1987 Topps Tim Raines

Who is this? Newark Bears manager Tim Raines
What is this? An autographed 1987 Topps card
Where'd I get it? Raines signed it before a Bears game last week
How much did it cost? 1987 Topps cards seem to spontaneously appear, and the autograph itself was free


Why is this so special? Tim Raines is a seven-time All-Star, and was the MVP of the 1987 game. He has three World Series rings (two with the Yankees and one with the White Sox) and had his number retired by the Montreal Expos. Raines has 808 career stolen bases, fifth all-time in major league history.

I don't think that Raines really enjoys signing autographs, but he does it for the handful of fans that come to Newark Bears games. His signature is impressively legible.

2009 Topps David Robertson

Who is this? New York Yankees relief pitcher David Robertson
What is this? An autographed 2009 Topps card
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Robertson and asked him to sign it during spring training.
How much did it cost? I got the card out of a pack in 2009, and I spent 88 cents for postage.

Why is this so special? Robertson is having a career year for the Yankees, leading some to believe he should have been selected for the All-Star team. I think he was a victim of his teammates' success - there are only so many spots on the team, and they can't all go to Yankees.

That takes nothing away from Robertson's success. In 33.1 innings, he struck out 53 batters while allowing 23 hits and 20 walks. His record is 1-0 with a minuscule 1.08 ERA through Saturday's games.

Robertson is in his fourth year with the Yankees. He pitched in Trenton briefly in 2007 and 2008, but I don't think I ever saw him as a member of the Thunder. He is the brother of former Athletics and Diamonbacks pitcher Connor Robertson.

I'm impressed with Robertson's autograph. It is legible, which is not the case with many current ballplayers. I'm more impressed that he's still taking time to answer fan mail during this fantastic run of success.

2011 Topps Gaby Sanchez

Who is this? Florida Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez
What is this? An autographed 2011 Topps card
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Sanchez at the Marlins spring training camp and asked him to sign it
How much did it cost? I got the unsigned card out of a pack.

Why is this so special? Sanchez hit .273 with 19 home runs and 85 RBI as a rookie for the Florida Marlins last season. He finished fourth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, behind Buster Posey, Jason Heyward and Jaime Garcia, but ahead of Starlin Castro and Ike Davis.

His autograph is a bit tough to make out since he signed in black on a mostly dark background, but he did personalize the card to me.

2008 Topps Josh Johnson

Who is this? Florida Marlins pitcher Josh Johnson
What is this? An autographed 2008 Topps card
Where'd I get it? I bought it from former Mike Pelfrey collector Anthony when he decided to get out of the baseball card hobby last fall.


Why is this so special? Josh Johnson is a two-time All-Star and the best pitcher in the Florida Marlins rotation. I watched him hold the Mets hitless for six innings earlier tonight en route to a 6-2 Opening Day victory. Johnson has a lifetime 8-1 record against the Mets in 13 games.

Though Johnson only had an 11-6 record last year, he led the National League in ERA (2.30) and adjusted ERA+ (182) last season. It's scary how good Johnson could be with better defense behind him.

Johnson's autograph isn't particularly pretty, but it's easy to make out his initials.

2009 Topps Fredi Gonzalez

Who is this? Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez
What is this? An autographed 2009 Topps Throwback logo parallel card from a Target blaster.
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Gonzalez at Braves spring training camp and asked him to sign it
How much did it cost? The unsigned card came out of a $19.99 blaster box from Target.

Why is this so special? I had been doing pretty well with my spring training autograph requests for awhile, but when I got Gonzalez's card on Friday, it was my first success in nearly two weeks. Unless I get a big run of late returns, I'm going to cut back on the number of letters I send out next year - my success rate is currently around 35 percent.

Gonzalez has the unenviable task of taking over for future Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox in Atlanta this season. The Cuban native spent three and a half seasons managing the Florida Marlins before getting fired last year. He was named the 2008 Sporting News Manager of the Year.

Gonzalez doesn't have a very pretty autograph, but I imagine it's quick to sign.

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.

2009 Topps Chris Young

Who is this? Mets pitcher Chris Young
What is this? An autographed 2009 Topps card
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Young during spring training and asked him to sign it.
How much did it cost? I got the unsigned card out of a pack.


Why is this so special? Young began his major league career with the Texas Rangers in 2004. In January 2006, the Rangers made a fairly one-sided trade with the Padres that sent Young, Adrian Gonzalez and Termell Sledge to San Diego for Adam Eaton, Akinori Otsuka and minor leaguer Billy Killian.

