1999 Pacific Troy Brown

Who is this? Former New England Patriots wide receiver, cornerback, and punt returner Troy Brown.
What is this? An autograph card from 1999 Pacific.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed at Patriots' training camp in 2001 or 2002.
How much did it cost? I got it when I bought the team set in 1999. I probably paid $5 or so for the set.

Why is this so special? Other than Tom Brady, Troy Brown was perhaps the most important player on the New England Patriots' teams that won three Super Bowls between the 2001 and 2004 seasons.

Drafted in the eighth-round of the 1993 draft out of Marshall, Brown spent most of his first four seasons as a Special Teams ace before having a breakout 1997 season when he had 41 receptions and 6 TD catches.

Brown had his best statistical season in 2001, when he caught 101 passes, including 5 touchdowns on his way to a Pro Bowl and All-Pro season.

In 2004 the Patriots turned to their leader to take on a new challenge: playing cornerback. Ravaged by injuries in the secondary, Brown may have helped save the Patriots' season, intercepting three passes and recovering two fumbles.

Brown retired as the Patriots' all-time leader in receptions, was a member of the New England Patriots 50th Anniversary Team, is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, and is one of the most beloved players in the history of New England sports.

1999 Just Minors Grant Roberts

Who is this? former Binghamton Mets pitcher Grant Roberts
What is this? An autographed card from the 1999 Just Minors set
Where'd I get it? From a dealer at the local card show on Sunday
How much did it cost? I got it as part of a group of cards for $5


Why is this so special? Grant Roberts was a middle reliever for the New York Mets. From 2000-2004,  he appeared in 76 games and posted a 4-4 record with a 4.25 ERA. In the minors, he was a starting pitcher. For the Binghamton Mets in 1999, he was 7-6 with a 4.87 ERA in 23 games.

Roberts' career was plagued by shoulder issues for much of his career. He also had his share of off-field issues.

In 2002, Newsday printed allegations that Roberts and some of his Mets teammate used marijuana during the season, but team officials denied the report. Newsday also printed a photo of Roberts allegedly using marijuana in 1998. In 2005, Roberts was suspended for 15 games for violating baseball's minor league steroids policy.

Roberts didn't really drop letters from his name in his autograph, but it's a bit sloppy.

1999 Just Minors Geoff Goetz

Who is this? former minor league pitcher Geoff Goetz
What is this? An autographed insert card from the 1999 Just Minors set
Where'd I get it? from a dealer's dollar box at the local card show
How much did it cost? $1

Why is this so special? Geoff Goetz was a Mets prospect in the late 1990s who was part of the trade that brought Mike Piazza to New York. At the end of his career, I got to see him pitch for the Nashua Pride in the Atlantic League.

He's got an interesting autograph - if you use your imagination, you can pick out most of the letters of his name.

1999 Topps Stadium Club Brian McRae

Who is this? Former Mets outfielder Brian McRae
What is this? An autographed card from the 1999 Topps Stadium Club set
Where'd I get it? Nick from Baseball Happenings got it signed for me last month.

Why is this so special? Brian McRae, son of former Kansas City Royals All-Star Hal McRae, played for the New York Mets from 1997-99. During that time, he was one of the team's better players. In 1998, he set career highs with 21 home runs and 79 RBI while leading the Mets in doubles, triples and stolen bases.

McRae is best remembered as a Kansas City Royal, where he played for the first five seasons of his major league career. McRae retired with 1336 career hits, 103 home runs, 532 RBI and 196 stolen bases.

McRae doesn't have the prettiest autograph, but I love the Stadium Club card that he signed. It's got a simple, classy design with a great photo taken at Shea Stadium. I wish Topps hadn't killed the brand with their attempt at resurrecting it in 2008.

1999 Fleer Tradition Joe Winkelsas

Who is this? Former Atlanta Braves pitcher Joe Winkelsas
 
What is this? An autographed card from the 1999 Fleer Tradition set
 
Where'd I get it? Winkelsas signed the card for me before a Newark Bears game earlier this year.
 
How much did it cost? About a quarter.
 
Why is this so special? Joe Winkelsas signed with the Atlanta Braves organization as an undrafted amateur free agent in 1996. He moved through the minor league system and earned a major league call-up in 1999. Winkelsas pitched in one game, and recorded one out.

That was enough for Fleer to make him a baseball card. Winkelsas doesn't have a great autograph, but he does take the time to neatly inscribe a Bible verse.

John 14: 1-6 reads:

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

1999 Capital City Bombers Nick Maness

 
Who is this? Lancaster Barnstormers pitcher Nick Maness
 
What is this? An autographed card from the 1999 Capital City Bombers team set
 
Where'd I get it? I got it signed before last night's game between the Lancaster Barnstormers and Newark Bears in Newark
 
How much did it cost? I don't remember
 
Why is this so special? Maness was a one-time Mets prospect, selected in the 10th round of the 1997 draft. He made it as far as AAA Norfolk in 2002, and appears in several major league card sets from 2001 on serial numbered "rookie" cards.

