1969 Topps Jim Hannan

Who is this? former Washington Senators pitcher Jim Hannan
What is this? An autographed card from the 1969 Topps set
Where'd I get it? Nick from Baseball Happenings got it signed for me last year

Why is this so special? Jim Hannan is a Jersey City, NJ native who pitched in the major leagues for ten seasons between 1962 and 1971. He spent most of his career with the Senators, but also pitched for the Brewers and Tigers before retiring.

In 273 appearances - mostly out of the bullpen - Hannan had a 41-48 record with a 3.88 lifetime ERA.

Though Hannan's handwriting is not especially neat, you can clearly read his name.

1967 Topps Fred Valentine

I hope that everyone had a good Dec. 25th. If you celebrate Christmas, I hope that Santa was good to you and your family. If not, I hope that you saw something good at the movies or enjoyed whatever tradition that you've developed over the years.

I don't normally post on Sundays, but I've had enough football and I don't want to go back out to shovel again right now :) So here's a bonus cards for whoever else is hanging around their computers on a holiday weekend.

Who is this? Former Washington Senators and Baltimore Orioles outfielder Fred Valentine
What is this? An autographed card from the 1967 Topps set
Where'd I get it? Nick from Baseball Happenings got it signed for me last month.


Why is this so special? I love the 1967 Topps set. It has a nice, simple design that emphasizes the photos. I'm in the minority, but I prefer the classic posed portrait shots to the standard action photos that dominate modern baseball card sets. This is a great-looking card, and Valentine's careful signature only adds to it.

Valentine played in the major leagues for seven seasons between 1959 and 1968 before finishing his baseball career in Japan.

According to Baseball Reference, Valentine and George Altman were the first players from Tennessee State University to reach the major leagues. (I now have autographs from both, though I did not realize there was a connection between the two until now.) Valentine was also an All-American quarterback for Tennessee State and could have played pro football instead of opting for baseball.

Wikipedia claims that Valentine was nicknamed "Wally the Biscuit Killer," but I don't think I believe them. (If it's true, I'd love to learn the origin of that nickname.)

1958 Topps Bob Malkmus

Who is this? Former Washington Senators infielder Bob Malkmus
What is this? An autographed card from the 1958 Topps set
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Malkmus on Monday and asked him to sign it; I got it back today. (It helps that we live in the same county)
How much did it cost? The card was a throw-in when I bought a $5 1970s Tom Seaver card at this month's local card show.

Why is this so special? This is one of the oldest baseball cards that I own, and it is the oldest one I have signed by a former player that I've actually met.

Malkmus played in parts of 6 seasons, for the Milwaukee Braves, Washington Senators and Philadelphia Phillies. He hit .215 with 8 home runs and 46 RBI in 268 major league games. One of those eight homers was given up by Hall of Fame pitcher Warren Spahn.

Malkmus currently works as a part-time scout for the Cleveland Indians. He can sometimes be found at Atlantic League baseball games.

Like most former ballplayers of his generation, Malkmus seems to take pride in his penmanship. He also inscribed one of the more famous verses from the Bible, John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [King James Version]