Fergie Jenkins 2013 Topps ‘Million Dollar Chase’ Certified Autograph Baseball Card

Fergie Jenkins 2013 Topps ‘Million Dollar Chase’ Certified Autograph Baseball Card

When I tell that I have tracked this card for more than a year, I don’t believe that I am stretching my estimation of the time.  I know that when I first saw versions of this card hitting Ebay that I was going to end up bringing one into my collection of Fergie Jenkins autographs.  I have a good collection of Topps certified signed cards of Fergie, and this one is a great complement to the lot.

Way back, probably 9-10 months ago, I saw one sell for just $4.99.  And ever since that time I’ve been waiting.  Waiting for the next bargain to hit.  Waiting for the next ‘deal’ to cross my plate.

Well, that wait took us until August of 2014.

And while I did not pay as low as $4.99, I did nab this beauty for just $5.95.  Yes – $5.95!

And I am thrilled.   The card is serial numbered to just 300 total copies and mine is stamped as #143/300.

Have a look:

 

I am so excited to finally bring this card into my ‘Ultimate Jenkins’ collection.

And now, I can turn my attention to the next hunt!  Fingers crossed that I can find another sweet deal like this one…

Wish me luck!

SIGNING RESULTS: 1985 National League Most Valuable Player, Willie McGee!!

SIGNING RESULTS:  1985 National League Most Valuable Player, Willie McGee!!

Thanks to the generosity of loyal ’30-YOC’ reader Gerad (aka McGee-Fan51), I was able to take part in a signing with the 1985 NL MVP, Willie McGee two weeks ago in St. Louis.

I’ve wanted to add McGee to my collection for some time and a signed ball by him is another great MVP-themed ball for my collection.

Gerad hooked me up by working with the promoter of the event as he had  a few things to get signed as well.  And when he asked if  I was interested as well, I jumped right in!

I put a ball and payment in the mail the very next day.  And now, I am the proud owner of this new ball.

Have a look:

I love it.  Signed right on the sweetspot in Blue ink, this ball and autograph look sharp and clean.  And while Mr. McGee may not have the best looking signature around, I am thrilled to finally have one in my collection, especially when the cost was a fraction of what a signed ball would cost me on Ebay.

Thank you again, Gerad!  Another great piece has been added to my signed baseball collection.

🙂

Adding Some More Depth To My ‘Ultimate Jenkins’ Tribute

Adding Some More Depth To My ‘Ultimate Jenkins‘ Tribute

While organizing pictures for the ’10’ post I did the other night that showcased the 10 signed Fergie Jenkins baseballs in my collection, I noticed some obvious omissions on my ‘Ultimate Jenkins‘ page.

So, I set aside some time to comb through that entire page with the goal of bulking it up and adding more that honors the great career of my favorite pitcher of all-time.

The results?  A few more photos!

Here they are:

Fergie Jenkins Game-Used Relic Cards

Fergie Jenkins IP/TTM Signed Cards

Fergie Jenkins Certified Autographed Cards

Sweet!

All great stuff, and all stuff that deserves to be a part of the newly refreshed ‘Ultimate Jenkins’ page.

If you haven’t checked it out in a while, come see what you are missing!!!

And That Makes 10.

And That Makes 10.

If you were with me and ’30-YOC’ on Monday night, you would have seen that I scored the 10th signed baseball for my Fergie Jenkins collection.

Yes, I said 10.

All signed by my favorite pitcher of all-time.

So, since 10 is such a nice, round number, I thought it would only be fitting to show them all off to you at one time.

Sound good?

Great.  Here we go!!

Fenway Park 100th Anniversary Commemorative

‘Fly’ nickname ball

3,192 K’s ball

284 Wins ball

Cy Young NL 71 ball

Rawlings Cy Young ball

Ferguson Fergie Jenkins w/HOF 91

Fergie Jenkins HOF 91 ball

Black Rawlings ball with Gold pen and HOF 91

Hall of Fame logo ball with HOF 91 inscription

I LOVE IT!!!

And I still have a few more ideas that will only bolster and make this collection even more well-rounded.

The next time I hear about another Jenkins signing that I can get it on, I am all over it!!

Thanks for reading.

Happy Birthday Livan Hernandez!!!

Happy Birthday Livan Hernandez!!!

Livan Hernandez turns 39 years old today!!!

Livan was the primary reason that the Florida Marlins won the World Series title in 1997.  If it wasn’t for his amazing pitching in the NLCS and World Series who knows if the Marlins would have been able to prevail.  I can still remember Livan screaming ‘I Love You Miami’ as he put the team on his back on the way to the title.

He had a very solid major league career, and he certainly left his mark on the sport and the Marlins franchise.

In 17 big league seasons, Livan compiled a 178-177 record in 474 starts.  He has a career ERA of 4.44 with 1,976 strikeouts and 1,066 walks.  Livan is a 2-time All-Star, a Silver Slugger Award winner, and a runner-up for the Rookie Of The Year Award.

Happy Birthday to the 1997 World Series MVP!!!

SIGNING RESULTS: Boston Red Sox All-Star, Mike Greenwell!!!

