Who is this? Jay Gibbons, a former outfielder with the Baltimore OriolesWhat is this? An autographed card from the 2008 Long Island Ducks team set
Where'd I get it? I got it signed before a Newark Bears game this year
How much did it cost? The teams set was around $8
Why is this so special? Jay Gibbons had a solid major league career, with over 100 home runs and more than 700 hits in seven seasons as an Oriole. Gibbons was named in the Mitchell Report, and hasn't played a game in the majors since.
Last year, he spent a month with the Long Island Ducks in the Atlantic League before getting picked up by the Brewers. He did well in AAA for Milwaukee, but he didn't earn a call-up. This year, he was back in the Atlantic League playing for the Newark Bears. He struggled and went home before the All-Star break. Gibbons played winter ball in Venezuela and earned the attention of the Dodgers.
Gibbons seemed like a fairly humble guy. I would like to see him get another shot in the big leagues, but I don't really expect it to happen.
Jay Gibbons does not have the neatest autograph in the world -- I can't really read anything past the letter "J" -- but I give him credit for being a willing signer. Many of his 2009 Newark Bears teammates with less major league service time were not nearly as accommodating.
Posts