I found and bought this minor league team set card back in 2005, when Maness played for the Newark Bears in the Atlantic League. I'm not sure if I got it out of a bargain bin or if I found it online while searching for Atlantic League players' cards, but I've had it for a long time. I never managed to get it signed that year, or in 2006 when Maness again played for the Bears.

I can't find any records for Maness after the 2006 season, and I assumed that he retired. But this year, he showed up on the Lancaster Barnstormers' roster -- after their first trip to Newark this season. Last night, I was finally able to get the card signed - and Maness has a nice looking autograph. Of course, I now have the sinking feeling that there's an unsigned Nick Maness card in my 2006 Bears team set that will continue to haunt me. ;)

While talking to Maness last night, we learned that his brother Dwight -- also a former Mets farmhand and Atlantic League alumni -- has retired from baseball and is playing competitive softball instead.

1999 Upper Deck SP Signature Edition Emil Brown

Who is this? Emil Brown, a former Major League outfielder who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the late 1990s

What is this? An autographed card from the 1999 Upper Deck SP Signature insert set

Where'd I get it? CheckOutMyCards.com

How much did it cost? $2, less than the one I lost on eBay a few months ago.

Why is this so special? Brown was a Met for about a week last season, so I needed his autograph for my collection. This is his only certified autograph card. He's got a relatively clean signature. Unlike many later Upper Deck issues, this one is signed on the card, not a sticker.

Brown was never a particularly good Major League player, but I have to give him credit for making it and sticking around for 10 seasons. He did have two solid years for the Kansas City Royals in 2005 and 2006. He hit .286 with 17 home run, 86 RBI an .804 OPS  and a 113 OPS+ in 2005, his best season.

1999 Upper Deck SP Chirography Ed Yarnall

Who is this? Ed Yarnall, a pitcher for the New York Yankees in 1999 and 2000

What is this? An certifed autograph insert card from 1999 Upper Deck SP

Where'd I get it? I picked this up out of the $1 cards box at a baseball card show this summer.

How much did it cost? $1

Why is this so special? Yarnall pitched in a handfull of games for the Yankees in 1999 and 2000, but I'd say his biggest claim to fame is being traded for Mike Piazza. (Yarnall was originally drafted by the Mets and was included with fellow minor league pitcher Geoff Goetz and outfielder Preston Wilson in the trade that brought Piazza to New York.)

I've watched Yarnall pitch for the Long Island Ducks in the independent Atlantic League in recent seasons. Though the autograph on this card isn't likely to win Yarnall any penmanship awards, it is far neater than his "at the ballpark" signature. 

1999 upper deck retro inkredible steve garvey

Who is this? steve garvey

What is this? an autograph card from 1999 upper deck retro

Where'd I get it? ebay

How much did it cost? i don't remember. i may have overpaid.

Why is this so special? steve garvey was my favorite player. he is the "g" in "gcrl". he led the dodgers to 4 world series in 8 years, was the national league mvp in 1974, won gold gloves (meaningless, i know) from 1974-1977, a ten-time all star and a two-time all star game mvp (again, meaningless), and a two-time nlcs mvp. he was, by all appearances, the all-american guy. i have a ridiculous number of steve garvey cards, inserts, variations, autos, relics, etc.

plus, this is the first card i ever purchased on ebay.

as for the card itself, the little photo of garvey leaves a lot to be desired. there is such a huge space on the card for the autograph, it's almost as if upper deck expected steve to write a short paragraph on why he irritated so many of his teammates.

the signature, while off-centered on the writing surface, is crisp, blue, and on the actual card. no stickers back in the 20th century.

1999 Just Minors Sean Burroughs

Who is this? Padres prospect Sean Burroughs.

What is this? An autograph card from 1999 Just Minors, serial numbered #77/200.

Where'd I get it? Atlanta Sports Cards.

How much did it cost? A buck.

Why is this so special? I was surprised to see that Sean was out of the league while looking up his stats. A few years ago he was a solid third base prospect for San Diego, but got injured and fell out of favor due to his lack of power. I thought he would at least be playing somewhere, but I don't see any stats for him for 2008. He's the son of unlikely MVP candidate Jeff Burroughs and Sean was born in Atlanta while Jeff was a member of the Braves. The card is ok looking, typical Just Minors. The signature is clear, on card and on a nice white background. Just got that part right at least. This must be some sort of parallel as it is die cut with round corners and hand numbered 77 out of 200. He's out of the majors but he's still got memories of the Little League World Series and his interview with Letterman.

1999 Just Minors Juan Melo

Who is this? Giants second baseman Juan Melo.

What is this? An autograph card from 1999 Just Minors.

Where'd I get it? Atlanta Sports Cards.

How much did it cost? A buck.

Why is this so special? Juan only played 11 games in the majors, getting one hit as a second baseman for the Giants. He played 12 years in the minors before apparently retiring in 2008. It's a great looking card though, Melo is making a play at second for the Mobile Baybears. Nice signature too. That's really all I have to say about him though, so in lieu of snarky commentary here's some Donovan in honor of Melo.



