Reggie Jackson

Reggie Jackson became the latest addition to my collection when I spotted his autograph for sale in a facebook collectors group. Reggie had signed the cardstock of a collector's folder (image below) rather than the attached card, making it fairly worthless for the collector but a nice addition for someone who prefers cut index-card sized autographs.

Reggie, of course, is the controversial multi-time All Star and World Series hero most known for his time playing in Oakland and New York. I'm thrilled to add this one - it's the first living member I've added of late, and its not a player I would have afforded to pay their normal TTM price.

New HOFers

In a strange move, the newly appointed Today's Game Committee has selected two players (who never had enough votes from the Baseball Writers Association nor the Veterans Committee) deemed worthy to be included in the class of 2019 induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The third time around was the sweet spot for Harold Baines and Lee Smith. 

Stan Musial (1920-2013)

I recently purchased another index card autograph from an eBay seller. There are many Musial signatures floating around, and this one isn't as clean as I'd hope - the underline and player name doesn't add much for me, nor is the cut sig. mounted on an index card exactly what I'd call ideal - but it was a great price.

Stan "The Man" Musial was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969, and passed away just a few years ago. This cardinal legend is one of the best players in my collection, though his autograph is far from rare.

This was a nice one to finally add, after a failed attempt in 2011 and another one in 2012.

Rest in Peace, Willie McCovey

It was sad to learn of the passing of another member of the Baseball Hall of Fame this week. 

Willie McCovey, Hall of Famer and Giants legend, died on Wednesday at the age of age 80. 

There are now 78 living players in the Hall of Fame, at least until the next class of inductees or the next passing. 

Charlie Gehringer (1903-1993)

All the way back in March I purchased two more index card autographs from an eBay seller, but neglected to put up a post adding them to my collection here on the blog. 

The second is former player Charlie Gehringer, nicknamed "The Mechanical Man". He was a second baseman who played 19 seasons for the Detroit Tigers. Gehringer was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1949, and passed away in 1993. 

Earl Weaver (1930-2013)

All the way back in March I purchased two more index card autographs from an eBay seller, but neglected to put up a post adding them to my collection here on the blog. 

The first is former manager, Earl Weaver, a minor league player who never made it to the big leagues but had a Hall of Fame career as a manager for the Baltimore Orioles. He was also known as an author and television broadcaster. Weaver passed away in 2013.

Weaver is the 50th Hall of Fame autograph in my collection!

Phil Rizzuto (1917-2007)

I recently picked up three more clean looking index card autographs off eBay. The third is this signature from Yankee legend, Phil Rizzuto. I know of Rizzuto's legendary playing and then broadcasting career, but the thing I remember him most from is the Seinfeld episode which included his likeness on a keychain...

Buck Leonard (1907-1997)

I recently picked up three more clean looking index card autographs off eBay. The second is this Buck Leonard signature. It matches the style of his bumpy signature after his unfortunate stroke, later in his life. Leonard was a hero of the Negro Leagues, and was part of the first class of Negro League stars inducted into the Hall in the 1970s. I'm glad to add this one, even if it doesn't come from a living member of the Hall. 

Whitey Herzog

I recently picked up three more clean looking index card autographs off eBay. The first is Whitey Herzog, a still-living Hall of Fame manager and player (as well as scout and executive!) who was on the baseball field for many years. Herzog was inducted in 2010. His signature is pretty crisp looking and I was happy to get this one for a reasonable price. 

Non HOF Autographs: Kelly Gruber, Devon White, Ed Sprague, Tom Henke

Several months ago 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.

Over the holidays I added a few cards from an eBay seller, then got a surprise when Kelly Gruber returned a request from several months ago! I now have extras from a few cards, but that's okay!

I'm up to 23 autographed cards from the 36 card set (35 player/moment cards plus the checklist). 

Four Inducted to the Hall

The Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday that Chipper Jones, Vladimir Guerrero, Jim Thome, and Trevor Hoffman were elected by Baseball Writers as this year's inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Vladdy is someone I've already pursued, but I have yet to try any of the others. I'll have to send out a request in the coming weeks (even though all four have a pretty poor track record of responding to TTM requests).