2007 Topps Allen and Ginter's Mini Rich Hill

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.

2007 Allen & Ginter's Black Border Mini Jarrod Saltalamacchia

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.

2009 Topps Allen & Ginter Justin Masterson

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.