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Jim Abbott

 Jim Abbot was an incredibly inspirational player. Coming up from the University of Michigan as a one handed pitcher. Now for those of you that don't know the story, he was born without a right hand, but wasn't about to let that stop him. Little League,  high school,  college, each step he kept being told the competition is going to get to him. Abbott kept fighting,  the next step was the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. Abbott pitched that final game leading the USA to victory over Japan. He was also named the Big 10's Athlete of the Year in 1988. The California Angeles picked him in the first round that year with the 8th overall selection.  In 1989 Abbott made the roster without a game in the minors, becoming the first to do that since Pete Incaviglia 3 years before.  He finished the year at 12 and 12 and an ERA just under 4. Abbott pitched a no hitter for the Yankees in 1993. He returned to the Angels in 1995, and I saw him pitch at the Metrod...
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"Sign your name across my card...

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 I want you to be my hero." With apologies to Terrence Trent D'Arby and his late 80's pop hit "Sign Your Name" It was one of those let's make new lyrics to this song, based on something that is going on in your life, for me at that time it was through the mail or TTM autos. My buddies and I would compete to see who could get the best responses. I ended up with some pretty good ones. Mike Schmidt, with a form letter and personal signature, Nolan Ryan, Bo Jackson, Kirby Puckett, Joe Montana, Tino Martinez, George Brett among other.Was jealous when friends scored the likes of Jose Canseco, Wally Joyner, and Mark McGwire, but the funniest to me was when my friend Jeremy recieved his Mike Schmidt back. I had sent a 87 topps and an 88 Fleer, he signed the Topps, sent back the fleer. Jeremy sent an 88 Donruss and an 88 Fleer, Schmitty once again did not sign the 88 fleer. And Jer's letter was a word for word copy of mine, except for the different names, and once...
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Scooter Gennett

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  Scooter Gennett was a second baseman with the Milwaukee Brewers from 2013 to 2016. The most stable 2nd sacker since Rickie Weeks, Gennett never seemed to live up to the potential that he occasionally flashed with the Crew. He was claimed off waivers by the Reds in March of 2017 and with the Reds had his two finest seasons, including making the All star team and nearly winning the NL Batting title. He always kinda reminded me of Craig Biggio. A scrappy player who gives 110 percent and leaves his soul on the field. I've seen Gennett play in 12 games so far, all with the Brewers. In those 12 games Scoots went 11 for 39 a triple and a Home Run 11 runs scored 7 rbi 0 walks, 5 k's. On the fielding side Scooter made 15 putouts and 19 assists. The game that stands out the most was a June 2015 between the Minnesota Twins and the Brewers. The year before a bunch of us that worked at Potawatomi Hotel and Casino in Milwaukee got together for a impromptu tailgate game. We did it again in ...
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 August 3rd 1983 to June 15th, 2019. 92 MLB games in total, over 1240 different players were seen in those games. A few years ago I came up with the idea to obtain an autographed card from each and every one of those players. To date, I have completed 15 percent of that goal. Budget and Coronavirus didn't add any new game/players in the past year and a half, but with the help of trading friends at the Bench and Sports Card Forums have helped, and going through the 3 dollar bins at the local card shop are also pushing the total upwards. Had I originated this idea when I was still going to TwinsFest and the Autograph Parties in the 90's I would probably be much further along with it and still have cool autos, such as a signed 1997 Fleer David Arias. Most of you know him now by Big Papi. but alas, hindsight is 20/20. I only need one from each player, so for example, I have seen Ryan Braun play in almost 20 games, but only need one signature. I will start with game one and my favor...
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