Earl Averill (1902 - 1983)

I recently purchased another autograph from eBay - this one from legendary centerfielder, Earl Averill. Averill played for three teams, and was a six-time All Star. His number has been retired by the Cleveland organization. Averill passed away back in 1983, when I was only 1 year old. I'm happy to add another to my collection. 

Fred McGriff

I recently purchased another autograph from eBay - this one from the newly inducted Fred McGriff! McGriff is one of the earliest players in my fandom memory as a Toronto Blue Jay from the late 80s.

McGriff will be inducted this summer into the Hall of Fame, elected by the newly formed Contemporary Baseball Era Committee. 

This is a fun one for me, as someone who grew up in Canada, to add one of the growing list of Hall of Fame Blue Jays to my collection.  

Bill Mazeroski

A friend approached me recently and said he had something to give me. I was not expecting to be handed an aging napkin in a ziplock bag, but I was pleasantly surprised to see Bill Mazeroski's ballpoint pen signature on the stained napkin! 

The story goes that many years before his induction into Cooperstown in 1976 (just a few years after he finished his playing career!), Maz had visited my friend's high school. Not having any baseball-related items on hand, he grabbed a napkin and got the Pirate second basemen to sign this memento. 

I'm really happy to add this one to my collection - especially with this unique story!

Tony Oliva

Much like last year's TTM return from Larry Walker, I was shocked to get a return from another recently inducted Hall of Famer. This recent return is from long-time Minnesota Twin, Tony Oliva, who rather than signing my index card, included a baseball card. Some of our mail got damp along the way, so both the envelope and card are slightly water damaged, but it doesn't matter much for my collection since I have no plans to ever sell these items. 

Outfielder Tony Oliva was recently elected, and will be officially inducted at this summer's celebration in Cooperstown. Thanks Mr. Oliva!

 

One More for the 2022 Induction Class

It seems like more energy was spent debating whether Bonds or Clemens should have been inducted in their final year on the ballot, but when the dust had settled, David Ortiz will become the newest member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

Congrats to Big Papi. I don’t think he signs through the mail, but maybe I’ll have to make an attempt. 

Six More Hall of Famers to be Inducted in 2022!

This week we learned that Cooperstown would be adding six more to its enshrined members list. Of these six, only two are currently living - Jim Kaat and Tony Oliva. 
From the Hall of Fame press release:

Six candidates earned election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday via the Eras Committee process, it was announced today on MLB Network.

Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Minnie Miñoso and Tony Oliva were elected by the Golden Days Era Committee, which considered a 10-person ballot comprised of candidates whose primary contribution to the game came from 1950-69.

Bud Fowler and Buck O’Neil were elected by the Early Baseball Era Committee, which considered a 10-person ballot of candidates whose primary contribution to the game came prior to 1950.

Unsurprisingly, it appears that autographs from these former players have all increased in value in the few days since this announcement. 

Larry Walker

I recently got something that I haven't received in quite some time - a through the mail autograph return! This one was from Canadian ballplayer, and the first Hall of Famer to be enshrined as a member of the Colorado Rockies, Larry Walker. He is the fifth former Montreal Expo in my collection, of only 9 players who wore that particular uniform. 

This one took a year and a half to arrive, and rather than signing the index card I always send out, Mr. Walker sent a signed baseball card. I guess that's fine - even though I prefer the look of the signed index cards - it sure is nice to get a return in the mail!

Tim Raines

I recently purchased a few more index card autographs from an eBay seller.

The third, Tim Raines, was inducted into the Hall of Fame just a few years ago in 2017. I have been unsuccessful in my attempts to get his signature through the mail. The price on this signed index card was too good to pass up even though he's still living (and occasionally signing through the mail). 

This is a fun one for me, as someone who grew up in Canada, to add one of the very few HOFers who played for the Montreal Expos to my collection. I think I now have four of the nine in my collection. 

Robin Roberts (1926-2010)

 

I recently purchased a few more index card autographs from an eBay seller.

The second is Robin Roberts. This is a unique one in that the original autograph seeker added a cut out Phillies hat and wordmark. This makes it look a bit different than the rest of my collection, but it still counts! Roberts signed through the mail for many years, however he passed away in 2010, just before I really started collecting in earnest. I'm glad to add this one to my collection.

Ralph Kiner (1922-2014)

I recently purchased a few more index card autographs from an eBay seller.

The first, Ralph Kiner, was a player and broadcaster for many years. Unfortunately this one is personalized "to Bill", but it's still a nice clean signature on an index card. It also feels nice to finally get this one in my collection. Kiner was a HOFer who would sign through the mail for many years, however my attempts were not successful, and then he passed away in 2014. 

