Today I received a card I never thought I would pick up. A signed 1996 Topps #50 Kirby Puckett card. This, along with the All Star card, is from the last year of Kirby regular cards printed from his career. I saw this card go for $1,500 at a large collector show last summer. That one was signed in blue but I don’t care this was signed in black Sharpie for what I got it for. I bought it from Greg Kozniewski, who I bought a number of other items in the past (he remembered my name!). Greg warned me there was a paper clip indentation that was pretty severe on it but, again, for the price and rarity, I was ok with that. When it arrived today, it was not nearly as bad as what Greg warned me of and it will display amazingly. I am really excited to add this one to the collection! Now to track down the All Star card from that year…
Category: Topps Twins Project
Royce!
Today was the final Twins season ticket holder autograph event and it certainly did not disappoint! It featured Yoendrys Gomez and Royce Lewis. Both were AMAZINGLY engaged with the fans. It was awesome. I told Yoendrys I hope he gets the save tonight and his response was “That means we win!”. I told Royce and Cami and I went to the Field of Dreams game and he asked what I thought of it. I told him “It was magical!” and he agreed saying it was pretty cool. I asked if he got to speak with Kevin Costner and that I did not see him there (he was interviewed prior hoping he could meet Kevin) and he said he didn’t as Kevin wasn’t there. I gave him a couple tickets and asked to inscribe each. I told him I missed the playoff game because I had covid so my brother and his wife went. He asked if I was at the other and I told him I was and he said “That’s great! No covid!” Royce commented on the silver paint pen I had for him to use that it was a great pen! He said he liked Cami’s nails too. Royce is so engaging with fans. It is a memorable experience every time I meet him. After the signing I took Cami to the airport for her flight back to Arizona. Her final school term starts Thursday!
The items I got signed today are:
Yoendrys Gomez- 2 OMLB (one for my brother)
Royce Lewis- 06.26.2026 ticket w/”1st MLB Walkoff Hit”, 10.03.2023 ticket w/”2 HR 3 RBIs” from his 2023 AL Wild Card Game 1, 09.15.23 Topps Now, 2023 Bob Ross card.
Billy The Kid and What a Hamm
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!
A Twins Season Ticket Holder Signing Event
Cami was in town for a couple weeks and extended her stay a few days so she could attend a Twins game. I had tickets to the game tonight so we decided we would go. I also was able to join in on a Twins season ticket holder event that had Travis Adams and Ryan Kreidler signing autographs. So, Cami and I headed to the ballpark around noon. I was able to get Travis to sign a pair of debut ticket and Ryan on a team card (bubbled unfortunately) and a baseball (for my brother). Travis commented “Ooooooo! My debut ticket!” and Ryan said “That’s really cool!”. Both were awesome! We left and headed to my parents place so Cami could see them before going back to Arizona and then back to the ballpark for the game which the Twins won!
