Mail From Jacob - Bob Feller Autographed Post Card

I got a nice surprise in the mail today.  A guy I know from Instagram, Jacob, sent me this Bob Feller signed post card as an apology for something he did a few days ago.  I won't get into what happened, but the fact that he apologized was enough for me.  I definitely didn't expect anything in the mail, and I was very surprised when he told me that it would be a Bob Feller autograph that he would be sending.

I have PCed Feller since 2010, now, and have quite a few autographs and cards.  Feller was an amazing pitcher in his day, and was also a great American.  I really appreciate Jacob sending this autograph, even though it wasn't necessary.  I accepted the apology well before the gift was sent.  That being said, though, I'm keeping this!!

Thanks Jacob.

An Assortment of Goodies From My Buddy Max

My good friend Max sent me a couple more packages recently and these were slammed full of awesome stuff.  He sent me 4 Orioles signed post cards.  Among them was this Milt Pappas.  Pappas was most remembered for being the piece that brought Frank Robinson to Baltimore.  Other signed post cards Max sent were Al Bumbry, Chris Hoiles and Tippy Martinez.

Max sent me several Conlon Collection cards, most notably this Ty Cobb.  I have the complete set of these, which I picked up at the National a few years ago, but I'm always happy to accept more of them.  They're always fun to look at, especially the players who weren't Hall of Famers that they included in the set.

Speaking of Hall of Famers, Max added a bunch of random Hall of Famers inserts in his packages.  One of them was this 2009 Topps Career Best Legends Walter Johnson.  I just talked with my buddy Andrew on Skype the other day about all-time great pitchers and Johnson was one of the ones who's stats we spent a lot of time analyzing.  I need to record some of these discussions.  They would make for great blog or Youtube posts.

Finally, Max sent along some oddball stickers like this 1982 Topps Stickers Carl Yastrzemski.  This is a pretty cool piece from later in Yaz's career that I had never seen before.

Max is a realy awesome guy whom I've spent a lot of time getting to know recently.  He's one of the best traders on Instagram, and one of the best all-around people that I've met.  I'm certainly happy that I have been able to help him out with his collection, and I'm even happier that we have built a friendship from it.  If you are on Instagram, I recommend you follow him, @graphinchitown.

Fan Fest Autograph Station 1 - Lough/Webb/Bundy

Before I kick off my showcase of autographs, I do want to say that I got a dozen OMLB "Cal Ripken's Final Game" baseballs to take with me to Fan Fest to get signed.  The box of 12 was $50 cheaper than a normal box of OMLB baseballs.  You can see the logo on the above baseball signed by one of the newest Orioles, David Lough.  As far as I know, his last name is pronounced to rhyme with dough.  He seemed like a really nice guy.  My son, Chris, welcomed him to the team and told him the he would like him because he is taking over for Nate McLouth and McLouth was one of Chris's favorite players.  Lough smiled and signed Chris's baseball and was equally as nice to me when I told him "Welcome to Baltimore."

From everything I hear, Lough is going to be a solid addition to the team.  I really hope that's the case, because I really liked McLouth.  I believe that Lough is going to be a similar type player, except with him you add batting average and subtract stolen bases.  I'm ok with that.  The Os got Lough in a trade with the Royals for Danny Valencia.

The next baseball (above) is signed by another newcomer to Baltimore, Ryan Webb.  Webb came to the Orioles as a free agent (and he passed his physical, gasp!) from the Marlins.  He's a really effective ground ball pitcher who should fit into the bullpen nicely.  He didn't really replace Jim Johnson, but he has similar makeup and is several years younger (and much cheaper).

Webb was very outspoken on the Twitter by criticizing Alex Rodriguez when A-Roid announced he was suing the Player's Association.  When it was my turn to get an autograph from Webb, I asked him to please put one in A-Roids ribs when he comes back.  Webb just smiled and said "He isn't coming back."  Well put, sir.  I think I'm really going to like him in the late innings.

