2008 UD Goudey Bobby Doerr

Who is this? Red Sox Hall of Fame Second Baseman Bobby Doerr.
What is this? An autograph card from 2008 Upper Deck Goudey.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed through the mail from Mr. Doerr last week.
How much did it cost? I got this card when I bought a set of 2008 Upper Deck Goudey for cheap last spring.

Why is this so special? How many Hall of Famers sign through the mail for free and return signed cards in less than a week? My guess: just Bobby Doerr.

Bobby Doerr spent his entire career with the Red Sox, playing from 1937 to 1951, although he missed the 1945 season when serving in the Army during World War II. He made his Major League debut when he was only 19 years-old and played on Red Sox teams alongside Ted Williams, Jimmie Foxx, Dom DiMaggio, Joe Cronin, and Johnny Pesky.

Ted Williams called Doerr, who was a nine-time All-Star, "the silent captain of the Red Sox" and he was regarded as one of the best defensive Second Basemen of his generation. In fact, in 1948, Doerr set an American League record by successfully fielding 414 balls without making an error.

Doerr was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986 and his number 1 was retired by the Boston Red Sox on May 21, 1988.

Below are four more cards that Mr. Doerr has signed for me through the mail over the last two years.

2008 Upper Deck Draft Edition Wes Welker

Who is this? Patriots' Wide Receiver Wes Welker.
What is this? An autograph card from 2008 Upper Deck Draft Edition.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Wes Welker during Patriots' training camp in 2008.
How much did it cost? I think I paid about 50 cents for the card in 2008, which is far more than I would spend on it now, but seemed like a good deal at the time.

Why is this so special? From a signature perspective, this autograph is crap. Wes Welker's signature is essentially W W 83.

Nevertheless, Welker has been a tremendously productive and important part of New England's offense since he joined the team in 2007. Although the Patriots have not won a Super Bowl during his time with the team, he has become Tom Brady's go to receiver and was a Pro Bowler in 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Hopefully the Patriots can reverse their playoff skid in 2011 and finally find their way back to the Super Bowl. If they do so, there is no doubt that it will be due, at least in part, to the consistent excellence of Wes Welker.

2008 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects Chrome Kyle Weiland

Who is this? Boston Red Sox pitcher Kyle Weiland.
What is this? An autograph card from 2008 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects Chrome.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Kyle before a Pawtucket Red Sox game in June.
How much did it cost? I bought the card for 10 cents at a local card show.

Why is this so special? Kyle Weiland made his Major League debut this past Sunday (7/10/2011) against the Baltimore Orioles, but things did not go as planned. In fact, Kyle became the first player to be ejected from his Major League debut since 2008 when he hit Vladimir Guerrero in the fifth inning. Overall, Weiland's debut was a mixed bag. He pitched 3+ scoreless innings, but was tagged for six runs in the second inning.

Hopefully Weiland's debut will just be a minor bump on the road to a long and successful Major League career. Pitching for AAA Pawtucket this year, Kyle has been an International League leader in strikeouts and threw an eight-inning one-hitter against the Rochester Red Wings on June 29th.

Kyle has been a great signer all year. In addition to the 2008 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects Chrome card, Kyle also signed this 2008 TriSTAR Prospects Plus Boston Top Pick Pitchers card. I already had Stephen Fife, a pitcher for Boston's AA Portland Sea Dogs, sign the card and I only need Bryan Price, now in the Indians' organization, to finish-off the card.

2008 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Mark Cohoon

Who is this? Buffalo Bisons pitcher Mark Cohoon
What is this? An autographed 2008 Donruss Elite Extra Edition card
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Cohoon c/o the Bisons last month and asked him to sign it.
How much did it cost? The card was about a quarter, and postage was 88 cents.


