An After-Christmas Present From Mom

So, a while ago, I wrote a blog post about an autographed baseball that my mom had stored on a shelf for years.  It turned out that the mystery ball was of Ryan Klesko.  When we found that ball hidden amongst a bunch of old picture frames and knick knacks, there was another ball that she wasn't quite ready to part with, her Nolan Ryan signed baseball...

I had to go back to Mom's house yesterday because of a family issue and happened to ask her about the ball.  I asked if I could have it, since I still hadn't gotten Ryan yet, and he answer was "[heck] no".  After about a minute or two, she hands me the ball, smiling.  Again, Mom likes to make me sweat.  Above is what the ball holder looked like upon receipt.  I'm keeping the ball holder; I'm just going to store it in the closet and keep the ball itself in my china cabinet in a ball cube.

Here is a look at the actual ball.  It seems that the dust has created an effective barrier for UV rays, as the signature looks amazing.

If I had to guess, I would guess that the ball is from around 1992 or so.  Around this time, Mom bought me my first signed baseball (Cal Ripken) waaaay back when Sam's Club sold baseball cards and assorted memorabilia.  I remember going in there and checking out the signed baseballs thinking that I would never be lucky enough to own one until one day when Mom handed me Cal.

I'm sure she got the Ryan ball around the same time (knowing how she loves a deal, she probably pounced on it).  As I sit here and type this entry, I'm thinking to myself, chuckling, Sam's Club sold autographed baseballs....

Anyway, Mom knows that I will cherish the ball along with all of my other signed baseballs.  Ryan has become my 59th Hall of Famer.  I've still got a long ways to go if I ever want to try to own as many Hall of Famers as possible, but this year has made a nice dent in the list.

Thanks again Mom!

**I'm not sure if any of you have noticed, but my mom actually reads this blog.  Sometimes she comments.  it is always nice when a parent shows interest in what their child is interested in.  I hope that when Chris is my age that he is just as passionate about something as I am.  I know that I will always thank my mom for supporting my baseball fixation from an early age.

Oh yeah...  Sam's Club used to sell autographed baseballs....