Today’s mail brought a pair of packages with really neat items for the collection. The first package I opened was a Sports Illustrated from 05.01.1995 and the other was a Sports Illustrated for Kids from August, 1995 both signed beautifully by Cal Ripken Jr. Both have Ironclad and MLB authentication. I acquired them from my buddy Joel B (brad0112 on SCN and formerly of the Twin Cities here). Joel is selling a number of items in his collection so he can buy a cool Babe Ruth or Ty Cobb or someone of that stature’s autograph. I am sure you will see Joel’s name popping up here again soon!
The other package had a Wayne Garrett Story Ball about Roberto Clemente’s 3000th hit game. Mr Garrett mentioned what Roberto meant to the team and baseball and how he played third base in the game Roberto got the hit. Pretty cool baseball and recollection!
Category: Sports Illustrated
Not Gore(y)
MacKenzie Gore was a highly rated prospect in baseball who just made his ML Debut for the Padres. What usually happens when a player makes his debut is that people who got autographs of the player looks to sell them for a little more than before they appeared in the MLB. Austin Lloyd (on Facebook Autograph Group) had multiple items he had signed by MacKenzie available. I picked out a nice baseball and Sports Illustrated magazine from 07.17.2017. Today the SI arrived and since they were different sizes, they had to be mailed separately so I expect to receive the baseball tomorrow. Both items look awesome!
Not Maddon-ing
Today brought another autograph to what started as a little “what the heck” project when Pat Neshek was playing for the Phillies. At that time, Pat coordinated autographs for fans for certain players so I sent in a couple Sports Illustrated magazines for Jake Arrieta. He was the first of now nine autographs on the cover with the latest being Joe Maddon. Jackson T (zagurski2016 on SCN) had a signing with Joe and I sent in the magazine. My 10.10.2016 issue is looking good! I doubt I will ever finish it because it has Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and John Lackey and neither of them are very accommodating with the Sharpie but it is fun to chase the others.
Free Willie!
No, Willie was not really free. He was reasonably priced though! Today I received my 06.18.2007 Sports Illustrated that was already signed by three now includes Willie Randolph! Chris R (rifon on SCN) took care of my magazine at a recent show. I have another EXCITING package coming from Chris in a couple days.
I also received a little Fernandomania today! Luis B, owner of One Way 77 JC, had Fernando Valenzuela in for a signing and I sent in my 2000 Fleer Greats of the Game card. I had this card “signed” but learned that Fernando uses a ghost signer and all the autographs in my collection of him are ghost signed so I really wanted to replace them but could only justify the card at this time due to the cost. I still have to replace a baseball and a pair of Sports Illustrated magazines. This redo on the card now REALLY completes my 2000 GOTG set! Luis also had Kenley Jansen in for a signing so I sent a debut ticket and got it signed with “MLB Debut”. A couple fun additions to the collection today!