Third Straight Day

This must be some sort of record or something. At least for the last few months. My mailbox yielded yet another success, Storm Davis. Like his predecessors, Storm came as an upgrade to the Orioles Crown set. I am a little disappointed in the signature though, take a look.

Storm Davis 1991 Orioles Crown #97

His signature feels a little squished. There seems to be enough space to sign. I think he wanted to make sure he didn't cover his face and the thick sharpie held him back. I was hoping for something more like this:

Storm Davis 1984 Topps #140

I consider this to be a masterpiece. The sharpie or staedtler is perfect (and blue) and looks awesome on the card. I know what you are thinking, "stop being an autograph diva." Done.

Again, like my previous two successes, just over a week return and another name to cross off the Crown list. Keeping true to my collection goals, I will be holding on to the Crown card and the beautiful 1984 Topps card is on the market.

My Hispanic Namesake

When I was 9 years old I took a Spanish class in elementary school and my teacher named every student their Hispanic equivalent. I threw her for a loop. What kind of name is Kirk anyway. She eventually settled on "Kiko". Little did I know that I was being lied to, I don't translate.

But I wasn't alone.

Kiko Garcia 1991 Orioles Crown #150


I actually thought his given name was Kiko. Fooled again. How do you get "Kiko" out of Alfonso Rafael?

I don't get it. Alfonso was never a heavy hitter, but he definitely came through when it mattered. His lifetime average was .239, but in the '79 postseason he hit .355, with 3 extra base hits and 8 RBI's as the Orioles came up short in their championship bid. Here is a little perspective, his highest number of RBI's in a a season was 27, his postseason was not too shabby. Had the Orioles pulled out the Series, he probably would have been the MVP. Damn the "We Are Family" Pirates.

Kiko is another really quick response, only 8 days in transit. What a slacker, Merv Rettenmund got his back to me in a week. Kiko and Merv will always be linked in my collection, TTM successes a day apart and they initially came to my collection through the same trade. Kinda eerie.

Kiko Garcia 1978 Topps #287

A "Merv"elous Success

Sorry for the cheesy title, but it was the only thing I could come up with. It is however, very fitting.

My success from Merv Rettenmund took only seven days to go to San Diego and back, and that's with a pesky Federal holiday in the way. I am usually pretty good at sending to the consistent signers but had overlooked Merv until recently. I traded for a 1972 Topps card 2 years ago and it is now looking for a good home.

Anyone who has tried Merv TTM can attest that he is a great signer. He is signing at a 98% clip, on over 157 attempts according to SCN. The man is a machine. In 11 years on SCN he has never had a request out longer than 49 days, and that doesn't account for lazy people like myself not updating the site. Even the one failure on the site, the person never actually sent a card. He has even returned up to 9 signed cards at a time and the autograph community should bow down and thank him.

Merv Rettenmund 1991 Orioles Crown #377


Merv Rettenmund 1972 Topps #171


Thank you Merv.

FanFest Ticket Sale, Sort Of

The Orioles have screwed up for years in the front office and on the field, but today they made huge mistakes, in my home. Via Ticketmaster, that is.

Today's sale of FanFest autograph voutures was not smooth at all, but the problems started earlier this week. All week long the Orioles said a full list of signers would be released later in the week. Later meant Friday afternoon, giving us autograph seekers less than 24 hours to plan for one of the biggest autograph days of the year. Good job.

But I got ready. Plotted out who I needed to get and gave detailed instructions to my wife to make the purchase (I was lucky enough to work yesterday morning). Tickets went on sale at 10am and I received a phone call from wifey at 10:09. "Sweet, got em already and I had nothing to worry about," I thought. I thought wrong.

Tickets for my primary session (Jim Palmer) were not available. I went into a back office at work and logged on to see what the problem was. Did they sell out? Was there a glitch? We couldn't figure it out. After freaking out and cursing at work, ever the consummate professional, I had my wife buy my second target before it was gone. I finished up my workday knowing I would at least get Matt Wieters, Dick Hall and Craig Tatum, not how I wanted things to go.

Once home I received a text from a friend at 1:30pm that the Palmer tickets were now on sale. Apparently there was a major error, the vouchers were never opened up. They hadn't sold, they were just never offered. I snatched the laptop from my startled wife, logged in and bought two tickets before they were taken away from me again.

