TTM Success - Armando Benitez

I saw a private signing come up that included two former Orioles, so I decided to send to it and add a couple tougher autographs to my album on some nice cards that had been stashed away in my Orioles box.  The above 1995 Pinnacle Zenith of Armando Benitez turned out really well.  I enjoy the mid-90s Zenith stuff, and they look great when signed.

Benitez (b. 1972) played in the majors from 1994 to 2008 for the Orioles, Mets, Yankees, Mariners, Marlins, Giants and Blue Jays.  He had a career record of 40-47 with 946 strike outs and a 3.13 ERA.  He was an All Star in 2003 and 2004.  His 289-career saves rank 31st all-time.  He appeared on the 2014 Hall of Fame ballot, but only received 0.2% of the vote.  His best MVP finish was 23rd, in 2004, while with the Marlins.

Orioles fans likely won't forgive Benitez for blowing games in the playoffs, most notably when he allowed an 11th inning home run to Tony Fernandez, which ended the Orioles season in Game 6 of the 1997 ALCS.

I mailed to the signing on March 9 and got the card back signed on December 8, for a 274-day TAT.