All Autograph Team: Vol. 1 (My Favorites)

When it comes to collecting cards... I enjoy collecting a bunch of different things.  In fact, it's hard for me to single out a favorite thing to collect.

One week, I'll target 80's rookie cards.  The next week I'll be focusing on vintage oddballs.  It just depends on my mood.  But there is one thing that I'm consistently trying to track down for my collection:  pack pulled/on-card autographs.

Last week, Kenny over at Torren' Up Cards kicked off the latest round of Blog Bat Arounds, when he featured his All Autograph Team.

It started with some friends of his in Japan showing off the best autographs in their collection at each position.  He decided to go with his favorite players, instead of the best players and added a pair of relievers, a closer, and a DH/PH to his team.

I'll go ahead and follow his lead, except I'll be eliminating the closer (one of my relievers can handle the 9th inning).  In their place, I have decided to add four more starting pitchers and a manager.

Since I have a bunch of autographs floating around in my collection, I'll be creating a few different teams that will each adhere to these two guidelines:

#1:  All autographs will be on-card.
#2:  All autographs will either be pack-pulled or PSA/DNA certified.

Volume #1 will feature my favorite baseball players who have actually played during my lifetime.  To reduce any redundancy in future volumes, any autograph you see today will not be used on any future All Autograph Teams.  However you might see a player like Greg Maddux show up on another All Autograph Team.  If that happens, I'll be sure to use a different autograph.

Now that you've seen the personal guidelines I've established for myself... let's check out my All-Autograph Team:

Manager:  Billy Martin

1981 Topps #671

If I had to create a list of favorite memories from my childhood, watching Billy's epic meltdowns would be one of them.


Catcher:  Kurt Suzuki

2007 Topps '56 Signatures #52S-KS

Kurt Suzuki is a combination of two of my favorite things: the Oakland Athletics and my Japanese heritage.  I realize that it's been five years since he's suited up for my beloved Athletics, but I still quietly root for him.

First Baseman:  Frank Thomas

1990 Leaf #300

Back in the 90's, it seemed like Ken Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas were constantly battling to be atop Beckett's Hot Chart.  Collectors chose sides and a hobby rift was formed.  Okay... maybe I'm being a little dramatic... but that's how I remember it.  I was always more of a Big Hurt kind of guy.

Second Baseman:  Jose Altuve

2016 Topps Museum Collection Archival Autographs #AA-JA

This guy is straight up The Little Engine That Could and is an inspiration to vertically challenged people across the world.  The fact that he's one of the best contact hitters in the game, the reigning American League MVP, and a two-time MLB Player of the Year is all gravy.

Shortstop:  Ozzie Smith

1979 Topps #116

Pregame flips, diving grabs, and leaping stabs.  Those were the things that stood out from my childhood... and those are the things that make him my favorite shortstop of all-time.

Third Baseman:  Carney Lansford

2012 Archives Fan Favorites Autographs #FFA-CL

Out of all of the positions, choosing my favorite third baseman was the toughest... which is surprising since I grew up in an era watching George Brett, Mike Schmidt, Wade Boggs, and Paul Molitor.  I can't really say any of these guys were my favorites though, so it came down to two guys:  Bill Madlock and Carney Lansford.

I decided to go with Lansford, because he was a key member of the successful A's teams of the late 80's.

Left Fielder:  Rickey Henderson

1980 Topps #482

Rickey is my all-time favorite Oakland Athletic... and my second favorite player of all-time.  There's no way he doesn't make this roster.

Center Fielder:  Kirby Puckett

2003 Sweet Spot Classic Autographs #CG-KP

I've always thought of Kirby Puckett as the American League's version of Tony Gwynn.  He was an overweight contact hitter who was loyal to one franchise.  It's a shame that he wasn't drafted by the Oakland Athletics.

Right Fielder:  Tony Gwynn

1999 Century Legends Epic Signatures #TG

Another no-brainer.  I've probably referred to Mr. Gwynn as my favorite player of all-time 30 to 50 times on this blog.  That's more than I've mentioned my 1956 Topps Jackie Robinson.

Designated Hitter/Pinch Hitter:  Ichiro Suzuki

1993 BBM #239

This card is one of the cornerstones of my collection.  It's an iconic card that was once held by the man himself.  I honestly can't think of another Ichiro card I'd rather have.

