Bill Gullickson

Who: Pitcher Bill Gullickson

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: Private Signing

Comments: Once I started my little '87 Topps Reds Project, I soon found out that Bill Gullickson would be one of the tougher autographs to obtain. Thanks to a private signing on SportsCollectors.net, I was able to get Bill's '87 Topps signed nicely and added to the collection. Nice!

Bill didn't pitch for the Reds for long - all of 1986 and part of the '87 season, but had a pretty good career. He even left to pitch in Japan for a short period before returning to MLB again.

I don't know about you, but I would want to play in Japan too.

Lawrence Taylor

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.

Jim Merritt

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.

Matt Maloney

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!

Jonny Gomes

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.

Andre Dawson

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.

Bruce Bochy

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?!

Darrin Jackson

Who: Outfielder Darrin Jackson

Team: San Diego Padres

Card: 1990 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest 2010

Comments: Alright, this is the LAST card I am posting from a pretty loaded Soxfest haul. Darrin Jackson is currently works on White Sox radio along-side Ed Farmer. Before his radio days, Darrin was the color-man on White Sox broadcasts.

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.

John Danks

Who: Pitcher John Danks

Team: Chicago White Sox

Card: 2009 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest 2010

Comments: Coming...

Greg Walker

Who: First Baseman Greg Walker

Team: Chicago White Sox

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest 2010

Comments: Greg Walker is currently the batting coach for the Chicago White Sox. I got lucky with this autograph. My buddy spotted Greg walking through one of the hallways outside the ballroom at Soxfest. He stopped and signed a few autographs, and I managed to snag one.

How about that late-80s White Sox uniform. Those jerseys are now becoming classics - so many folks at Soxfest were rockin' that style.

Juan Nieves

Who: Pitcher Juan Nieves

Team: Milwaukee Brewers

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest 2010

Comments: The best part of getting this autograph was what happened before it. At the Comcast autograph booth, Juan and someone else (Kevin Hickey, maybe?) was scheduled to sign and I was there right on time. There was one guy in line and as I snaked through, I saw this guy (pretty tall dude, too) jokingly giving the other former Sox player some grief from the front of the line. As I walk up, he's says "there's someone in line! great!" or something like that, which was kinda odd. So, I smile and walk up behind the first guy in line and he turns around rally fast, sticks out his right hand and says, "Hi! I'm Juan Nieves" with this huge smile. I was like "OHHHHHH!" Haha. Since I'm not the biggest White Sox fan, I didn't recognize him. It was pretty funny. After that, Juan sat down and signed my '87 Topps for me. Couldn't have been any nicer.

Juan's major league career was cut pretty short by an arm injury, but in that time he managed to toss a no-hitter on April 15, 1987. He's currently the bullen coach for the White Sox.

Ozzie Guillen

Who: Shortstop Ozzie Guillen

Team: Chicago White Sox

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest 2010

Comments: Going into Soxfest, Ozzie's autograph was the one I was most excited to get. Not only is he the charismatic manager of the White Sox, but I remember him playing when I was a kid, and even saw him play once at Comiskey park during the last season it was standing. Plus, tack on the fact that he has an '87 Topps, and we're cookin'!

Gary Peters

Who: Pitcher Gary Peters

Team: Chicago White Sox

Card: 1969 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest 2010

Comments: Yep, still rollin' on the Soxfest autographs. Still have a few more to post. Hang tight.

Gary Peters was a pretty darn good pitcher for the White Sox, winning the 1963 AL Rookie of the Year award. During that season, he had a string of 11 straight wins - impressive. Equally as impressive, during the 1967 All-Star game, retired 9 consecutive batters over three innings, including striking out three future Hall of Famers - Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, and Ferguson Jenkins. Wow.

Pretty nicely signed card, eh? Gary laid down a nice signature on this '69 Topps - the second from that set that I had signed at Soxfest. The other was from Joe Horlen.

Ron Kittle

Who: Designated Hitter Ron Kittle

Team: Chicago White Sox

Card: 1990 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest 2010

Comments: Coming...

Glenn Braggs

Who: Outfielder Glenn Braggs

Team: Milwaukee Brewers

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: In Person, 2010 Reds Caravan

Comments: Glenn was just one of those guys that I figured I might never get an autograph from, but I end up getting meeting him twice within two months. Between the two cards, I've done pretty well.

