Ramon Hernandez

Who: Catcher Ramon Hernandez

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Topps Heritage

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2009

Comments: Ramon was kind enough to sign two cards for me at Redsfest. I actually shot a '09 Heritage to him during the season in hopes of getting him TTM. The card has yet to make it's way back to me, so I'm glad I was able to have him sign it in person.

Right when I got up to him in line he ended up having to take a quick phone call. He rattled off some Spanish to the person on the other end of the line and made it pretty quick. He apologized to me and was pretty nice about it.

It seems that having Ramon as one of our catchers really helped in landing lauded Cuban prospect Aroldis Chapman. Having a handful of important folks on the team that speak Spanish was big for Chapman according to what he said in his initial press conference. Right on!

As for the card... Normally I would be kinda "eh" about massive airbrushing on a card. But in this case, I think that it helps the card a lot. At times the photo filtering on other heritage cards, aka "Heritagizing™" flakes out big-time. Since there was some artwork done to change Hernandez' hat and uni, it softens the look and actually gives the card some appeal that other don't have. That's just me, though. I'm sure others would disagree. One thing though: the "C" on his cap is a bit over-sized.

Hal Morris

Who: First Baseman Hal Morris

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1991 Upper Deck

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2009

Comments: This is the second of two cards that Hal signed for me at Redsfest. The other was a '91 Topps.

Tracy Jones

Who: Outfielder Tracy Jones

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1988 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2009

Comments: Outspoken local radio personality Tracy Jones finally got his wish to be a guest at Redsfest. I caught up with him when he was at a table signing with Glenn Braggs and Herm Winningham. Tell you what, that was entertainment. Between him and Herm, they kept the entire line entertained the entire time they were signing.

I don't listen to sport talk radio at all, so I don't get to hear what Tracy says about the Reds and other sports, but I guess he rubs people the wrong way.... A LOT. But, he probably just playing the bit, being on the radio and all. He was pretty nice to me at Redsfest. I'll take that.

Mike Lincoln

Who: Pitcher Mike Lincoln

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Reds SGA

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2009

Comments: Mike's becoming a nice, solid part of the Reds' bullpen. Nice to get an autograph from him at Redsfest.

Brandon Phillips

Who: Second Baseman Brandon Phillips

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2009

Comments: Got really lucky on this one at Redsfest. I was hoping to get a 2009 Topps Heritage signed, but pretty much wrote-off getting into a BP line. I ended up giving my Heritage card to my 3-year-old nephew so he could get it signed in a kids-only line. I'm glad I always bring some extra cards and had this '09 Topps to get signed. Great photo on this one - love the gum bubble.

Glenn Braggs

Who: Outfielder Glenn Braggs

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1991 Upper Deck

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest '09

Comments: Glenn Braggs was on the top of my autographs to get at Redsfest 2009 list. Coming away with two was more than I could have hoped for.

Ramon Hernandez

Who: Catcher Ramon Hernandez

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2009

Comments: Ramon Hernandez is a favorite around my household. Why? Because my 3-year-old nephew calls him "Home Bananas". Totally awesome.

Chris Speier

Who: Infielder Chris Speier

Team: San Francisco Giants

Card: 1972 Topps In Action

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2009

Comments: This is just a sweet card. I couldn't pass up the chance to get it signed at Redsfest by Mr. Speier himself.

Brook Jacoby

Who: Third Baseman Brook Jacoby

Team: Cleveland Indians

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2009

Comments: Last year at Redsfest it was an '86 Topps, this year it was an '87 Topps. Brook throws down another nice sig for me.

Dusty Baker

Who: Manager Dusty Baker

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Topps Heritage

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest '09

Comments: I really like this Dusty card. If a manager is going to have a place in a set of baseball cards, it should always be as good as this. The design from the '60 Topps set is classic and still holds up well today. The pennant motif at the top with the vintage Mr. Redlegs is totally boss. The other subtle thing you get with this card is Dusty's signature look... the hug wristbands. While you might argue that an "action" shot would be better, Dusty's upright stance just seems classically managerial. Plus, it was just begging for an autograph - which Dusty helped me with during Redsfest 2009. While some may point out flaws in managing style and decisions, you can say that he isn't one of the nicest guys in baseball. He's always great with the fans.

