Johnny Bench

Who: Hall of Fame Catcher Johnny Bench

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: TTM

Comments: It's nice to add the autograph of the greatest catcher to ever play the game to the collection. One of two cards that Johnny Bench has in the 1972 set, this card keeps my '72 Topps Reds project going.

While I do prefer autographs of the free variety, reaching a little deeper to get the autograph of a Hall of Famer from my favorite team is worth it. It also helped that the autograph was a gift from my wife for my birthday. Pretty nerdy, eh? Haha... Works for me.

Regardless of you personal opinions of Bench, everyone has to agree that he has a beautiful signature.

Lee May

Who: First Baseman Lee May

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps NL Home Run Leaders

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2009

Comments: Lee May, "The Big Bopper" signed this with precision at Redsfest for me. It's another addition to the '72 Topps Reds set and the only Leaders sub-set card any Red appears on - I believe. While I do love me some multi-signed cards, I'm afraid this is where this card meets its final resting place in my binder.

1971 Home Run Leaderboard:

48 Willie Stargell
47 Hank Aaron
39 Lee May

Pat Corrales

Who: Catcher

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps - In Action

Acquired: TTM 2/2 12/4/2009 (27 days)

Comments: Speaking of "In Action," check out this great photo of Pat giving the business to the Cubs' Rick Monday at Wrigley Field. This would have happened shortly after he was traded by the Reds to the Padres in 1972 - Pat's second-to-last season as a player in the bigs.

Pat Corrales

Who: Catcher

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: TTM 2/2 12/4/2009 (27 days)

Comments: Pat Corrales is likely best known for his managerial career these days rather than as a player. Corrales spent most of his nine major league seasons with the Reds as backup to Johnny Bench. He was on the 1970 World Series team that lost to the Oakland A's, but unfortunately missed out on another World Series appearance in '72 when he was traded mid-season to the San Diego Padres.

Still active in baseball, Corrales wrapped up the 2009 season as bench coach for the Nationals for interim manager Jim Riggleman.

Clay Carroll

Who: Pitcher Clay Carroll

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest '09

Comments: Another great autograph from Big Red Machine fireballer, Clay Carroll. The Reds always have him back for Redsfest, and I always manage to get an autograph from him there. This '72 Topps "In Action" completes the pair of cards that Clay is featured on in this set - here's the other.

The design for these "In Action" cards are pretty sweet. It has a great contrast with the rest of the set, making for a very collectable sub-set. I bet opening up a pack back in the day and finding one as you're shuffling through your cards was a pretty good feeling. I've actually looked around for un-opened packs of '72 Topps, but they are all priced a bit too high for me. Sure would be fun to open one someday, though.

Joe Gibbon

Who: Pitcher Joe Gibbon

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 11/27/2009 (6 days)

Comments: Another '72 Topps for the to the project. Awesome. More later...

Julián Javier

Who: Second Baseman Julián Javier

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 1/21/09 (39 days)

Comments: 1972 was Julián last year in the league, spending most of the season as a utility infielder for the National League Champion Cincinnati Reds. It was the end to an outstanding career were he spent 12 of his 13 MLB season with the Cardinals. After his career was over, he made great contributions to the game of baseball in his home country - The Dominican Republic.

This is a great return. Not only is it another autographed card in the '72 Reds project, but it was a chance to really learn about a player that I had not heard of. Being that Julián only spent one season with in Cincinnati, most Reds fans don't talk about his contributions on and off the field. I wonder how well he is known in the Cardinal fan-base. Hopefully they hold him in high regard.

As for the return, I sent a letter and this '72 Topps to Julián in The Dominican Republic. Since I didn't have any DR postage handy, I threw in a couple of bucks to cover the return postage. Obviously, it all worked out really well. To the right are the stamps that were on the back of my return envelope. Julián used two RD$ 10 (Dominican Republic Peso) stamps. If my currency converter is correct, it cost about $.55 USD to mail the card back. Inexpensive, eh? This is one of the few envelopes that I will keep in the back of my autograph binder. It's fun to get returns from players outside the United States.

Bobby Tolan

Who: Outfielder Bobby Tolan

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 10/20/2009 (7 days)

Comments: Bobby Tolan adds another autographed '72 Topps to the project. Coming to the Reds in 1969, Bobby added speed to a pretty decent lineup of sluggers. He played a pretty big role in the Reds reaching the World Series in both '70 and '72. But, with the emergence of George Foster and Ken Griffey Sr., Bobby was likely expendable going into the '74 season.

I included $10 with this request, as that has traditional been Mr. Tolan's fee for signing through the mail.

