Brandon Phillips

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.

Ross Ohlendorf

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.

Aaron Harang

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.

Bob Miller

Who: Reds Assistant General Manager Bob Miller

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Topps Heritage Reds Team Card

Acquired: In Person, Reds Caravan 2010

Comments: Ha, this is great. Amongst the fellas signing at a Reds Caravan was the Reds VP of Baseball Operations and Assistant General Manager Bob Miller. What better card to have him sign than the Reds team card. I already have Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty on one, so might as well get the whole staff. Ha! Awesome.

I love how he stayed away from the team and signed up in the corner. He had a good laugh about it when he signed it. I wonder if he has ever signed any of these? ZOMG - it's a 1/1!!!! haha

Brandon Phillips

Who: Second Baseman Brandon Phillips

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2007 Topps Heritage

Acquired: In Person, Reds Caravan 2010

Comments: It was a really, really last minute thing that I hit up one of the Reds Caravan stops recently. My wife and I were headed to Columbus for the day and right before we left I saw a Tweet from someone that was at the Reds Caravan stop in C-bus that day. The stop was at the same place we were going, and figuring with the drive time, we were able to make the last 20 minutes or so of the scheduled stop. So, I grabbed some cards for the guys on the stop and we headed up.

We got there in time, but the line was still kinda long and I was told that I was not likely to get an autograph due to the Reds having to keep their schedule. I stuck it out anyways, and got lucky. In Brandon's case, he hopped down from the stage where he and the other guys where signing and came through the line to sign and take photos with everyone that was there. It was pretty cool. Brandon signed my card and got in a photo with me as well. Kinda nerdy, but pretty fun.

I've had this card of Brandon for a while, but other cards keep trumping it when I am able to get his autograph.

I've got a couple of other cards from the Columbus Caravan stop coming up.

Jay Bruce

Who: Outfielder Jay Bruce

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2008 Topps Heritage Rookie Performer

Acquired: In Person

Comments: This autograph came along in a pretty out-of-the blue manner. I ended up getting a last minute invite to a meet & greet that the Reds Hall of Fame was hosting. I ended up getting to chat with Jay for a few minutes. He's a great kid and seems to have a real good head on his shoulders - even though he's just 22 years old. I'm really rooting for the guy to succeed.

Of course, I came to the event prepared and Jay kindly signed my card for me. What a great looking card too. This is one of my favorite subsets. Joey Votto also has a card like this as well. I'll have to get that signed sometime too so that this Jay will have some company in the binder.

Chris Stynes

Who: Chris Stynes

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2001 Topps Heritage

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

Comments: Coming...

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.

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.

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.

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.

Casey Kotchman

Who: First Baseman Casey Kotchman

Team: Atlanta Braves

Card: 2009 Topps Heritage

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

Comments: Though pictured as a Brave in this *fantastic* spring training photo, Casey ended up finishing his season with the Boston Red Sox. He was traded for Adam LaRoche at the trade deadline and ended up anchoring first base for the rest of the season and ended up sniffing the playoffs for a bit.

I really dig the '09 Topps Heritage set, but horray for me - I sent the card with the darkest damn photo, ever. Casey did it up regardless, and that's killer. The other card he signed came out swell though... stay tuned for that one.

Ryan Church

Who: Outfielder Ryan Church

Team: New York Mets

Card: 2008 Topps Heritage

Acquired: TTM 2/2 9/21/2009 (205 days)

Comments: Ryan's facsimile autograph on this '08 Topps Heritage card is a bit rough. Ryan, did you really sign your rookie contract with that handwriting? Your mother would be ashamed. Anyways, the real autograph makes up for it a little bit, though I've never been a big fan of getting these cards all auto'd up. A 2009 Topps Heritage would have been a great card to get signed. Maybe next time...

Andy Pettite

Who: Pitcher Andy Pettite

Team: New York Yankees

Card: 2009 Topps Heritage

Acquired: TTM 1/1 8/29/2009 (68 days)

Comments: Not that I love the Yankees or anything, but this is a pretty nice return. Andy, at age 37, is on his way to another great season with the Yanks. He's 11-6 with a 4.18 ERA as of this post.

It's a nice surprise to get a return from a top-tier player on one of the world's most popular team. Plus, these '09 Topps Heritage cards are great for autographs. Great addition to the collection.

Edinson Volquez

Who: Pitcher Edinson Volquez

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Topps Heritage

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

Comments: This is the second of two cards that Edinson signed for me through the mail - just before he had his Tommy John surgery. Again, I feel pretty lucky that I got this one back. It's going to be quite a while before he is signing autographs again.

