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 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.