In San Diego, Young was an All-Star in 2007 and twice finished in the top 10 in National League ERA. Beginning in 2008, Young's career was hampered by a number of injuries. The Mets are hoping that he'll be able to return to All-Star form in 2011.

Young has a surprisingly neat, clear autograph.

2011 Topps Neil Walker

Who is this? Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker
What is this? An autograph 2011 Topps card
Where'd I get it? I got the unsigned card out of a pack from Target & I mailed to to Walker at Pirates spring training camp to see if he'd sign it. I got it back earlier this week.
How much did it cost? Around $1, counting postage.

Why is this so special? I do believe that this is the first 2011 card I've gotten signed.

The Pittsburgh Pirates made Walker the 11th overall pick in the 2004 draft. A highly-regarded prospect, Walker rose through the Pittsburgh farm system and made his major league debut in September 2009. Last season, manager John Russell gave him a chance to play second base after Akinori Iwamura struggled.

Walker responded with a strong rookie season, batting .296 with 12 home runs and 66 RBI in 426 at-bats. That was good enough to finish fifth in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting.

Though it is difficult to see because he signing in black on a partly-dark background, Walker's signature is somewhat legible.

2004 Topps Retired Signature Autographs #EW Earl Weaver

Who is this? Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver
What is this? A 2004 Topps Retired Signature Autographs card
Where'd I get it? I won it in a contest run by Ryan of the Great Orioles Autograph Project
How much did it cost? It was free

Why is this so special? This is the nicest sports card prize I've ever won, and one of a relatively small number of cards signed by Hall of Famers in my collection.

Weaver spent his entire 17-year managerial career with the Orioles. His Baltimore teams won four pennants and one World Series title. His overall record was 1480-1060, a .583 winning percentage.

Despite his success, Weaver is best remembered for his 97 career ejections and legendary arguments with umpires. One argument even led to the forfeit of a game in 1977.

Earl Weaver has a great autograph - you can make out every letter.

1973 Topps Jim Nettles

Who is this? former Minnesota Twins outfielder Jim Nettles
What is this? An autographed card from the 1973 Topps set
Where'd I get it? I wrote to Nettles and asked him to sign it; I got it back yesterday, about 10 days later.
How much did it cost? I got the unsigned card for a dime.

Why is this so special? Jim Nettles is the brother of famed 1970s Yankee third baseman Graig Nettles. Jim didn't enjoy the same degree of success in baseball - he was strictly a part-time player. Jim played for four different teams over six seasons, but never had more than 235 at-bats in a season.

I was interested in adding Jim's autograph to my collection because I watched his nephew, Jeff, play for the Somerset Patriots in the Atlantic League for several seasons. I already had Jeff and Graig's autographs.

1963 Topps Joe Christopher

Who is this? former New York Mets outfielder Joe Christopher
What is this? An autographed card from the 1963 Topps set
Where'd I get it? I bought it from a dealer at an autograph show last year.
How much did it cost? $10


Why is this so special?  Joe Christopher was  an outfielder for the Mets from 1962-1965.

When he made his Major League debut with the Pirates in 1959, Christopher became the first player born in the U.S. Virgin Islands to reach the big leagues. His debut came on May 26, 1959 — in Harvey Haddix’s nearly perfect game. 

In 1960, Christopher won a World Series ring with the Pirates. He appeared in three World Series games as a pinch hitter or pinch runner.

Christopher was the Mets’ fifth pick in the expansion draft, but he didn’t make the team out of spring training in 1962. He began the season with the Syracuse Chiefs, but was called up in June. Christopher hit .244 with six home runs and 32 RBI for the worst team in modern baseball history.

Christopher was a part-time player again in 1963, but he won a full-time job in 1964. He responded with his best season in the big leagues: a .300 batting average, 16 home runs and 76 RBI. Christopher could not maintain that form in 1965, so that off-season the Mets traded him to Boston for shortstop Ed Bressoud.

Christopher played briefly for the Red Sox in 1966, his final season in the majors. For more about Christopher, check out his bio at the Baseball Biography Project.

This is the second Joe Christopher autograph in my collection - I had forgotten that I already had a 1965 Topps card signed. I've resolved to print out a copy of my wantlist to take to future shows.

Christopher has a neat autograph, but the "C" in his last name is fairly unusual.

1978 Topps Jim Rooker

Who is this? former Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Jim Rooker
What is this? An autographed card from the 1978 Topps set
Where'd I get it? Nick from Baseball Happenings got it signed for me last year.


