2009 Topps Heritage Koji Uehara

Who is this? Baltimore Orioles' pitcher Koji Uehara

What is this? An autographed card from the 2009 Topps Heritage High Numbers set

Where'd I get it? I wrote to Uehara at the Orioles spring training camp and asked him to sign it. I got it back yesterday, signed.

How much did it cost? I think I spent about a quarter for the card last fall.

Why is this so special? Koji Uehara had a good career in Japan, winning 112 games while losing only 62 for the Yomiuri Giants. He won the Central League Rookie of the Year award and the Eiji Sawamura Award (the equivalent of the Cy Young Award) in 1999. He won the Sawamura Award again in 2002, and was an 8-time all-star.

Uehara pitched for the 2004 bronze medal-winning Japanese Olympic Team, and was a member of the Japanese team that won the inaugural World Baseball Classic.

I couldn't quite figure out Uehara's autograph until I looked at some examples online. He signed "Koji 19" in English... I guess if you want his full name, you'll have to look for one of the certified autographed cards out on the market.

Still, it's pretty cool. He may not have the best handwriting, but I guarantee that he did a better job signing his name in English than I could if I tried to sign mine in katakana.

1988 St. Lucie Mets Kevin D. Brown

Who is this? Kevin D. Brown, a former pitcher for the New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers and Seattle Mariners

What is this? An autographed card from the 1988 St. Lucie Mets team set

Where'd I get it? Nearly two years ago, I wrote to Brown and asked him to sign it. I got it back yesterday.

How much did it cost? I don't remember, so let's say $1 for the card and postage.

Why is this so special? Kevin Brown spent parts of three seasons in the Major Leagues, retiring with a 3-5 record and a 4.82 ERA.

Brown made his big league debut in relief of Frank Viola on July 27th, 1990 at Shea Stadium. The Mets were cruising to a 10-1 victory, and Brown came on to start the ninth inning. After surrendering a leadoff walk to Ozzie Smith, Brown retired Craig Wilson, Tom Pagnozzi and Todd Zeile to end the game.

He pitched for the Mets one more time, on Aug. 1, 1990 in a 6-4 win over the Expos at Olympic Stadium. Brown came on in relief of a tiring Ron Darling with the score 4-1 in Montreal's favor.

Brown got Jerry Goff to ground out to start the seventh. The pitcher, Zane Smith, reached on a rare error by shortstop Kevin Elster. Delino DeShields flew out, but then things started to get a little too interesting. Dave Martinez singled, giving the Expos runners on first and second with Tim Raines coming to bat. Raines singled to left, but Smith overran third base and Kevin McReynolds threw him out to end the inning.

And that was the end of Kevin D. Brown's Mets career. In September, he would be traded to Milwaukee to complete the trade for catcher Charlie O'Brien. He started a few games for the Brewers that September and showed some promise, but he lost his spot in the rotation the next year.

In 1992, the Mariners claimed Brown off waivers just before Opening Day. He appeared in just two games for Seattle. Brown spent a few more seasons in the minors, but he retired after the 1995 season.

According to his Wikipedia profile, Brown is currently a pastor at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Sacramento, California.

Brown has a nice, artistic signature... but I'm glad I don't have to try to decipher it.

2003 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Bobby Hill

Who is this? Bobby Hill, a former infielder for the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates

What is this? An autograph card from the 2003 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection set

Where'd I get it? eBay

How much did it cost? 99 cents, plus $2.75 shipping.

Why is this so special? I'm guessing this was from a really expensive pack in 2003, since I don't think I've ever seen another card from this set and it is an actual on-card autograph. No stickers here.

Hill had three decent years as a utility infielder -- or at least they would have been considered decent years if he played in the 1970s. He never became the star that the Cubs believed he would be when they paid a $1.4 million signing bonus in 2000.

Before Hill signed with the Cubs, he played for the Newark Bears in the independent Atlantic League. In 132 games, he stole 81 bases. I wish I had gotten to see him play then.

