Two elected by Modern Era Committee

Two more players will be inducted this summer as the Modern Era Committee has selected a pair of former Detroit Tigers, Jack Morris and Alan Trammell, to be included in next's summer's class of inductees.

This brings the total number of former Blue Jays up to nine in the Hall, as Morris pitched for the 1992 team that won the World Series - the first time it had ever been won by a team outside of the USA. 

Sad News

Heartbreaking news from the baseball world this week as two of baseball's greatest players lost their lives.

One of my all-time favorite players, Roy Halladay, was killed in a plane crash this week. His autograph was one of the first I ever received in the mail, from way back when he still played for the Blue Jays. His tragic death feels somehow more bitter and relatable given that I'm also a father with younger children. I'm not sure if Halladay will ever be elected to the Hall of Fame - I sure hope so!

Bobby Doerr, who had been baseball's oldest living Hall of Famer, also passed away recently, at the ripe old age of 99 years old. I was able to add Doerr's autograph several years ago - also through the mail - and he generously included both a signed index card and a yellow HoF plaque card.

My prayers go out to both families as they mourn and remember these losses. 

Joe Torre

As a Blue Jays fan I spent a good chunk my baseball fan experience watching the Yankees win the AL East year after year after year... many of those seasons with Joe Torre at the helm. So, it was bittersweet to get this autograph return - on the one hand, excitement at checking another name off, but a member of the team I love to hate. 

Nonetheless, Torre has an impressive career as a player and then manager, but it is one that is still going strong. He currently serves as MLB's Chief Baseball Officer.

Mr. Torre signed my index card (Nice! Not many HOFers are willing to do that!) with blue sharpie. 

Non HoF Autographs: Jesse Barfield

A few months back I decided to try and get signatures for every card in this set of McDonald's/Donruss baseball cards from the early 90s. It depicts great moments from the Blue Jays history leading up to their 1992 World Series Championship.

Two friends in Ontario helped get this card signed at a recent Buffalo Bisons Blue Jays weekend event that featured former players including outfielder Jesse Barfield. I'm thrilled to add one more, especially from one of the best Jays of all time! 

I'm up to 14 autographed cards from the 36 card set (35 player/moment cards plus the checklist). 

Non HoF Autographs: John Olerud, Candy Maldonado & Ernie Whitt

A few months back I decided to try and get signatures for every card in this set of McDonald's/Donruss baseball cards from the early 90s. It depicts great moments from the Blue Jays history leading up to their 1992 World Series Championship.

I got two of these cards through a direct response from the player - both Ernie Whitt and John Olerud signed what I sent them, and Olerud even sent back one of his own personalized cards. The Candy Maldonado was a reasonable find on eBay. I had sent him this card back in the fall but never heard back from him. 

I'm up to 13 autographed cards from the 36 card set. One third of the way there!

John Schuerholz

I was excited to get back a through-the-mail autograph request this week - the first one since June of last year. Mr. Schuerholz included a signed business card and a short note explaining that he does not sign blank note cards (hence the business card).

From the Hall of Fame website, "Schuerholz, who becomes the sixth Hall of Fame electee whose primary job function was team building (among non-owners), laid the groundwork for the Royals 1985 World Series championship team as farm director and general manager, then moved to the Braves. As general manager, and later president and vice chairman in Atlanta, Schuerholz built a club that qualified for 14 consecutive postseasons, advanced to five World Series and won the crown in 1995. He was the first general manager to lead teams to World Series titles in both the American and National Leagues, and in 25 of his 26 seasons as a GM Schuerholz’s teams finished in third place or better."

Five New Inductees

From the Baseball Hall of Fame website;

"The most exclusive team in sports has five new members.

Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines and Ivan Rodriguez join John Schuerholz and Bud Selig as the Class of 2017."

To read the full article on the new inductees (bringing the total number up to 317), visit this website.