Finally, I got another signed (my third) baseball of Dylan Bundy.  Bundy is on the mend at the moment from obligatory Tommy John surgery.  He looks to come back after the All Star break, if not sooner.  I wouldn't rush him at all.  I'm really scared that he is going to end up like Mark Prior, but I hope he doesn't because it has been forever since the Orioles drafted and developed a solid MLB pitcher.  We'll see what the future holds.

The first autograph session was at 11:20AM and my next one wasn't until 4:40, so I had a ton of time to kill. Check back to see when Scott and I picked up in the memorabilia store while we waited.

What a Shame

I did an Ebay search tonight because I'm looking for old photos of Virgil Trucks that might be fitting to frame and put on my man cave wall.  I'm also looking and seeing what cards of his are available that I still don't have in my Trucks PC.

I saw something tonight that really made me sick.  It also showed me why the TTM hobby is dying.  One of the sellers on Ebay had put up for auction, the post it note that Mr. Trucks had personally written to the guy when he requested autographs (that's right, plural) TTM.  I'll post what was written on the note (I don't want to give the guy any publicity, so I will not be linking the auction):

Hi ******,
Glad to sign your cards and enclose a card for you.  I hope I don't see any of these I've signed for you on the internet.  I don't know why you want this many signed.  Good luck, Virgil Trucks.

The guy had the balls to actually put this note on Ebay.  Not only that, he has 26 other items up for bid and they are all of either Virgil Trucks or Gus Triandos, both TTM signers who have just passed away.  Each autcion heading starts with DECEASED.  Clearly, this guy is trying to cash in on someone's passing.

The reason I send off for TTM autographs is because I enjoy being able to interact, even if it is for only a little bit, with some of these folks who played so long ago, most people have forgotten about them.  I imagine in my mind that most of them enjoy getting a letter in the mail from someone who took the time to look them up.  I just can't imagine ever selling any of the personal notes and letters that any one of those players has sent me.  Especially not Mr. Trucks.

Orioles Fan Fest - Final Autograph Station

We immediately went from our previous autograph station to our next one, the 4:40 meeting with Robert Andino, Nick Markakis and Brady Anderson after hitting the restroom and meeting up with Ryan, of course.  Ryan was in this line with us, so it made the wait so much more enjoyable having someone to chat with.

 The first player in line was Robert Andino.  I have gained so much respect for Andino following this season, firstly because he was always so awesome whenever I met him (this was the third time I have met him in person) and he is always really nice to my son.  He signed the above baseball for me and the below post card for Chris.

Chris slapped five with Andino, knocking his hand onto the table.  Ryan and I both told Chris "Don't HURT him!"  Andino laughed and signed our stuff.

 After Andino was a current Oriole whose autograph I have been coveting for a long time, Nick Markakis.  I got Markakis to sign an OMLB ball (Selig) on the sweet spot.  I have several of the Orioles' First Round Draft Picks: Roberts (supplemental round), Markakis, Brandon Snyder, Billy Rowell (should have been Tim Lincecum), Matt Wieters, Brian Matusz, Matt Hobgood and Manny Machado.

Nick was really quiet, but he did say hello to Chris.  He had abdominal surgery a couple weeks ago, so I'm sure he is still recovering from that.

 As much as I would love to say that Markakis was the highlight of this session, the reason I paid $40 for the voucher (they were all sold out, so I had to buy one off of Ebay) was so I could meet one of my childhood favorites, Brady Anderson.  I had Brady sign another OMLB (Selig) ball that I picked up before the show.

Brady also signed this post card for Chris.  Brady is remembered for his improbable run in the 1996 season where he hit 50 home runs.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinions on how Brady achieved that number, especially since he didn't get close to 50 before or after that season.  Your opinion is fine, but in my mind, I point to Roger Maris (39 homers in 1960, 61 homers in 1961 and 33 homers in 1962) and Davey Johnson (43 homers in 1973 and didn't hit more than 18 in any other season) among others...  Sometimes players have a great season.  Let me enjoy it.

This autograph session was definitely worth the $40.00.  I'm really glad I got all of these guys' autographs, for sure.

Stay tuned for my final Fan Fest Post on the miscellaneous stuff we got including a Negro Leaguer's signature and a Brian Matusz Bobblehead...

