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OMGautos

Andre Dawson

Andre Dawson - 1987 Topps Traded
Who: Outfielder Andre Dawson

Team: Chicago Cubs

Card: 1987 Topps Traded

Acquired: TTM 2/2 3/19/2010 (25 days)

Comments: 1987 was the first season Andre spent with the Cubs. While he had an MVP season that year, his '87 Topps Traded card didn't live up to his stellar season. Andre's graph does though. Check it.

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Brandon Phillips

Brandon Phillips - 2009 Topps Heritage
Who: Second Baseman Brandon Phillips

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Topps Heritage

Acquired: TTM 1/1 3/17/2010 (22 days)

Comments: Brandon's another great signer on the Reds roster. I've been wanting to get this one signed for the 2009 Topps Heritage Reds set, but every-time I had an autograph opportunity with Brandon, I didn't have it with me! Nice to get it through the mail this spring.

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Lawrence Taylor

Lawrence Taylor - 1986 Topps
Who: Hall of Fame Linebacker Lawrence Taylor

Team: New York Giants

Card: 1986 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 3/29/2010 (13 days)

Comments: Dude. L.T. Nuf' said.

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Jim Merritt

Jim Merritt - 1972 Topps
Who: Pitcher Jim Merritt

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 3/22/2010 (160 days)

Comments: Another great addition to the Reds '72 Topps Project. Jim Merritt pitched for the Reds from 1969-72, having some of the best seasons of his career with the young Big Red Machine. He was even a 20 game winner in 1970, helping the Reds get to their first World Series appearance in 19 years.

Great looking card and the pen signature really enhances the vintage look of the card. Gotta love those stirrups, too! Perfect length right there.

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Matt Maloney

Matt Maloney - 209 Topps
Who: Pitcher Matt Maloney

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 3/22/2010 (26 Days)

Comments: Matt is a solid, young left-handed pitcher for the Reds. He was in contention for the fifth starter spot this spring training, but looks like he's a long shot at this point. It's been a hotly contested position between him, 2009 Reds first round pick Mike Leake, Travis Wood and Aroldis Chapman. He may be out of the running at this point, but I have no doubt we'll see him up with the big league club during the 2010 season - it's great to have a left handed starter in the mix.

Matt's a great TTM signer, just like a lot of the Reds. They take care of their fans!

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Jonny Gomes

Jonny Gomes - 2009 Topps
Who: Outfielder Jonny Gomes

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Topps

Acquired: TTM 2/2 3/4/2010 (9 days)

Comments: The second of two cards that Jonny signed for me through the mail during spring training. The other was a sweet little Topps 206.

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Jeremy Guthrie

Jeremy Guthrie - 2009 Goudey
Who: Pitcher Jeremy Guthrie

Team: Baltimore Orioles

Card: 2009 Goudey

Acquired: TTM 2/2 3/10/2010 (14 days)

Comments: This the second of two cards that Jeremy signed for me. The other is a Goudey as well. This one came out particularly nice with the black marker on bright, contrasting colors. Like the other one, this card took a little beat of a beating during it's visit with the USPS. No matter though, great return for the collection.

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Andre Dawson

Andre Dawson - 1987 Topps
Who: Outfielder Andre Dawson

Team: Montreal Expos

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: TTM 2/2 3/19/2010 (25 days)

Comments: The Hawk! I've been meaning to send his two '87 Topps cards to him to get signed for quite a while now - before his HOF announcement too. That got me in gear to get these bad-boys out. I was more than happy to include a small donation for his autograph - which is quite a beauty.

This is a great looking card. Andre's photo is composed quite well, featuring him in a delicate position as he finishes up his swing. Great stuff.

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Drew Stubbs

Drew Stubbs - 2009 Topps Redsfest
Who: Outfielder Drew Stubbs

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Topps Redsfest

Acquired: TTM 1/1 2/25/2010 (12 days)

Comments: The Reds have quite a few great TTM signers on the team. Drew is right there with the best of them. I've missed him at Redsfest the past two years, but he's hooked me up TTM twice now - very cool.

