Back in September, 2021, Noel A (bluejay50 on SCN) posted he was going to have a bunch of signings with a number of players in the Dominican Republic and one of those players was Tony Batista. Batista played third base for the Twins in 2006 and on May 27th, he started a triple play. I had a pair of my season tickets from that game so I thought I would send them in to the signing. Due to a few issues, etc, the signing was finally completed around late January. The tickets made it back to me today from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico and then to me. They look awesome and each ticket includes “Triple Play”. The play started when Kenji Johjima hit the ball to Luis Castillo who touched second base and threw it to Justin Morneau at first for the second out. Carl Everett rounded third base too far and Morneau’s throw to Batista got Everett for the third out of the play. Not really a traditional ’round the horn triple play but it counts just the same! Now to add Castillo and Morneau to the ticket…
The Puck Stopped Here
Today was a really cool day. Recently a friend of a friend was looking to sell a signed piece of memorabilia and my friend reached out for any help I could offer. I had fun doing it and the seller got more than they originally expected. I was surprised when a check showed up in the mail as part of the sale as thanks for helping. It was a real kind gesture. I took that money and found a Kirby Puckett signed 1994 Topps #607 to put it towards. That card arrived today! Pete G (pdg16 on SCN) was the high bidder in a few lots of Kirby’s personal signed cards that were auctioned a few years ago. These cards come with a signed letter as such from Kirby’s ex-wife Tonya. What really makes this card cool is it is the FINAL signed Topps Twins card I needed to complete my 1994 team set!
Autographing (Cham) Bliss!
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!