Starting Pitcher #1:  Steve Carlton

1965 Topps #477

I had a lot of things going against me as a kid.  I was short.  Chubby.  Asian.  And if that wasn't enough... I was also left-handed!  Papa Fuji showed me that you could be a short, chubby, Asian and still be successful.  Carlton was my left-handed role model.

Starting Pitcher #2:  Greg Maddux

1987 Donruss #36

Throughout middle school, high school, and college, I'd come home and watch that Atlanta Braves play on TBS.  Outside of the Oakland A's and San Francisco Giants, I don't think there's any other sports team I've watched more on the television.  That's where I developed an appreciation for the guy know as The Professor.



Starting Pitcher #3:  Clayton Kershaw

2014 Topps High Tek Autographs #HT-CK

I know he's a Dodger... and as a Padres fan I'm suppose to hate him.  But I can't help but admire greatness.  I've said it before... and I'll say it again.  This guy is a once in a generation kind of pitcher and I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm constantly checking the Dodger's game cast when he's on the mound.


Starting Pitcher #4:  Fernando Valenzuela

2014 Topps High Tek Autographs #HT-FV

Fernandomania stormed the country right about the same time I started collecting cards.  Plus he was a lefty, so how could I not support the guy.


Starting Pitcher #5:  Dwight Gooden

1985 Topps #620

Rounding out my starting rotation is Dr. K.  Back in the mid 80's, the Oakland A's kinda sucked... and I was just starting to like the San Diego Padres... which explains why I was so fascinated with Gooden.  Like Maddux, Kershaw, and Valenzuela... he was one of those guys you watch in awe and in my case one of those guys I enjoy collecting.

Relief Pitcher #1:  Rollie Fingers

2001 UD Decade Game-Used Jersey Autograph #SJ-RF

I grew up a huge Rollie Fingers fan, but it had nothing to do with his tenure with the Athletics or the Padres.  I was too young to remember him pitching for the Athletics and I didn't become a Padres fan until the mid 80's.  By that time he was wrapping up his career with the Milwaukee Brewers.

That's the team he played for when I discovered he was my buddy's uncle.  When you're a ten year old kid... it's pretty cool that your buddy is related to an MLB all-star.


Relief Pitcher #2:  Kent Tekulve

2001 Topps Golden Anniversary Autograph #GAA-KT

I'm sure you've all imitated your favorite athletes at some point.  Well... my buddies and I loved to goof around and throw like Tekulve and catch like Tony Pena.  Good times that will never be forgotten.  And that's why Teke has secured the final roster spot.

Well there you have my All Autograph Team.  Thank you Kenny for creating and inspiring this latest Blog Bat Around.  I really enjoyed sifting through my scans and putting together my team.

The next team I'll be building in this series will be my All-time Greats roster, which I hope to have up in the next few days.

Until then, I look forward to reading other bloggers' responses to this very creative Blog Bat Around.

Happy Tuesday and sayonara!

Buyer Beware

Thanks to three of my students, I had $105 worth of Amazon gift cards that needed to be spent.  I place orders on Amazon at least five or six times a month ordering everything from snacks to kitchen appliances to blu-rays.

But I wanted to buy something special with these gift cards since they were presents from my generous students.  It didn't take me long to decide to spend them on cards.  The problem is 99% of the baseball cards on the site is overpriced.

Eventually I settled on a 2001 Topps Limited baseball factory set, which Charm City Cards had listed for $99.99 (+ $5.99 shipping).

According to BaseballCardPedia.com, the set is suppose to be a throwback to the Tiffany sets of the 80's.  Each card was printed on thicker 20pt. cardstock and contained a "limited edition" gold foil stamp that appeared above the player's name.

Google Image

The sets were sold only in hobby shops and are housed in a fancy wooden box.  They had a suggested retail price of $173 and production was limited to 3,905 sets.

The key card in this set is the Ichiro Suzuki rookie card:

2001 Topps Limited #726

I was pretty excited about this purchase... especially since it only set me back 98¢ after I applied the gift cards.

Google Image

Unfortunately... they should label these sets with a huge buyer beware label.  