This is a Topps promo card from Redsfest 2009. They gave cards of a few featured Reds away at various tables around the convention. It was nice to send Drew a card with him in a Reds uni. Of course, right about the time that I got this back, I picked up a pretty sweet 2010 Topps Heritage card of him that would be perfect for a signature. Maybe later this year we can take care of that.

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Bruce Bochy

Bruce Bochy - 1987 Topps
Who: Catcher Bruce Bochy

Team: San Diego Padres

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 3/4/2010 (8 days)

Comments: 1987 Topps, WHAT! Heck yeah... this one comes from current San Fran manager Bruce Bochy. Not only has he enjoyed a long career as a major league baseball player, he's also had a long career as a manager. Not a bad way to earn a living, eh?

What a 'stache, right?!

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Jonny Gomes

Jonny Gomes - 2009 Topps 206
Who: Outfielder Jonny Gomes

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Topps 206

Acquired: TTM 2/2 3/4/2010 (9 days)

Comments: What a great signer! Jonny hooked me up last season as well. Nice to get him on a Reds card this time around. I'm excited to see him in left field this season for the Reds. The guy brings a ton of energy to the ballpark everyday and he's the dude you want to have on your side in a bench-clearing brawl.

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Jeremy Guthrie

Jeremy Guthrie - 2008 Goudey
Who: Pitcher Jeremy Guthrie

Team: Baltimore Orioles

Card: 2008 Goudey

Acquired: TTM 2/2 3/10/2010 (14 days)

Comments: Dude, Goudey. Keep it rockin'! This one comes from Orioles pitcher Jeremy Guthrie. Jeremy kicked out 10 wins last year, but tied for the league lead in losses with 17. Well, he pitches for the Orioles, who are pretty miserable, so it's okay. 10 wins on that team are pretty damn good.

Nice little personalization on this one. Good stuff. I like Jeremy's autograph - it's got a nice little curvy kick to it. Too bad his black glove is hiding a bit of the signature.

The card took a bit of a beating in the mail. There's a decent little crease across the top of the card.

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Jeff Francis

Jeff Francis - 2008 Goudey
Who: Pitcher Jeff Francis

Team: Colorado Rockies

Card: 2008 Goudey

Acquired: TTM 1/1 3/5/2010 (9 days)

Comments: I took this spring training as an excuse to send out a truckload of Goudey cards to get signed. I just love the look of an autographed Goudey card. Just to clarify "truckload" I think I send out maybe 23? It's a lot for me, that's for sure.

So yeah, Jeff! Pretty cool he got back with me on the autograph. Looks good. I think some of the marker rubbed off in the envelop during transit, but no biggie. Jeff has put together a nice little career so far with the Rockies. Hope he keeps it up.

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Ross Ohlendorf

Ross Ohlendorf - 2008 Topps Heritage
Who: Pitcher Ross Ohlendorf

Team: New York Yankees

Card: 2008 Topps Heritage

Acquired: TTM 1/1 ()

Comments: Not only is Ross a heck of a ballplayer - he was the only Pirate pitcher with a winning record in 2009 - he's also a damn smart guy. He pitched for the Princenton Tigers and graduated school while competing in the Diamondbacks farms system. Plus, he studied Operations Research and Financial Engineering and in his senior thesis, used sabermetrics to demonstrate the return on investment from the MLB Draft. Crazy stuff.

As for Ross being a Yankee, he was traded by the D-Backs to the Yankees in 2006 as a key piece in the Randy Johnson deal. I made his major league debut in 2007 against the Blue Jays. After the 2008 season, he was acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

These Rookie Stars of 2008 cards are great to get signed. Glad I pulled out this Ohlendorf card - I would have never known about his off-field success if it weren't for it.

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Chris Heisey

Chris Heisey - 2007 Dayton Dragons set
Who: Outfielder Chris Heisey

Team: Dayton Dragons (Reds Single A)

Card: 2007 Dayton Dragons

Acquired: TTM 1/1 3/8/2010 (10 Days)

Comments: Chris is really turning some heads in Reds camp this spring. I wouldn't be surprised to see him up with the club sometime in 2010.

