New Addition to Autograph Collection

Recently while I was a cripple mess Ike Davis - Mets 1st round pick in the 08 draft did a signing at the local card shop - LJ (owner/pusher) was kind enough to have Ike sign a photo for me in my absence - I think it's a nice shot and I'm stoked to get a frame for it some day (I'm way too lazy to assume it will be anyday soon) and hang this duder up - Just thought I would share!

Brad Holt was supposed to be there to but didnt show up with some BS excuse apparently - rumor has it he is not very fan friendly - your nobody yet Brad - let's not get too big for your own britches yet.

TTM - Andy Ashby

This is a card from Topps that I obtained in a trade with Joe. Not too much to say about Andy, he had a few very good seasons in which he was an All Star in 1998/1999. He went 17-9 and 14-10 respectively those years. Look at those numbers and Andy's career, you think nice seasons, good pitcher. Put those two seasons on the free agent market and you are looking at a guy like Carl Pavano looking for that big contract. Its amazing how things change in 10 years.

TTM - Scott Bailes

Today's card, like many of my cards came from a trade with friend, downstairs neighbor, co-worker Joe @ MLB Collector. This is a 92 Donruss card of Mr. Scott Bailes pictured as a CALIFORNIA angel (back before you needed to take a breath after you completed saying the full team name). Scott's career was for the most part not remarkable (by way of a normal player - I doubt there are any of us who don't feel just getting there is incredible). What I find most interesting about Scott is that he now calls games on the radio for the Cardinals AA team.



Personally, I love listening to former ballplayers (McCarver excluded) - this applies more so to on radio than TV. There is a sense of legitimacy to what they are saying. Who are your favorites to listen to?

TTM - Rafael Belliard

When I first started sending cards out in the mail early 2008, one of the first cards I got back was from Rafael Belliard. We all know the drill, all field no hit middle infielder. Dime a dozen in his era. The one thing I found interesting about this signature is that it looks like that english is second language as far as handwriting as well as speaking. I know I shouldnt talk since the few of you who have seen my hand writing can attest to its awfulness, but I truly feel that one thing an athlete must have is a kick ass auto. I do apprecaite getting this card back from Rafael, and Iprobably like it more than most because it looks like he signed it in 5th grade, but really - c'mon now.

Looking for Someone to Love Me - Autos

Okay, Todays post is a little like house keeping. Looking through my "hits" I noticed there were quite a few that I was not really attached to. Now, I know that there are plenty of different team collectors out there, and maybe someone might want to give some of these cards new homes. For Trade, I would be looking for something similar - Ie... Auto for Auto or auto/gu for a chunk of cards towards a set. I can't just give it all away! But I probably will.. who knows. First up are 5 Auto cards that are taking up space.

I already have a few of you in mind out there for some of these cards, but I dont know what you have, and dont want to make you feel like you NEED to take them off my hands. So here is a quick rundown of what you see above.

Felipe Paulino Auto 416/500 from 08 Topps Co-Signers

Bronson Arroyo Auo (AU-BA) from 07 Upper Deck Elements

Micah Owings Auto (ART-MO) from 2008 Upper Deck Series 1 All Rookie Team (as D Back)

Michael Bournce Auto (ART-MB) From 08 UD s1 All Rookie Team (as Phillie)

Jesse Crain auto from 07 Ud Artifacts

Shoot me an email or leave me a comment and see if we can work something out. I have a bunch of game used that will be showing up here shortly. Thank you all!

Trade Wtih the Cardboard Addict!

I just wanted to write up a quick post of the crown jewels I received in a recent trade with Joe over at Cardboard Addiction. On top of sending me a bunch of cards I needed for my 08 UD set - He sent over these bonus goodies knowing I am a big Mets fan.

First up we have a Jeremy Griffiths card from 2003 Bowman's Best. Jeremy is a guy I actually remember watching while he came through here in Binghamton - This was before I had much interaction with any of the B-Mets or looked for autos of any kind, so I dont have too much to say about him personally, but it's still awesome to be able to have this card in my collection. His time in the major leagues was then than incredible, and he hasnt been there since 2004 - but once a B-Met, you always have a place for me in your fan club.

Next there is a Ryan Coultas Auto #156/400 from Upper Deck SP Prospects. Ryan was a 6th round pick for the Mets was Baseball America's #1 D-II prospect going into the draft, however never seemed to do to much for for his pro career - in fact, I really could not find too much info on him . However, that doesnt making getting this card any less awesome. I will do abit more ersearch on him in the future.

Joe - thank you so much, and I promise to be looking into my collection to see if there are any sweet little nuggets that I can send your way.

Another TTM Success

Next up I have a card I received in a trade with my buddy Joe of Jay Bell. Jay had a nice career spending time with Cleavland, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Arizona, and ending his career with the Mets. I would imagine his personal career highlight was in 1993 when he broke Ozzie Smith's consecutive Gold Glove streak at 13 straight when he snagged the award. That same year which was his best he also took home the Silver Slugger Award. Jay was a 2 time All-Star and World Series Champion in 2001. The one thing I remember most about Jay was during the early 90's with the Pirates he lead the league in sacrifice bunts when setting the table for the likes of Barry Bonds and Andy Van Slyke.

TTM Success

Well, that's a bit of a lie - I had no success with this card - but my good buddy Joe came through for me when we were trading some duplicates. Today, I bring you Kevin Bass.

Kevin was a good major leaguer of whom my best memory of course is when he struck out to end game 6 of the 1986 NLCS against the Mets - This was the marathon game that ended after 16 innings.

TTM Success

Here is another success in my TTM autograph collections.

Today I bring you Keith Atherton. Keith was a good reliever for the A's, Twins, and Indians. I would guess that his career highlight was being a member of the 1987 World Series Champion Twins team.

TTM Sucesses

This is the first of many posts I hope to put up of my various successes of requesting players signatures through the mail.

Don was a relief pitcher in the late 70's and 80's who spend most of his career with the California Angels and the Baltimore Orioles - Since I wasnt collecting in the 70's since my folks had not yet done the nasty to make me, these are cards from my first heyday in collecting. Don's best season came in 1986 with the O's when he had 34 saves and a 2.98 ERA. Those numbers today would make for a very rich man. Oh well, I'm sure he did well for himself.