2010 Bowman Topps 100 Jesus Montero

Who is this? New Seattle Mariners Catcher/Designated Hitter Jesus Montero.
What is this? An autograph card from 2010 Bowman Topps 100.
Where'd I get it? I got this card signed by Jesus Montero before a Pawtucket Red Sox v. Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees game last Spring.
How much did it cost? I paid about 25 cents for this card last winter.

Why is this so special? Jesus Montero has been one of the most highly-touted and closely scrutinized prospects in the Minor Leagues for the last few seasons. Montero has been championed as an elite power-hitter who can handle advanced pitching, while his critics point to his lack of a clear defensive position as a weakness.

After two years of trade talks and rumors, the Yankees (finally) traded Jesus Montero to the Seattle Mariners on January 14, 2012 for Pitcher Michael Pineda. Looking forward, Montero could help bring some offensive fire-power to that Seattle has been lacking in recent years.

In my experience, Montero is a reluctant signer, AT BEST. In the four or five times that I tried to get him to sign some cards, he only signed once. Luckily, I had two clipboards hanging over the SWB Yankees dugout during batting-practice and he signed two cards on each.

Unfortunately, Montero's signature isn't much to look at and he smudged his autograph on the 2009 TriSTAR Obak card. Nonetheless, I am happy to have these cards signed and I (reluctantly) wish Jesus good luck with the Mariners.

2004 Topps Total Scott Spiezio

Who is this? former Seattle Mariners infielder Scott Spiezio
What is this? An autographed 2004 Topps Total card
Where'd I get it? Spiezio signed it before a Newark Bears game last year.
How much did it cost? I got it out of a pack.


Why is this so special? Spiezio had a 12 year major league career, earning World Series rings with the Anaheim Angels in 2002 and St. Louis Cardinals in 2006.

Last season, he appeared in 52 games for the Newark Bears in the independent Atlantic League, batting .279 with 3 home runs and 35 RBIs.

Spiezio has an ... interesting ... ballpark autograph.

1996 Topps Bill Swift

Who is this? former major league pitcher Bill Swift
What is this? An autographed card from the 1996 Topps set
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Swift and asked him to sign it; I got it back a couple of weeks later.
How much did it cost? Postage, basically

Why is this so special? Bill Swift was never an All-Star, but he did have a good major league career. In 13 seasons from 1985 through 1998, he won 94 games while losing only 74 and his career ERA was 3.95. He pitched for the Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies.

In his best season, Swift won 21 games while losing 8 for the 1993 San Francisco Giants. The year before, he led the National League with a 2.08 ERA.

Swift's autograph is quick, but hie initials are easy to decipher. Here is a 1987 Topps card:

2003 Bowman Chrome Chris Colton

Who is this? Wichita Wingnuts & Joliet Jackhammers outfielder Chris Colton
What is this? An autographed card from the 2003 Bowman Chrome set
Where'd I get it? From Zach, who probably got it signed at a Northern League or American Association game this year.


Why is this so special? Chris Colton was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 15th round of the 2001 draft. He made his pro debut with the Everett Aqua Sox in 2002. Colton remained in the Mariners' organization into the 2007 season, but he never advanced past A-ball. Since then, he's played independent baseball. It's a bit surprising that he was included in a Bowman set.

Like yesterday's featured player, Colton's autograph is basically his initials... at least he added his uniform number.

2007 Upper Deck First Edition Travis Chick

Who is this? former Seattle Mariners pitcher Travis Chick

What is this? An autographed card from the 2007 Upper Deck First Edition set


Where'd I get it? Chick signed it for met at a game between the Camden Riversharks and Newark Bears earlier this year.


How much did it cost? I'm not sure; I have no idea where I got the card.

Why is this so special? Travis Chick was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 14th round of the 2002 draft. He was traded three times before he reached the majors - once for Joe Randa and later for Eddy Guardado.

Chick appeared in three games for the 2006 Seattle Mariners as a September call-up, but I doubt they have many fond memories of him out there. Chick allowed seven runs on seven hits and 10 walks in just five innings.

Since then, Chick has played in the minors for three different organizations. He found his way into independent league baseball in 2010, when he was the Camden Riversharks' opening day starter. On April 22, he pitched five innings and allowed three runs on four hits and three walks in five innings. He surrendered Paddy Matera's first (and, to date, only) professional home run in his final inning of work that night.

Chick has a 5-4 record with a 4.40 ERA in 14 games with Camden. He was placed on the inactive list last month.

Chick does not have a pretty autograph, but you can read it.

2005 Topps Total Scott Spiezio

Who is this? Former Seattle Mariners infielder Scott Spiezio
 
What is this? An autographed card from the 2005 Topps Total set
 
Where'd I get it? Spiezio signed it for me after warmups at a Newark Bears game earlier this year.
 
How much did it cost? The card came out of a pack.
 
Why is this so special? Scott Spiezio, son of former major leaguer Ed Spiezio, spent parts of 12 seasons in the big leagues. He has 996 hits, 119 home runs, 549 RBI and two World Series rings.

In 2005, Spiezio's second with the Mariners, he appeared in just 29 games. He was 3-for-47, though one of those hits was a solo home run.

Spiezio began the 2010 season with the Newark Bears, but is no longer listed on the roster. It's possible that he has decided to retire from baseball.

Of the four cards Spiezio signed for me this year, this is the most rushed signature.

1997 Leaf Signature Series Alex Diaz

Who is this? Alex Diaz, a former journeyman outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros

What is this? An autographed card from the 1997 Leaf Signature Series

Where'd I get it? It was another purchase from this month's baseball card show

How much did it cost? $1

Why is this so special? Alex Diaz started his career in the Mets minor league system in 1987. He was traded to the Expos in 1991 in a minor deal, and they flipped him to the Brewers later that year in another minor move. Milwaukee finally gave him the chance to play in the majors in 1992.

In 1995, Diaz appeared in 103 regular season games for the Seattle Mariners and six playoff games. He hit .247 with three home runs and 27 RBI. He also stole 18 bases. It was his best season in the big leagues.

Diaz briefly returned to the Mets system in 1997, but he never appeared in a major league game for New York. In parts of 8 seasons in the majors, Diaz appeared in a total of 366 games, hitting .239 with 8 home runs and 75 RBI.

Diaz has an interesting autograph -- it almost looks like he tried to draw a face in the "D"