Today I went back to the Sports Show to get Tony Oliva. I had so much fun I thought I would try it again today! I had an idea for a baseball with Denny McLain today and thought I would give it a shot with him. When I got to the show I went to his table and spoke with him and his handler and explained that I looked up the 1968 World Champion Tiger roster and discovered that Eddie Mathews was on that team. I was surprised because I remember Eddie as a Brave but I guess I should get a pass because it was two years before I was born. I asked if he would write the 1968 post season team roster on a baseball and provided him the list of teammates. He told me he had never signed a baseball like that and thought it was pretty neat. I guess I have the first roster ball he signed! His handler shot me a price and told me to come back later. I walked around a bit and bought some 1965 Topps cards and sat down waiting for Tony O to show up. While waiting, Mr McLain’s handler delivered me the roster ball. I left it in the box until I got home which could have been disastrous if it was wrong but I wanted to be surprised. I was not disappointed! I will have to try that with other players! I also got five items 
signed by Tony Oliva and he was as cool as he always is at these events. I got the following signed by Tony O:
June 1971 Baseball Digest
2 @ October 1965 Official Baseball Sports Magazines
(Yet another) 08.23.1965 Sports Illustrated
(and another) mini bat
This was a fun weekend and I added some great items to my baseball collection!
Category: Non-SI Magazine
A King, A Cy, and Spring Goodies
Today was a fun day to get mail! I received three packages full of autographed goodies.
The first package I opened contained a pair of magazines signed by “The King” Richard Petty. Mr Petty was kind enough to sign the March 1992 and December 1992 Stock Car Racing magazines in thin silver paint pen. They look great! I am going to give one to my brother who is a big NASCAR fan.
The second package I opened contained a pair of Sports Illustrated magazines signed by Jake Arrieta. I never figured I would get one Jake Arrieta autograph in my collection much less two! Pat Neshek started helping out collectors to get items signed from the Phillies for a nominal fee. I mailed in some cards for Caden and a pair of SI’s for me. I received the SI’s today. They are both signed beautifully! They are the 03.28.2016 and 10.10.2016 issues. I cannot thank Pat enough for helping out fellow collectors.
The last package I opened contained a bunch of autographed items from spring training that Vinnie M (vinniemiller on SCN) got for me. These items are:
Amir Garrett ML Debut tickets X3
Ariel Hernandez ML Debut tickets X2
Jesse Winker ML Debut ticket
Jimmy Sherfy ML Debut tickets X2
David Dahl ML Debut ticket
Alen Hansen ML Debut ticket
Pablo Sandoval ML Debut ticket
Francisco Mejia ML Debut tickets X2
Rob Refsnyder 1st Hit ticket
Jeff Mathis – 02.24.2003 Sports Illustrated
Vinnie has a bunch of other items for the visiting Seattle teams this season. He does a fantastic job on my items and cannot wait to see what else he has for me this year!
Don’t Be Crede
Today I received a package from Tim K (josh96 on SCN) who went to the Chicago Sports Spectacular last weekend and got me a couple autographs. Tim got AJ Pierzynski to sign a pair of ESPN magazines from when he, Torii Hunter, Jacque Jones, and Doug Mientkiewicz were on the cover. I already had one issue signed by all four but I love that issue so much I started two more. One is now done with AJ being added to it and the other is just missing Torii. Tim also got Joe Crede to sign a 2009 Topps card which will be a nice upgrade to the one I currently have. This was the first time Tim and I worked together and I could not be happier! Thank you Tim!
Brooksie
Today I received a package I had mailed to Brooks Robinson to have him sign a couple magazines I picked up recently. Mr Robinson signed my 1967 Maco Baseball Guidebook and a June, 1972 Sport magazine. On the Sport, he signed it in a darker area and while it did not turn out the best, it was fine by me. What makes this noteworthy is that Mr Robinson included a note basically apologizing for how it turned out and that I could send something to him and he would sign for free. What a classy move. Of all the players I have ever met in a signing or otherwise situation, Brooks and Harmon Killebrew are both far and away the nicest men I have met. This just reinforces the class that Mr Robinson shows. I will send him a baseball but I will also include a note and donation in the near future. I am not going to expect him to sign something for free for me. I am excited to add these magazines and will look for other items for him to sign down the road. Thanks Brooks!