Hill made his major league debut with the Cubs in 2002, hitting .253 in 190 at-bats. He spent most of 2003 in the minors and got traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Aramis Ramirez deal.

Hill spent two m0re seasons with the Pirates. His lifetime major league stats: .262 with 6 home runs and 58 RBI in 249 games.

In 2008, Hill returned to the Newark Bears. He wasn't the base stealing threat that he was in his first go-round, but my friends who were following the Bears in 2000 said he was still the same guy. If he was bitter about what might have been, it didn't show. He was one of the friendliest and most outgoing guys on the team.

That's pretty special.

Hill's autograph is just "B_y Hi_ ", which is a little interesting. I would have thought it would go to "B_y H_" or B_y H_l" if he wanted to shorten it.

2009 Portland Sea Dogs Dustin Richardson

Who is this? Dustin Richardson, a Boston Red Sox prospect

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

Where'd I get it? I wrote to Richardson c/o his Arizona Fall League team and asked him to sign some cards. I got them back last week.

How much did it cost? This card was a gift from one of my friends, so it was free.

Why is this so special? Dustin Richardson was nice enough to sign a bunch of cards for me, and this is the final one. It's also the last new autograph I have to show off... hopefully the mail will bring some more next week.

In 2009, Richardson returned to the bullpen and had a better year. In 38 games with the Sea Dogs, he had a 2-2 record, a 2.48 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 63.1 innings. He spent a short time in AAA Pawtucket and earned a September cup of coffee with the Red Sox.

I like the photo used on this card. It captures the moment as the ball left Richardson's hand. The autograph, like the others, is a little scribbly. I can't complain, though. Richardson was extremely generous to sign my three cards and include an extra one on his own.

2008 Portland Sea Dogs Dustin Richardson

Who is this? Dustin Richardson, a Boston Red Sox prospect

What is this? An autograph card from the 2008 Portland Sea Dogs team set

Where'd I get it? I wrote to Richardson c/o his Arizona Fall League team and asked him to sign some cards. I got them back last week.

How much did it cost? This card was a gift from one of my friends, so it was free.

Why is this so special? Dustin Richardson was nice enough to sign a bunch of cards for me, and this is the third of four. I love the horizontal design, and this is a great photo for it.

Richardson did not have a very good year for Portland in 2008. He won 7 and lost 10, finishing the year with a 6.33 ERA. It was his last season as a starting pitcher. In fall ball, he began the switch to the bullpen.

Richardson's autograph is pretty consistent, I think you'd have to say.

2008 TriStar Projections Dustin Richardson

Who is this? Dustin Richardson, a Boston Red Sox prospect

What is this? An autograph card from the 2008 TriStar Projections set

Where'd I get it? I wrote to Richardson c/o his Arizona Fall League team and asked him to sign some cards. I got them back last week.

How much did it cost? This card came from a half-price blaster, purchased at the Trenton Thunder gift shop last summer.

Why is this so special? Dustin Richardson was nice enough to sign a bunch of cards for me, and this is the second of four.

In 2008, Tri-Star had the minor league baseball card license, so they were able to produce cards without removing logos. I like the Projections card a little better than the Just Minors one I showed you yesterday. The Just Minors card has a more interesting photo, but the Tri-Star one is seemingly designed to be autographed.

Of the four cards I have signed, this one has the clearest autograph.

2008 Just Minors Dustin Richardson

Who is this? Red Sox prospect Dustin Richardson

What is this? An autographed card from the 2008 Just Minors set

Where'd I get it? I wrote to Richardson c/o his Arizona Fall League team and asked him to sign some cards. I got them back last week.

How much did it cost? This one was completely free. Richardson included it along with the ones I had originally sent.

Why is this so special? Richardson, 26, made his major league debut last September. He appeared in three games and didn't allow a run. He could compete for a bullpen role in 2010, but I think he'll probably open the season in Pawtucket.

