Eh, what's up Dock?

I purchased an IP auto of Dock Ellis

It was purchased from a stadium vendor the same night as my birthday bash in Bradenton back in September.

If you haven't seen No-No: A Dockumentary on Netflix, I strongly suggest you check it out.

1991 Fleer IP/TTM Update: AVS

Andy Van Slyke is one of my favorite players ever.

When I saw a chance to grab this IP auto I couldn't resist. With this addition, I am down to needing only one big name player to complete the 1991 Fleer Pirates team set in autograph form. Unfortunately, that player is Barry Bonds who hardly ever signs.

$5 gamble? Dual Auto of Austin Meadows and Reese McGuire

I normally don't buy non certified autographs online unless they come from a respected source that I have personally dealt with in person.  However, when the Pirates two 1st Round draft picks of 2013 ended up on the same card as in person autographs for $5 I just couldn't pass it up.

The seller lives not too far from me and claims that he got both of them at a West Virginia Power game.  That makes sense as their are several teams that play the Power within a two hour drive.

I seriously think the autos are real, but even if they aren't it's a nice looking card with some cursive writing and nice pen marks of two of baseball's top prospects.  I'll take that gamble every time for $5.

Heeeee's baaaaaack!!!!

That's right, my favorite pitcher, Charlie Morton is back on the mound today facing the Boston Red Sox.  To celebrate his return here's an in person auto of him from his 2004 Rome Braves minor league card I just recently acquired.

Throwback Thursday: Bill Almon TTM/IP Auto

A long long long time ago I made a trade with Troll!  It was just a bunch of random relics and autos of Rays for a collection of IP/TTM autos of ex Pirates.  As I continue to organize my entire collection, I continue to come across little pieces of cardboard like what you see below.

This on card ballpoint pen auto is of the one time utility player Bill Almon who played for the Pirates from 1985-1987.  Almon spent most of his 15 year career as a utility infielder that could play 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, and all outfield positions.  While playing for some American League teams like the WhiteSox and A's he was also used as a DH.  He has no significant statistics except leading the National League in sacrifice hits in 1977 while a member of the San Diego Padres.

Almon went on to post a career batting average of .254 while playing for the Padres, Expos, White Sox, A's, Pirates, Phillies, and twice with the Mets.

I wish I had more to say about the #1 overall selection in the 1974 MLB draft, but besides having one of his only starting shortstop roles with the White Sox in 1981, a year that he finished 19th for MVP voting I'm short on words.

Evidently Topps was too based on the back of his cardboard from 1985 Topps Traded.

My first trip to the new Yankee Stadium

I'm going to be making my first trip to the new Yankee Stadium with my friend Tim today.  Tim is a diehard Yankees fan and we always said that he would bring me to Yankee Stadium when the Pirates come to town in interleague baseball.

My favorite pitcher, and NJ born, Charlie Morton will be making the start for the Pirates in the 1pm game.

2012 Pirates Team Set Exclusive IP AUTO

Above is the 2012 Pirates Team set exclusive of Charlie signed by Charlie in person.  Below is what the national release looked like.

2012 Topps Mini and 2012 Topps (factory release)

Below is the back of the card which is the same for both versions, but the numbering.

IP Auto: Andy LaRoche

Yesterday a couple of my friends and I went to see the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (AAA Phillies) take on the Buffalo Bisons (AAA Blue Jays).  I got to the stadium about an hour early to try and grab some autos.  It was largely a failure though.  Two players from the Iron Pigs (Adam Morgan and Tyson Gillies) were signing outside the Majestic store prior to the game, but the line was capped off at 6:15pm (a full hour before gametime).

Many of the Bisons players remained silent when fans approached them for autographs.

Former Royals prospect Clint Robinson signed for a short time for a few fans before starting his normal game day rituals.  Several other players would sign for a few fans then scatter off to do their pre game workouts.  I didn't bring many cards with me mainly because I was using this game as an opportunity to just hang with my friends and watch a game as summer came to a close.

The two players I was hoping to graph strictly for their Pirates ties were Buffalo Bisons 3B Andy Laroche and relief pitcher Brad Lincoln.  Both players were well regarded prospects in the Pirates franchise at one time.  Lincoln came out of the dugout and immediately ran to the bullpen allowing no time to even attempt an autograph.

2009 Heritage Andy LaRoche IP AUTO 

Andy Laroche signed a few cards for everyone though including the card you see above.  He had a terrible game at the plate grounding into two inning ending double plays and also striking out with a runner in scoring position.  Nevertheless I am grateful that Andy was willing to sign for the fans and am happy to add this IP Auto to my collection.

Last minute road trip gets me 3 autographs of top prospects

A last minute idea for a road trip caused me to stop in Lakewood, NJ on Sunday August 11th to see the Phillies and Pirates A- ball teams collide.  The West Virginia Power (Pirates) were finishing up their road trip against the Lakewood BlueClaws (Phillies) and had won the previous 2 games of the series.  On paper, the Power should have came out swinging some big bats as the BlueClaws starter had issues throughout the season.  I got to the stadium around 4 pm for the 5:05 start and gates opened shortly after my arrival.  After finding my seat, I went to the 3rd base dugout to seek out some autographs.

Many players stopped by but I only had cards for 2 players on me and a cheap "official league" ball on hand.  Rather than get the ball signed by the entire team I held onto it waiting for certain players I wanted to display in my collection.  

Up first was 2013 Futures Game All-Star Dilson Herrera.  Dilson was extremely fan friendly signing close to a dozen cards for one guy and signing until everyone in the surrounding area got autographs.  He signed my ball right on the sweet spot.

From a distance I could see Tyler Glasnow signing and went into a little bit of a geek mode as I think Glasnow has the potential to be as good as the Pirates top pitching prospects (Cole and Taillon).  Tyler is only 19 years old and is dominating in A ball.  Through 97 innings pitched he has given up only 53 hits and has a 2.75 Strikeout to Walk ratio (140:51).  He only has a 2.50 ERA with an 8-3 record.  Not bad stats for a 19 year old in his first taste of full season ball.

As the game was getting ready to start, Josh Bell came over to sign for a bunch of fans as well.  When I first got there he told a couple fans he would be back to sign before the game and that he had to get loose first.  So often is the case with top prospects that they don't actually come back to sign for everyone.  Josh was the exception.  He signed cards, ticket stubs, balls, hats, photos, etc until everyone was taken care of.  He doesn't have a long name to sign for, but his signature is clean.  No squiggly signs or anything like that.  Also he was doing number inscriptions on everything he signed.  

2012 Leaf National Young Stars IP AUTO 

2013 Topps Pro Debut IP AUTO

Above are the 2 cards that Josh had signed for me before the game.  Below is the ball signed by all 3 of the Pirates top prospects.

Tyler Glasnow #24
Josh Bell #2

Dilson Herrera #31