Two Hall of Famers - Two Paid Signers at the 2025 National

The next card that I'd like to show off from this year's National is this 1993 Upper Deck Brewers checklist that I finally got completed.  I paid for Robin Yount and Paul Molitor right before I left for Chicago.  I had picked this card up and had it signed by Pat Listach during the 2022 National. My friend, Michael, found the card at that show but didn't want to start a new project.  I had forgotten about the card until I saw Listach earlier this summer, then decided to complete it.  The card looks great.

While waiting in line for Yount, I caught a cool moment of conversation between Yount and Rafael Palmeiro.

Here is Yount signing the card.  Yount was really nice and suggested I complete the card by going to the next table over to get Molitor.  I told him I was right on top of it.  

Finally, here is Molitor signing the card.  Molitor was also really nice.  The card has some miles on it but is now in the album. 

A Great TTM Success From Paul Molitor

I found a 1995 Leaf Statistical Standouts Paul Molitor on COMC for a really good price, so I picked one up to send TTM to him.  I always loved the design of these cards, and wanted a signed version in my album.  I figured, at his fee, Molitor would be a great one to add.

The card turned out great, and I'm really happy with it.  The card itself is numbered 4,309 of 5,000.

I mailed to Molitor on July 6 and got the card back signed on July 17, for an 11-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $20.00 out of some money my sister gave me for buying her dinner one night prior to when I mailed.  So, thanks, Christy, for the $20, haha.

TTM Success - Paul Molitor

I tried to get him when he was the manager of the Twins, but that TTM request came back unsigned.  I tried again recently, this time sending $20 with the card, and I am happy to say that I was able to cross Paul Molitor off of my 1987 Topps checklist.

I mailed to Molitor on February 23 and got the card back signed on March 28, for a 33-day TAT.  This card was well worth the $20 fee.

Birthday Present From Drew - Paul Molitor Signed Baseball

I got a package in the mail today from my very good friend, Drew, from Drew's Cards.  The package was a birthday present that I have been waiting for with great anticipation.  Drew already let it be known that there would be two Hall of Famers in the box that I needed and he definitely didn't disappoint.

The first ball, my 93rd Hall of Famer was Paul Molitor.  I think, historically, Molitor is vastly underrated.  Molitor (b. 1956) played in the majors from 1978 to 1998 for the Brewers, Blue Jays and Twins.  He had 3,319 hits, 234 home runs and a career batting average of .306.  He led the league in hits 3 times (1991, 1993 and 1996), once collecting 225 hits (1996).  He was only a 7-time All Star in his 21 seasons in the majors and never won the MVP Award, finishing 2nd in 1993 (losing to Frank Thomas).  He did, however win a World Series ring with the Blue Jays in 1993 after losing in his only shot with the Brewers in 1982.  In the '82 series, he did his part.  He went 11 for 31 or  a .355 batting average. 

Probably the oddest statistic, at least to me, is that Molitor never won a batting title.  I really would have thought he had at least one batting crown in his trophy case, but it appears he does not.  He did bat over .300 in 12 seasons where he played 100 or more games.  He hit .353 in 1987, only to lose to Wade Boggs, who batted .363 that year.  Not a bad guy to lose the batting crown to.

Molitor was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2004 (his first ballot) when he was named on 85.2% of the ballot.

Thanks for the ball, Drew!  Stay tuned to see the other ball that he sent!

My Thoughts on 2013 Panini Cooperstown

Last year, when I picked up a few packs of 2012 Panini Cooperstown, I was really impressed.  For a product that does not have a MLB license, they really made it look sharp.  This year's offering is no different.  The cards are very sharp and they are of a subject that I really enjoy.  I actually busted a box of Cooperstown today.  I had a choice of A&G and Cooperstown and I actually chose Cooperstown.

I will probably pull out some notable cards in the future, but I really wanted to take today to showcase the 'hit' of the box.  The hobby box boasts only one hit and it is a promise of an on card HOF auto.  Well, as you can see above, the auto was Paul Molitor.

The card looks great.  His signature really pops off of the card.  I like the black and white background, and the design of the auto area is really nice.  I actually traded away a Molitor auto the other day, so I was happy to add one back to my collection this quickly.

In all, I was really happy with 2013 Panini Cooperstown.  I don't know if I will pursue the set or will just break up the cards to send to other bloggers.  We'll see, but for now, I am just enjoying them.  I know I will add the Molitor to my collection and will not plan on trading or selling it.