Why is this so special? Mark Cohoon was a 12th round draft choice in 2008 who has enjoyed some success in the Mets' organization. He got off to a phenomenal start at Class A Savannah last season, earing a 7-1 record with a 1.30 ERA before being promoted to Double A Binghamton. After some early struggles, he rebounded and received the Sterling Organizational Pitcher of the Year award.

Cohoon began 2011 in Binghamton and was later promoted to Triple A Buffalo. Although he has had difficulties there, he was briefly considered for promotion to the majors when R.A. Dickey hurt his foot earlier this season.

Cohoon is not a hard-thrower, but he does have a reputation as a hard worker. He could be a solid, if unspectacular pitcher at the major league level.

Cohoon has simplified has autograph to include just a few letters - I'm not sure if this is to save time or because of the limited space on a baseball card. Nevertheless, it's more readable than many.

2008 Topps Josh Johnson

Who is this? Florida Marlins pitcher Josh Johnson
What is this? An autographed 2008 Topps card
Where'd I get it? I bought it from former Mike Pelfrey collector Anthony when he decided to get out of the baseball card hobby last fall.


Why is this so special? Josh Johnson is a two-time All-Star and the best pitcher in the Florida Marlins rotation. I watched him hold the Mets hitless for six innings earlier tonight en route to a 6-2 Opening Day victory. Johnson has a lifetime 8-1 record against the Mets in 13 games.

Though Johnson only had an 11-6 record last year, he led the National League in ERA (2.30) and adjusted ERA+ (182) last season. It's scary how good Johnson could be with better defense behind him.

Johnson's autograph isn't particularly pretty, but it's easy to make out his initials.

2008 Topps Allen & Ginter Jered Weaver

Who is this? Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitcher Jered Weaver
What is this? An autographed card from the 2008 Topps Allen & Ginter set
Where'd I get it? I purchased it from Anthony, formerly of Mike Pelfrey Collectibles, when he decided to sell his collection last year.


Why is this so special? Few people realize it, but Jered Weaver signed his first professional contract with the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League in 2005. The Angels made Weaver the 12th overall pick in the 2004 draft, but he and his agent Scott Boras decided to hold out until the last possible moment to secure their best deal. Part of their strategy was having Weaver join the independent league team.

Weaver quickly made it to the majors in 2006 after just a couple dozen minor league appearances. He finished his rookie year with an 11-2 record and a 2.56 ERA. He has continued to enjoy success.

Last year, Weaver made the All-Star team for the first time. He had a 13-12 record, but pitched much better than that mark indicates. His had a 3.01 ERA, an Adjusted ERA+ of 135 and led the American League with 233 strikeouts.

Weaver's autograph is little more than a sloppy "J" and some loops.

2010 Lancaster Barnstormers Jason Simontacchi

Who is this? Lancaster Barnstormers pitcher Jason Simontacchi
What is this? An autographed card from the 2010 Lancaster Barnstormers team set
Where'd I get it? Simontacchi signed it for me at a Newark Bears game last year.


Why is this so special? Jason Simontacchi has had a very interesting career in baseball. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 21st round in 1996, but he only spent two seasons in their minor league system.

In 1998, Simontacchi was 10-2 with a 2.95 ERA for the Springfield Capitals, champions of the independent Frontier League. That got him another shot in affiliated ball, but it didn't work out in the Pittsburgh organization either.

In 2000, Simontacchi pitched in Italy. He also played in the Olympics for the Italian team. In 2001, he returned to America and had a lackluster season in the Minnesota Twins organization.

In 2002, Simontacchi finally had success in affiliated ball. He spent most of the season in the major leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals, winning 11 and losing 5 as a 28-year-old rookie. Simontacchi remained with the Cardinals through 2004, but missed the 2005 season because of a shoulder injury.

In 2006 Simontacchi made his first appearance in the Atlantic League, pitching for the Bridgeport Bluefish. That got him another shot at affiliated ball for 2007. In an injury-plagued season, Simontacchi went 6-7 for the Washington Nationals.

