2005 Topps D'Angelo Jimenez

Who is this? Former Newark Bears middle infielder D'Angelo Jimenez.

What is this? An autograph card from the 2005 Topps set.

Where'd I get it? In person before a Bears game last season.

How much did it cost? The card cost around 50 cents.

Why is this so special? D'Angelo played 8 years in the major leagues, starting with the Yankees in 1999. Throughout his career, he played for 7 different big league teams; the Yankees, Padres, White Sox, Reds, Rangers, A's, and Nationals. He had a career batting average of .263, with 568 hits, 228 RBIs, and 36 home runs.

Last season was his first season in the Atlantic League. He played in 38 games for Newark, batting .326 while collecting 47 hits.

D'Angelo's signature used to be longer and more detailed, but it is understandable that he shortened it. He has probably signed thousands of autographs in his career. He has an interesting way of signing the D in his first name, but I like his signature because it's short and recognizable.

2003 Topps Heritage Wayne Lydon

Who is this? Somerset Patriots outfielder Wayne Lydon.

What is this? An autograph card from the 2003 Topps Heritage set.

Where'd I get it? I got the card signed at last year's Atlantic League All-Star Game in Newark.

How much did it cost? The card probably cost around 50 cents.

Why is this so special? Lydon played his first seven seasons of professional baseball in the Mets organization starting in 1999, and then was traded to the Blue Jays, where he then played 4 years in their farm system. In 2002, Wayne stole 87 bases for Columbia in the SAL.

Lydon was selected to the Atlantic League All-Star Game last year as a Camden Rivershark. He hit .273 with 5 homers and 54 RBIs last season, in addition to 72 stolen bases. He is currently playing for the Somerset Patriots.

Lydon has a short "at the ballpark" autograph. You can make out "Wy L" although the W looks more like an N or a V.

2003 SP Chirography Jim Edmonds

Who is this? Milwaukee Brewers centerfielder Jim Edmonds.

What is this? An autograph card from the 2003 SP Chirography set.

Where'd I get it? I bought it off eBay a few months ago.

How much did it cost? I don't remember exactly how much it cost, but I remember it being fairly cheap, maybe around $3 plus shipping.

Why is this so special? Jim Edmonds has always been one of my favorite players, simply because he is such an amazing outfielder. So far he has won 8 Gold Gloves in his 16 year career, and he has been know for making some of the most amazing catches in baseball history. The one that most people remember was the one he made while playing for Anaheim against the Royals on June 10, 1997 to rob a sure double.

Edmonds is hitting .280 with 3 homers in 27 games this season for the Brewers, which isn't bad for a guy who didn't even know if he'd be playing this season.

Edmonds has a very nice and distinctive auto. He has an interesting way of making the d's in his last name, but I really like his signature.