As with the Brandon Phillips card i posted recently, I met Glenn at the Reds Caravan stop in Columbus last month. I got a little lucky with this one - Glenn was in a hurry to get out of the mall and to his flight and was signing for everyone he could while he was walking out. A fella I know from the Reds was cutting the line for him so he could go and did the cut right at me, making sure I was able to get Glenn's autograph. Pretty cool of him to do that.

Nice to get this '87 Topps signed too. You all know my love for the wood paneled cards of my youth, so I was torn on what cards for Glenn to sign at Redsfest. This one didn't make the cut, but found redemption at the Reds Caravan.

Moose Skowron

Who: First Baseman Moose Skowron

Team: New York Yankees

Card: 1958 Topps All-Star

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest 2010

Comments: Another vintage card I was able to get signed at Soxfest this year. Moose signed this beat-up, but great looking All-Star card of his, making a nice addition to the vintage end of my autographed card collection.

Bill Melton

Who: Third Baseman Bill Melton

Team: Chicago White Sox

Card: 1972 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest 2010

Comments: Coming...

Bill Melton

Who: Third Baseman Bill Melton

Team: Chicago White Sox

Card: 1972 Topps In Action

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest 2010

Comments: Beltin' Bill Melton signed this and his other '72 Topps card for me at the bar of the Palmer House Hilton during Soxfest. Since I don't have the ability to recognize most retired White Sox players, my buddy pointed him out for me when we were walking through the bar. Being prepared with your cards in tow is always a good idea.

Between a sweet horizontal In Action card and Melton's smooth sig, this card came out pretty well.

Minnie Miñoso

Who: Outfielder Minnie Miñoso

Team: Chicago White Sox

Card: 1957 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest 2010

Comments: Ah, this was one card I was really looking forward to getting signed. White Sox great Minnie Minoso, the first black player to where their uniform, has made a habit out of getting into uniform well past his prime in the 1950s. He is the only baseball player to play professionally in seven different decades. More about he professional appearances here.

Saturnino Orestes Armas Miñoso Arrieta, aka, Minnie Minoso has been a part of baseball history for quite a long time.

When I met Mr. Minoso, he autographed my card in a very interesting way. He took a piece of paper or note card and lined it up diagonally across my card and used it as a guide as he put his signature on it. That's how he was able to get the extremely straight autograph you see above. I've never seen that before! He did it for everyone too. I'm sure if you've gotten his autograph you have a similar story.

Mark Salas

Who: Catcher

Team: New York Yankees

Card: 1987 Topps Traded

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest

Comments: Hey! Let's do some back-to-back Salas! I normally like to space apart multiple cards from the same fella, but I'm feelin' saucy today.

Here's the second of two cards that Mr. Salas signed for me at Soxfest, this one being of the "Traded" variety.

Pretty sweet that Mark has a palindrome as his last name - SALAS or SALAS... AH!!!!! Crazy.

Mark Salas

Who: Catcher Mark Salas

Team: Minnesota Twins

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest

Comments: Sox bullpen catcher and coach Mark Salas signed two '87 Topps cards for me at Soxfest - this one and his card from the Traded series. He did a number of signing sessions at Soxfest, so I got them at two different time. One was this card and another later when I realized I also had the Traded card for his as well. That was a nice surprise to myself... haha.

A.J. Pierzynski

Who: Catcher A.J. Pierzynski

Team: Chicago White Sox

Card: 2008 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest 2010

Comments: Not sure what my problem is, but I always have the worst cards for A.J. to sign. This one that he signed for me TTM last year was not the greatest to get signed either. No matter though, it was cool to say hi to A.J. and add another card of his to the collection.

After reading the last A.J. autograph post, it's cool that the friend that I talked about visiting to watch the Reds and White Sox play is the same friend I hit Soxfest with. Good times, all of them.

Ken Harrelson

Who: Ken Harrelson

Team: Kansas City Athletics

Card: 1966 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest 2010

Comments: In juxtaposition to the Steve Stone Experience™, there was Ken "Hawk" Harrelson, who was great with the fans in line and put down this fantastic autograph on a 1966 Topps. Alongside Steve Stone, Ken is a broadcaster for the White Sox.

When looking into Ken's career, that great little nugget that popped out was his popularization of the batting glove during the '60s. Though he can't be credited with the invention of it - some point out examples of its use as early as 1901 - he is the man that brought it back to stay in baseball. I wonder how much of it has to do with his love of golf? Where they using gloves in golf back then as well?

