Autograph Collecting

Autograph/ Autograph Collecting/ Through The Mail

World Series MVP – Jose Rijo

, , , , ,

Jose Rijo – World Series MVP

During a recent trip to see the Port St. Lucie Mets play against the Dunedin Blue Jays, the affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, I had the distinct honor of meeting and speaking to Jose Rijo. Mr. Rijo was the MVP of the 1990 World Series in which the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Oakland A’s.

Mr. Jose Rijo travels with the family of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and made the trip to Port St. Lucie this past weekend. So picking up his autograph was so sweet. He was nice enough to place “MVP” “10/20/90” and “World Series” inscriptions on the ball. In all, it was a good weekend for me as I was able to land the following autographs:

  • Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
  • Jose Rijo
  • Tim Tebow
  • Pete Alonso
  • Justin Dunn
  • Corey Hart
  • David Wright

Thanks for reading, and following. Keep graphing and please send me any cool autograph stories you want posted and would like to share…

Autograph/ Autograph Collecting/ Through The Mail

Finally…ICHIRO! MLB Autograph

, , ,

Ichiro Signs 8/11/2017 Miami Marlins Park!

If you read my previous post, you will see that obtaining an Ichiro autograph is a huge case of luck and being at the right place, at the right time, no doubt about that. I will explain that. First of all, I was able to get into the park at 4:30 as part of the Fish Family program that is run by the Miami Marlins. This puts you in the ball park about 1 hour before anyone even wants to be there. However, there was a huge traffic jam, and my entry into the park was delayed about 15 minutes. Next, the team decided to cancel batting practice that day, it happens from time to time.

When I say that, I was surprised to see that Ichiro who keeps a well extended work-out schedule came out to warm up even though no one else did on the Miami Marlins team. As he came out and warmed up, many of the 25 people or so who made  their way into the stadium on the left field side began to chant Ichiro, Ichiro, Ichiro…

This happens every time he comes out, with little or no guarantee that he would come over and sign. There is a small pattern however, that you can follow should he attempt to play another year with the Miami Marlins. He favors, the first back after a long road trip as a day to reward the loyal fans, with an autograph.

On this day, he did just that. After warming up for about 15-20 minutes, he came over and obliged the loyal fans that cheer him on and call on him. Luckily, and I mean very, very luckily, I was one of the chosen ones on this day, and this picture above is it. Now when he begins to sign, he grabs a sharpie from someone and usually everyone will get his autograph with the sharpie. A few people told me afterwards, “aw man, he ruined your baseball!” Let me say it like this, I will take his autograph, anyday, anytime, and with any medium, point blank!!! He is basically giving you a $100.00 gift anytime he dons his graph on your item. Now I am not a seller, so I will tell it like this…Ichiro thank you so very much for the time, and the graph!!!

Autograph/ Autograph Collecting/ Through The Mail

Hunter Pence – Autograph Spotlight

, , , , , ,

Hunter Pence – Autographed MLB Baseball

Miami Marlins Park, SF Giants Vs. Miami Marlins August 15, 2017. If you collect memorabilia, and autographs or both long enough you will see just about everything, and I have been doing it for about 37 years now. So you can be sure of that!

So while you try to get Bruce Bochy and he brushes you off like yesterday’s lint on a cheap suit. Or perhaps, you try to get Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and he signs for you and takes 5 minutes out of his routine to have a conversation with you about him being the manager of the year and totally feeling embarrassed because he is humble, these are all possibilities. Like I said you do this long enough and you see it all.

There is always something to learn from an autograph hunt, or hound. Sometimes they are positively beautiful, positive and uber cool. Other times not so much. I mean let’s be real, it’s not an obligation of theirs, but when you consider how much money we spend on tickets, over-priced hot dogs, and pizzas to keep these professional athletes employed, I think they can make more of an effort. I know that autographs are like that itch that just won’t go away no matter what cream you put on it, but let us be real, it is a huge part of the game. In addition, it is the number one thing a player can do to truly become an Ambassador of the game, and we will take them all great, super, and average.

Let us take Hunter Pence, the subject of this post. Hunter Pence did something that in all my years of hunting for autographs, I have yet to see any other do. He arrived on the team bus, was called out for a few moments by a few fans, and he dropped his bags to the floor and walked down the ramp to sign. He signed for everyone, and left no one out.

He only walked away, when no one else wanted an autograph. Wow!!! That is the way this is supposed to work. Not all of them, and not each and everyday. However, one of the games in a series, make it count, make it special. On August 15, 2017, I am so pleased that Hunter Pence did just that. Thanks from all of us that received.

Autograph/ Autograph Collecting

Miami Marlins Stadium – ICHIRO

, , , ,

ICHIRO – Spotlight 

One of the true emotional conquest of any autograph seeker is to obtain that elusive autograph of a legend in his own time. Many athletes do not know when to call it quits, but sometimes you see an athlete out there that you just have not been able to land an autograph of and you wish the day never comes when he/she leaves without giving you that brush with greatness. Thanks to the baseball gods, for me it came on Friday August 11, 2017.

