Jay Bruce

Who: Outfielder Jay Bruce

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Goudey

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2009

Comments: Two words: JAY BRUCE.

Nice. Really nice one to get. These Goudeys are great for the signatures. I've got a nice little Reds set going with BP, Volton, and Votto.

Joey Votto

Who: First Baseman Joey Votto

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2007 Bowman Sterling

Acquired: In Person

Comments: Really stoked to add this one to the collection. I'll be working on getting all the Reds cards from the 2009 Goudey set signed. Even though it's a small set of cards, there will be some tough ones. - Davey Concepcion and Johnny Bench. I'm not sure how to track down Davey right now... and Johnny will just be a little expensive.

Joey signed this card for me at Jungle Jim's, which is probably one of the most insane grocery stores in the world. After playing and extra innings game against the dodgers last week, and striking out FOUR times in that game, Joey made it to the signing and couldn't have been any nicer. Even after waiting in line over an hour from when he arrived, he was just as nice to us as if you first person in line. Joey's got it down... and I know fans appreciate that. He is truly one of the good guys in the game.

What a fantastic card, too. Great illustration of Joey on his follow-through swing. Epic moment. Great card for an autograph.

Edinson Volquez

Who: Pitcher Edinson Volquez

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Goudey

Acquired: TTM 2/2 8/4/2009 (41 days)

Comments: I figured the odds of getting this card back signed where pretty slim. Especially after learning that Edinson had Tommy John surgery, shutting him down for not only 2009, but probably 2010 as well. I received this card and another in the mail just two days after he had his surgery. He must have caught up with his mail just before going under the knife. Kinda surreal, actually. I'm really happy to have this back and think that's pretty nice of him to sign some autographs knowing that his arm was going to be in a sling for a few months. Edinson was also one Red that I had yet to get an autograph from - pretty sweet.

So, thank you Edinson, and may your recovery be swift. We'll need ya.

Brandon Phillips

Who: Second Baseman Brandon Phillips

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Goudey

Acquired: In Person (7/31/09)

Comments: My friend and I decided to take a long lunch and give blood at the Reds/Hoxworth Blood Drive on 7/31. Of course, we timed our appointments with the scheduled appearance of Brandon Phillips. As always, he was great with everyone. Not only did he sign for the folks that gave blood that day, but he also signed for a bus load of little kids from a local summer camp.

BP has one of the best scribble-style autographs in the game today. I can spot one a mile away, though his name is nearly illegible. This '09 Goudey looks pretty rad all signed-up, doesn't it?