Author: Doug

Joe Crede Private Signing

Five Tool Signings just did a very reasonably priced TTM signing with 2005 World Series Champion Joe Crede. I got a bunch of stuff done at a private signing in 2021, so I didn’t need anything done. I desperately tried to get my hands on a pristine 2008 All-Star baseball, but had no luck. Every time I ordered one on eBay, it ended up being covered in spots. So I just got some cool cards signed. I’ll never pass up a signing with a legit Sox player at this price.

One of my cards didn’t make it back. The guys at FTS are looking into it. I have no doubt they’ll make it right.

       

   

   

   

John Kruk Private Signing

Todd Schafer (Under the Radar Sports Promotions) recently had a private signing with former Phillies star (and brief Sox player) John Kruk. There have been a lot of signings recently, so funds are getting a bit (more than a bit really, lol) tight. So I just got two cards done. One rookie, and one cool refractor. Todd does signings with Kruk pretty regularly, so I’ll try to get a few more things done at the next one.

       

Bobby Jenks & Luis Vizcaino

Macey225 over at SCN was taking items for the Chicago Sports Spectacular in March. There were a few Sox guys there, but the autograph fees were pretty high, so only sent in a couple of things. I sent in a Bobby Jenks rookie refractor and a Luis Vizcaino Topps World Series card. I’m kind of disappointed with how the Jenks turned out. He signed it pretty small, with a thin pen, and right on the Angels logo. But that’s just how things go sometimes!

       

Sases for Sox: Ron Blomberg

Ron “Boomer” Blomberg is most well known as the first designated hitter in Major League history. His historic first at-bat as a DH came in a Yankees uniform on April 6, 1973. That first at-bat came against legendary Red Sox hurler Luis Tiant. Tiant walked Blomberg on five pitches, with the bases loaded no less.

Blomberg played the final year of his career for the good guys in 1978. His final career home run was a go-ahead grand slam in the 8th inning of a game against the A’s on September 19th. Current Sox announcer Steve Stone got the W in that game, thanks to Blomberg’s clutch blast.

Blomberg was kind enough to sign his 1972 Topps rookie card for a very reasonable $10 fee. Thanks Mr. Blomberg!

Send Date: 3/7/22
Receive Date: 3/15/22
Total Days: 8
Items Sent: 1 Card
Items Received: 1 Card
Fee: $10
Pen Used: Blue Sharpie

Odds and Ends

Odds and Ends will be for all of the new stuff I acquire that doesn’t get it’s own post.

2021 Topps Heritage Real Ones Autographs – Jose Abreu and Yermin Mercedes – I got these for a very good price, especially the Abreu. Real Ones autos are usually pretty pricey, so I was happy to get a pretty good deal.

   

Speaking of Mercedes, I also picked up a 2021 Topps Chrome Rookie Autographs Refractor, also for a very good price. For all I know, Yermin may never play in the majors again. But I’ll always love him for the joy he brought Sox fans in early 2021.

I wasn’t a big Nick Madrigal fan, but I was still very upset when he (and Codi Heuer) were traded for Craig Kimbrel. I thought that was too high a price even if we got good Kimbrel. Instead we got bad Kimbrel, which made the trade that much worse. I still pick up cool Madrigal autographs when I get the chance. And this 2021 Stadium Club Chrome Autograph is definitely cool.

You probably remember that I got a bunch of items signed by Luis Aparicio at a recent signing in Venezuela. Well, there was a round 2 of that signing. I was still broke from the first one, but I couldn’t resist getting this 2015 Stadium Club card done. I really love Stadium Club cards from the last 10 years or so.

I was able to pick up a few semi-tough autographs from some 70s Latin players. Acosta and Romo were from PastPros, and Torrealba was from a signing with Five Tool Signings.

       

I also picked up two Allen & Ginters I needed. I am still trying to get all White Sox A&G cards signed, though that is now an impossible project to complete. Both of these came from PastPros.

   

And finally, in addition to the cards of his that I got signed through a recent private signing, I also picked up this 2014 Topps Tier One Acclaimed Autographs Albert Belle card.

Ken “Hawk” Harrelson Hall of Fame Baseball

Ever since Hawk made the Hall of Fame, I’ve been on the lookout for a reasonably priced Hall of Fame baseball with inscription. The dealer that will not be named had some available, but at a pretty high price.

Last week I found some on eBay that allstarjef4ydp was selling for a much better price. So I jumped on one. I’m not sure what type of pen they used. It is a very bold signature. Let’s hope it holds up!

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Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez Private Signing

Last month, MLSE had a private signing with Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez. Hernandez is mostly known for his exploits as a member of the Yankees. He did have one very memorably moment during his Sox career. Who can forget when he shut the door on a potential Red Sox rally in game 3 of the 2005 ALDS?

This signing was pretty pricey. I debated sitting it out, as I don’t usually spend this much on cards unless it’s a legit star. But I didn’t know when another signing would come around, and if one did, how much it would cost. So I bit the bullet and sent in 3 cards. Two that I needed for sets, and a rookie.

The cards turned out really nice. Hernandez has such a beautiful autograph. My wallet has a big hole in it now, but it was worth it!