2007 Columbus Clippers Coaches

Who is this? Boots Day, a former major league outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs and Montreal Expos

What is this? An autographed card from the 2007 Columbus Clippers team set

Where'd I get it? I got the card signed before a game between the Lancaster Barnstormers and Newark Bears in 2008.

How much did it cost? I got the card in a trade.

Why is this so special? Boots Day has earned a living from baseball for longer than I've been alive. Day played for six seasons in the majors, finishing with a lifetime average of .256, eight home runs and 89 RBI.

He was the last player to touch a ball in play at Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia, and was the first batter at Veterans Stadium when it opened the next year. He also played center field during Bill Stoneman’s second no-hitter on Oct. 2, 1972, at Jarry Park in Montreal.

After he finished playing, Day became a coach. I met him when he was the hitting coach for the Lancaster Barnstormers in 2008; last year he filled the same role for the Golden Baseball League's Calgary Vipers.

For more about Boots Day, check out this article from the Utica, N.Y. Observer-Dispatch.

Day has a beautiful, easy-to-read autograph and always seemed happy to sign for fans.