Through The Mail

Autograph/ Autograph Collecting/ Rookie Baseball Cards/ Through The Mail

Willson Contreras – World Series Champion

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Willson Contreras Chicago Cubs – World Series Champion!

During the autograph collecting in 2017 at Miami Marlins park, one of the most gracious signers is none other than Willson Contreras. Each and everyday he signed cards, photos for just about anyone that wanted it. Some people may be of the opinion that he should have, but nonetheless he is a member of the Chicago Cubs team that busted the World Series jinx! Should or not, he did and was very humble and gracious about it.

The World Series can sometime change people and their perspective as to when they will sign and how many. Also the constant autograph hounding. I would like to give a huge shout out to Kris Bryant. Bryant was loyal and true to the fans not only taking the time to sign autographs, but went down the line and took photographs with special needs children. That boys and girls is what it is all about in the very, very end!!! Cannot say the same for Anthony Rizzo, Jon Lester, and some of the other well named notables. They did not give any of the fans down here in Miami the time of day!!!

Autograph/ Autograph Collecting/ Through The Mail

World Series MVP – Jose Rijo

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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

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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

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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/ Through The Mail

Tino Martinez – 4 Time World Series Champ

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NY Yankees 4 Time Champ – Tino Martinez

The World Baseball Classic has given us Floridians many opportunities to gather some of the best autographs available to anyone with the inclusion of the following teams battling for a title….Colombia, Canada, USA, and Dominican Republic. Team USA won, but we were able to get a glimpse of these other teams, and enjoy a few days, and some autograph hounding!

Many players obliged, and some didn’t. So you know if you seek autographs you take the good with the bad. Not too bad, a nice autograph of Tino Martinez, 4 time NY Yankees World Series Champ!

Autograph/ Jack Nicholson/ Through The Mail

Celebrity Autographs Through The Mail

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Newest addition to my #ttm family of autographs. This Jack Nicholson autograph is one that I have been waiting on for about 7 months. Hollywood Legend autographs are always neat to get through the mail. One of the best things to do using the good old snail mail. Always a special treat to receive something in the mail. Autograph requests have been a hobby of mine for about 44 years now, and it never gets old to interact with people through the mail.

A special thanks to Jack Nicholson for taking the time to interact with his fans, truly one of the most memorable actors of any generation. Thanks for the autograph!