Walt Jocketty

Who: General Manager Walt Jocketty

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Topps Heritage

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2009

Comments: I figure if I'm going to try and get the entire 2009 Reds Topps Heritage team set signed one day, I need to get this card signed too. Who better to sign it than the General Manager of the club, Walt Jocketty?

Funny story as to how it got signed. I was in an autograph line for some former Reds from the '90 team (Braggs, Winningham and Tracy Jones) and Walt Jocketty was signing at the same time in the line next to us. As you can imagine, Walt's line was not terribly busy. Right before he was about to leave, I handed this card to a friend that was in the line next to us waiting for the next autograph session - the one after Walt's. My friend handed it to someone closer to Walt, and he got it signed. Too cool. I was able to get this card signed while in line for other folks.

For a team card, it's a great looking piece of cardboard. Nice to get it meaningfully singed and great to have a little story with it too. If Dusty Baker didn't have a card in this set, I would have had him sign it, but Walt adds something fun to the mix, even if he's not pictured on the card.

Herm Winningham

Who: Outfielder Herm Winningham

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1990 Upper Deck

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2009

Comments: How about this SWEET 1990 UPPER DECK card? So much better than those ratty '89s. Haha.

Redsfest stipulates that you are allowed one autograph per player in the autograph lines. Sometimes though, there are guys that don't seem to mind signing a couple while you are there. Herm was one of those guys - and a reason I always bring a few cards of each player with me. I am totally fine with one, but never more then two, and I always ask if they are cool with it - and that's only after I see them sign multiples for others. I never want to assume. I asked Herm and he said he didn't mind at all, "as long as it's not 8 or something." I think he signed at least five or six for the dude in front of me in line and was referring to that guy.

Overall, Herm was cool as hell. Hope he's back at Redsfest next year. And the next year. And the next year...

Chris Dickerson

Who: Outfielder Chris Dickerson

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Topps Heritage

Acquired: In Person, 2009 Redsfest

Comments: Chris is really one of my favorite Reds. He's a madman out in the field, diving all the time for fly balls, and was a decent lead-off hitter this past season when Willy Taveras didn't work out so well. Also, Chris seems like a hella-nice guy. Also having a good time and really nice with fans, he really seems to enjoy the whole ballplayer thing. You gotta like that. Plus, look at that autograph... that's a great signature, especially considering what some of today's ballplayer scribble down. Chris must take pride in his autograph.

Eric Davis

Who: Outfielder Eric Davis

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2009

Comments: Awesome! ED is a fan-favorite around Reds Country, if you call it that. I usually don't. But, you get my drift, right?

Eric The Red brings me another card closer to completing the 1987 Reds Topps team set. I promise you there will be a big celebration the day that it becomes complete. Might be a while though... John Franco is on that list!

So, I got this bad-boy signed at Redsfest 2009. I was in line for his and Chuck Harmon's autograph, but had to bail before I could get an autograph from them. My good friend Dave actually got an '87 Topps and this '55 Topps Chuck Harmon signed for me... so huge. Well, I was actually able to return the favor in a way and had this card signed the next day at Redsfest on my own. I was able to meet Eric at the Reds Hall of Fame VIP area away from the hustle and bustle of Redsfest. I wanted to get my '90 Upper Deck card signed as well, but he didn't seem to be in a chipper mood, so I didn't push my luck. Don't worry though, he was cordial with me. Getting one signed was good enough for me.

So, I'm keeping this '87 Topps and the other is going back to the homeboy that got it signed for me.

Nick Masset

Who: Pitcher Nick Masset

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Reds SGA

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2009

Comments: Coming...

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

Bronson Arroyo

Who: Pitcher Bronson Arroyo

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Topps Heritage

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2009

Comments: Bronson is one of the few guys on the current Reds squad that I had yet to get an autograph from. Despite being with the Reds the past four years, the opportunity just hasn't come up, and I've missed him at past Redsfest. So, nice to add him to the collection. Not the best signature, but whatevs, we'll take it.

I'm really diggin' the 1960 inspired 2009 Topps Heritage. I'm going to try and get most of the Reds in this set to sign their cards. I got a good jump on it during Redsfest 2009.

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.

Chuck Harmon

Who: Infielder Chuck Harmon

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1955 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2009

Comments: This is the second Chuck Harmon autograph I've obtained, but the first on an official release. The other card he signed for me was his very own custom when I met him by chance at a Reds game this past summer. Mr. Harmon's '55 Topps is the oldest signed card in my collection now.