If you ever landed or came close to landing Ichiro’s autograph, I don’t have to tell you that it is total mayhem. If you are a big guy like me, your chances of obtaining the graph are good, if you are a small scrawny guy or gal, beware cause this is an autograph that will get you hurt. I think I received a few contusions myself, but the awesome feeling you get when you do land the autograph is worth the punches and late night cramps from the stretch you gave your body to position that ball in front of everyone else’s.

This pic taken by MLB Miami Marlins baseball, my hand is all you can see here, but my positioning was such that he worked his way back to me, and until the very end, I never knew I was in the mix. I ended up being the last autograph he signed that day. My wife asked me three days later why I was still smiling, I didn’t even answer her, I just thought to myself…If you only knew how close I was to not getting that elusive Ichiro autograph that day. The day unfolded very unfavorable for me to even have a chance to land the autograph, but I will save that story for the next post, and yes the picture of my Ichiro autograph!!!

 

Autograph/ Autograph Collecting/ Specialty Cards

Pablo Sandoval – Spotlight San Francisco

, , , ,

Pablo Sandoval – SF Giants

Second go around for Pablo Sandoval with the San Francisco Giants, this World Series Champ was more than willing to sign multiple autographs for his fans waiting outside Miami Marlins park, however he refused to sign “sweet spot” which was OK with me as I was attempting to get multiple autographs on a team ball, and did not want him to sign the sweet spot. He was more than willing to sign, so it was a plus for all of us out here on this crazy hot day in South Florida.

While the SF Giants were not the friendliest of teams, with quite a few players and coaches spurning us at the entrance, and Bruce Bochy being his usual friendly self, it was tough to say the least because most of the players did arrive on the team bus. However, we did get Sir Hensley Muelens who was nice enough to sign, look for the post with the card autographed by Mr. Muelens, I will post it shortly. Here are some of the stats for Panda…Honorable mentions are 3 x World Series Champion!

San Francisco Giants – No. 48
Third baseman
Born: August 11, 1986 (age 31)
Puerto Cabello, Venezuela
Bats: Switch Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 14, 2008, for the San Francisco Giants
MLB statistics
(through August 4, 2017)
Batting average .285
Hits 1,082
Home runs 120
Runs batted in 521
Teams
  • San Francisco Giants (2008–2014)
  • Boston Red Sox (2015–2017)
  • San Francisco Giants (2017–present)
Career highlights and awards
  • 3× World Series champion (2010, 2012, 2014)
  • World Series MVP (2012)
  • Babe Ruth Award (2012)
  • 2× All-Star (2011, 2012)
  • Hit for the cycle on September 15, 2011

 

Autograph Collecting/ Baseball card price

Montreal Expos Spot-light Tim Wallach

, , , ,

Tim Wallach – Montreal Expos

August 13, 2017 Miami Marlins stadium, Colorado Rockies vs. Miami Marlins, netted me the above shown autograph card signed by Tim Wallach. Tim Wallach is now a coach with the Miami Marlins. During his major league career, Tim belted 260 homeruns as members of the following MLB teams…

  • The Montreal Expos
  • The Los Angeles Dodgers
  • The California Angels
  • The Los Angeles Dodgers

Please see below the information for his playing years…

Third baseman
Born: September 14, 1957 (age 59)
Huntington Park, California
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 6, 1980, for the Montreal Expos
Last MLB appearance
September 29, 1996, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
MLB statistics
Batting average .257
Home runs 260
Runs batted in 1,125
Teams
  • Montreal Expos (1980–1992)
  • Los Angeles Dodgers (1993–1995)
  • California Angels (1996)
  • Los Angeles Dodgers (1996)
Career highlights and awards
  • 5× All-Star (1984, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990)
  • 3× Gold Glove Award (1985, 1988, 1990)
  • 2× Silver Slugger Award (1985, 1987)
  • Golden Spikes Award (1979)

 

Autograph/ Autograph Collecting/ Basketball Rookie Cards

MLB Detroit Tigers Matt Boyd Autograph

, , , ,

Matt Boyd Autographed MLB Official Baseball

Spring Training baseball is fun, and way more loose and personal than any MLB baseball game I have ever been to. The autographs come easier and everyone is laid back, at least the MLB stars. If you have never taken the time to come to Florida or visit Nevada for Spring Training baseball, you really are missing something special. I was able to meet some cool ball players that took the time to sign autographs, even thought they were not going to make the big league club immediately. Here is to having a successful autograph 2017 season! In addition, I am always adding plenty of ttm autographs, (through the mail). Till the next post…


< 1 2 3 4 5 >»