I would like to eventually get all of the 2009 Topps Heritage cards featuring Reds signed. As of writing this post, this is only the second card that I've had signed. There will be a few tough ones in the set, but not as tough as when Griffey and Dunn were on the team. I had little hope of completing any of those teams sets.

Mike Fontenot

Who: Infielder Mike Fontenot

Team: Chicago Cubs

Card: 2009 Topps Heritage

Acquired: TTM 1/1 7/31/2009 (42 days)

Comments: I'm not much for the Cubs, really, but I kinda like this Fontenot guy. He's scrappy, and he's got a funny name. I saw him play the other night against the Reds and remarked that he had the strike zone the size of a Dippin' Dot. The lady in front of me at the game was the only person that thought it was funny. She laughed hysterically.

I'm not all that sure what is going on with his autograph. It's a bit piece-meal. Mike's kind of got a slice and dice technique happening here.

Andy LaRoche

Who: Third Baseman Andy LaRoche

Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

Card: 2009 Topps Heritage

Acquired: TTM 1/1 7/22/2009 (20 days)

Comments: This return was waiting for me in my mailbox the day that Andy's brother, Adam, was traded to the Red Sox. Kinda crazy. I've been meaning to mail a card to him too.

Not the greatest of signatures from Andy here, but beggers can't be choosers. I'll take it. These '09 Topps Heritage cards are great, but Andy's head shot falls a little short of expectations. What's up with the people's legs and that equipment behind Andy? Looks like Topps did some work to darken up the background to allow Andy to stand out, but it's still really busy back there. The "in-game" photo on the left is great. Ah well.

A.J. Pierzynski

Who: Catcher A.J. Pierzynski

Team: Chicago White Sox

Card: 2008 Topps Heritage

Acquired: TTM 1/1 6/15/2009 (10 days)

Comments: What better time now to post this autograph? The White Sox are in town, playing the Reds tonight. Good friends, who happen to be Sox fans, are coming down to go to the game with us. Should be a great night - especially after the Reds beat up on the Sox. So, here's A.J. and his super-scribble autograph. I wish I had a better card to send, but in all my searching of cards on hand, I could come up with nothing better. No matter, an auto is an auto.

Brad Ausmus

Who: Catcher Brad Asmus

Team: Houston Astros

Card: 2009 Topps Heritage

Acquired: TTM 1/1 5/23/2009 (11 days)

Comments: Long-time catcher Brad Ausmus hooked me up with a sweet autograph on a 2009 Topps Heritage card in just 11 days. Now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Brad has had a great career, spanning an incredible 17 seasons. For a catcher, that's utterly amazing.

Jeff Keppinger

Who: Shortstop Jeff Keppinger

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2009 Topps Heritage

Acquired: TTM 5/9/2009 (24 days)

Comments: This card is bringin' it right here, boy. You got the sweet mess that is '09 Heritage with a signature from Jeff Keppinger that is laying down the funk. Crescent fresh.

This card has inspired a new category here at OMGauto: "So Choice". Cards that fall under the "So Choice" category are signature that have high artistic value. They are flat out pretty. Keppinger's certainly applies. Others include Aaron Harang, Whitey Herzog, Jim Breech, Bruce Berenyi, Norris Hopper, and more.

Peter Warrick

Who: Wide Receiver Peter Warrick

Team: Seattle Seahawks

Card: 2006 Topps Heritage

Acquired: TTM 2/2 4/28/2009 (7 days)

Comments: Though most would label Peter Warrick as a bust (4th overall pick of the 2000 draft), I still like him. I really wish his career turned out better than it did because he really was an exciting player. While he was with the Bengals, I witnessed at least one of his punt returns for a touchdown in person, and it was a sight to see. Too bad there weren't more of them.

These days, P-Dub is playing arena ball for the Bloomington Extreme (Illinios). I sent two cards to him care of the Extreme and he signed them and had them back to me in just 7 days. Very cool. Though it's a pretty simplistic signature, I can dig it. The fact that it matches the facsimile signature on this 2006 Heritage is solid. Next time around, I'll have a card featuring him as a Bengal. Stay tuned.

Ian Snell

Who: Pitcher Ian Snell

Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

Card: 2009 Topps Heritage

Acquired: TTM 2/2 4/24/2009 (11 days)

Comments: Ian signed my first 2009 Topps Heritage card of the year. These are pretty kick-ass cards for autographs, aren't they? Ian's got a great signature, and apparently signs a lot through the mail.

Dallas Clark

Who: Tight End Dallas Clark

Team: Indianapolis Colts

Card: 2006 Topps Heritage

Acquired: TTM 2/2 3/25/2009 (137 days)

Comments: Dallas always brings his A game whenever he and Colts play the Bengals. I can remember a few times him single-handily kicking the Bengals butts. While I am a sad Bengals fan, I do have some mad respect for Dallas. A nice vintage Topps design to get an autograph on right here. Dallas hooked me up when he finally had some down time in the offseason and I'm glad he did. Another one on the way soon.