While this card was signed in person, I didn't actually get to see Mr. Harmon sign it. I was in an autograph line for him and Eric Davis on the Friday night of Redsfest 2009, but I had to bail a bit early. Since Eric appeared 15 minutes late to the signing, I had to cut bait and get out of line. Fortunately, my friends took my card and got it signed... along with an Eric Davis card. A HUGE solid, especially the Davis since I'm working on that '87 Topps set and all.

I'm really glad that Mr. Harmon was able to sign the card, but a tad bummed that I didn't get to see it in-person. Maybe I'll catch him at a Reds game this year... I have another card of his floating around here somewhere.

While you're at it, check out Mr. Harmon's website - www.chuckharmon.org.

Pedro Borbon

Who: Pitcher Pedro Borbon

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1973 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2009

Comments: Pedro Borbon was on the top of my list of former Reds players to meet and get an autograph from at Redsfest 2009. I did end up getting his autograph along with Clay Carrol's while in the same line towards the end of Saturday night in the waining hours of Redsfest. Mr. Borbon adds to a small list of players that signs baseball cards vertically.

From what I understand, Mr. Borbon is one of the tougher autographs to track down from the Big Red Machine era teams. For that reason, and the fact that he is going to be inducted in the Reds Hall of Fame in 2010, he was a priority for me at Redsfest.

This 1973 Topps set is another favorite of mine.

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.

Hal Morris

Who: First Baseman Hal Morris

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1991 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2009

Comments: Hal's autograph was one that I really wanted to get at this year's Redsfest. After missing his autograph lines on two different occasions, I had the pleasure of running into him in the Reds Hall of Fame VIP area. He signed a pair of cards for me and we chatted for a few minutes. He was extremely nice and a pleasure to talk to.

Hal had a pretty good playing career, batting .304 over 13 seasons - most of them with the Reds.

Herm Winningham

Who: Outfielder Herm Winningham

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1989 Upper Deck

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2009

Comments: Herm may have been the best part of my Redsfest. The guy is flat-out a ham. While waiting in a pretty long line to get an autograph from him, Glenn Braggs and Tracy Jones, he single-handily kept the entire line entertained. He gave folks in line good-natured ribbings, examined random things, asked questions and was generally rowdy and down-right fun. Nice to see guys with some personality.

Speaking of personality, the '89 Upper Deck has an akward one. I believe 1989 was the first year Upper Deck released cards. While the quality did blow away from Topps, Donruss and Fleer were doing at the time, the design has not stood the test of time. The digitally illustrated basepath on the right of the card is pretty cliché and a lot of photos in this set were poor - most suffering to low lighting or akward crops. Photo-wise, Herm actually made out pretty well compared to a lot of other cards I've seen from this set.

Glenn Braggs

Who: Outfielder Glenn Braggs

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1991 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest '09

Comments: Glenn was one of those Reds that I never thought I would get an autograph from. You just don't hear anything about it. Well, the Reds invited him to Redsfest 2009 to help celebrate the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Reds last World Series Championship in 1990. Glenn was traded to the Reds from the Brewers early in the season and helped get the Reds to the playoffs and eventually to that World Series victory. Any Reds fan that watched the 1990 World Series will remember Glenn breaking a bat over his back on a follow through from a swinging strike. It was - and still is - utterly amazing. Well, it's no wonder since he's built like a brick shit house. Yes, he still is. The pipes this guy still has are amazing. While his teammates from 1990 are growing old and balding, Glenn, at age 47, is still hitting the weight room on a mission.

So, yeah... it was great to get an autograph I figured I would never get. Nice to meet Glenn too, he seemed to be a really nice guy.

Ron Oester

Who: Infielder Ron Oester

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: Redsfest 2009, In Person

Comments: I had the good fortune of meeting Ron Oester again at this year's Redsfest. I'm a member of the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum and they had a little members-only VIP area in their setup where you members could go back and chill away from all the action. One of the perks was having ex-Reds players chilling in there with you. I chatted it up with Ron for a while, and he signed my '87 Topps card as well. He couldn't be any nicer to fans - he's been very personable ever time I've chatted with him.

Great signature in blue. I think my Sharpie was uber-fresh too. Looks great. Oester even included his number as well - 16. Nice touch.

This is another one towards the '87 Topps Reds Project. I was able to get another one aside the Oester taken care of at this year's Redsfest too. I'm really down to the nitty gritty now - I may need some help on a few others.