004 Topps Retired Signature Autographs #EW Earl Weaver

2011-02-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

Who is this? Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver
What is this? A 2004 Topps Retired Signature Autographs card
Where'd I get it? I won it in a contest run by Ryan of the Great Orioles Autograph Project
How much did it cost? It was free

Why is this so special? This is the nicest sports card prize I've ever won, and one of a relatively small number of cards signed by Hall of Famers in my collection.

Weaver spent his entire 17-year managerial career with the Orioles. His Baltimore teams won four pennants and one World Series title. His overall record was 1480-1060, a .583 winning percentage.

Despite his success, Weaver is best remembered for his 97 career ejections and legendary arguments with umpires. One argument even led to the forfeit of a game in 1977.

Earl Weaver has a great autograph - you can make out every letter.

2009 Tacoma Rainiers Doug Fister

2011-02-24T20:39:00.000-05:00

Who is this? Seattle Mariners pitcher Doug Fister
What is this? An autographed card from the 2009 Tacoma Rainiers team set
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Fister this spring and asked him to sign it. I got it back a week & a half later.
How much did it cost? Just postage.

Why is this so special? After a 3-4 rookie season, Fister spent most of the 2010 season in Seattle's starting rotation. He finished the year with a 6-14 record, but he didn't really pitch that badly - he had an ERA of 4.11 and walked just 32 in 171 innings. He should be part of Seattle's rotation again in 2011.

Fister has a unique signature - I've never seen a capital "F" quite like that.