Failure #27: Paul Molitor

The great Hall of Famer Paul Molitor is the current manager of the Minnesota Twins. Unfortunately Mr. Molitor gets too many requests to respond with an autograph request. My letter was returned with a lovely generic note of thanks, as well as a small card with a headshot of Molitor (and my 3x5 note card and return envelope was also returned).

Molitor was on the 1993 Blue Jays roster - the last time my favorite team won the World Series! I'd love to get this autograph some day!

Failure #26: Craig Biggio

One of the more recent members of the Hall of Fame, catcher/infielder/outfielder Criag Biggio, apparently does not accept forwarded mail. I sent this request to the Hall, which was then forwarded to the Astros organization, who labeled it RTS which sent it back to me several days later. 

After the most recent inductions I sent out another wave of TTM requests. Only time will tell if any are successful!

Two More Enshrined

Baseball Writers have voted outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. and catcher Mike Piazza in to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Griffey will be the first to go in as a Seattle Mariner, and Piazza, only the second to be enshrined as a New York Met.

Ken Griffey Jr. is definitely a player I grew up cheering for. Piazza... well, maybe not. Reading his biography did nothing to help his cause. Of course I don't have an autograph for Griffey, but I do for Piazza. This election gets me another one for my collection in Piazza, but also adds a tricky one to track down in Griffey.

Congrats to both of them. 

Failure #25: Pedro Martinez

One of the newest members of the Hall of Fame, pitcher Pedro Martinez, apparently does not accept forwarded mail. I sent this request to the Hall, only to get it back in the mail several days later. The upside is that I also sent out 7 other requests to the Hall, and none of them have come back to me as unsuccessful attempts (so far).

Rest in Peace, Monte Irvin

Baseball's Hall of Fame has lost another living legend with the recent passing of Monte Irvin. Irvin was a pioneer in professional baseball as one of the first African American players and executives. At the time of his death he was the second-oldest living member of the Hall.

I obtained Irvin's autograph through the mail in 2010, and he was nice enough to sign a blank 3x5 card for me.

Non-HoF Autographs: Pat Borders

Pat Borders is a former big league catcher, World Series MVP, and current manager of the Williamsport Crosscutters. At a recent minor league game he was kind enough to autograph my ticket stub and add to my collection. Thanks Pat!

Rest in Peace, Ernie Banks

Ernie Banks, aka Mr. Cub, passed away yesterday at the age of 83.  The number of living Hall of Famers is now one member fewer.  Mr. Banks was an incredible player for many years, and represents the Chicago Cubs in the minds of many.  I never obtained his autograph during his life.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.