Non-HoF Autographs: Matt Kemp and Dave Stewart

It pays to follow other bloggers.  Today I learned through the amazing Dodger-themed blog, Vin Scully is my Homeboy, that Matt Kemp would be a surprise guest at Bank of America in Burbank for a member appreciation event.  I was able to snag his autograph on this Dodgertown baseball that I caught during batting practice at Dodger Stadium.

But that's not all!  I also recognized former MLB pitcher, Dave Stewart, who happens to be Mr. Kemp's agent, so I got him to sign the ball as well!  Mr. Stewart is most likely remembered for his pitching career with the Oakland A's, but I enjoyed watching him as a member of the World Series winning Blue Jays team from 1993.

Dave Stewart was not elected to the Hall of Fame after his career, but Matt Kemp certainly has a chance if he continues to play as well as he has played so far in his young career.

I will have a full review of the event tomorrow on my daily photo blog.

Tips on Who Signs Through the Mail (and what they charge)

A recent comment on one of my old posts passed on some good insight from an avid collector.  He has a few blogs, notably posting his collection of Hall of Famer autographs at Collecting Cooperstown.  Here is what he passed on...


Some of these guys just don't sign TTM or they do very sporadically.

I can give you a list of guys and how much they charge TTM:

Stan Musial-$100 (will send a signed picture/stats index card for free with request)
Yogi Berra-$100 (but a lot of cards signed for free lately)
Monte Irvin-$10
Whitey Ford-$40 (will sometimes sign for less, but usually at least $35)
Al Kaline-$10
Brooks Robinson-$30 (but only signs through the Dugout Zone twice a year)
Lou Brock-$85
Bobby Doerr-Free
Johnny Bench-$60
Joe Morgan-Free (but only an index card)
Ferguson Jenkins-$15
Gaylord Perry-$15
Rollie Fingers-$15
Reggie Jackson-$35 (through his Mr. October for Kids charity)
Steve Carlton-$25 (through Game Winner Sports)
Jim Bunning-Free
Earl Weaver-$20 (through the Miami Children's Hospital)
Phil Niekro-$10
Tommy Lasorda-Free (long waits, preferably c/o Dodgers but will sign at home sometimes)
Lee MacPhail-Free
Nolan Ryan-$45
Orlando Cepeda-$55
George Brett-$55
Carlton Fisk-$40
Gary Carter-$25
Paul Molitor-Free (c/o Twins, up to six month wait, probably should send a little cash...that's how I got my success)
Ryne Sandberg-$20 (home, for charity)
Tony Gwynn-$20 (San Diego St. University)
Goose Gossage-$5-10 (if gotten at home)
Dick Williams-$25
Jim Rice-$10 (c/o New England Sports Network)
Andre Dawson-$20
Whitey Herzog-Free
Doug Harvey-Free (except hof postcards, which can be purchased with his sticker of authenticity at the Bob Feller Museum)
Bert Blyleven-$40
Pat Gillick-Free

Rest in Peace, Harmon Killebrew

I learned today that Twins' great Harmon Killebrew passed away after battling for months with esophageal cancer.  Mr. Killebrew is the fourth player to pass away while I've been trying to collect an autograph from every living Hall of Famer.  Surprisingly, I don't think anyone has passed away who's autograph I haven't yet collected during this same stretch of time.

Mr. Killebrew was a perfect gentleman when I got his autograph at the All Star Game Fan Festival in Anaheim.  I'm sad to learn of this news.

Roberto Alomar

I was so happy to get this autograph today.  First, it has been almost five months since I last received an autograph request in the mail, and second this autograph is from a former Toronto Blue Jay and one of my favorite players while I was growing up.

Roberto Alomar was an All-Star second baseman and certainly a fan favorite in Toronto.  He is set to be inducted this summer along with Bert Blyleven and another member of the Blue Jays family, general manager Pat Gillick.  Alomar will be the first player inducted as a Toronto Blue Jay, and has recently signed on in the front office with his former team.

Alomar was nice enough to return a baseball card (which I did not send him) signed in black sharpie.  I originally thought it wasn't real, but on closer inspection it appears to be an actual signature.  I originally sent an autograph request to Alomar's home address, but never got anything back.  After the announcement that he was being inducted, I sent a request to the Baseball Hall of Fame address, and almost 100 days later, got the response I was hoping for.

Angels Fan Fest

This year the Angels are hosting a fan festival to promote the organization.  This event looks to be pretty sweet if you are an Angels fan with plenty of events scheduled including an autograph signing.

I'm not sure if there will be any Hall of Famers present, but I won't be able to make it for a few different reasons.  Tickets are only $5, and you get in to the preseason game later that day.  Seems like a pretty amazing deal to me.

More details can be found right here...

Rest in Peace, Duke Snider

They say no news is good news.  I guess I should have been happy that nothing was happening on the autograph collecting front, because today I recieved the news that Dodger great, Duke Snider passed away at the age of 84.

Duke was one of the first Hall of Fame autographs I received, and he becomes the 3rd Hall of Famer to pass away while I've been working on this project.  Ironically, all three were Hall of Famer's that were willing to send me an autograph.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family in this time of mourning.  The baseball community, and the local LA baseball community, will certainly be saddened by this news.

All Quiet on the Western Front

It has been a bit quiet in my pursuit of every living Hall of Famer autograph.  Nothing - good or bad - has shown up in my mailbox for quite some time. 

I'm hoping that when the Dodgers announce the schedule for their winter caravan, that Tommy Lasorda will be on the list signing somewhere.  It was where I got Andre Ethier's autograph last year.  We'll have to wait and see.