Juan Pierre

Who: Outfielder Juan Pierre

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Card: 2009 Topps 206

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest 2010

Comments: This is the second card that Juan signed for me at Soxfest. The White Sox were pretty strict on "one per person" (I don't mind at all) so I was able to get this autograph on a different day than the first. Upon seeing this card, Juan mentioned that he hadn't see this one before. Kinda cool, I guess.

This is the first 2009 Topps 206 that I've had signed. They handle themselves pretty well for autographs.

Juan Pierre

Who: Outfielder Juan Pierre

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Card: 2008 Topps Allen & Ginter

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest 2010

Comments: Juan is just one of those guys that I never though I would get an autograph from. Not that I was broken up about it, but since he played for the Dodgers for so long, I didn't really give it much thought. So, I ended up with two Juan Pierre signatures from Soxfest. This is the first one I obtained during the first night of Soxfest. These Allen and Ginter cards look really nice signed.

Juan was traded by the Dodgers to the White Sox in December for a pair of minor leaguers. Between Manny and a couple of up and coming kids in the Dodgers system, Juan was the odd man out in Los Angeles. I like the way he rocks his socks high and pants baggy, so I hope he does well with the Sox. Yep, just for that reason. Go Juan!

Fernando Valenzuela

Who: Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 11/17/2008 (9 days)

Comments: Coming...

Jerry Reuss

Who: Jerry Reuss

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: TTM 2/2 8/24/2009 (33 days)

Comments: I remember pulling Jerry's card out of a pack as a youth in 1987. It wasn't actually THIS card, but I remember thinking to myself "How old is this guy?! He's WAY too old to be pitching."

Well, I'm still in awe of it. By time Jerry's professional career was over in 1991 he was 41 years old. I'm always amazed by those Satchel Paige types that just keep going, playing and playing well into their 40s and beyond. Jamie Moyer is another great example of guys that defy their age.

If you have been following along here at OMGautos, you have seen my love for '87 Topps. It's great that Jerry is in that set and is a great reason to send him a request. But, it's his signature that really did it for me. It's a beauty.

Andruw Jones

Who: Andruw Jones

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Card: 2008 Goudey

Acquired: TTM 1/1 7/6/2009 (20 days)

Comments: Andruw isn't the most popular player these days, but an autograph is an autograph right? Haha. Well, either way, this is a great return. Andruw Jones was one of the best in baseball from the late 90s through 2007. In just a quick glance at his stats for the year with the Rangers, it looks like he's regaining his form a little bit.

Great signature. Nice and tight, fluid. Hope he didn't mind signing a card of him with the Dodgers. Probably not a memorable place for him.

Bill Russell

Who: Bill Russell

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Card: 1976 Topps

Acquired: TTM 2/2 11/21/2008 (7 days)

Comments: The second of two cards that Dodger great Bill Russell put his pen to for me. A nice 1976 card - great set.

Bill Russell

Who: Bill Russell

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Card: 1981 Topps

Acquired: TTM 2/2 11/21/2008 (7 days)

Comments: I'm not much of a Dodgers fan, but I am a fan of good ball players, baseball cards and autographs. So, Bill Russell meets 3 or the 4 points of criteria of cool stuff for me. Or... something like that. Anyways, it's nice to put these old dusty cards to use. Mr. Russell signed and returned this card for me right quick - in just seven days. Very nice.

Good to see the donut theme continuing this week. Maybe I'll start a collection based solely on a batting donut being visible in the card's photo. There are collectors who just collect baseball cards with photos taken at night, you know.

Fernando Valenzuela

Who: Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Card: 1985 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 11/17/2008 (9 days)

Comments: It was Fernando-Mania when I opened up the envelope to find that Mr. Valenzuela had signed my card. Look at that menacing face! He's about to pick some sucker off of first... without even throwing it over. Fernando just intimidates you off the base baths. Just give up! That's how he rolls. Speaking of how he rolls... check out how he crossed out the Topps logo at the top of the card. What's up with that? Did Topps jerk him over or something?