I talked to a bunch of other graphers about their experiences, little of which were positive. Many of the tickets sold were for the wrong sessions or with wrong players. With all these glitches it doesn't bode well for FanFest itself.

On a lighter note, anyone willing to get Palmer for me with my second ticket? You could keep Randolph, Berken or Accardo. Let me know, I am willing to work something out and I am sure my wife will not be attending to help.

2011 Orioles Fanfest

The date has been set for this years FanFest, Saturday January 29th. When I heard the news I was hyped up and started to get cards together for the all day autograph excursion. Then I went looking for details and found this little tid bit.

My beloved Orioles have gone the way of the Ravens, cutting adults out of the autograph loop. Or at least making them pay for signatures. I understood the Ravens decision at training camp because of the safety of kids being trampled by mini-helmet weilding, middle agers clammoring for Ray-Ray to sign. It makes sense when kids get pushed aside, injured or ignored, I get that.

But FanFest is not a free-for-all like that. It is somewhat organized chaos and as long as you stood in line you could shake hands with your heroes. Last year I saw more kids in lines for autographs than adults and I never felt like children were being left out. Hell, every other aspect of the convention is geared to them with games and attractions, you couldn't have gotten more kid friendly. Apparently the Orioles feel you can.

I am just not sure I can justify $10 admission and $15 per autograph for a lot of guys that sign well in person or TTM. I am and always will be a collector. I don't go to FanFest to turn a profit. I go to feel like a kid again, talking with big leaguers and recent draftees alike. If I do end up going this year there will be no childlike amazement, I will be all business because of the money I will have to put into the day.

More news to follow when the Orioles decide to inform their fans how things are to go down.

Anyone have an extra early entry ticket that I could buy from them if I do go? I had to do general admission last year and lost out on a lot.

New Year, New Orioles

December was a busy month for me. Not with collecting unfortunately, but with life. The holidays are always crazy and work had drained me mentally. When I came home from work, vegging out in front of the boob tube was all I could do, and my collection has suffered slightly.

With the new year has come a renewed vigor of collecting. I am sending out a bunch of TTM requests this weekend and have also received a few additions over the last month.

Dave Skaggs 1991 Orioles Crown #423

Skaggs played 4 of his 5 major league seasons in Baltimore sharing time behind the plate with fan favorite Rick Dempsey. He was drafted in 1969 and spent the next 8 seasons working his way to the majors. His debut came in 1977, cementing his place on a major league roster. His bat never came alive but he could hold his own behind the plate. His largest distinction may be as the last Oriole before Cal Ripken Jr. to wear the #8.

Kelly Paris 1991 Orioles Crown #353

Paris played on 4 big league teams from 1982-1988, only spending multiple seasons in Baltimore. He was a shortstop and third baseman, but never saw any time here at shortstop because of Cal. As an Oriole in 1985 he failed to reach base in 9 attempts but was recalled in 1986, but fared only marginally better. His last big league season was in '88 as a member of the White Sox recording the only 3 home runs of his career. He played his final professional season in '89 in AAA before retiring.

Both of my successes came in about 4 months, receiving Skaggs before the New Year and Paris, shortly after.

Not To Be Outdone

The football card Gods are striking back, vying for my affection. And they seem to be doing a good job. I have been active on the trading market and have pulled in a few guys, much to the chagrin of my brother (more on that later).

Their most recent gifts:

Gibran Hamdan 2003 Bowman's Best Autograph #144

Alright, I know what you are thinking, who is this guy? He is the only former Indiana Hoosier, Redskin, Seahawk, 49er, Seahawk (again), Dolphin, Bill, Amsterdam Admiral and Toronto Argonaut to be of Pakistani descent, that's who. He was drafted by the 'Skins in the 7th round in 2003, making his only NFL appearance in the final game of the season. He never found the field again in the NFL, except in Europe, where he was named the 2006 Most Valuable Offensive Player. Even with impressive numbers in Europe he struggled to keep a roster spot and recently retired from professional football.