Danny Graves

Who: Pitcher Danny Graves

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2004 Topps Heritage

Acquired: TTM 2/2 3/12/2009 (15 days)

Comments: Ah... looks like Danny was released from Astros' camp the other day. That's too bad. I was rooting for him on the comeback. I'm glad the timing worked out and I was able to get him TTM at Astros Spring Training. Good luck, Danny, in whatever is next for you.

Jonny Gomes

Who: Outfielder Jonny Gomes

Team: Tampa Bay Rays

Card: 2008 Topps Heritage

Acquired: TTM 1/1 3/13/2009 (22 days)

Comments: Jonny Gomes is looking to make the Reds roster with the strong spring training he's been having this year. I gave him a shot TTM and he really came through. Sweet! This is the first regular '08 Topps Heritage card that I've gotten signed - not sure they are great for autographs. Since the facsimile autograph is already on there, it can look a tad goofy. The Rookie Stars subset looks fantastic though.

Anyways, we're rooting for Jonny here at OMGautos. Hope he has a great season.

Justin Masterson

Who: Pitcher Justin Masterson

Team: Boston Red Sox

Card: 2008 Topps Heritage

Acquired: TTM 1/1 2/26/2009 (8 days)

Comments: Great success! Justin is a fantastic young pitcher for the Red Sox. Great card, and a great signature - very distinct. You can tell he has worked on his technique and takes pride in his autograph. This is a favorite in my collection.

Talk about a great turn around too... just 8 days.

Chris Dickerson

Who: Outfielder Chris Dickerson

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2008 Topps Heritage High Series

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest '08

Comments: I'm becoming quite a Chris Dickerson fan. He signed a card for me at Redsfest '07 and I've been following him since. He hit a MAMMOTH home run at the one spring training game I went to in 2008 and had a great call-up with the Reds at the end of the '08 season where he hit .304 over 31 games. I also did how he signs his cards along the edge - this one up the side, like Mario Soto. Nice touch.

This card was nice to get signed too... I had JUST pulled it out of a pack of Topps Heritage Updates & Highlights the week leading up to Redsfest. Good timing.

So, when I did get this card signed, it was at the VERY end of Redsfest on that Saturday night. I had gotten to Chris' line late and ended up in the auxiliary line. Once things got moving in Chris' line, a few of us from the auxiliary line ended up getting into the main line and getting his autograph. When I finally did get to him, he was exhausted. We chatted for a quick second and he said he was running on fumes at that point and was still on deck to play in the Reds poker tournament that night. He was a good trooper and singed a bunch of extra autographs for the line he had.

Bill Bray

Who: Pitcher Bill Bray

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2007 Topps Heritage

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest '08

Comments: I have two Bill Bray cards. They are the same card. They are both autographed.

Edwin Encarnacion

Who: Third Baseman Edwin Encarnacion

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2007 Topps Heritage

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest '08

Comments: This card is what Topps Heritage is all about. Great looking card. The colors are working, the photo actually looks somewhat vintage and they are perfect for autographs - it's got it going on. Double E signed my card at Redsfest, and while it's not the greatest sig, it's always great to get them in person. He signed a 100 or so before I got to him and probably another 100 or more after me. He was blasting through the autographs to make sure everyone got one. That's fine by me.

Joey Votto

Who: First Baseman Joey Votto

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2008 Topps Heritage

Acquired: TTM 1/1 10/20/08 (?? days)

Comments: Big return right here! Mr. Votto is part of that young nucleus that will lead the Reds to glory over the next few years - at least we hope so. Joey comes correct with a great looking auto on a great looking card. A huge thanks to Joey for signing my card. It's a great add to the collection. Go Reds!

Bill Bray

Who: Pitcher Bill Bray

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2007 Topps Heritage

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2007

Comments: Not the greatest signature, but not bad. Can't really make out his name at all. Great card to get an autograph on though. The 2007 Topps Heritage design featured head shots, just as the original '58 set did. Bill was one of the more solid guys out of the Reds bullpen this year. He's pretty young, so hopefully we'll get some good seasons out of him.

David Ross

Who: Catcher David Ross

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2007 Topps Heritage

Acquired: In Person, Redsfest 2007

Comments: This was one of the first Heritage cards I ever got. I was hooked after that. Love the old school design and great for autos. David's photo in this one is a little wonky, but I'll take it. David signed this for me a Redsfest. He was another very personable player signing that day.