You can see my failed attempts here and here. 

Harold Baines

Recent 2019 inductee Harold Baines is the most recent addition to my collection of Hall of Fame autographs. Baines actually returned a through-the-mail (TTM) request - something that doesn't happen much with recent inductees - and signed without a fee! He chose to sign on the lined side of the index card that I sent, but that's alright with me... it's still a return. AND, he signed! I think most modern-era players often refuse to sign a blank index card, simply because they aren't sure what will be done with their signature.

Baines was elected by the somewhat-controversial Today's Game Committee, after failing to be inducted through the traditional Baseball Writers ballot process. He was an impressive DH for several American League teams, but his numbers are perhaps a bit more "on-the-fringe" than a few other recent inductees.

I'm really happy to add this one to my collection, and to my TTM stats!

Paul Molitor

Former Blue Jay (and Brewer and Twin) Paul Molitor became the latest addition to my collection! He finally answered a request after two past failed attempts (here and here).

I'm pretty excited about this one... not only was Molitor an incredible Hall of Famer who played for my hometown Jays, it also increases my success for TTM returns with Hall of Famers, and he signed on one of the remaining cards I need for my childhood McDonald's Jays set. Thanks Paul!

Johnny Mize (1913-1993)

I recently referenced that I obtained some new additions to my collection. The next from that list is Johnny Mize, a player, coach, and scout, who was around the game for decades and ended up being a five-time World Series Champion, and 10-time All Star.

These were from an old collection of through-the-mail index card signatures, and Sewell has been deceased for several years. 

Waite Hoyt (1899-1984)

I recently referenced that I obtained some new additions to my collection. The next from that list is Waite Hoyt, a 3-time World Series champion, and one of the most dominant pitchers of the 1920s. Hoyt played with 36 Major League teammates who would eventually wind up in Cooperstown. As of today, Hoyt holds the distinction of the most HoF teammates of any other player.

These were from an old collection of through-the-mail index card signatures, and Sewell has been deceased for several years. 

Jocko Conlan (1899-1989)

I recently referenced that I obtained some new additions to my collection. The next from that list is Jocko Conlan, one of just 10 umpires inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame. Conlan was known for several trademarks: Instead of a regular dress tie like most umpires of the day wore, Conlan wore a natty bow tie for his career. Conlan further distinguished himself by making "out" calls with his left hand instead of his right. He was also the last NL umpire allowed to wear the outside chest protector, instead of the inside protector that all other NL umpires except Beans Reardon were using by then.

These were from an old collection of through-the-mail index card signatures, and Conlan has been deceased for several years. 

Stan Coveleski (1889-1984)

I recently referenced that I obtained some new additions to my collection. The next from that list is Stan Coveleski, a World Series champion pitcher who played for four different teams. Coveleski has also been inducted into the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame.

These were from an old collection of through-the-mail index card signatures, and Coveleski has been deceased for several years. Like recent addition Joe Sewell, he was also born in the 1800s! 

Joe Sewell (1898-1990)

I recently referenced that I obtained some new additions to my collection. The first from that list is Joe Sewell, a two-time World Series champion who played for the Indians and Yankees over his 13 year career. Sewell was notorious for being difficult to strike out, and still holds the record for the longest streak without a strike out at 115 games! While writing in his lifespan in the title of this blog I was surprised to note that he was born in the 1800s... amazing!

These were from an old collection of through-the-mail index card signatures, and Sewell has been deceased for several years. 

Travis Jackson (1903-1987)

I recently referenced that I obtained some new additions to my collection. The next from that list is Travis Jackson, a World Series champion shortstop who played for the New York Giants during his entire career. Jackson was nicknamed "Stonewall" for his defensive ability at the position.

These were from an old collection of through-the-mail index card signatures, and Jackson has been deceased for several years. 

Ted Lyons (1900-1986)

I recently referenced that I obtained some new additions to my collection. The second from that list is Ted Lyons, a pitcher and manager for the Chicago White Sox. Lyons pitched a no-hitter, and has his number retired from the Sox. He is the only Hall of Fame pitcher who had more walks than strike-outs.

These were from an old collection of through-the-mail index card signatures, and Lyons has been deceased for several years. 

New Inductees for 2020

Congrats to Derek Jeter and (Canadian!) Larry Walker who have been elected to the 2020 HoF class by the Baseball Writers Association. They join Marvin Miller and Ted Simmons who were previously elected by the Modern Era Committee, and will be enshrined this summer.

This brings the total elected players up to 333. As of today, I have 61 signatures (30 living, 31 deceased) in my collection - 18.3% of all elected Hall of Famers.