Richardson is pictured with his 2007 club, the Carolina League Greenville Drive. He was still working as a starting pitcher, and he went 5-7 with a 3.34 ERA in 21 games. Just Minors was not licensed by Minor League Baseball in 2008, so they removed the cap logo from the photo. You'll be able to get a better look at the Greenville Drive uniform tomorrow.

Richardson probably won't win any penmanship awards, but he has a nice autograph that is fairly legible.

1997 Leaf Signature Series Mike Stanton

Who is this? Mike Stanton, a former relief pitcher

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

Where'd I get it? At the card show last weekend.

How much did it cost? $2. The guy I bought this from had some more Leaf Signature Series cards, but you'll be spared another run of obscure 1990s ballplayers like I had in November. After buying the Johan Santana card I posted Monday, I didn't have a lot of cash left.

Why is this so special? Mike Stanton spent 19 years in the majors, and he appeared in 1,178 games. At various points in his career, he was a setup man, a closer and a lefty specialist. He even started one game for the Yankees in 1999.

Stanton appeared in six World Series and won three rings. He made the All-Star team once, in 2001. Most will remember Stanton as a Yankee or a Brave, since those were the two teams where he enjoyed the most success. He also pitched for the Red Sox, the Rangers, the Mets, the Nationals, the Giants and the Reds.

Stanton's autograph is a little sloppy on this card, but it's pretty cool. You can almost make out all the letters in his name, and he's got a neat way of connecting the "S" and "t" in his last name.

2004 Bowman Signs of the Future Chad Cordero

Who is this? Chad Cordero, a relief pitcher in the Seattle Mariners organization

What is this? An autographed card from 2004 Bowman Signs of the Future insert set

Where'd I get it? I bought it at the baseball card show this weekend

How much did it cost? $2

Why is this so special? Chad Cordero led the National League with 47 saves in 2005, earning a spot on the All-Star team. He was part of the U.S. team in the first World Baseball Classic in 2006, and saved the Washington Nationals' final game at RFK Stadium in 2007.

Cordero has not pitched in the major leagues since 2008, and his last full season was 2007. Hopefully he can recover from the arm problems that have derailed his career and recapture some of his earlier promise -- on Opening Day, Cordero will only be 28.

Cordero's autograph is a bit small, but it seems somewhat legible.

2007 Upper Deck Elements Johan Santana

Who is this? Johan Santana, a pitcher for the New York Mets

What is this? An autograph card from the 2007 Upper Deck Elements set

Where'd I get it? I bought it at yesterday's card show

How much did it cost? $25

Why is this so special? Johan Santana is my favorite currently active pitcher. He is a two-time Cy Young Award winner and a four-time All-Star. In ten seasons, he has a 122-60 record, 1733 strikeouts and a career 3.12 ERA.

Santana did his best to keep a fading Mets team in the race in September 2008. For the month, he was 4-0 and he didn't allow more than 2 earned runs in any start. On the second-to-last day of the season, Santana pitched a 3-hit shutout on three days' rest to keep the Mets dwindling hopes alive. After the season was over, we found out that he was pitching with a knee injury.

I've seen Santana pitch in person three times; he won two of the games and gave the Mets a chance to win the third.

I like Santana's autograph. He's one of the rare modern players who actually has a legible signature.

2002 Upper Deck Jeremy Reed

Who is this? Jeremy Reed, an outfielder in the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system

What is this? An autographed card from the 2002 Upper Deck set

Where'd I get it? From a blog reader

How much did it cost? Around $2

Why is this so special? Jeremy Reed was once a highly regarded prospect in the Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners farm systems. He never quite lived up to those expectations, but he has been a productive reserve outfielder.

Reed spent last season with the Mets, but even with all their injuries Jerry Manuel never gave him a chance to start on a regular basis. He hit .278 as a pinch hitter for the Mets in 2009,

Reed has a very angular signature, but it requires some imagination to make out any letters.

2003 Topps Total Todd Jones

Who is this? Todd Jones, a retired relief pitcher

What is this? An autographed card from the 2003 Topps Total set

Where'd I get it? I wrote to Jones around New Year's and asked him to sign it; I got it back in the mail today.

