2006 Topps '52 Rookies Joe Winkelsas

Who is this? former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Joe Winkelsas

What is this? An autographed card from the 2006 Topps '52 Rookies set.

Where'd I get it? Winkelsas signed it for me before a Newark Bears game earlier this year.

How much did it cost? About a quarter

Why is this so special? After Winkelsas made his major league debut in 1999, he quickly went back to the minors. There he stayed until 2004, when he suddenly found himself in independent baseball. Winkelsas persevered and earned another shot at the bigs with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006, appearing in 7 games.

Winkelsas briefly retired, but came back in 2007. He spent two more years in the minors before apparently hanging it up again. This year, he tried to make one more comeback by pitching for the Newark Bears. As far as I know, Winkelsas has now retired from baseball.

Again, his autograph isn't much to look at. Instead of a Bible verse, Winkelsas added the phrase, "Read God's Word and live it out loud."

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.