In 2008, Simontacchi returned to the Atlantic League as a member of the Long Island Ducks. I'm not sure if he sat out the 2009 season or if he played in Italy again, but I can't find any stats. Last year, Simontacchi pitched for the Lancaster Barnstormers. He was 5-7 with a 5.78 ERA.

Simontacchi's career 26-17 record may not seem that impressive, but it really is remarkable when you think about his baseball journey.

For a guy with a long name who's signed thousands of autographs over the years, he still has a pretty nice signature too.

2008 Long Island Ducks Jamie Quinn

Who is this? Long Island Ducks bullpen catcher Jamie Quinn
What is this? An autographed card from the 2008 Long Island Ducks team set
Where'd I get it? Quinn signed it for me before a Newark Bears game last year.


Why is this so special? Not many teams produce a baseball card for their bullpen catcher. Not every minor league or independent league team even has a bullpen catcher - in those cases, the duty of warming up relief pitchers falls to the backup catcher or a coach.

Quinn did not spend the whole season in the bullpen last year, though. When the Ducks were short a catcher, they added Quinn to the active roster. He appeared in 5 games where he was hitless in 9 at-bats. He did drive in a run.

For a current player, his signature isn't too bad.

2008 Topps Allen & Ginter Geovany Soto

Who is this? Cubs catcher Geovany Soto
What is this? An autographed card from the 2008 Topps Allen & Ginter set
Where'd I get it? I purchased it from Anthony of Mike Pelfrey Collectibles when he decided to sell off his collection.


Why is this so special? Soto was the National League Rookie of the Year and an All-Star in 2008, hitting .285 with 23 home runs and 86 RBI. After a disappointing sophomore season, he rebounded to hit .280 with 17 home runs and 53 RBI this year.

Soto does not have a pretty autograph, and I'm glad I don't have to decipher it on a baseball or other generic item.

2009 Long Island Ducks Bud Harrelson

Who is this? Long Island Ducks co-owner & part-time coach Bud Harrelson
What is this? An autographed card from the 2009 Long Island Ducks team set
Where'd I get it? Nick from Baseball Happenings got it signed for me last month


Why is this so special? Bud Harrelson spent most of his 16-year major league career with the New York Mets. He won a Gold Glove and a World Series ring with the Mets. He would later go on to coach and manage the team.

Harrelson is a co-owner and served as the original manager of the Long Island Ducks team in the independent Atlantic League. He still coaches first base for the team on a limited basis, but you'll probably never see him unless you make the trip to Central Islip, N.Y. In six years of following Atlantic League baseball, the only time I saw Harrelson make a road trip was for a playoff game in Camden in 2008.

I've always found Harrelson to be a gracious signer, in person and via the mail. His signature looks a little shakier now than when he was younger, but it is still very neat and legible.

Here is his card from the 2008 Long Island team set:

Dee Baker as Captain Rex

Who is this? Actor Dee Bradley Baker
What is this? An autographed 2008 Topps Star Wars Clone Wars sticker
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Baker through his agent and asked him to sign it. It took almost two years, but I got it back last month.
How much did it cost? The sticker came out of a $2 pack bought at Target
Why is this so special? I hate to admit it, but I find the Clone Wars cartoon almost more entertaining than the modern Star Wars film trilogy.

Baker, a veteran voice actor, plays Anakin's clone Captain Rex, Obi-Wan's clone Captain Cody and all of the other clone troopers in the show. He's played roles in shows as diverse as American Dad, Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Ben 10.

He's got a surprisingly legible autograph. Here is a sticker of the clone troopers that he signed for me.

2008 Topps Cameron Maybin

Who is this? Florida Marlins outfielder Cameron Maybin

What is this? An autographed card from the 2008 Topps set

Where'd I get it? I purchased it from Anthony when he was clearing out his card collection this summer

How much did it cost? Around $2

Why is this so special? Cameron Maybin was one of the best-regarded prospects heading into the 2005 draft. The Detroit Tigers selected him with the 10th overall pick, and eventually signed him to a contract with a $2.65 million bonus.