Topps applied a special glossy coating (similar to early 90's Stadium Club cards) to each card, which makes the cards look really good.

However... over the course of 17 years, these cards have started to stick together and when you try to pull them apart... the majority of the cards are left with severe chipping issues.

My scanner did an unbelievable job of making my Ichiro look like it's in amazing condition.  Sadly... it suffered like most of the other cards in my set.

So if any of you are thinking about purchasing this set... buyer beware.  At least you now understand the risks.  I actually read on someone's blog that putting the cards into the freezer before attempting to take the cards apart helps.

It's too late for me.  But the next time I stumble across sticky cards... I'll give it a shot.

What about you guys...

Do you have any tricks to help pull apart cards that have fused together over the years?

By the way... thank you for all of the warm wishes left on my last post.  My mom's surgery hasn't been rescheduled yet, but it should be taking place in three to four weeks.

Well that's it for today.  Happy Saturday and sayonara!

The Big Heart

A few months back, I mentioned that my mother slipped and broke her hip.  What I don't think I mentioned is that before the surgery, an electrocardiogram (EKG) was performed on her to make sure her heart could handle the anesthesia.

The results revealed that there was a valve that needed to be replaced to prevent her suffering a heart attack in the very near future.

Fast forward to today... and my mother has worked hard to rehabilitate her hip and the family has been very happy with her progress.

She was set to undergo her valve replacement surgery this morning, which on a positive note is suppose to be minimally invasive with a very high success rate.  However after running a few more tests this morning, it looks like she's going to need to see one more specialist before rescheduling the surgery.

Unfortunately, I don't think my principal is gonna allow me to take another week off from work, so hopefully one of my siblings will be able to go down and support them in a few weeks when they set a new date.

Worst case scenario... I'll go down for one or two days.

Anyways... while writing this up, I kept drawing a blank in regards to which direction I was going to take this post.  I thought about writing about caring athletes, because "caring" is probably the best word to describe my mom.

I considered writing a post on athletes born and raised in Hawaii... because that's where she grew up.

Then I remembered Rod Carew and his successful heart surgery that took place back in December 2016.  So I figured I'd go ahead and write about some recent additions to my Rod Carew collection:

1977-79 Sportcaster Italy #10-07

After publishing My Plastic Fetish post, I discovered that many of you aren't big fans of slabbed cards.  I'm okay with that.  We all collect in our own unique way and to be honest... I'm not a die-hard graded card collector either.  The vast majority of my collection is not graded and won't be as long as the cards are in my possession.

However I grabbed this card because it was cheap ($4.34) and part of a bulk shipment from 4 Sharp Corners.

As soon as I received the package, I was blown away by how big this holder is.  Sportscasters are huge (4 3/4" x 6 1/4")!  Not exactly sure how I'll display or store this card.  It's currently sitting on my desk off to the side.

For $8.79... I also grabbed this card from 4 Sharp Corners:

1974 Kellogg's #30

I'm definitely part of the 70's and 80's Kellogg's lenticular baseball card fan club... which seems to have a cult-like following among us bloggers.  Although I realize it's blasphemous to some for keeping Carew locked up in this plastic cell, but for the time being... that's where he's staying.

Last, but not least...

2016 Museum Collection Archival Autographs #AA-RC

I have no idea when or where I purchased this card... nor do I know how much I spent... but I scanned it back in February, so I consider this a new addition.  I've been a fan of Museum Collection Archival Autographs the past few years and this is my favorite design.

For being one of the greatest contact hitters of his generation, Carew's autographs are very affordable.  If I were to guess, I probably paid anywhere from $15 to $25 for this card.

The final card in this post isn't a new addition... it's an oldie, but goodie:

1997 Leaf Thomas The Big Heart Leukemia #1

I've written about this card before.  Leaf produced these back in the day to help raise money for The Frank Thomas Charitable Foundation.  The foundation was established to honor Frank's sister whom he lost to Leukemia.  Carew's daughter (Michelle) passed away from Leukemia as well.

Although Leukemia is cancer of the blood cells, I thought I'd share this card in honor of my mother and her big heart.

That's it for today.  I hope all of you are enjoying your week.

Happy Thursday and sayonara!