Yeah, and great stirrups - love the stripe.

These Dayton Dragon cards have come in handy. I bought them a few years ago at Redsfest so I could get a few of the younger guys on cards. As guys come through the system, I'm slowly adding to the Dayton collection.

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Micah Owings

Micah Owings - 2009 Topps 206
Who: Pitcher Micah Owings

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Topps 206

Acquired: TTM 1/1 3/4/2010 (19 days)

Comments: Micah was another one of my first returns from spring training mailings. He always goes out of his way to add a little extra personalization to the request and this time even had a little hand-written note suggesting I check out his performance pledge on his website. Pretty cool he takes a little time to do those things for fans.

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Aaron Harang

Aaron Harang - 2009 Topps Heritage
Who: Pitcher Aaron Harang

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Topps Heritage

Acquired: TTM 1/1 2/25/2010 (12 days)

Comments: Aaron has one of the best signatures in the game. Always great to get a TTM return from him. He signed one for me last year, and I sent to him again this year and he was one of the first returns I got from spring training.

I'm hoping Aaron has a great season in 2010. He's had a pair of rough years and comes into this season looking to bust out again. He's already been named the Opening Day stater for the Reds, so management thinks he's still got it. I do too.

I sent out ~50 requests this spring training. Doing pretty well so far on returns. I sent to a lot of guys that sign regularly and only took a few chances here and there. Always fun to get stuff back in the mail. More TTM posts coming soon.

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Chris Stynes

Chris Stynes - 1998 Upper Deck Collector's Choice
Who: Chris Stynes

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1998 Upper Deck Collector's Choice

Acquired: TTM 2/2 1/2/2010 (10 days)

Comments: This is the second card that Chris signed for me through the mail. Once I was out of college and back to going to Reds game, I discovered Chris Stynes. A great hard-nosed player from the cut of Pete Rose. Cincinnati folks love it.

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Eddie Kasko

Eddie Kasko - 1972 Topps
Who: Manager Eddie Kasko

Team: Boston Red Sox

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: TTM 2/2 1/6/2010 (14 days)

Comments: Coming...

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Jim Fregosi

Jim Fregosi - 1987 Topps

Who: Manager Jim Fregosi

Team: Chicago White Sox

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 1/11/2010 (7 Days)

Comments: The funny thing about this post is the fact that I was just at the White Sox's SoxFest. While I got a ton of autographs from current and former Sox players, Jim Fergosi was not one of them I got this one through the mail - in just 7 days too. Another '87 Topps in the books thanks to Mr. Fergosi. More '87 Topps - and White Sox - are coming soon.

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Lonnie Smith

Lonnie Smith - 1987 Topps
Who: Outfielder Lonnie Smith

Team: Kansas City Royals

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 1/9/2010 (12 days)

Comments: Coming...

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Fernando Valenzuela

Fernando Valenzuela - 1987 Topps
Who: Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Card: 1987 Topps

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

Comments: Coming...

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Chris Stynes

Chris Stynes - 2001 Topps Heritage
Who: Chris Stynes

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2001 Topps Heritage

Acquired: TTM 2/2 1/2/2010 (10 days)

Comments: Coming...

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Dusty Baker

Dusty Baker - 1987 Topps
Who: Outfielder/First Baseman Dusty Baker

Team: Oakland Athletics

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 1/12/2010 (315 days)

Comments: DUSTY! I shot this card to Dusty Baker during the 2009 spring training. Glad to see it back. A nice addition to any '87 Topps autograph selection, really. This is one of three Dusty Baker cards I have in the my autograph collection. Should I keep going?

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Eddie Kasko

Eddie Kasko - 1960 Topps
Who: Infielder Eddie Kasko

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1960 Topps

Acquired: TTM 2/2 1/6/2010 (14 days)

Comments: Coming...