He made his major league debut in 2007, after two seasons in the minor leagues. He hit his first major league home run off Roger Clemens on Aug. 18.

That winter, Maybin was traded to the Florida Marlins as a key component in an 8-player deal that brought Miguel Cabrera to Detroit.

Maybin spent most of the 2008 season in the minor leagues, but made a splash in his September callup. He set a Marlins record by reaching base in ten consecutive at-bats over his first three games.

After being giving the Opening Day center field start in 2009, Maybin handed it right back by not hitting enough to stay in the lineup. He returned in September, but it was still a disappointing season.

In 2010, Maybin was the Opening Day center fielder again, but he lost his starting job by early June and was sent to the minors before the month was out. He missed some time with injuries, but returned to the major league starting lineup before the end of the season.

Maybin may never live up to the star potential that scouts saw when he was in high school, but it’s far too soon to give up on a 23-year-old.

Maybin’s signature on this card is interesting… his first name is written neatly, but it seems like he ran out of room for his last name.

2008 Sacramento River Cats Danny Putnam

Who is this? Bridgeport Bluefish outfielder Danny Putnam
What is this? An autographed card from from the 2008 Sacramento River Cats team set
Where'd I get it? Putnam signed it for me at a Newark Bears game this summer
How much did it cost? $1


Why is this so special? The Oakland Athletics made Putnam the 36th overall pick in the 2004 draft. He appearing in 11 games for the As in 2007, recording 6 hits, including a home run off Neal Musser.

This year, Putnam hit .272 with 11 home runs in 108 games for the Bluefish.

Putnam was very friendly whenever I asked him to sign anything this year. He's got a nice signature for a current player.

2008 TriStar Prospects Plus Corban Joseph

Who is this? Trenton Thunder second baseman Corban Joseph
What is this? An autographed card from the 2008 TriStar Prospects Plus set
Where'd I get it? Joseph signed it for me before a Trenton Thunder game this summer
How much did it cost? The card came from a discounted blaster double-pack

Why is this so special? The Yankees selected Corban Joseph in the fourth round of the 2008 draft. He rose through the ranks in the farm system, earning a late-season call-up to AA at the age of 21. He struggled in Trenton, and is likely to start the season there again in 2011.

I had two cards that featured Joseph, but neither was really ideal for getting signed - there just isn't any room for a signature except right over the players' face.

2008 Bowman Chrome Clint Robinson

Who is this? Northwest Arkansas Naturals first baseman Clint Robinson
What is this? An autographed card from the 2008 Bowman Chrome set
Where'd I get it? From Zach, who probably got it signed at a Kansas City Royals fanfest event or a minor league game.


Why is this so special? The Royals selected Robinson in the 25th round of the 2007 draft. He has progressed through the Kansas City farm system and had a solid year in AA in 2010, hitting 29 home runs for the Naturals and finishing with a 1.035 OPS.

Aside from the angle, Robinson's autograph looks just like the facsimile signature on the card.

2010 New Hampshire Fisher Cats Bubbie Buzachero

Who is this? New Hampshire Fisher Cats pitcher Edward Dale "Bubbie" Buzachero
What is this? An autographed card from the 2010 New Hampshire Fisher Cats team set
Where'd I get it? Buzachero signed it for me after a game in Trenton earlier this year.
How much did it cost? The team set was around $10-$12, but I don't recall the exact figure.

Why is this so special? "Bubbie Buzachero" is a great baseball name. And check out those tattoos on Buzachero's left arm. It would be so much fun if he made it to the major leagues.

Unfortunately, that's not likely to happen. Buzachero turned 29 this June, and he spent most of the season in AA. He worked out of the bullpen, where he had an 8-1 record, but his ERA was 6.17 and his WHIP was 1.543.

