2003 Topps Paul LoDuca

Who is this? Dodgers catcher Paul LoDuca.

What is this? An autograph card from 2003 Topps, TA-PL

Where'd I get it? Out of a pack.

How much did it cost? Two bucks for the retail pack.

Why is this so special? I actually remember exactly when I got this pack. I was going to visit a friend who lived on the other side of town. He bought a house in the neighborhood where I grew up and this was the first time I had been back in a while. A Target had been built a short way away after I had left. I went in to check it out and get a couple of things I needed. I got a couple of packs of Topps and this card was inside one of them. My reaction was "Yeah, an Auto! No! I already have LoDuca!"I'm not sure what the odds of pulling two autographs of the same player from two separate products within a few weeks time is, but I managed to do it. Paul either has a very tight, nervous signature or his hand got used to signing all those Topps205 cards and it cramped up the rest of the autos he had to sign. It's still a good looking card though, I kind of like it best out of the two.

2003 Topps205 Paul LoDuca

Who is this? Dodgers catcher Paul LoDuca.

What is this? An autograph card from 2003 Topps205, card TA-PL.

Where'd I get it? This was one of the hits from a box of Topps205.

How much did it cost? One twenty fourth the price of the box, which I can't remember.

Why is this so special? Topps205 is one of my favorite sets, this is one of three autos I have from that product. I like the mini card in a frame concept as well. Paul LoDuca is an all-star caliber catcher even though he played for some of my not-so favorite teams. He did a really good job squinching his autograph on the tiny card without making it illegible, although it's a bit outside the lines. LoDuca signed with the Washington Nationals this offseason.