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Bruce Jenner

Bruce Jenner - 2008 Goudey
Who: Olympic Decathlete Bruce Jenner

Team: USA

Card: 2008 Goudey

Acquired: TTM 1/1 01/19/2010 (64 days)

Comments: I have one other card signed by Bruce, a 2008 Allen & Ginter - a sweet card. A set that I like to focus on these days is the 2008 Goudey set, so I sent this card to Bruce to sign recently. I think this will be it for a while with Mr. Jenner. He's been kind enough to sign for me twice through the mail - pretty cool.

2008 was pretty good for Bruce Jenner cards. He had a nice little run between the Allen & Ginter and Goudey sets. He didn't make it into the 2009 Goodwin set did he? I have a couple of Bill Rogers cards from that set to get signed sometime too. What can I say, I like the runners!

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Gary Roenicke

Gary Roenicke - 1987 Topps Traded
Who: Outfielder Gary Roenicke

Team: Atlanta Braves

Card: 1987 Topps Traded

Acquired: TTM 2/2 12/29/2009 (77 Days)

Comments: The second of two cards that Gary signed for me through the mail. Here's the other, an 1987 Topps card from the regular set. Above is from the traded set. It's fun getting autographs from guys that have cards in both sets. It's like an '87 Topps bonus bonanza.

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Randy St. Claire

Randy St. Claire - 1987 Topps
Who: Pitcher Randy St. Claire

Team: Montreal Expos

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: TTM 2/2 12/14/2009 (173 days)

Comments: Coming...

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Jay Hook

Jay Hook - 1960 Topps
Who: Pitcher Jay Hook

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1960 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 1/9/2010 (49 days)

Comments: Jay pitched for the Reds from 1957-61, breaking into the starting rotation in '61 and posting a 11-18 mark. The Reds made an improbably run to the World Series, eventurally losing to the stacked New York Yankees. After a poor '62 season, Jay was picked up by the Mets in the expantion draft and went on to record the first regular-season victory in Mets history.

This 1960 Topps is a great vintage card and even nicer with a signature.

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Lou Piniella

Lou Piniella - 1991 Topps
Who: Manager Lou Piniella

Team: CIncinnati Reds

Card: 1991 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 1/9/2010 (11 Days)

Comments: I'm really excited to get this card back signed from Sweet Lou. I missed him when he was at Redsfest 2009. He appeared only on Friday night and did one autograph session. I didn't even attempt to get in line for him, as I figured his line would be mobbed pretty quickly. A few summers ago, when the Cubs were in town, a sports memorabilia store that was within walking distance of my place had him in for a signing, but wanted around $70 per autograph. I passed on that. So, when I noticed on sportscollectors.net that he had signed a handful of things through the mail during the off-season, I shot this card off and did a little dance. Both must of worked!

Of course, Lou was the manager of the 1990 World Champion Cincinnati Reds. Though he now manages the NL Central Division rival Chicago Cubs, Reds fans welcomed him back with enthusiasm for during this past Redsfest.

As for the card, while it wasn't the greatest looking card to begin with, it seemed to have lost a bit of ink during transit, fading it out quite a bit. I had a few other 1991 Topps signed, so I figured I would keep in step with them for Lou's request.

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Gary Roenicke

Gary Roenicke - 1987 Topps
Who: Outfielder Gary Roenicke

Team: New York Yankees

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: TTM 2/2 12/29/2009 (77 Days)

Comments: Coming...

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Randy St. Claire

Randy St. Claire - 1989 Topps
Who: Pitcher Randy St. Claire

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1989 Topps

Acquired: TTM 2/2 12/14/2009 (173 days)

Comments: Randy had a pretty brief stint with the Cincinnati Reds in 1988, appearing in just 10 games. He did manage to get a win out of it though, finishing his career with the Reds 1-0 with a 2.63 ERA. He started the 1989 season with the Minnesota Twins.

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Claude Osteen

Claude Osteen - 1960 Topps
Who: Pitcher Claude Osteen

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1960 Topps

Acquired: TTM 2/2 12/18/2009 (14 Days)

Comments: Coming...