SIGNING RESULTS: Boston Red Sox All-Star, Mike Greenwell!!!

When I tell you that Mike Greenwell was one of my favorite players from the late 1980’s I am not kidding.

Alongside Wade Boggs, Greenwell was so much fun to watch.  And he could do it all – hit for a high average, bang doubles off of the Green Monster, and drive in runs at a rapid pace.

He only played in the major leagues for 12 seasons (all with the Sox), and left the game at the age of 32.  But, Greenwell is loved in Boston and will forever be a member of ‘Red Sox Nation’.

His career numbers look like this:  .303 lifetime batting average, .368 on-base percentage, 1,400 hits, 275 doubles, 130 home runs, 80 stolen bases, 657 runs scored and 726 RBI.

Greenwell was a 2-time All-Star and he also win the Silver Slugger Award and finished second in the AL MVP race in 1988.

I am thrilled to add this signed ball to my collection and it will find a comfortable home with the rest of the balls I have signed by stars from the 1980’s.

SWEET!!!

Did You Know…

In 2003, Marlins manager Jack McKeon became the oldest manager to take his team to the World Series.  The previous mark was set by Casey Stengel in 1960 who took the Yankees to the World Series at 70 years of age.

SIGNING RESULTS: Former Rookie Of The Year & Cardinals All-Star Vince Coleman!!!!

SIGNING RESULTS: Former Rookie Of The Year & Cardinals All-Star Vince Coleman!!!!

I was so excited when I found out about this signing.  And the price was simply too good for me to pass up!!

Adding a Vince Coleman signed baseball to my collection has been on my radar for quite some time. He was one of the most dynamic stars of the 1980’s and the start to his major league career was on par if not better than many of the guys that debuted in the same time frame.

Upon entering the league, Coleman stole the show.  Literally.  He stole more bases in the first three seasons of his major league career than any player in the history of the sport – and he was instantly loved in St. Louis.

His autograph is a bit large, and it takes up quite a bit of space, but as soon as I found out about this autograph signing, I leaped at the chance to get a ball done for my collection.

Here are the results:

The Auto:

The Inscription:

Solid!

I told you it was a big signature, so I expected the inscription to be placed right where it was.  It’s too bad that the inscription is not shown when in a case on my desk, but I know it is there and that works for me!!

The next Cardinals player on my list??  #51, the NL MVP from the 1985 season – Willie McGee!!  Wish me luck!!!

The Most Unique And Rare Signed Fergie Jenkins Baseball For My Collection!!!

The Most Unique And Rare Signed Fergie Jenkins Baseball For My Collection!!!

When I tell you that I have been seeking this specific item for my Fergie Jenkins collection for more than three years, I am not exaggerating.  And when I tell you that I have never been close to obtaining it, I am stating the truth.

And I have put in my fair share of work in my efforts.

First, let me show you the ball:

The ball is a Rawlings commemorative ball that celebrates the Cy Young Award.  Instead of the normal Major League Baseball stamping, this ball has a message of ‘Presented Annually For Pitching Excellence Honoring Cy Young’. 

These balls are no longer produced by Rawlings.  I have made dozens of calls over the years to try to get myself a brand new one for my collection.  I’ve called Rawlings.  I’ve called all of the noted sports memorabilia companies.  I’ve called the Hall of Fame.  I’ve even called the Fergie Jenkins Foundation as well.

And all of my efforts led me back to square with – with no leads…

In my time of focusing my energy on collecting all things ‘Fergie Jenkins’, I have seen two of these baseballs sold on Ebay.  Both were listed for extremely high dollar amounts, and both sold rather quickly for the exact amounts that the sellers were seeking.

And then a third ball appeared.

And I had to have it!!!

So, I nailed it!!!

I have finally landed this exclusive ball, and it comes with the exact inscription that I would want with such a unique piece -= ‘NL CY 71’.

Between the rarity of the ball, the exclusive Cy Young stamping, the great autograph, and the perfect inscription – this is by far, the most unique and special autograph in my Fergie Jenkins collection.

A supreme addition to ‘Ultimate Jenkins’!!!!

Fergie Jenkins 2005 Upper Deck Hall Of Fame ‘Essential Enshrinement’ Certified Autograph & Patch Card – Numbered To 5

Fergie Jenkins 2005 Upper Deck Hall Of Fame ‘Essential Enshrinement’ Certified Autograph & Patch Card – Numbered To 5

Friends, I have scored my best Fergie Jenkins autograph card to date!!!!

This card comes from the 2005 Upper Deck Hall Of Fame ‘Essential Enshrinement’ set and features a sweet Fergie Jenkins signature.

It also features a 2-color patch of Light Blue and Cubbie Blue!!  This is my first autographed baseball card of Jenkins that features a jersey relic.  You could also call it my first relic card that features a signature too..

No matter how you slice it or dice it, this card is sweet!!

Have a look:

There is nothing about this card that I do not like.  From the great image to the Golden accents to the wood-grain background – I like it all!!!

And the fact that this card is serial numbered as 1/5 certainly does not hurt either…

Enjoy.  🙂