Today was one of those days that I have been waiting for the last couple weeks and it did not disappoint! If you are one of the very few regular readers of this blog, you will realize that I have a few guys that I go to for signings. Once in a while I will get someone as a one off but most of the time I stick with a half dozen or so guys. One of those guys who takes amazing care of my items is Chris R (rifon on SCN). Chris is a guy who runs East Coast Collectors Service and attends all the autograph shows on the East Coast. The package I received from him today included a few things I sent for a recent show where Chris Chambliss and CC Sabathia attended. The best thing I got was my 3,000 strikeout ball now with Sabathia on it along with his 3073 strikeout total. The ball now has 16 players in the 3,000 strikeout club on it. There is barely room for the current two players once they retire, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. It is an awesome baseball and a jewel of my collection. The other items I got were CC Sabathia 3000th Strikeout full box office ticket with “3000th Strikeout” on it and a pair of tickets to Game 5 of the 1976 ALCS. Chambliss signed these two tickets with “Series Walkoff HR”. The tickets were creased from being in someone’s wallet or pocket for the game but Chris R made sure Chris C signed it while avoiding the creases. They turned out better than I expected. I am very please with all the items!
This Ball Is Rad(ke)
Today’s mail brought a career stat ball signed by Brad Radke. Lou R (Signatures on SCN) had a signing with Brad and I sent in a Twins 60th anniversary baseball and asked for nine stats to be written on it. Brad, and Lou, did not disappoint!
Josh’in Me
Today’s mail brought a couple packages but not the one I was expecting. I don’t think that one has been mailed yet. The two I got today make me happy just the same. Brian P (ka0grp on SCN) hooked me up with four Josh Donaldson cards from the Golf Tournament he graphed at. Those are:
2021 Topps #94
2020 Allen & Ginter #245
2020 Topps #372
2021 Allen & Ginter #324
They turned out great even with Donaldson’s crappy “signature”.
The other package contained a pair of JSA witnessed Ian Anderson baseballs. Alan Frederick on Facebook had a private signing with Ian and I sent in a pair of baseballs. I think Ian is a stud and winning the World Series just increases his visibility.
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!