Sending An Autograph TTM Request To Greg Maddux!!!

This may be a long shot, but it’s certainly worth trying… don’tcha think??

I am a huge Greg Maddux fan, and I have tried several times to secure an autograph of his.  I missed him back at a Chicago Cubs convention in the late 1980′s, and then again when his Cubs traveled to Florida to play the Marlins during his second run with the Cubbies.  I just don’t want to buy one…

I have read very recently that Maddux is working with the pitching staff for the Padres at their Spring Training facility in Arizona.  So that’s where this letter is headed tomorrow morning. 

Whether this works or doesn’t work, I certainly think that the risk(times 100) is worth the reward!!!  Wish me luck!!!

Happy Birthday Mike Lowell!!!

Mike Lowell is turning 35 years old today.

Quite possibly my favorite Florida Marlin of all-time, Mike Lowell displayed the tools I enjoy seeing in a baseball player.  Dedication, leadership, desire to win, etc…  are all attributes that Lowell applies to his sport and the results are certainly deserved – I would have just loved to have seen them ALL be reached while wearing the Marlins uniform.

For his birthday, I would like to give Mike Lowell one more shot in the post-season and I don’t care which team takes him there.  He’s already got 2 rings from his 2003 title with the Marlins and another from his 2007 championship with Boston.  Just 1 more shot to see what he can do…  I think a 3rd ring would be a fitting birthday present!!!

Happy Birthday Mike!!

‘The 40/40 Club’ – 1980′s – Card #36

‘The 40/40 Club’ – 1980′s – Card #36

Mark Grace – 1988 Fleer

The term ‘contact hitter’ may be the best adjective used to describe Mark Grace’s hitting style.  A skilled batter, Grace ended his career with an outstanding .303 batting average.  In his 16-year career in the major leagues, Grace recorded 140+ hits in 13 of those seasons.  And while never being known as a power hitter or base running threat, Grace was still able to crush 173 home runs and steal 70 bases.  Where Mark Grace really shined was with his ability to put the ball into play and get on base.  Over the course of his career, Grace amassed 2,445 hits, of which 511 were doubles and 1,716 were singles. 

Grace’s defensive skills at first base aided his reputation as one the most we-rounded first baseman during the 1990′s.  Grace won 4 Gold Glove awards and ended his career with an amazing .995 fielding percentage. 

Mark Grace’s rise to fame came during his second season in the majors when his Chicago Cubs were in the playoffs playing against the San Francisco Giants.  Although the Cubs lost the series in 5 games, Grace was superb.  With a .647 batting average, he led the Cubs and kept them in the series.  In 17 a-bats, Grace had 11 hits, which included 3 doubles, a triple, a home run, and 8 RBI.  After this series, Grace received quite a bit of national attention due to his outstanding play.

Mark Grace’s greatest success came in the 2001 World Series when he won the championship as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks.  In the 6-game series, Grace hit just .263, but he did manage to collect 5 hits and 3 RBI which helped the D-Backs secure their World Series title.

 

Mystery Box #2 – Contents Revealed

As I have mentioned in a few recent posts, I am getting more and more addicted to the autograph portion of baseball card collecting.  This probably stems from my youth as I did TTM requests as a teenager and had some great successes back then as well.

Onto, the mystery box.  If you recall, I sent this box out a few weeks ago and it is finally back home with me.  I tested something new this time - I sent a baseball out without receiving prior approval.  With the Fergie Jenkins and Jim Abbott balls, I had made arrangements with the people hosting the events that these guys were attending.  This time, nada.  I was just shooting for some luck to come my way.

I think I scored big, what about you??? 

Mark Grace signed my Rawlings official game baseball in just 3 weeks.  Obviously, a lot more went into getting this ball to ‘Gracey’ as I couldn’t just stuff it in an envelope, but I am so happy he signed this for me.  I have literally been a Mark Grace fan since his debut with the Cubs and I cannot wait to add this ball to my collection!!!

And just when I thought it was over, I found my plastic case with a card inside – SIGNED!!!!  Sweet, and it’s his 1988 Donruss Rated Rookie too!!!  When I sent this baseball to Grace, I included 9 or 10 baseball cards and offered them to him to use for himself or to give to kids that asked for his signature but had nothing to get signed.  I thought it was a nice gesture since he probably gets hounded for his autograph quite a bit.  I certainly didn’t ask for, or expect, anything back besides the ball but I am not going to complain about it either.

What’s really funny about this is that the card he signed for me is the same 1 he sent me a few months ago that came back pretty damaged.  Now I can finally add this perfect autograph to my collection and feel a sense of it being complete!!

Thanks Gracey!!!

Chicago Cubs Greats Of The Game – Andre Dawson

What can I say, I LOVE THIS CARD!!!!

 You can’t go wrong with a card showing ‘The Hawk’ taking a mean cut during batting practice!  The design of this card and the Chicago Cubs’ color scheme work perfectly.