Floyd Bannister

Who: Pitcher Floyd Bannister

Team: Chicago White Sox

Card: 1987 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest 2010

Comments: I'm tellin' you, I put a nice little dent in the '87 Topps autograph search at Soxfest. I think I was able to to get six in all? Very nice. More to come.

Floyd pitched for the Sox from 1983-'87. Though he had his lone all-star appearance in 1982 with the Mariners, overall he pitched better with with Sox right after that.

Joe Horlen

Who: Pitcher Joe Horlen

Team: Chicago White Sox

Card: 1969 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest 2010

Comments: Joe pitched a no hitter for the White Sox back in 1967. He also help beat my Cincinnati Reds in the '72 World Series when he played with the Oakland Athletics. Drat!

How about that powerder blue Chi Sox uni? On wool, that color looks fantastic. I'm sure those uniforms will still hot as hell in the summer.

Steve Stone

Who: Pitcher Steve Stone

Team: Chicago White Sox

Card: 1974 Topps

Acquired: In Person, Soxfest 2010

Comments: I've got a ton of stuff coming up for the blog over the next few weeks, including a load of autographs from my trip to Soxfest. Had a great time and got a lot of cards signed.

So let's kick off my string of Soxfest autographs with the one I'm disappointed in the most - this 1974 Topps Steve Stone. This is the only card I've ever had signed at a fanfest in ballpoint pen. Seriously, what the heck? When I went though Steve's line at Soxfest, I noticed that he was signing things with ballpoint pen. My buddy in front of me handed him a Sharpie to sign his card, and Steve did. But, when I asked if he wouldn't mind signing my card with my Sharpie, Steve took my card and absolutely obliterated it with his pen. He mentioned something about him knowing that I "Won't sell this on eBay" and that "It's perfectly fine." All with a smile, of course. Really, the pen was literally scraaaaaaaped across the card. The ink is flaking up and you can feel the pen indentation on the back of the card.

Ugh.

You go to these things and there is an understanding on both sides (player and fan) that guys sign baseball cards with a marker and baseballs with a pen. I've received dozens of autographs from many players - stars, hall of famers, journeymen, etc. at fanfests. They all used a Sharpie on my baseball card.

You know, it's really not that big of a deal. I'm actually not too upset about it. I guess if it were a Reds player that I had really admired as a kid I would probably be a little crushed. But, this good ol' Steve Stone autoscrape will live happily in my binder as a funny reminder to what was a really fun weekend.

I've got some nice looking autographs coming up soon. Stay tuned.

Eddie Kasko

Who: Manager Eddie Kasko

Team: Boston Red Sox

Card: 1972 Topps

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

Comments: Coming...

Jim Fregosi

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.

Lonnie Smith

Who: Outfielder Lonnie Smith

Team: Kansas City Royals

Card: 1987 Topps

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

Comments: Coming...

Fernando Valenzuela

Who: Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Card: 1987 Topps

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

Comments: Coming...

Dusty Baker

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?

Eddie Kasko

Who: Infielder Eddie Kasko

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1960 Topps

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

Comments: Coming...

Randy St. Claire

Who: Pitcher Randy St. Claire

Team: Montreal Expos

Card: 1987 Topps

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

Comments: Coming...

Tommy Helms

Who: Manager Tommy Helms

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1990 Topps

Acquired: In Person

Comments: This is the second of two cards that Mr. Helms signed for me at a Kroger opening. At the rate in which I have the opportunity to get his autograph during any given year, I might as well try and get all his baseball cards signed... haha.

This card reminds me of Christmas. Not sure why.

Jay Hook

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.

Lou Piniella

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.

Gary Roenicke

Who: Outfielder Gary Roenicke

Team: New York Yankees

Card: 1987 Topps

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

Comments: Coming...

Randy St. Claire

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.

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.

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.

Claude Osteen

Who: Pitcher Claude Osteen

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1960 Topps

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

Comments: Coming...

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.

Tommy Helms

Who: Second Baseman Tommy Helms

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 1968 Topps

Acquired: In Person

Comments: A nice '68 Topps here of Tommy Helms. He was signing at a local Kroger grand opening, so my wife and I went. She parked the car while I chatted it up with Mr. Helms. Always a great looking autograph, he signed this and another card. So, be on the lookout! I actually missed Mr. Helms at Redsfest this year, so it worked out that I had a couple of cards handy when this signing came up.

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.

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.