Bout Dang Time

My 174th Hall of Famer on a baseball is someone I've advocated to get into the Hall for quite some time.  Dave Parker finally got in via the Veterans Committee this past December.  It's about time.  Parker is battling Parkinson's, so it is especially good to see him get the call while he is still living. 

I may upgrade my ball at some point and get one with a HOF inscription, but above is one I got in 2012 via TTM. Congratulations to the Cobra for finally getting into the Hall of Fame. 

2024 National Pickup - Derek Jeter Signed Baseball

While it has taken me some time to finally clean out my stuff from the 2024 National, I am ashamed to say that I completely forgot to post this signed baseball that I picked up at the show.  I got this ball on the last day of the show, and probably overpaid a bit.  Still, I am glad to cross Derek Jeter off of my list.  I'm not a fan of how high his prices are; I've always contended that had Jeter played for someone like, say, the Royals, he would be held in the same regard as Paul Molitor.  A great player, a Hall of Famer, sure, but not the legend that folks make Jeter out to be.  That may be a little bit of my dislike for the Yankees shining through, but I feel like I am not alone in this sentiment.

Anyway, Jeter (b. 1974) played in the majors from 1995 to 2014 for the Yankees.  He was a part of the late 90s Yankee dynasty that won the 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000 World Series.  He also won the World Series in 2009.  He had 3,465 hits (leading the league twice), 260 home runs and a .310 career batting average (with 12 seasons of batting .300 or better; ok that's actually pretty dang good).  He never won an MVP award (the horror!), finishing second in 2006 and third in 1998 and 2009.  For those that care, he had a career 71.3 WAR, according to baseball-reference's metrics.

Jeter was a 14-time All Star (1998 to 2002, 2004, 2006 to 2012 and 2014) and five-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2006 to 2009 and 2012).  He was the 1996 AL Rookie of the Year and 2000 World Series MVP.  He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2020, his first ballot, with 99.7% of the vote.  No, I don't have a vote, but even I, with my disdain for Jeter, am not dumb enough to say he didn't deserve to get in.  The argument against not voting for someone it a different discussion for a different day, but even I know he is definitely a Hall of Famer.  Duh.

Somewhere along the line, I messed up my HOF count, so in my estimation, Jeter is my 173rd Hall of Famer on a baseball.  That would also make it necessary to say that Dave Parker getting in last month puts him (Parker) as #174.  Hopefully I remember that, and can audit my numbers accordingly.

Christmas From Max 2024

Max came through again with some cards to help out with my 1987 Topps set.  Crossing off the tough Mark Portugal (above) was something I was really happy to do once I opened his gift.  He also got me another signed card from the set, but I had already gotten the same guy from a private signing, so Max's will be used to trade for someone else that I need and will be posted later on.

Portugal (b. 1962) played in the majors from 1985 to 1999 for the Twins, Astros, Giants, Reds, Phillies and Red Sox.  He had a career record of 109-95 with 1,134 strike outs and a 4.03 ERA.   He finished 6th in the 1993 NL Cy Young Race and won a Silver Slugger Award in 1994.  He was part of the Teins organization when they won the World Series in 1987, but did not pitch in the playoffs.

Max also found this Wamder Franco signed 1987 Topps-design insert when he was looking for signed 87s and picked it up for me.  He got it as a joke, and i definitely chuckled when I saw it.  What a shame, though.  Wander was really cool the couple of times when I met him in Durham.  I'm going to refrain from discussing his issues much more other than I know we will never see him play in the majors again. Still, it's a nice card and I'm still putting it in the autograph album. 

Thank you so much for the Christmas gift Max.  You always come through.  

TTM Success - Jordan Brown

This is a random 2011 Topps Heritage card that was signed with the driest marker that Jordan Brown had in his possession.  Still, the card is signed and is now in the autograph album. 

Brown (b. 1983) played in the majors in 2010 and 2013 for the Indians and Marlins.  He had 23 hits, no home runs and a .225 batting average. 

I mailed to Brown on November 4 and got the card back on November 18 for a 14-day TAT. 

Another TTM Success From Dave Goltz

A couple 70s cards were added to the autograph album when I got these two back from Dave Goltz.  Above is a 1974 Topps that turned out pretty well.

I also got this 1975 Topps Mini signed.  I already had his regular 75, so it was nice adding the mini.

I mailed to Goltz on October 8 and got the cards back on November 16 for a 39-day TAT.

TTM Success - Jason Grilli

Here are several.cards that I got back signed TTM from former pitcher, Jason Grilli.  He signs through the same group as Sean Casey.  He also included an extra card, much like Casey did.

Grilli (b. 1976) played in the majors in 2000, 2001, from 2004 to 2009 and from 2011 to 2017 for the Marlins, White Sox, Tigers, Rockies, Rangers, Pirates, Angels, Braves and Blue Jays.  He had a record of 34-47 with 694 strike outs and a 4.22 ERA.  He was an All.Star in 2013.

I mailed to Grilli on November 4 and got the cards back on November 12 for an 8-day TAT.  I paid his fee of $5/card.  He even sent a note back saying it sent him some good ones.

TTM Success - Fernando Gonzalez

Here are some older cards that i got back signed TTM from Fernando Gonzalez.  His mustache game is pretty high on all of his cards.  The above 1979 Topps features a great 'stache and also a classic ugly Padres jersey.

I also got a 1974 Topps (left) and a 1980 Topps (right) signed.

Gonzalez (b. 1950) played in the majors from 1972 to 1975 and 1977 to 1979 for the Pirates, Royals, Yankees and Padres.  He had 244 hits, 17 home runs and a .235 batting average.

I mailed to.Gonzalez via PastPros on October 24 and got the cards back on November 12 for a 19-day TAT.  I paid a total fee of $35.50.