How much did it cost? Less than $1

Why is this so special? Even though Todd Jones was rarely thought of as one of the best closers in baseball, he managed to record over 300 saves during his 16-year career. He was an All-Star in 2000 for the Detroit Tigers, when he led the American League with 42 saves.

Jones also has the distinction of being the last player to throw a pitch at Tiger Stadium, according to his Wikipedia article. Since 2002, Jones has been a columnist for The Sporting News.

Todd Jones has a quick autograph, but if you use your imagination you can almost make out his initials.

1991 Classic Draft Picks Aaron Sele

Who is this? Aaron Sele, a retired major league pitcher

What is this? An autographed card from the 1991 Classic Draft Picks set

Where'd I get it? From a blog reader

How much did it cost? About $2

Why is this so special? Aaron Sele had a nice major league career, winning 148 games over 15 years. He made his big league debut with the Red Sox in 1993, winning 7 games an earning some consideration for the Rookie of the Year award despite appearing in only 18 games.

Sele was an All-Star for the Texas Rangers in 1998 and the Seattle Mariners in 2000. He finished his career as a long reliever for the New York Mets in 2007.

Sele's autograph is not very legible, but I suppose I can understand considering how many he's probably signed over the years.

2009 Topps Attax J.J. Hardy

Who is this? J.J. Hardy, former Milwaukee Brewers shortstop

What is this? An autographed card from the 2009 Topps Attax set

Where'd I get it? I wrote to Hardy and asked him to sign it last April. I got it back today.

How much did it cost? Around a dollar for the card plus postage

Why is this so special? J.J. Hardy was an All-Star in 2007, hitting .277 with 26 home runs and 80 RBI. In 2008, he had another good year, hitting .283 with 24 home runs and 74 RBI.

Last year, Hardy had a terrible season and he was traded to Minnesota during the offseason. Hopefully he can turn things around and be a productive player for the Twins.

J.J. Hardy has something funky going on with his autograph. The "ardy" part is easy enough to read, but the first part almost looks like he's trying to use two "J"s to make one funky "H"

2009 Topps Attax Jorge Cantu

Who is this? Jorge Cantu, first baseman for the Florida Marlins

What is this? An autographed card from the 2009 Topps Attax set

Where'd I get it? I ended up with way too many Topps Attax cards last year, so I mailed some out to players for autographs. This one went out last April to Dolphin Stadium and came back today.

How much did it cost? About a dollar for the card and postage.

Why is this so special? Jorge Cantu is one of the Marlins' better hitters. He hit .289 with 16 home runs and 100 RBI last season.

Cantu was a nice story the year before. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Cincinnati Reds had both given up on him, but the Marlins gave Cantu a shot to be a full-time player. He hit .277 with 29 home runs and 95 RBI.

Cantu has an unusual signature. It seems to hint at "J Cantu," but the letter "C" is the only unambiguous one.

This autograph looks a bit different from ones signed for Topps used in 2007 and 2008 baseball sets, but I'm still hopeful that it's authentic. The 2007 and 2008 Topps autographs distinctly different from ones Cantu signed for the 2000 Bowman set, so it's not as if Cantu has had a single autograph style for his whole career.

Charisma Carpenter

Who is this? Charisma Carpenter, an actress and former San Diego Chargers cheerleader

What is this? An autographed 8x10 photo

Where'd I get it? Carpenter was a guest at the Dallas Comic Con this past weekend. Official Pix, the promoter for the show, offered the opportunity for people who couldn't attend the show to get autographs.

How much did it cost? About $36, including shipping

Why is this so special? Carpenter played Cordelia Chase for seven seasons, first on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," then on its spinoff, "Angel."

"Buffy" is one of my all-time favorite television shows, and I have a small collection of autographed photos of cast members and notable guest stars. I was happy to have the chance to get Carpenter's autograph -- it is the first new addition to the collection in a couple of years.

It looks like she only signed her first name, but I can't really decipher her handwriting well enough to be sure that it's not her last name.