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Pat Corrales

Pat Corrales - 1972 Topps In Action
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.

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Pat Corrales

Pat Corrales - 1972 Topps
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.

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James Laurinaitis

James Laurinaitis - 2009 Topps Magic
Who: Linebacker James Laurinaitis

Team: Ohio State Buckeyes

Card: 2009 Topps Magic

Acquired: TTM 1/1 12/5/09 (14 Days)

Comments: Former Ohio State Buckeye linebacker James Laurinaitis signed this Topps Magic card for me via the mail with a turn-around time of just 14 days. Ohio State has always been my big college team, even though I'm not rabid. Laurinaitis was really fun to watch when he was playing for the Buckeyes. It looks like he's having a pretty good season for the Rams, though the Rams overall are not have the best of years.

This is the second 2009 Topps Magic card I have had autographed. The other I have signed is from Chase Coffman of the Bengals. It's a great set to get signed. Love the vintage re-dos.

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Chase Coffman

Chase Coffman - 209 Topps Magic
Who: Tight End Chase Coffman

Team: Missouri Tigers

Card: 2009 Topps Magic

Acquired: TTM 1/1 11/28/2009 (7 Days)

Comments: Coming...

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Danny Darwin

Danny Darwin - 1987 Topps
Who: Pitcher Danny Darwin

Team: Houston Astros

Card: 1987 Topps

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

Comments: Coming...

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Joe Gibbon

Joe Gibbon - 1972 Topps
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...

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Dick LeBeau

Dick LeBeau - 1969 Topps
Who: Defensive Back Dick LeBeau

Team: Detroit Lions

Card: 1969 Topps

Acquired: TTM 2/2 11/25/2009 (4 days)

Comments: He's another signed card from Dick LeBeau. This '69 Topps is a classically bad-looking vintage card. Gotta love the rough background knockout with the bright pink. Dick's a good lookin' fella, but this card isn't doing him too many favors.

The Lions logo is fantastic.

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Zane Smith

Zane Smith - 1987 Topps
Who: Pitcher Zane Smith

Team: Atlanta Braves

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 11/23/2009 (7 days)

Comments: Zane has a stellar signature. A thing of beauty. He really comes to the rescue of what's an otherwise bland looking '87 Topps card. What is it was Braves cards and crappy spring training complex backgrounds?

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Archie Manning

Archie Manning - 1979 Topps
Who: Quarterback Archie Manning

Team: New Orleans Saints

Card: 1979 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 11/23/2009 (303 Days)

Comments: How about a great football card for this Thanksgiving edition of OMGautos?

Archie Manning put Sharpie to card for me on this fantastic 1979 Topps. The father of two of the NFL's best quarterbacks was no slouch himself, earning two Pro Bowl selections. So, a great autograph to have in the collection.

It's a little beat up, but I'm really liking this card. I got it quite a few years ago when I was a kid from my cousin who dumped his entire football card collection on me. Nice hook-up huh? So, the photo is great - Archie is isolated from the background nicely in what looks like pre-game warm-ups. He's also rockin' a really odd facemask that made its appearance on a few players' helmet in the late seventies. A lot of guys must have thought it was a dorky look and this facemask won out in popularity.

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Dick LeBeau

Dick LeBeau - 1967 Philadelphia
Who: Defensive Back Dick LeBeau

Team: Detroit Lions

Card: 1967 Philadelphia

Acquired: TTM 2/2 11/25/2009 (4 days)

Comments:Dick LeBeau has been quietly building his legend in the world of pro football for over 50 years now. The defensive mastermind and father of the zone blitz is was named Pro Football Hall of Fame’s seniors committee as finalists for election into the Hall of Fame with the Class of 2010. I'm really hoping he gets the nod and his bust gets displayed in Canton.

I know LeBeau best from his days a Bengals coach. He had some brilliant years as a defensive coach and later coordinator, but he seasons as a head coach did not go so well. His legacy here as a head coach has certainly not dampened my respect for him. Lebeau compiled a 12-33 record over the course of nearly three seasons as head coach of the Bengals, but it's hard for anyone to win in Cincinnati. Given the talent he had to work with, it's amazing they won any games in the time period.