Chip Lohmiller 1993 Topps #69

I remember him to be a good kicker but didn't know how good. He was a second round draft pick, mighty high for a kicker and lived up to it while in Washington. He was a pro-bowler in 1991, leading the league in scoring and outscored the entire Indianapolis Colts team that season, 149-143. He grew up in Minnesota, went to school at the University of Minnesota, won a Super Bowl title in the Metrodome in Minneapolis and now coaches high school football in Minnesota. I think the man like Minnesota.

Joe Theismann 1991 Pro Line Portraits #56

This may very well be my favorite card ever and not just because of the signature. Everything about this card screams of Theismann, from the smug look on his face to the sheer ridiculous nature of the picture. I'm not a Theismann hater, but having listened to the guy over the last 10-15 years I have picked up a little conceit in his voice. It makes me want to break out some sweat pants with elastic on the bottom, so stylish. From this day forward, this card will be the only image I think of when I hear his voice, and I will laugh every time.

My brother is currently undertaking the same project, or at least thinking about it and keeps giving me grief that I trade for autographs. He wants to send away TTM for all his signatures. I am not that patient, I want to get my number up. Sure TTM is cool and feels good but to me, they all count. I could see this getting ugly as our collections grow, so I posed the question of a joint collection.

Am I crazy? Does anyone have joint collections that work?

What's This? A Baseball Success?

Just when I was about to be converted to a football collector I received a sign to stay the baseball course. Two signs actually, one of the 1994 Bowman variety and another of the religious kind.

Joel Bennett 1994 Bowman #287


My second success of the month of November took nearly three months to make its way back and came at the best time. Bennett was a 22nd round pick by the Red Sox, from East Stroudsburg University, in the 1991 draft. After seven seasons in the minors he got his break with the Orioles and it was brief. He mopped up in two games in July of that year before returning to the minors, only allowing one run. At seasons end he was signed by the Phillies where he appeared in five games during the 1999 season recording his only two major league wins.

After '99 he pitched in the minors and independent leagues until 2007. He was a winner at every level but A ball, posting multiple 10 win seasons. After baseball Joel has stayed active, as a middle school Physical Education teacher and I am guessing baseball coach.

THE RELIGIOUS SIGN


This is my religious sign, literally. On the reverse of this card, as with a lot of ballplayers, is the story of Joel's relationship with God. Normally I would keep the major issue card and put an oddball issue into the tradeable pile, but the signature is so much better than the Bowman. I wasn't able to track down a different card of his so the dark Bowman was all I could send. It shows pretty well on the scan, but in person is quite dark. If anyone is looking to add him to their collection he is available.

The Wrong Sport

I have been bitten by the Football bug. With a nip in the air and smash mouth football each weekend, I have been wooed away from my baseball autograph collection, momentarily. The last few weeks I have been developing a comprehensive list of all Washington Redskins to play since my birth (1980) and that has led to little baseball progress. Coupling the time commitment with a lack of TTM requests (40 waiting returns), blogging just hasn't made since. Until today.

I completed my first trade for a football autograph that showed up this afternoon. I know I am different from most Orioles fans by liking the Redskins, but I hope you can still enjoy this new endeavor.

Sultan McCullough 2003 Playoff Contenders Season Ticket #168

McCullough was a speed back from the University of Southern California, regarded as the fastest player in school history before becoming a Redskin. His career spanned one game, a 21-14 loss at the Dallas Cowboys on November 2, 2003. He carried the ball once for 9 yards and recorded three receptions for 13 yards. That equates to 2.5 fantasy points for those that can't separate fantasy from reality. Since his brief stint with the Skins he has played for the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL and appeared on the Cleveland Browns practice squad.

A 13 Day Major League Career

Tom Dodd was the 7ht overall pick in the 1980 draft by the New York Yankees, but didn't make his major league debut until 1986. He grinded it out with four minor league organizations and a second stint with the Yankees, until being called up by the Orioles on July 25.

His career spanned eight games and 13 at-bats during his short stint in Baltimore. He registered his two RBI's on his lone home run in 7-3 win versus the Texas Rangers. That game was the only he started, mainly making pinch hitting appearances for Jim Traber and Larry Sheets. After four more seasons in the minors Dodd called it quits.

Tom Dodd 1991 Orioles Crown #110

After his big league career Dodd moved back to Portland Oregon where he signs autograph requests in three weeks. Much appreciated.