I received a pair of items today that are pretty unique. Pete Hamm has a pair of baseball cards from his playing days with the Twins… 1971 and 1972. I had purchased a signed 1972 card a long while ago. It wasn’t cheap as Pete was a notorious non-signer. I noticed he started signing a few months ago so I sent him a 1971 already signed by Jim Nettles (who is also featured on the card) along with $5. Today I received it back signed beautifully and Pete included a 1972 signed card too!
The other package I received today was a pair of 10.30.1989 Sports Illustrated magazines that were already signed by Kelly Downs. It is the cover where Kelly is carrying his nephew off the field after the earthquake that caused a delay in the World Series. Jeff Fedorko (Haleysdaddy0304 on SCN) tracked down Billy Kehl, Kelly Downs’ nephew, and had a signing with him. I sent in the pair and both issues are now complete!
Category: Sports Illustrated
Bizarro Baseball!
The May 26, 2008 Sports Illustrated magazine features a cartoonish, comic book like cover that was painted by Mark Bagley. It features Carl Crawford throwing Derek Jeter in the air while a bewildered Superman looks on. I noticed Chris R (rifon on SCN) had a RARE signing with Mark but there was also a rare signing with Carl Crawford happening about a week apart. If you follow this silly blog, you will notice I have gone through Chris a number of times for autographs so I asked if it would be possible to have him get Mark to sign it and get it to the show for Carl in time. He said he would try. Today the magazine showed up signed beautifully by both. Both signatures have holograms on the inside of the cover too!
Rippin’ It
I came across a post where Mike F of GOAT Sports Collectibles was selling a few magazines. I had most but a pair that really caught my eye that I needed was a pair of Sports Illustrated. One with Cal Ripken and one with Alex Rodriguez. I had the Cal Ripken issue but the CANADA version. I got that one signed years ago when Cal was doing a signing in the Twin Cities. This was the United States version from 12.18.1995. The A-Rod issue was from 07.08.1996. Both are authenticated by JSA.
Modeling Clay
Today’s mail brought a real fun one! The 2008 Sports Illustrated Baseball Preview Issue had six players on it. It featured a fold out cover to show all six and they were real up and coming superstars. I had four of the six already sign it when I found that Todd S (toddschafer on SCN) was having a signing with Clay Buchholz, one of the remaining two. I excitedly mailed in my magazine and received it signed today! Todd even posted a photo of Clay signing it on his Facebook page! I am down to needing just Troy Tulowitzki to finish it up!
The players who have signed it already are:
Ryan Braun
Justin Upton
Jacoby Ellsbury
Clay Buchholz
Ryan Zimmerman