2008 Bowman Chrome Jason Heyward

Who is this? Braves prospect Jason Heyward.

What is this? An autograph card from 2008 Bowman Chrome, card number BCP121. The card is serial numbered 306/500.

Where'd I get it? Trade with Heartbreaking Cards of Staggering Genius.

How much did it cost? Got it in trade.

Why is this so special? Man, I haven't posted in a long time. I need to get on the ball. I've got all my 2009 pet projects more or less up and running so expect more posts in February.

Simply put, Jason Heyward is a Freaking Beast. He's the #3 overall prospect on Keith Law's top 100 prospects list and after the year he had in Rome last year, I'm not surprised. He's been compared to Cliff Floyd and Fred McGriff and some even say that Golden Boy Jeff Francoeur is just keeping his right feild spot warm for when he arrives in Atlanta. Yeah, he's that well thought of. He's also another local prospect, from Henry County, GA. Do not be surprised if he is in Atlanta very soon. I had been hunting for an affordable autograph of him since his cards started coming out in the fall of 2007 and Heartbreaking floored me when he sent this card in a trade. I've got a big surprise waiting to sent to him, but as anyone knows who's traded with me before, I'm kind of slow. I'll get to it soon though. I have to say of all the cards I got in 2008, other than the Florida Agriculture Mark Lemke card, this is my favorite.

Topps Finest: Hong-Chih Kuo.

Who is this? Hong-Chih Kuo (Pinyin: Guō Hóngzhì).

What is this? A Topps Finest autograph card.

Where'd I get it? Our favorite card shop in Albuquerque.

How much did it cost? A few dollars, can't recall the exact amount.

Why is this so special? A ding in the toploader makes it seem as though one of the robots from The Terminator is grabbing Hong-Chih's right leg. Also, the card is shiny. Also, red is a good luck color. Also, we forgive him for pitching 3 and 2/3 scoreless innings in one game against the Mets last May (without giving up a hit) and striking out 8 of the 12 batters he faced.

2007 Topps 1952 Rookies Felix Pie

Who is this? Outfielder Felix Pie, who was traded from the Cubs to the Orioles today.

What is this? An autograph card from the 2007 Topps 1952-style rookies set.

Where'd I get it? One of my trading partners got it signed for me at a minor league game last season.

How much did it cost? Not much. The cards came out of a retail pack.

Why is this so special? Pie was once considered the Cubs' top prospect, and he may still live up to the potential that they saw in him. I'm just amused by his name. :)

The 1952 Topps card design is a classic, and I love the image on this card -- awkward smile and all. Pie's penmanship is not the greatest, but the presumably rushed ballpark signature is a pretty good match for the facscimilie signature on the card.

1990 Topps Troy Aikmen

Who is this? Hall of Fame quarterback, Troy Aikman

What is this? An autograph card from the 1990 Topps set, card number 482.

Where'd I get it? I got it signed through the mail in the early '90s.

How much did it cost? The price of a pack and two stamps.

Why is this so special? I got this card signed in either 1990 or '91 when the Cowboys were still building up to their dynasty status. I had no idea at the time that I got an autograph from a future Hall of Famer. Not only is this card signed by the legendary Cowboy, but it is also personalized to me. I think that this was the second card that was personalized to me through the mail.

Aikman was a six time Pro Bowler, was Super Bowl XXVII MVP, and he lead the 'Boys to three straight Super Bowl victories. In 2006, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. These days, he does commentating for games on Fox

2008 upper deck documentary chris perez

who is this? cardinals' closer in waiting chris perez

what is this? an autograph card from 2008 upper deck documentary aka the worst issue of 2008

where'd i get it? from the hobby box i busted before i knew that documentary was the worst issue of 2008

how much did it cost? one of 300 cards in the box, so maybe a nickel.

why is this so special? well, i don't really care for this issue. i had such high hopes, too. however, i do like this card for the arm angle and the way his arms look like mirror images of each other. the colors are nice - good placement of the team logo - and perez seems to be a decent closer prospect.

the autograph itself is a sticker auto. nice blue sharpie, but it seems cramped.

it still carries the stain of documentary, though, so i probably won't be keeping this one.