Why is this so special? Rooker had a solid 13-year major league career with the Tigers, Royals and Pirates, but I never saw him play since he retired after the 1980 season. His lifetime record was 103-109 and he won a World Series ring with the 1979 Pirates.

I remember Jim Rooker because of a comment he made during a broadcast of a Pittsburgh Pirates game in 1989. The Pirates put up 10 runs in the first inning of a game against the Phillies, and Rooker said on air, "If we lose this game, I’ll walk home." Sure enough, the Phillies staged a comeback and won 15-11.

After the season, Rooker followed through on his promise and walked over 300 miles while raising money for charity.

I'm glad I don't have to decipher Rooker's signature.

1974 Topps Dave LaRoche

Who is this? former New York Mets bullpen coach Dave LaRoche
What is this? An autographed card from the 1974 Topps set
Where'd I get it? I wrote to LaRoche and asked him to sign it
How much did it cost? I don't remember.

Why is this so special? Once upon a time, I kept a small binder with a baseball card for each player, coach and the manager of the New York Mets' active roster -- back in the days before the widespread availability of the internet, it was a way to keep stats handy and remember some trivia.

I'd put the manager first, then the coaches, the pitchers, catchers, infielders, outfielders and finally the guys on the disabled list and in the minor leagues. I lost interest in keeping up this project sometime in 1992 or 1993 when LaRoche was the Mets' bullpen coach - this was his card in the binder. When I re-discovered it recently, I decided I'd mail it to him and see if he'd sign it.

Before he entered the coaching ranks, LaRoche was a relief pitcher for the Angels, Twins, Cubs, Indians, and Yankees during the 1970s and early 80s. He was a two-time All-Star and frequently finished among the league leaders in games finished.

LaRoche was best known for throwing a big, slow blooper pitch he called "La Lob" which would arc up to 20 feet in the air before dropping back in the strike zone. LaRoche's sons, Adam and Andy, are current professional ballplayers. Adam will play for the Nationals this season, while Andy just signed a minor league deal with the Oakland organization.

Dave LaRoche has the handwriting everyone expects of a left-hander, but you can make out a few letters in his autograph. Here's another card he signed for me.

2004 Topps Cracker Jack Jack McKeon

Who is this? former Florida Marlins manager Jack McKeon
What is this? An autographed card from the 2004 Topps Cracker Jack set
Where'd I get it? I purchased it from a SportsGraphing.com forum member late last year.
How much did it cost? $2-$3


Why is this so special? I don't actively collect them, but when I have a chance I like to pick up autographs of players who are from my home state. McKeon is one of six baseball players to reach the major leagues who went to school at St. Mary's, a Catholic school in the tiny New Jersey city of South Amboy.

McKeon never reached the big leagues as a player. Instead, he made his mark as a manager. A two-time Manager of the Year, McKeon guided the Florida Marlins to a World Series title in 2003.

Though his autograph seems a little cramped, you can read it without much difficulty. I wish more current ballplayers had better signatures.

2006 Topps Rookie Debut Dan Uggla

Who is this? Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla
What is this? An autographed card from the 2006 Topps Update Rookie Debut insert set
Where'd I get it? I purchased it from a Sportsgraphing.com forum member late last year.
How much did it cost? $4 or $5

Why is this so special? Dan Uggla began his career in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, but he couldn't crack the 40-man roster and was therefore available in the Rule V draft. The Florida Marlins selected him and gave him a chance to start at second base. He rewarded them with an All-Star season in his rookie year.

Uggla gets criticized for his defense, which is mediocre at  best, and his high strikeout totals. Nevertheless, he is one of the best offensive second basemen in baseball. For that reason, he reminds me a little of Jeff Kent.

Uggla doesn't have the prettiest signature, but it's easier to decipher than many other active players.

1969 Topps Jim Hannan

Who is this? former Washington Senators pitcher Jim Hannan
What is this? An autographed card from the 1969 Topps set
Where'd I get it? Nick from Baseball Happenings got it signed for me last year

Why is this so special? Jim Hannan is a Jersey City, NJ native who pitched in the major leagues for ten seasons between 1962 and 1971. He spent most of his career with the Senators, but also pitched for the Brewers and Tigers before retiring.

In 273 appearances - mostly out of the bullpen - Hannan had a 41-48 record with a 3.88 lifetime ERA.

Though Hannan's handwriting is not especially neat, you can clearly read his name.