Recently, Bobby's family has been though the ringer. His son, Robbie Tolan, an outfielder in the Nationals' system, was shot by police outside his family's home outside Houston. He's had a long road to recovery, but seems to be doing better now. Here's more on the story and the racial profiling issues involved. It's a pretty sad story, and I hope Robbie and the Tolan family are doing better now.

Wayne Simpson

Who: Pitcher Wayne Simpson

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 10/9/2009 (7 days)

Comments: Coming...

Bob Aspromonte

Who: Third Baseman Bob Aspromonte

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: TTM 2/1 10/10/2009 (8 days)

Comments: This is one of the best returns I've ever received through the mail. Not because Mr. Aspromonte is a huge star, or rarely signs. It's one of the best because of how he handled returning my card. Not only did he sign my card beautifully in thin, blue Sharpie, he also included a sheet with his own biographical information, signed no less, and also answered a question I had about his very short career with the Reds. Not that anyone else does that, but it was a treat to get back, and I appreciate the time he took to add those details to the return envelope. This one is certainly up there with the return from another Red, Johnny Edwards. He included a signed photo of himself as well as signing the protective card I had along for the ride. These guys really make this hobby fun.

As for Bob's career with the Reds: He was invited to spring training, but was not on the club's roster for opening day. Obviously, he still ended up with a Topps card with him featured in a Reds uniform, but by the start of the '72 season, for all intents and purposes, Bob was retired from baseball.

Before his short-lived stint with the Reds, Bob enjoyed a pretty successful 13 year career. He is best known as an Astro/Colt .45, but also spent time with Dodgers (LA & Brooklyn), Braves and Mets.

Bob's Wikipedia entry has a great little humanitarian story about him:

In 1963, an Arkansas little leaguer (Bill Bradley of El Dorado) who had been struck by lightning and blinded during a baseball game came to Houston for medical treatment. Aspromonte visited the child, and promised to hit a home run for him. That night, the light-hitting utility player smashed a home run out of Colt Stadium. Twice more the child would visit Houston for treatment, and twice more he would ask for homers from Aspromonte. Both time, Aspromonte hit grand slams - first against the Cubs and then against the Mets.

Really, really great stuff.

Of course, this is another great addition to the '72 Topps Reds set I am working on. I must say, it's going pretty well.

Mel Behney

Who: Pitcher Mel Behney

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 9/18/2009 (9 days)

Comments: Mel only appeared in 5 games for the Reds - all in 1970. He managed to put together a 4.50 ERA together over 10 innings. Despite only appearing in a handful of games, he managed to get featured on two cards from Topps - this '72 Topps, as well as a '73 Topps card.

I normally wouldn't post a card here at OMGautos that I intend to have multi-signed unless it's completed. Since this is a set I'm building a project out of, I figured I would post this success before Ed Armbrister signs it. That way, I can show the evolution of the card's autograph history, and also post it just in case it gets lost in the mail or something silly. I'm not sure how I'm going to obtain Armbrister's autograph right now, as he is pretty tough to get. Patience on this one.

These '72 Topps Rookie Stars cards are pretty rad, eh?

Denis Menke

Who: Third Baseman Denis Menke

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 9/15/2009 (17 days)

Comments: I love how small and direct Mr. Menke signs his cards. He's signed a pair for me in the past, and they both had pretty small signatures on them. I love that he puts great though into the size, location and style of his signature on every card he signs.

The '72 Topps set is notorious for some mad airbrushing jobs, and here is no exception. This photo of Mr. Menke was obviously taken while he was with the Houston Astros. The Reds helmet was airbrushed on for the set. Denis gets a proper Reds card in the '73 Topps set. A nice, arty, action card at that.

Of course, this is another card towards the '72 Topps Reds Project. I've gotten out of gate fast with this project since there are a lot of great TTM signers out there. But, it's going to slow down dramatically now since I still need to acquire quite a few cards from the set and a few guys require a decent amount of dough to sign. But, it's a marathon, not a sprint. I'm in it for the long haul.

Ed Sprague

Who: Pitcher Ed Sprague

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: TTM 2/1 9/8/2009 (12 days)

Comments: This photo of Ed is kinda creepy, don't you think? Poor guy. Heck, the horizon line in the background has some issues too. Did the earth have an odd tilt to it in 1972?

Ed's had an interesting life in baseball. He never played ball at any level in school, but was instead scouted out of the army while playing in Germany. He's also owned a couple of minor league baseball teams. His son, Ed Sprague Jr., played in the pros as well. Here are all the deats on that.

Another '72 Topps in the bag for the project. We're cookin' now!

Tom Hall

Who: Pitcher Tom Hall

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: TTM 2/2 9/3/2009 (7 days)

Comments: I sent this card along with a really beat-up '73 Topps to Tom a while back. Returned in just seven days, this card was a part of the first batch of '72 Topps card I sent out for my '72 Topps Reds project. Tom's signature is very nice and looks great on his card. All-around classic.

