Non-HoF Autographs: Vizquel, Lloyd, Hamilton, Brow, and Eichhorn

I found these in a stack of old programs from ball games I attended in my younger years.

Omar Vizquel is the highlight here, with four others you may not remember -- Graeme Lloyd, Joey Hamilton, Scott Brow, and Mark Eichhorn.

Mike Piazza

I was totally surprised when a friend and fellow pastor dropped by my office this week and gave me a gift - this book -- "Long Shot" by former All Star catcher, Mike Piazza.  And the best part?

A signed copy!  This adds another signature to my collection, and I'll cross my fingers that he makes it to Cooperstown.

If not for his career overlapping the "steroid era", Mike Piazza would be a sure-thing Hall of Famer.  Only time will tell if he is able to break through the stigma of players from his era (or if we find out that he took steroids...  he denies it in the book, apparently).

UPDATE on January 6, 2016: Piazza was finally elected - the lowest draft pick ever to be inducted into the Hall of Fame! One more for my collection.

Rest in Peace, Stan Musial

In what amounts to an incredibly sad week for baseball's elite, news just broke that Hall of Famer Stan Musial passed away today.  Aside from being one of the all-time greatest players, Musial was beloved across the country, as a player who excelled in an era when his St. Louis Cardinals were located further west than any other club.

There are now 62 living Hall of Famers.

Rest in Peace, Earl Weaver

Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver passed away suddenly this week at the age of 82.  My thoughts go out to his family as they mourn his passing.  At the time of his death I had  been unable to obtain his signature. His death means that there are now 63 living members of baseball's Hall of Fame. 

Failure #22: Steve Carlton

I recently discovered that Hall of Famer Steve Carlton has a company called Game Winner Sports handle his autograph requests.  I found contact info for autograph requests and received an email from gws@rmi.net informing me of the following price list:

Steve Carlton By Mail Signing Prices

1. Small Flat Item - baseball card or 8 x 10 - $32.00

2. Large Flat Item - larger than 8 x 10 - $39.00

3. Baseball - $42.00

4. Bat or Jersey - $65.00

One free inscription (HOF94, 329 Wins, 4136 K's) per item. Please specify which one. Additional inscriptions are $15.00. Maximum 3 per item.

We can provide a baseball or photo. Our Rawlings Official MLB ball with Carlton autograph, one inscription, ball cube and shipping is $65.00. Our Phillies home 8 x 10 with Carlton autograph, inscription, topload protector and shipping is $45.00

Please make the check payable to the Grace Fund. Please include return postage and a self-addressed envelope/package for all mailed items.

Mail items to;

Game Winner Sports
555 S. Camino Del Rio, B2
Durango, CO  81303

This just in...

The Baseball Writers have elected NO ONE to the Hall of Fame this year.  For only the 8th time ever, no one has been inducted using this tradition of writers voting.

Craig Biggio had the highest vote total, leading a list of names with plenty of question marks.  I'm sure the internet will be flooded with responses to this, so I will conclude by saying I'm a bit relieved that my quest doesn't get any bigger this year.

Frank Robinson (1935-2019)

I used a bit of Christmas money to add a signature to my collection. I haven't had any through-the-mail success with Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, but I was able to find an authentic signature from an old Hillshire Farms giveaway card series at a very affordable price.

Robinson was an incredible player and managed in the game for many years as well.  He was actually the first African American manager in the major leagues.

Update: Mr. Robinson passed away in 2019