Happy Birthday Bobby Bonilla!!!

Happy 46th Birthday Bobby Bonilla!!

One of my favorite Marlins from the 1997 championship team, ‘Bobby Bo’ was a fan-friendly, and very funny member of the team.  I remember Bobby coming into the local sporting goods store that I was working at.  It was 1997, but it was very early in the season before any of us thought that we had a chance to win the title.  He joked and kidded with several of us, and was genuinely a nice guy.  He signed a few autographs and had a few conversations with us prior to leaving.

It was a thrill for all of us to meet ‘Bobby Bo’ on that day 11-12 years ago, so today I want to again say ‘THANKS!!!!’ to the man that helped the Florida Marlins win the World Series in 1997 and helped make a few fans extra happy on that day when he stopped by and hung out for a few minutes!!! 

‘The 40/40 Club’ – 1980′s – Card #37

‘The 40/40 Club’ – 1980′s – Card #37

Bret Saberhagen – 1984 Topps Traded

Bret Saberhagen put together a nice 16-season career for himself.  If it were not for his playing for so many losing teams, who knows what he could have accomplished.  The individual accomplishments that Bret achieved rival those of some of the greatest pitchers from the 1980′s and 90′s.  A 2-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series MVP, many would love to have his resume.

Saberhagen’s career record of  167-117 doesn’t do justice for some of the finest single seasons by any pitcher in the 80′s.  As a member of the Kansas City Royals in 1985, Bret won his first Cy Young award as he finished the season with a 20-6 record while striking out 158 batters andwalking just 38.  The dominance continued into the post-season in ’85 as his Royals went on to win the World Series behind Bret’s MVP performance.  In the ’85 match-up he pitched 2 complete games, earning the win in each, while allowing just 1 run in 18 innings.  A few seasons later in 1989, Saberhagen again had a monstrous year as he went 23-6, with a 2.16 ERA and he struck out 193 batters while allowing just 43 walks.  These amazing stats earned Bret his 2nd Cy Young  Award in 5 seasons.

After 8 amazing seasons with the Royals, Bret went on to play for the New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, and the Boston Red Sox.  Although he did compile 3 more 10+ win seasons during his last 8 years in the big leagues, he was unable to recapture his amazing from from his days in Kansas City.

It should be noted that Saberhagen has an incredible K:walk ratio.  For his career, he has 1,715 strikeouts while giving up just 471 walks – good for a 3.64:1 K:walk ratio which ranks him at #10 in major league history. 

Nike Sneaker Commercial Featuring Some Outrageous Personalities…

…  and then some!!

 Where else can you put together a group of characters like Spike Lee, Ted Williams, Michael Jordan, Rush Limbaugh, Tom Glavine, Gene Simmons, and the great Yogi Berra?  Why a Nike commercial, of course!!! 

Enjoy.

Happy Birthday George “Sparky” Anderson!!!

The Hall of Famer and legendary manager of the ‘Big Red Machine’ hits a landmark birthday today with #75.  Always a fan favorite, Anderson provided some great quotes during the course of his coaching career.

Here is a small sampling:

“If I ever find a pitcher who has heat, a good curve, and a slider, I might seriously consider marrying him, or at least proposing.”

“I understand people who boo us. It’s like going to Broadway show, you pay for your tickets and expect to be entertained. When you’re not, you have a right to complain.”

“The day I got a hit off (Sandy) Koufax was when he knew it was all over.”

Happy Birthday, Mr. Anderson!!! 

‘The 40/40 Club’ – 1980′s – Card #38

‘The 40/40 Club’ – 1980′s – Card #38

Willie McGee – 1983 Topps

Physically Willie McGee doesn’t look like he’d be an incredible baseball player.  But, his 6 foot 1 inch, 175 pound frame poured it’s heart and soul into every game he played.  And he excelled too.  McGee possessed incredible speed that allowed him to stand out amongst his teammates and competitors.  Along with his speed, McGee was a solid contact hitter, and although his power numbers lacked, he was able to drive in run after run and help generate offense for 18 successful seasons.

With a lifetime average of .295 McGee kept the ball in play and was able to get on base to make things happen for his team.  Over the course of his career, Willie stole 352 bases while scoring 1,010 runs and driving in 856.  And defensively, McGee was an incredible fielder as he won 3 Gold Glove awards in the mid-80′s.

Mcgee’s best season came in 1985 when he won the MVP award.  With a .353 batting average alongside 56 steals, 82 RBI, and 1114 runs scored, Willie was the best player in the league.   

McGee played in 4 World Series contests, winning 1 with the Cardinals in 1982.  As a rookie, McGee hit .240 during the 6-game series while blasting 2 home runs, stealing 2 bases, and driving in 5 runs.  McGee was a key component on that team and solidified himself as an everyday player for the Cardinals with his all-around play.