Orioles Fan Fest - Autograph Station 2

After our meeting with Mrs. Reimold, Ryan, Chris and I wandered around Fan Fest for a while until the next autograph session that we had passes for - the 3:20 session.  Ryan and I were set to go to different stations, so Chris and I had to wait in line without someone to chat with.

This session consisted of Orioles pitching prospect Oliver Drake, current Orioles pitchers Dana Eveland and Tommy Hunter and Hall of Famer and the Orioles' greatest pitcher of all time, Jim Palmer.

Meeting Palmer was one of my primary goals on this trip, so I was really excited about this station.

I got a baseball signed by Oliver Drake, but I traded it to him for  the above ball signed by Joe Mahoney.  I met Mahoney in 2010 at a Bowie game.  He had stitches in his lip and when I asked him where they came from, he toldme he got them from sliding hard into a second baseman while trying to break up a double play.  True definition of a 'gamer.'  Mahoney is one of the Orioles' few position prospects in the upper levels of the minors.  I think he has a good chance of being called up to the majors this season.

We got this signed post card from one of the newest Orioles, Dana Eveland.  He seemed like a really nice guy.  He took the time to compliment me on my replica 1938 Orioles jersey.  He said it looked awesome but probably wouldn't be much fun to play in.  Seeing as it is a wool jersey, he is right.

I was also glad to meet Orioles pitcher Tommy Hunter at this station.  He seems like a pretty colorful character, especially since he made sure everyone knew that he had just created a Twitter account (@TommyGoesBoom).  When I got to him, I told him the he should follow me (@FoulbuntWilliam).  I'm still waiting on him to follow me.

Finally, I got the chance to meet Hall of Famer Jim Palmer.  I had him sign my Bobby Brown OAL baseball that I picked up for $10 at a recent card show.  Definitely a good player to get on this ball.  I wanted to say a few words to Palmer, but he and Tommy Hunter were bantering back and forth.  That was a lot more entertaining than anything I could have squeaked out.  Seeing as I was pretty star struck and all...

Jim Palmer is now the third Hall of Famer that I have met in person (the others being Brooks Robinson and Bert Blyleven).  I already had him on a baseball; a gift that my former boss gave me for Christmas way back in 1999.  I will put this one with my other Hall of Famers and the other Palmer ball will be put away for safekeeping.

Stay tuned for my next Orioles Fan Fest post, the final autograph station.

Cal Ripken TTM Success

Wait.  before you get excited, this TTM success is over 20 years old.  I don't think it is nearly as easy to get him TTM these days.

I mailed to Cal back when I was 10 or 11, so probably around 1991 or so..  I got this signed postcard in return and I remember thinking it was really cool that I could get an autograph through the mail.  Who would have thought that 20+ years later that I would be this involved in TTMs and autographs.

I really like the post card itself.  I mean, look how young Cal was!  He had HAIR!

The reason you guys haven't seen this autograph yet is because I had it buried in my foot locker and dug it out yesterday.

Growing up, Cal was my favorite player.  He still  is, of course, but I have added a few other players to the list.

Joe Sewell Signed Postcard

So, I was cleaning up this weekend and looking for things to sell at a yard sale that I had yesterday when I stumbled upon this signed post card that I picked up when I visited the Hall of Fame in August.

I got this Joe Sewell signed postcard from the shop where I picked up my Billy Herman and Rick Ferrell signed baseballs.  I had gone into the shop looking for a Sewell ball, but found that I could get those two (Herman and Ferrell) for the price of the one Sewell, so I went for them. 

After I helped the shop owner discover that he had two awesome baseballs buried in a box of random stuff, he rewarded me by giving me this signed Sewell postcard.  I sure hope it is real, but everything else the guy had was legit and with everything he had laying around, I'm certain he had piles of signed postcards that he could part with and not even feel it.  I discussed the awesome baseballs in this post.

I have a new found respect for Joe Sewell, after researching him for this post and after picking up this awesome card.

I feel kind of bad that I promised to show off this postcard way back in August, but forgot.  It helps now, though, because I don't have much to post, so this can be something to tide you over until I get some more mail in.