Buzachero has greatly simplified his name for his autograph, but his initials are clearly readable.

Here is his card from the 2008 Akron Aeros set. I also got it signed in Trenton earlier this year.

2008 TriStar Projections Kirk Nieuwenhuis

Who is this? Buffalo Bisons outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis
What is this? An autographed card from the 2008 TriStar Projections set
Where'd I get it? Nieuwenhuis signed it after a game between the Binghamton Mets and Trenton Thunder earlier this year, before he was promoted.
How much did it cost? I got the card out of a discounted blaster box.

Why is this so special? I caught the Buffalo Bisons game on SNY tonight, so I thought it would be fun to post a card of somebody that played in the game. Kirk (I'm going to go with his first name because I'm not very good at spelling his last name yet) went 1-for-5 with a double and an RBI tonight.

The Mets made Kirk a third round selection in the 2008 draft. He began his pro career in Brooklyn that year, moving up to St. Lucie in 2009 and starting 2010 in Binghamton. A few weeks ago, Kirk got promoted to AAA Buffalo, though he's struggled a bit there. Through 13 games, he was hitting .235 (12-for-59) with one home run and 9 RBI.

Kirk is generally thought to have passed Fernando Martinez as the Mets' best outfield prospect, but there isn't likely to be an opening in New York before the 2012 season.

As you might expect, Kirk has an abbreviated version of his name that he signs for autograph seekers.

It even varies a little from card to card, as you can see on the 2009 TriStar Projections card that I got signed on the same day.

2008 Bowman Anthony Capra

Who is this? Midland Rockhounds pitcher Anthony Capra
What is this? An autographed card from the 2008 Bowman set
Where'd I get it? Zach included it in a package he mailed to me earlier this month.


Why is this so special? After I finished scanning a bunch of cards today, I decided to post Capra's card because I looked him up to find out if he's related to former Mets and Braves pitcher Buzz Capra. I can't conclusively say, but it looks like he's not.

Anthony Capra was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 4th round of the 2008 draft. He started his career with Kane County in the Midwest League that year, and he's made it as far as AA Midland in the Texas League this year.

Capra's 2010 numbers don't seem all that impressive - he's 6-11 with a 4.31 ERA in 24 starts - so I would expect to see Capra open next season in AA again.

I'm not sure where Zach got the card signed, but I think it's neat that Capra's signature is almost a perfect match for the facsimile on the card. That rarely happens, since the cards use contract signatures and players generally develop a quicker "autograph version" for use at the ballpark.

2008 St. Lucie Mets Eric Niesen

Who is this? Binghamton Mets pitcher Eric Niesen

What is this? An autographed card from the 2008 St. Lucie Mets team set

Where'd I get it? Niesen signed it for me after a game in Trenton earlier this year.

How much did it cost? The team set cost around $10

Why is this so special? Niesen, yet another Mets farmhand, was a third round draft selection in 2007. Although he's never put up eye-popping stats, Niesen has progressed steadily through the farm system. Until this year, he's worked exclusively as a starting pitcher.

Niesen's signature is very odd, but slightly more legible than the one on the card I posted Friday. I can make out the "E" clearly.

2008 TriStar Projections Eric Niesen

Who is this? Binghamton Mets pitcher Eric Niesen

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


Where'd I get it? Niesen signed it for me after a game in Trenton earlier this year.

How much did it cost? About a quarter.


Why is this so special? Niesen, yet another Mets farmhand, was a third round draft selection in 2007. Although he's never put up eye-popping stats, Niesen has progressed steadily through the farm system. Until this year, he's worked exclusively as a starting pitcher.

I'd guess his best shot of reaching the majors is as a situational lefty, though I have no idea if he's actually effective against left-handed batters. (Then again, that's never mattered much to Jerry Manuel)

Niesen's signature is very angular ... and almost illegible.