2025 National Free Signer - Dwight Gooden

For the second year in a row, Dwight Gooden was one of the free VIP signers at this year's National.  I still had cards pulled from last year and brought them with me to the show.  I only used one of those cards, as Jesse and I found some nice Goodens in some bargain boxes.

Something cool was that we found a set of 1985 Renata Galasso cards. I grabbed the above card that I thought looked cool.  Jesse found a great one that had Gooden's first grade picture on it.  It got Gooden to stop signing and admired the card.  His wife even took a photo of it.

I also found the (left) 1991 Fleer ProVisions card in a box; that card had to get added to the album.  The card on the right was the only one that I brought from home.

Gooden was awesome, as always.  Im glad he came to the show forward second time.

2024 National Free Signer - Doc Gooden

The 2024 National has come and gone.  I picked up a decent amount of stuff and still cake home with a little money in my pocket.  I wanted to lead off with the first free signer, Doc Gooden, who was one of the VIP party signers.  I wanted Doc on this 2000 Topps Chrome All Star Rookies card.  I thought the card was cool, since he only played one game with the Astros in 2000.

I also got a 1985 Fleer, 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen and a 2016 Topps Bunt signed after a couple trips through the line and a little help from Michael's Uncle Stanley.

Gooden was really nice, and it was cool to meet him.  It was a great way to start the show.

FYI, I don't plan on doing each and every signer/pickup in order.  I want to mix the posts up.  We'll see how it goes.

Another TTM Success From Doc Gooden

I pulled this gold parallel numbered to 50 out of the silver packs that came with my 2020 Topps Jumbo Boxes.  Right when I pulled it, I saw an announcement for a private signing with Doc Gooden, so I went ahead and signed up for the signing.

The card turned out awesome; I'm glad I went ahead and sent the card in.  I think this one was one of the very first ones I did through the private signings page on Facebook.

I mailed the card on July 6 and got the card back on August 4, for a 29-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $20.00.

TTM Success - Dwight Gooden

I added the second of two Dwight Gooden cards to my 1987 set when I took advantage of a private signing that my buddy, Jacob, told me about.  My good friend, Max, got me the base card, so this All Star card was the other one that I needed.

I mailed to the signing on February 19 and got the card back on August 8, for a 170-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $19.00.

Thanks for letting me know, Jacob!

Autos From Max Part 1 - Doc Gooden

My good friend, Max, just went to a card show in Chicago and was nice enough to pick up something that I could add to my 1987 set.  I provided the card, and Max got it signed by Dwight Gooden.  I had to choose between Gooden's base card or the All Star card from the set.  I figured I should go ahead and get the base one done, so that was what Max did.

Gooden (b. 1964) played in the majors from 1984 to 1994 and 1996 to 2000 for the Mets, Yankees, Indians, Astros and Devil Rays.  He had a career record of 194-112 with 2,293 strike outs and an ERA of 3.51.

Gooden was the 1984 NL Rookie of the Year and the 1985 NL Cy Young Award winner.  He was a 4-time All Star (1984, 1985, 1986, 1988) and a Silver Slugger Award winner (1992).  He won the World Series with the Mets in 1986.  He was also a member of World Series winning Yankees teams in 1996 and 2000, but did not pitch in those World Series.

Gooden was on track for a sure Hall of Fame career, but drug use derailed his career in his prime.  As a result, he appeared on only one Hall of Fame ballot, 2006, but received only 3.3% of the vote.  He is sure to get some more consideration via the Veterans Committee, but I sincerely doubt he will ever make it into the Hall.

Max also picked up another auto for me at the show that I will discuss in my next post, to stay tuned!

Thank you so much for the pickup, Max!!

Familiar Face in a Strange Place - 2000 Topps Dwight Gooden

I was at the card shop recently when I came across this card that I thought was really cool.  This is a 2000 Topps All Star Rookie Team of Dwight Gooden, but as an Astro.  I had no idea that Gooden played for the Astros at all.  A quick check on baseball-reference shows that Gooden played for the Astros for 1 game in 2000.  He started the game and lasted only 4 innings and allowed 4 earned runs.

I kind of forgot how good Gooden really was until I looked at his stats.  His career 194-112 record isn't too bad.  I don't think Gooden will get into the Hall of Fame, which no one can blame anyone but him.  Had he laid off of the drugs during his career, who knows how good he would have been.  I know a couple people who have met him, and I've heard that he is really nice.  I think I would like to meet him as well.

A Few Things From Michael

I just got home from a wonderful trip to Baltimore with my wife, son and mom.  I had taken Mom to a game there; her first MLB game.  Since I am so wiped out from the trip, I figured I would show a couple things I got from my good friend, Michael, before I went into the trip itself (likely will be posted tomorrow).

I met up with Michael during the game and chatted with him for about an inning or so and since he knew I would be in town, he saved himself some shipping cost by bringing me a few things I had bought off of him recently.

First, this 2011 Topps Triple Threads Brooks Robinson "Vacuum Cleaner" relic card that I picked up.  I already had the green version with vacuum cleaner spelled with pieces of bat.  This one has jersey relics, and looks pretty awesome.  I guess it's the purple version?

I also bought this Doc Gooden signed baseball off of Michael at a really good price.  He hooked me up because I gave him a good deal on a Bobby Thomson ball.  Win-win, I think.

The ball is inscribed "No Hitter 5-14-96"

Gooden (b. 1964) played in the majors from 1984 to 1994 and 1996 to 2000 for the Mets, Yankees, Indians, Astrosand Rays.  He had a career record of 194-112 with a 3.51 ERA and 2,293 strikeouts.  He was the 1984 NL Rookie of the Year and 1985 NL Cy Young Award winner.  He won a World Series title with the Mets in 1986 and was on Yankees teams that won in 1996 and 2000 although he did not pitch in those World Series.

Thanks for the stuff, Michael, and it was really nice seeing you again!