The Prince and the Duke

These cards share no similar connections, but I received them on the same day and figured I would show them off in all their royalty.

First up, a TTM from former Pirates catcher and current manager of the Altoona Curve, Tom Prince.

Next up, an artist proof of Zach Duke from 2010 National Chicle

Zach Duke had an incredible season last year reinventing himself in the bullpen for the Brewers. That short brief stint for the 2009 All-Star earned him a big contract with the White Sox. He has been an acceptable reliever, but not as good as his 2014 season.

The artist, Chris Felix bio is on the back of the card.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

Last night I went over my brother's for a Festivus Celebration and because I won't see him on Christmas day, we exchanged early Christmas presents.  He ended up hooking me up with a personalized autographed 8x10 photo of Steelers Rookie Wide Receiver Martavis Bryant.

Prior to the draft, I was very gung ho on Bryant even suggesting to my brother that I see him only slightly below Sammy Watkins.  Bryant was available in the 4th round and has become a key part of the recent success of the Steelers offensive game plan over the past several weeks.  The image above was from Bryant's first TD reception in his first professional game against the Texans on Monday Night in week 7.

My brother hooked me up pretty good with this autograph via Coppola Sports Investments.  I ended up getting him several autographed cards of his favorite Jacksonville Jaguars and a good chunk of needs for his Kevin Kiermaier PC.

Throwback Thursday: 1991 Fleer Bob Kipper TTM Auto

One of my 2013 Collecting Goals was to add more of the 1991 Fleer Pirates team set IP/TTM autos to my collection.  I only managed to get Jay Bell and Don Slaught as returns.

I recently got a chance to get Bob Kipper's autograph at a Portland Sea Dogs game.  Kipper is currently the Sea Dogs pitching coach.  During his 8 year career, he played 7 in Pittsburgh as a relief pitcher and spot starter.  His career ended with a 27-37 record with a 4.34 ERA.

The above Kipper auto is my 10th autograph of the team set.  I still need a lot more including the nearly impossible to get signed Homerun king Barry Bonds.

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.

From Grocery store bagger to MLB starting shortstop

Having worked in the retail environment of a supermarket since I was 14 years old, I really love to hear stories of success from "bag boy" to on field superstar.  Kurt Warner's HOF football career stands out above all the rest, but there is countless stories from "bagging groceries last week to being on field making a big play".

Kevin Polkovich isn't a name many people know, but for fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the 1997 team, he is memorable.

During Spring Training, Polcovich was bagging groceries and selling shoes to make some extra money before the season started and got called up during the 1997 season to replace Kevin Elster.  He played one of the most important positions on the diamond by handling shortstop very well and batting .273.

The above TTM was signed by Polcovich and traded to me by the Collective Troll, who I greatly miss being part of the blogging community.

Trade Post with Spiegel

Spiegel from Nomo's Sushi Platter sent me a nice lot of Pirates along with a Bobby Bonilla 1989 he got signed TTM. 

I have previously sent a TTM to Mr. Bonilla myself and got it back in less a couple weeks.  I'm very happy to add a second Bobby Bo auto to my collection. 

Here's the other cards that Spiegel sent me.

First up some quasi vintage.  I like the archives cards and am always happy to add Parker, Maz, and Scoop to my collection.  This image also features the Candy Man John Candaleria who played for the Pirates at the begining of his career and finished his career with the Bucs.

These groups of 9 have some of my past favorite Pirates on it. 
I think I now have close to a dozen of that Jason Kendall rookie.  Sweet!!!  A Jack Wilson rookie that had previously eluded me and an unlicensed Bobby Bonilla Post card.  I didn't buy a single pack of Topps Chrome last year because quite frankly I'm tired of it.  I do however enjoy adding the Pirates to my collection when they come over in trades.  Thanks for the Walker and Alvarez. 

The next batch of 9 has a mini of Ryan Doumit from Goudey that I previously didn't have.  Keep sending those Doumits people.  3 Nyjer Morgan rookies also highlight the second group.  I always liked the energy that Nyjer "Tony Plush" Morgan brought to the field everyday.  While his attitude can sometimes be questioned, there's no doubt that when he's having fun he's at his best. 

Whenever I see a card of Chris Duffy, I think of how much impact bad coaching can have on a player.  Duffy was hitting well over .300 throughout his entire minor league career while averaging around 30SB a season.  When he made the show in 2005 he hit an impressive .341 over 39 games while stealing 2 bags and posting a .988 fielding percentage in CF.  In 2006, Duffy was asked to change his swing by then Pirates manager Jim Tracy and it eventually lead to Duffy considering to retire from professional sports.  He nearly had an emotional breakdown and was suspended for the rest of the season without pay.  After several seasons of being called up and sent back down to the minors, he hasn't played since 2009.

Thanks so much for the trade Spiegel.  I hope you enjoy everything I sent out to you today.

TTM SUCCESS & 2011 Draft

I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to post today.  Then it hit me, I've never done a TTM success post.  I don't send out a lot of cards through the mail to get autographed.  They're mostly players of yesteryear that are just happy to hear from their fans.  I've managed to obtain quite a bit of in person autos of current players through events and games.  Here's some of my TTM successes I've had over the years.  Of all the players I think Bobby Bonilla responds the quickest.   

I wasn't even in double digits age wise when these cards came out, but I remember rooting for the Bucs despite being from NJ and the peer pressure of Phillies, Mets, and Yankees.  Bobby Bonilla was one of my favorite players back then.  The "Killer Bs" (Bonds and Bonilla) were putting up All Star MVP numbers and Doug Drabek had just come off from winning the Cy Young.  I would love to get the complete team set autographed one day as I think the Yellow/Black design Fleer used in 1991 works very well with the Pirates.  I know that Van Slyke and Bonds will be basically impossible though since they don't sign through the mail anymore.

So with that being said, if anyone from the 1991 Pirates team is doing a signing anywhere please let me know about it. PLEASE!!!!!!

So far I have Zane Smith, Sid Bream, Rafael Belliard, Bill Landrum, Ted Power, Bobby Bonilla, Doug Drabek.

I still need:
-Barry Bonds
-Andy Van Slyke
-Jay Bell
-John Smiley
-Don Slaught
-Jose Lind
-Neal Heaton
-Mike LaValliere
-Bob Walk
-Carlos Garcia
-Bob Kipper
-Jeff King

*******On another note********

Tomorrow at midnight is the deadline to sign anyone drafted from the 2011 MLB Draft.  The Pirates 1st round pick and #1 overall selection Gerrit Cole still hasn't signed.  That's to be expected as the #1 overall pick never signs before minutes approaching the deadline.  Cole really doesn't have much leverage in the situation as he can't go any higher than #1 next year and there may be hard slotting for next years draft to prevent teams going overslot.  I guarantee Cole will sign with a major league deal, but he's nuts if he's looking for Stephen Strasburg money.  I think Cole will be a filthy pitcher, but he's not a phenom like Strasburg.

The Pirates also have to still try to convince highly touted power hitting switch hitting highschool outfielder Josh Bell that he shouldn't go to college.  I think there's a 75/25 chance that Josh will sign for something well over slot.  It will most likely break any 2nd round draft bonus ever if it does happen.  I will provide an update on Tuesday regarding the 2011 Draft Class.