LeBeau has a beautiful signature and this 1967 Philadelphia card is pretty killer. It's also the only Philadelphia I have in my collection. The neat thing about these cards is the trivia question on the back. To get the answer, you have to rub a coin over a designated area on the card. The answer on the back of this card has yet to be reviled, and likely will never be. I don't think I can bring myself to scratch it off.

If you're curious, here's the question:

What did dick earn his varsity letter for at College?


Of course, LeBeau was a star football player at The Ohio State University for the legendary Woody Hayes.

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Julián Javier

Julián Javier - 1972 Topps
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.

Dominican Republic postageAs 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.

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Will Venable

Will Venable - 2009 Upper Deck
Who: Will Venable

Team: San Diego Padres

Card: 2009 Upper Deck

Acquired: TTM 1/1 11/12/2009 (209 Days)

Comments: Very cool to get this return back from the Padres rising star, Will Venable. Reds fan are familiar with his father, Max.

While I'm pretty happy with the return, I was slightly bummed he didn't sign the card that I sent - a 2009 Topps Heritage "Rookie Stars" card. Those have a pretty sweet design. I guess he thought it was pretty cool as well and added it to his collection. That's cool with me.

I sent my request to Will care of the Portland Beavers since Will broke spring training with them. He promoted to the Padres not too long after and stuck for the rest of the season.

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Don Robinison

Don Robinison - 1987 Topps
Who: Pitcher Don Robinison

Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 10/20/2009 (11 days)

Comments: If your going to have a Ron Robinson '87 Topps in your collection, you might as well have a Don Robinson as well. I'm going for a complete set of 1987 Topps Robinsons. After a quick look at the checklist, it looks like I've completed my mission. Yes, it does feel awesome.

The hat? Yes, it's rather outstanding. One of the great features of the '87 Topps set is the many instances of the Pirates' pillbox hat.

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Eddie Milner

Eddie Milner - 1987 Topps
Who: Outfielder Eddie Milner

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 10/29/2008 (373 days)

Comments: I've had a little bit of luck lately with the ol' '87 Topps Reds set. Eddie Milner returned my card after JUST over a year of being out in the wild. Great to see it back. Recently, I received a return from Kurt Stillwell that had been out a long time as well. So, after barely having a pulse the last few months, the set is back and on it's way to completion.

The funny coincedence about this particular card is that Eddie is going to be signing autographs at the long-running Moeller Card Show over Thanksgiving weekend. I was fully planning on going and getting his '87 Topps card signed at the show. I'm still going - Juan Marichal and Orlando Cepeda are going to be there as well - but debating on getting another autograph from Eddie. I probably will. He does have another '87 Topps card - in the "Traded" set. See, except for the 1987 season, Eddie played his entire career with the Reds. Even after his stint with the Giants in '87, he played for the Reds in '88, appearing in just 23 games.

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Casey Kotchman

Casey Kotchman - 2008 Allen & Ginter
Who: First Baseman Casey Kotchman

Team: Atlanta Braves

Card: 2008 Allen & Ginter

Acquired: TTM 2/2 10/17/2009 (88 days)

Comments: Wow, I'm really happy about this one. Allen & Ginter cards really make for nice autographs, and Casey really threw down a nice one for me here. The other card I sent didn't quite come out as nice, but a great return, none-the-less.

While the card does look great signed, it did take a it of beating in the mail. You'll get that sometime. In the scan above, you can see a nice scuff in the upper right-hand-corner. No big deal really. I am amazed though, at how many cards come back in great condition considering all the hands they pass through before arriving in your mail box.

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Sid Bream

Sid Bream - 1987 Topps
Who: Sid Bream

Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: TTM 1/1 10/5/2009 (34 days)

Comments: Romans 10:13

for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."


Nice sig from Mr. Bream! You combine that with the hat and mustache and this card is a real winner. It will get a prime spot in my binder.

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