TTM Success - Andres Galarraga

This 1998 Topps Lords of the Diamond card had a place in my TTM box for a long time.  I pulled it from a pack back when I was building the 98 set and kept telling myself that I really wanted to get it signed.  I missed an Andres Galarraga signing soon after, then had to wait patiently for another to pop up.  Meanwhile, I kept the card in my box, that way I knew exactly where it was when the signing did happen.

Finally, a signing popped up and I was able to move the card.  I'm glad I sent it out, because it turned out great.

Galarraga (b. 1961) played in the majors from 1985 to 1998 and 2000 to 2004 for the Expos, Cardinals, Rockies, Braves, Rangers, Giants and Angels.  He had 2,333 hits, 399 home runs and a .288 batting average.  He was a five-time All Star and two-time Gold.Glove Award winner.  His best MVP finish was 6th (1996 and 1998).  He appeared on the 2010 Hall of Fame ballot, but received only 4.1% of the vote.

I mailed to the signing on January 19 and got the card back on March 12, for a 52-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $40.00.

From My Brother - 1986 Donruss Andres Galarraga RC

I went to visit my parents' recently and spent a little bit of time across the street at my brother's house showing him how to work Ebay and how to look up my blog.  I hope the lesson stuck.  Anyway, on my way out the door, John gave me the above 1986 Donruss Andres Galarraga RC.  I have always liked the design of 1986 Donruss.  I actually own the 1986 Donruss Highlights set, but that is a copper colored set as opposed to the blue you see above.  This card is in great shape, as my brother is a real stickler for condition.  He had 2 of the Galarragas, so he was ok with parting with this one.

Galarraga (b. 1961) played in the majors from 1985 to 1998 and 2000 to 2004 for the Expos, Cardinals, Rockies, Braves, Rangers, Giants and Angels.  He missed the 1999 season while he battled cancer.  In his career, he had 2,333 hits, 399 home runs and a .288 lifetime batting average.  He was the 1993 NL batting champion when he hit .370 for the Rockies.  He was an All Star 5 times in his career and won 2 Gold Glove and one Silver Slugger awards.  He appeared on the 2004 Hall of Fame ballot but got only 4.1% of the vote.  I don't think he ever gets in, but he was still a heck of a player.

I definitely have to thank my brother for this RC of The Big Cat.  I always liked Galarraga.  He won a lot of Sega baseball games for me.  I played a season on one of the games as the Rockies and I think he hit over 100 home runs for me.