2010 Topps National Chicle Tobi Stoner

Who is this? Buffalo Bisons pitcher Tobi Stoner
What is this? An autographed insert card from the 2010 Topps National Chicle set
Where'd I get it? Purchased from a dealer at the local card show last year
How much did it cost? Don't remember... around $5, probably


Why is this so special? I can only imagine what it was like going through school with the name "Stoner."

There's not a lot to say about Stoner's major league career to this point. Though he is American, Stoner was born in West Germany (his father served in the military and was stationed there.)

During the past two seasons, Stoner has pitched in a total of five games for the New York Mets, all in relief. It's telling that though the Mets invited him to camp again this spring, Stoner was never really talked about for any of the open bullpen roles.

He does have a nice, legible autograph.

2010 Topps National Chicle Ian Desmond

Who is this? Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond
What is this? An autograph insert card from Topps National Chicle
Where'd I get it? I bought it at the local card show
How much did it cost? Around $5, I think.

Why is this so special? You've probably heard of Ian Desmond, unlike the Brooklyn Cyclones guys I've been posting for the last week.

Desmond was a third-round pick by the Montreal Expos in 2004. He made his major league debut with the Washington Nationals last year, and this year he beat out Cristian Guzman for the starting shortstop job.

While Desmond has not had a good year in the field, he has shown promise at the plate. For a rookie shortstop, .281-9-58 isn't bad.

Desmond's autograph is just "Ian D." I wouldn't mind if I got this signature at the ballpark, but it's a bit disappointing for something from a paid signing.

2010 Topps National Chicle Drew Stubbs

Who is this? Cincinnati Reds outfielder Drew Stubbs

What is this? An autographed card insert card from the 2010 Topps National Chicle set

Where'd I get it? At the local card show

How much did it cost? $5.

Why is this so special? Drew Stubbs was the 8th overall selection in the 2006 draft. He advanced quickly through the minor leagues, earning various All-Star honors along the way. Last year, he made his major league debut and hit game-winning homer in only his second big league game.

This season, Stubbs has gotten the majority of the playing time in center field for the Cincinnati Reds. Offensively, his year has been feast or famine - he's hitting .235 with 14 home runs and 53 RBI and 113 strikeouts in 357 at-bats.

On July 5, I went to CitiField to see the Reds play the Mets. I'd been doing some odds and ends in the city before heading over to the ballpark, and I got there a bit early. I spotted a couple of late-arriving ballplayers getting stopped for autographs outside the park, and it turned out to be Stubbs and Paul Janish. I didn't bring anything to get signed, and I didn't really recognize either player until I asked one of the collectors who they had gotten.

(Though I suppose I should have been able to pick out Stubbs, since he'd been on the sports highlights for hitting three homers in a game against the Cubs on July 4.) Still, I thought it was cool that they'd stop to sign autographs when they were probably fairly close to being late for batting practice.

Stubbs' signature is surprisingly neat, considering how many he probably had to sign for Topps.

2010 National Chicle Andrew Bailey

Who is this? Oakland A's closer Andrew Bailey

What is this? An autograph card from the 2010 Topps National Chicle set

Where'd I get it? I bought it at a local card show this weekend

How much did it cost? $5, a dollar more than unopened packs of National Chicle cards were going for.

Why is this so special? Bailey is a New Jersey native, the 2009 American League Rookie of the Year and a 2009 All-Star. He's also lucky enough to get one of the nice cards in the National Chicle set.

He doesn't have the neatest autograph, but you can make out the letters A, B & y.