One other thing... I strongly recommend opening a pack of 1991 Fleer instead of what the hippies in the video are doing. Do cards, not drugs, kiddos!

1999 Hillshire Farms Harmon Killebrew

Who is this? Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew.

What is this? An autograph card available as a promotion from from Hillshire Farms.

Where'd I get it? EBay seller larryvan.

How much did it cost? $2.99.

Why is this so special? A Killer autograph for three bucks? WTF? Yep, just three bucks for this card. This was originally a promotion from Hillshire Farms where you send in four bucks and some proofs of purchase and you can get an autographed Hall of Famer card. The four choices were Killer, Ernie Banks, Frank Robinson and Willie Stargell. How did I miss all these card promotions in the '90s?? I would have bought some smoked sausage for an autograph of Pops. These cards don't seem to be real popular now though. There were several companies who did similar promos and the cards can usually be found for well under 20 bucks. Try finding a Killebrew autograph out of Sweet Spot or Goudey for that price, I'll never happen. I'ts a good looking card too, there's a gold foil border and name around the picture that doesn't show up too well and there's full career stats and a short bio on the back. Yeah, the Twins logo is airbrushed out. Suck it up. It's an autograph of Killer! He hit 573 home runs, and you can find an autograph from him online right now for the price of a pack of Bowman Chrome. And it's a Hall of Fame signature too, just look at that beauty. The card isn't even wilkerized, not that there's anything wrong with that. I don't understand this hobby sometimes. People snap up Bowman SuperMegaCrazyFractors of Double-A pitchers recovering from Tommy John surgery, and leave oddball food cards from Hall of Famers in the bargain bin to gather dust. I'll take Harmon any day.

1999 Team Best Jason Standridge

Who is this? Devil Rays pitcher Jason Standridge.

What is this? An autograph card from 1999 Team Best.

Where'd I get it? El cheapo eBay Auction.

How much did it cost? One cent.

Why is this so special? Standridge was a first round pick of the Devil Rays in 1997 but only pitched 21 games for them before bouncing around to Texas, Cincinnati and Kansas City. He signed with Fukuoka of the Japanese Pacific League after being waived by the Royals. The Alabama native has dropped off the earth since then as I can't find any info for 2008. I used to be active in several simulation leagues that ran off of Front Page Sports '98, and Jason was in my bullpen for one of those teams. That's the reason I picked up his autograph, because of a computer game I played about 6 or 7 years ago. Hey, it cost a penny. Jason has a nice out of control signature with a bold J and a last name that looks like it's trying to eat itself. There's an inscription underneath that looks kind of like a bible verse, but I can't tell what it is. The Book of Squiggle 4:13. Actually, it might be Philemon. That kind of looks like Phil, right? No , there was no apostle Phil. It's a dude that Paul wrote a letter to. Actually now that I looked it up there is no Philemon 4:13 at all. So uh, yeah, I don't know what that is down there. Maybe Jason was going out with a Christian chick at the time and she was watching him sign these cards so he started putting random bible verses on there to make her happy. Maybe I should go to church tomorrow and ask the priest what the heck verse this is.

SP Signature David Ortiz

Who is this? Twins first baseman David Ortiz.

What is this? An autograph card from 1999 SP Signature Edition, card number DO.

Where'd I get it? A defunct card shop in Woodstock that I can't remember the name.

How much did it cost? Five bucks.

Why is this so special? I'm going to manage a post a week at least or die trying... I got this card from a shop that was up on Towne Lake parkway up in Woodstock a few years ago. I want to say it was called Double Play or something , but they closed down and it doesn't really matter. They were something like the 4th or 5th shop down my regular list of places to get cards. It wasn't a bad shop, but then again it wasn't utterly spectacular either. It was a little bit out of the way for my usual travels so I didn't get there all that often. They had some good stuff though and you could usually find something cool and obscure on the clearance table.

One day around 2004 or so I was scrounging through their autograph and game used box looking for something good and cheap. Most of the really nice stuff was in a case and the box was filled mostly with underachieving rookies and marginal players. I can't give you an example of who was in that box because I simply don't remember, they were that nondescript. While looking through the pile of unexciting autogamers this card caught my eye. David Ortiz? The guy on the Red Sox who's hitting homers like crazy? Ortiz was definitely a big step above the other cards in the box. So they put Big Papi in the scrub box and put a five dollar price tag on him. Not only that, but they had two of 'em in there. The only rationale for this I can think of is that either Ortiz had not become a big enough star by that point to get moved up to the case, or that those cards had been in there for a few years and no one had touched them. I quit looking at that point because I knew I had found my bargain. I bought this card and left the second one there for any kindred spirits who also like spelunking through the depths of junk boxes for that one diamond.

1999 Fleer Mystique Tim Dwight

Who is this? Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Tim Dwight.

What is this? An autograph card from 1999 Fleer Mystique serial numbered 423/725

Where'd I get it? I have no earthly idea.

How much did it cost? I probably overpayed for it.

Why is this so special? The one special moment in that Super Bowl. The ONE moment I could look back on with pride, and I fell asleep. Argh.