1997 Leaf Signature Series Alex Diaz

Who is this? Alex Diaz, a former journeyman outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros

What is this? An autographed card from the 1997 Leaf Signature Series

Where'd I get it? It was another purchase from this month's baseball card show

How much did it cost? $1

Why is this so special? Alex Diaz started his career in the Mets minor league system in 1987. He was traded to the Expos in 1991 in a minor deal, and they flipped him to the Brewers later that year in another minor move. Milwaukee finally gave him the chance to play in the majors in 1992.

In 1995, Diaz appeared in 103 regular season games for the Seattle Mariners and six playoff games. He hit .247 with three home runs and 27 RBI. He also stole 18 bases. It was his best season in the big leagues.

Diaz briefly returned to the Mets system in 1997, but he never appeared in a major league game for New York. In parts of 8 seasons in the majors, Diaz appeared in a total of 366 games, hitting .239 with 8 home runs and 75 RBI.

Diaz has an interesting autograph -- it almost looks like he tried to draw a face in the "D"

2009 Portland Sea Dogs Richie Lentz

Who is this? Boston Red Sox prospect Richie Lentz

What is this? An autographed card from the 2009 Portland Sea Dogs team set

Where'd I get it? I wrote to Lentz c/o the Mesa Solar Sox last month and asked him to sign it, along with the 2008 Lancaster Jet Hawks card I posted a couple weeks ago.

How much did it cost? The card was a gift from a friend, so just the postage.

Why is this so special? Out of the eight Arizona Fall League players I wrote to this year, Lentz and Chris Province are the only ones who signed the cards and sent them back.

Plus, the card has a pretty cool photo of Lentz warming up. You can tell that this wasn't a real game action shot because the infielder in the background is staring out into center field. You don't see photos like that make it on to major league cards very often.

Lentz still has a nice autograph for a current player, but I think his Sharpie was on its last legs when he signed the two cards for me.

2008 Topps Finest Rookie Autograph Lance Broadway

Who is this? Lance Broadway, a pitcher for the New York Mets (formerly of the Chicago White Sox)

What is this? An autograph card from the 2008 Topps Finest set

Where'd I get it? eBay

How much did it cost? 99 cents, plus shipping

Why is this so special? Lance Broadway has a perfect name for a baseball player in New York... now he just has to do something worthy of attention. He was a late season call-up for the Mets this year, but he didn't really distinguish himself in 8 relief appearances (0-0, 6.75).

The Mets acquired Broadway from the Chicago White Sox for catcher Ramon Castro in May. Broadway didn't do all that much to distinguish himself in the American League, either. His career record with the White Sox (2-2, 5.13) was compiled during 19 games over three seasons.

Broadway is just 26, so there's still time for him to improve. But he'd better start making an impression soon.

Lance Broadway has a neat, clear autograph... but that is one interesting "B" in his last name.

2000 Topps Traded Autographs Tony Pena Jr.

Who is this? Tony Pena Jr., a former shortstop for the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals

What is this? An autographed card from the 2000 Topps Traded Autographs insert set

Where'd I get it? This is yet another baseball card show purchase

How much did it cost? $1

Why is this so special? Tony Pena Jr. is the son of former catcher and former Kansas City Royals manager Tony Pena. He reached the majors in 2006 with the Atlanta Braves, but he was traded to Kansas City before the 2007 season.

He was the Royals starting shortstop in 2007, batting .267 with 2 home runs and 47 RBI. Those numbers probably would have been good enough in the 1970s, but not now. And the next year, he did worse - just .169 in 95 games. Pena's struggles at the plate continued this year; he hit .098 in 40 games in 2009, primarily as a defensive replacement.

But he's still trying. He went back to the minors and is trying to make it as a pitcher now.

Tony Pena Jr.'s autograph looks like it was definitely influenced by his father's.

1997-98 Fleer Million Dollar Moments Bobby Richardson

Who is this? Bobby Richardson, a former second baseman for the New York Yankees

What is this? An autographed card from the 1997-98 Fleer Million Dollar Moments insert set

Where'd I get it? I wrote to Bobby Richardson in June and asked him to sign it. He sent it back earlier this month

How much did it cost? The card was 33 cents at the local card shop. Postage was 88 cents.

Why is this so special? Bobby Richardson is a three-time World Series champion with the New York Yankees. As this card commemorates, he caught Willie McCovey's line drive to end the 1962 World Series, preserving the win for the Yankees and giving them their 20th title.

Like many older players, Richardson appears to take pride in his autograph and has a very readable signature. I like how he included his uniform number on the card.

Fleer ran a contest between 1997 and 1998. If you collected all 50 cards in the Million Dollar Moments set you could win $1 million. The first 45 cards were easily obtainable, but the final five were short prints to determine the contest prizes. Fleer also issued a full 50-card redemption set. I wonder if anyone claimed the top prize.

1996 Leaf Signature Series Scott Stahoviak

Who is this? Scott Stahoviak, a former Minnesota Twins first baseman

What is this? An autographed card from the 1996 Leaf Signature Series

Where'd I get it? This is the final 1996 Leaf Signature Series card I bought at this month's baseball card show.

How much did it cost? $1

Why is this so special? Stahoviak was the Minnesota Twins' first-round draft pick in 1991. He reached the majors in 1993 for a cup of coffee, but he didn't see extended playing time until 1995. He's something of an oddity - a first baseman who hit lefty but threw righty.

Stahoviak appeared in 344 games over five seasons, hitting .256 with 27 home runs and 119 RBI.

He is a member of the Hall of Fame ... the Carmel Catholic High School Sports Hall of Fame, that is.

Stahoviak has a fairly average autograph... it's not terrible, but it's not easy to read, either. (Not that my signature would look so great after signing a few thousand cards.)

1996 Leaf Signature Series Mike Potts

Who is this? Mike Potts, a former pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers

What is this? An autographed card from the 1996 Leaf Signature Series

Where'd I get it? This is another purchase from last weekend's baseball card show.

How much did it cost? $1

Why is this so special? Mike Potts was a relief pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1996. His Major League career lasted just 24 games; he finished with a lifetime 1-2 record and 7.15 ERA.

According to his Wikipedia entry, Potts went into law enforcement after his baseball career ended.

Interestingly, Potts appears to have signed the card "Mich__l P_tts"