Don’t Harp On Me!

Today Brian Harper was in town to sign autographs at the HarMar Mall.  I have been waiting a while to get something signed that I would have been unable to send to someone or a show via the mail so this was my perfect opportunity.

A number of years ago the Twins held a “Garage Sale” of sorts at the Metrodome.  It was before the move to Target Field and they basically offered for sale anything extra from the Dome as well as a ton of leftover stadium give away items.  I went there and picked up a couple really cool things.  One was a banner than hung on the street poles around the Dome with the 40th Anniversary team logo signed by Kirby Puckett.  I have since traded that banner but another cool thing I bought was one of those pictures that were printed on plexiglass that hung in the concourse with a light behind it.  The one I bought featured Brian Harper and Rick Aguilera shaking hands after either Game 1 or Game 2 of the 1991 World Series.  I got Aggie to sign it at one of the Friday Night Alumni Nights the Twins had at the Dome.  He thought it was pretty neat back then so I was excited to see what Harper thought of it.  Brian spotted it while signing the person’s items in line in front of me and kept looking at it.  When it was my turn and put it on the table, he looked and said “That was after Game 6!” and I told him Game 6 was a walkoff and he said “Oh you’re right.  Aggie got the win in 6.  It must have been Game 1 or 2.  All those games were close so he was in ’em all!”  He signed it with “World Champs ’91′”.  It turned out AWESOME!  I am really pleased with it!  I then handed him my 1991 Sports Illustrated and said he must have signed a million of those in his life and he said he has one of those framed in his home.

I then walked over and bought a 2013 Topps Update card set and some singles to finish my set and headed home.  What a great feeling to have finished something I bought around a decade ago!

Thome is my Homey!

Today I received one of my favorite Sports Illustrated issues signed by Jim Thome.  During Target Field’s first year, Jim Thome was featured on the cover hitting a home run with the ballpark in the background.  I have three of these issues signed by the first base coach Jerry White but until I purchased this one, I did not have one signed by Thome.  This is a real nice issue I bought from Mike C (mikecamp99 on Neshek’s website).  Thanks Mike!

Magazine Day!

Today I received four autographed Sports Illustrated magazines acquired in various ways.

First, I purchased the 2013 Baseball Preview issue with “Big Game James” Shield on the cover from Jordan B (royalsFan19 on SCN).  Jordan is one of two guys who work the Royals and their opponents for me.  He does a great job!

Next I received a Jonny Gomes regional issue from right after the Boston Marathon bombing.  Jonny signed it via a signing with Scott Smith (SIKing).  Also in the envelope was a pair of autographed issues from 1980 US Hockey gold medalist Mike Eruzione.  Scott got Mike to sign the issue at Michael Jordan’s golf tournament in Lake Tahoe earlier this month.

All in all a nice day of SIs!

Manny Being Manny

Recently I purchased a Sports Illustrated magazine signed by Manny Ramirez and received it today.  Manny has such a scribble for an autograph it is a wonder anyone can authenticate it.  That is why it is important to know who you are buying it from.  This one came from Dave P (AZGrapher8 on SCN) who got it in spring training a few years ago.  I have worked with Dave a few times in the past and is a respected collector.