Bernie Carbo

Who: Outfielder Bernie Carbo

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 9/12/2009 (14 days)

Comments: Wow, this one turned out great. I've sent to Mr. Carbo in the past, but the overall turnout of the last one just can't keep pace with this '72 Topps. Much cleaner this time around since the '72 Topps design is simple and lacks a facsimile autograph like the '71 Topps I had signed the last time. Great addition to the collection and the '72 Topps Reds Project here by a guy better known as a Red Sox than a Red.

The stadium in the background - is that Shea?

Ross Grimsley

Who: Pitcher Ross Grimsley

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired:TTM 1/1 9/12/2009 (11 days)

Comments: It seems that Ross' signature smeared a bit when he put it back in the penny sleeve I sent. Oh well, it's not too bad. Ross' crazy eyes and the massive Topps All-Star Rookie trophy make up for it. Glad to get another card signed for the '72 Topps Reds Project.

This is actually the second time I have sent to him. Last year I fired off a '73 Topps card that I picked up on the cheap at a local card show.

Ross is currently the pitching coach for the Connecticut Defenders. My request was sent care of the Defenders. They're currently in the Double-A Eastern League playoffs. Best of luck to those guys.

The photo crop on this card really bugs me. Ross needs to be shifted up another half an inch, at least. It's just so bottom heavy, especially with the skyscraper trophy in the bottom right. Couple that with how bad the card is miss-cut... it's not the best looking card is it? Well, I can be critical, but I'm not that picky when it comes to autographed card. Rock on.

Darrel Chaney

Who: Infielder Darrel Chaney

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: TTM 3/2 9/3/2009 (6 days)

Comments: Mr. Darrel Chaney kicks off my '72 Topps Reds Project in ernest. He was my first return via the mail, and what a return it was. Not only did he sign the pair of cards I sent ('72 & '73 Topps) but, he also threw in a signed card of his own as well. All that in just a six day turnaround. Very nice.

Darrel had a nice little career with the Reds, Braves and others, but one little thing stuck out to me when I was doing some research on him. He attended the same high school in Indiana as one of my best friends. Not that it means much to you, really, but it was a small world moment for me.

Clay Carroll

Who: Pitcher Clay Carroll

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest '08

Comments: This card is terribly off-center and crooked, eh? Well, that's okay by me. I love these old card. The '72 Topps design is really starting to be a favorite of mine. I've managed to get a handful of them signed by Reds, too. Kinda nice how that is working out.

I got kinda lucky on this card. While at Redsfest, I was in line for Johnny Cueto. I was there early, so I was just killing time in line until Johnny showed up. I was chatting with the kids behind me about what autographs we had gotten that day and stuff. They were nice. So, at the same time, Clay Carroll was finishing up the a signing really close to the line we were in. One of the kids offered to get jump out of line and get me his autograph. Very cool of the little guy. So, he hooked me up with another signature from "The Hawk" and I gave him an extra Norris Hopper I had gotten earlier in the day - though he didn't ask me for anything. So, Zach, thanks my man!

George Foster

Who: Outfielder George Foster

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps (#256)

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest '08

Comments: I got this autograph in a moment of weakness at Redsfest. George actually had a table of his own set up in the middle of Redsfest where he was selling a few small things and doing autographs for $10. It was the end of the evening, I had this pretty rad card on me, and I said "what the hell.. I'm here and $10 is pretty fair". I got a photo with George too. He was pretty quiet, but gracious. I did not notice if he had his Dancing with the Stars petition on the table or not. I should have asked him about that.

Sparky Anderson

Who: Manager Sparky Anderson

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: TTM 11/13/2008 (8 days)

Comments: Holy Cow. This is awesome right here. The man himself, Hall of Famer, Sparky Anderson. What a glorious autograph. Mr. Anderson turned around two cards for me in just 8 days - totally awesome. His signature is getting a little shaky these days, but it's still a great signature. What a great piece of the autograph collection right here. Can you tell I'm stoked??

Jack Billingham

Who: Pitcher Jack Billingham

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: TTM 2/2 11/13/2008 (8 days)

Comments: Big Red Machine pitcher Jack Billingham was kind enough to sign two baseball cards for me. I had them back in just 8 days. Great turnaround. Thanks, Jack. I love these old 1972 designs. I can just see an artist hand-drawing each of the team names for the top of the cards. All this stuff was cut out of rubilith, photographed, layered, put on plates, and sent to the printer. It was a painstaking process. But, the crudeness that these cards have just aren't replicated in today's vintage cards. Or, at least companies aren't looking to carry over those kinds of details in the current heritage offerings. Even if these crude details did exist, collectors surely would complain. I would personally love it.