Questionable 1983 Topps Dan Quisenberry

Who is this? former Kansas City Royals closer Dan Quisenberry
What is this? A signed card from the 1983 Topps set
Where'd I get it? I picked it up from a card show dealer who buys up collections and re-sells the cards  How much did it cost? Not much... I got it and a bunch of other cards for $5


Why is this so special? I have my doubts that this card was actually signed by Quisenberry, but I'm not familiar enough with his autograph to have an informed opinion. A look at the PSA-slabbed cards on eBay didn't do much to clarify the matter - just take a look at the variety of autographs there.

If anybody is familiar with Quisenberry's autograph, I'd welcome your opinion. I'd also be interested in seeing photos/scans of items that were signed in-person.

Quisenberry was a submarine-style closer in the early 1980s. A three-time All-Star, Quisenberry led the American League in saves five times and won five Rolaids Relief Man awards. He died in 1998 at the age of 45.

2010 Topps T-206 Heath Bell

Who is this? San Diego Padres closer Heath Bell
What is this? An autograph insert card from the 2010 Topps T-206 set
Where'd I get it? I bought it from a dealer at a local card show last year
How much did it cost? $5

Why is this so special? For the past two seasons, Heath Bell has gone to the All-Star Game and won the National League Rolaids Relief Man Award. Before taking over as the Padres' closer, Bell served as Trevor Hoffman's setup man.

From 2004 to 2006, Bell was a member of the New York Mets organization. The team bounced him between AAA and the majors and never gave him much of a chance to establish a role in the bullpen. After the 2006 season, Omar Minaya traded him and Royce Ring for Jon Adkins and Ben Johnson - two players that had no impact in New York.

Bell's autograph has not changed much since his days with the Mets. It's easier to read than most current players'.

1976 Topps Graig Nettles

Who is this? former New York Yankees 3rd baseman Graig Nettles
What is this? An autographed card from the 1976 Topps set
Where'd I get it? Nick from Baseball Happenings got it signed for me last year.


Why is this so special? Happy New Year! Graig Nettles' autograph is the first one that I'm posting in 2011.

Nettles was a six-time All-Star and a two-time Gold Glove winner, but I know him best as the father of Somerset Patriots third baseman Jeff Nettles. (What can I say -- I watched Jeff Nettles play in the Atlantic League for years... Graig Nettles was a role player at the end of his career by the time I started to follow baseball.)

Nettles occasionally attended Somerset Patriots games to watch his son play, but he was usually mobbed by autograph seekers if he didn't go up to one of the stadium's luxury boxes. It never really felt appropriate to me to bother a father trying to watch his son's game, so I never approached him to ask for an autograph. (plus I wanted to watch the game, too)

Graig Nettles has two World Series rings, 2,225 hits, 390 home runs and 1,314 hits for his career. He received 8.3 percent of the votes in the 1994 Hall of Fame election, his first year on the ballot. Each year, his support dropped until he was removed from the ballot after receiving just 4.7 percent of the vote in 1997.

Baseball Reference tracks a stat called Wins Above Replacement, which attempts to measure how much more valuable a player is than a hypothetical "average" player. Nettles was worth 61.6 WAR during his career, more than Hall of Famers Harmon Killebrew, Dave Winfield and Willie Stargell, among others.

Nettles' autograph looks like it was a little cramped because he signed it on card... perhaps on a larger item it would look a little neater.

1967 Topps Fred Valentine

I hope that everyone had a good Dec. 25th. If you celebrate Christmas, I hope that Santa was good to you and your family. If not, I hope that you saw something good at the movies or enjoyed whatever tradition that you've developed over the years.

I don't normally post on Sundays, but I've had enough football and I don't want to go back out to shovel again right now :) So here's a bonus cards for whoever else is hanging around their computers on a holiday weekend.

Who is this? Former Washington Senators and Baltimore Orioles outfielder Fred Valentine
What is this? An autographed card from the 1967 Topps set
Where'd I get it? Nick from Baseball Happenings got it signed for me last month.


Why is this so special? I love the 1967 Topps set. It has a nice, simple design that emphasizes the photos. I'm in the minority, but I prefer the classic posed portrait shots to the standard action photos that dominate modern baseball card sets. This is a great-looking card, and Valentine's careful signature only adds to it.

Valentine played in the major leagues for seven seasons between 1959 and 1968 before finishing his baseball career in Japan.

According to Baseball Reference, Valentine and George Altman were the first players from Tennessee State University to reach the major leagues. (I now have autographs from both, though I did not realize there was a connection between the two until now.) Valentine was also an All-American quarterback for Tennessee State and could have played pro football instead of opting for baseball.

Wikipedia claims that Valentine was nicknamed "Wally the Biscuit Killer," but I don't think I believe them. (If it's true, I'd love to learn the origin of that nickname.)