2004 Fleer Greats of the Game: Boog Powell

Who is this? former Baltimore Orioles first baseman Boog Powell
What is this? An autographed card from the 2004 Fleer Greats of the Game set
Where'd I get it? Ryan of the Great Orioles Autograph Project got it signed for me at this year's Orioles fanfest
How much did it cost? The unsigned card was a dime.

Why is this so special? Powell was the first baseman for five pennant-winning Orioles teams in the 1960s and 70s. He earned 2 World Series rings, was a 4-time All-Star and was the American League MVP in 1970.

You could make a case that 1970 was not Powell's best season. During his MVP year, Powell hit .297 / .412 / .549 with 35 home runs and 114 RBI. In 1964, Powell finished 11th in MVP voting. He hit .290 / .399 / .606 with 39 home runs and 99 RBI. His .606 slugging percentage led the American League, the only time in his 17 year career that he was a league leader in a major offensive category.

Powell retired with over 300 career homers and more than 1000 RBIs. He now owns Boog's Barbecue, which has two Maryland locations including one at Camden Yards.

Thanks for getting my card signed, Ryan.

2004 Fleer Greats of the Game: Bobby Doerr

Who is this? Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr
What is this? An autographed card from the 2004 Fleer Greats of the Game set
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Doerr earlier this month and asked him to sign it; I got it back about a week and a half later.
How much did it cost? I got the unsigned card for a dime.

Why is this so special? I believe that Bobby Doerr is the last Hall of Fame player who regularly signs through the mail without requiring a donation or fee. He is currently the oldest living Hall of Fame player.

Doerr was a 9-time All-Star and was a star defensive player at second base. He had over 2000 hits, over 1000 RBI and over 200 home runs in a 14-year career. Doerr ranks 187th in baseball history among position players for career Wins Above Replacement, as calculated by Baseball Reference. Doerr also served in the military in 1945.

For a 92-year-old, Doerr still has nice handwriting. He included his Hall of Fame induction year without being asked.

2006 Fleer Greats of the Game Don Newcombe

Who is this? former Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Don Newcombe
What is this? An autographed insert card from the 2006 Fleer Greats of the Game set
Where'd I get it? I purchased it from a dealer at a local card show.
How much did it cost? Not sure... between $10 & $15.

Why is this so special? Newcombe grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey and went to school not far from where I work. He still lives in the Garden State.

Newcombe pitched for the Negro League's Newark Eagles before signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He made his major league debut in 1949, winning the National League Rookie of the Year award and getting selected to the All-Star team. He would go to three more All-Star Games and win the National League MVP and Cy Young Awards in 1956 when he went 27-7.

Newcombe spent two seasons in the military during the Korean War. He left Major League Baseball with a 149-90 career record, a lifetime 3.56 ERA, 1129 strikeouts. He also had a .271 career batting average and 15 home runs. Newcombe pitched one season in Japan with the Chunichi Dragons before retiring in 1962.

Newcombe has a beautiful autograph, and Fleer designed a great card to showcase it.