On Saturday I received the results from a 50/50 from vinniemiller of sportscollectors.net.  The results were outstanding, as good as I could have hoped for.  Vinnie is based in Seattle.  The majority of the items were for the White Sox, but I also sent items for former Sox on the Royals and Reds.

Gordon Beckham - 09 UD Update, 8x10
Wilson Betemit - 09 Topps Heritage
Ramon Castro - 09 Topps Update
John Danks - 07 UD, 07 UD 89 Rookie Reprints
Gavin Floyd - 09 UD
Chris Getz - 09 UD
Ozzie Guillen - 90 UD
Daniel Hudson - 10 Allen & Ginter
Andruw Jones - 8x10
Paul Konerko - 10 UD
Mark Kotsay - 97 Bowman's Best, 09 Topps Update
Brent Lillibridge - 09 Charlotte Knights, 09 UD
Scott Linebrink - 10 UD
Tony Pena - 10 UD x2
Juan Pierre - 10 Allen & Ginter
A.J. Pierzynski - 07 UD
J.J. Putz - 02 Topps Chrome Traded
Alexei Ramirez - 10 Allen & Ginter
Alex Rios - 10 Allen & Ginter
Sergio Santos - 10 Allen & Ginter, 10 Topps
Kanekoa Teixeira - 07 Kannapolis Intimidators
Matt Thornton - 02 Fleer Tradition, 10 UD
Dayan Viciedo - 09 Birmingham Barons, 09 Obak, 8x10

Here are some of the highlights:

Generally speaking, I'm not much of a 3x5 collector.  However, for some of the bigger names from the first half of the twentieth century, they can be the only affordable means of acquiring an autograph.  If it weren't for 3x5s, I might not have a nice quality Nellie Fox autograph.  I almost certainly wouldn't have a gorgeous Eddie Collins autograph.

I have added 2 more 3x5 autographs to my collection.  The first is Johnny "Bananas" Mostil.  Mostil is in the discussion as the greatest center fielder in White Sox history.  From 1918 through 1929, Mostil compiled 23.4 WAR (wins above replacement).  That total is eclipsed only by Fielder Jones' 35.1 (1901-1908).  Mostil's best season was 1926, when he tallied 6.1 WAR and finished second in MVP voting to an inferior George Burns.  Johnny passed away in 1970.

A while back I decided to get a few things framed nicely.  Previously, I had just been buying frames at Michael's, and using them without matting.  I still have a few things hung in that manner, though eventually I hope to replace them all.

The latest batch includes four pieces, the first of which has become one of my very favorite pieces.  As always, you can click on any image for a larger image.

I recently received the results of a Charlotte Knights 50/50.  This 50/50 came from Derek, AKA scoreset from sportsgraphing.com.  As always, the results were excellent.  Unfortunately, I put all of the cards away without making a list of the results.  However, I can show you some of the highlights:

I just got back from my local framer.  I'm not sure why I put it off for so long, but I've finally gotten my Griffey/Thome 20x30 framed.  Here it is!

Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk has a total of 7 Upper Deck cards that I need to get signed for my All-Time Upper Deck project.  I can now cross 2 of those off of my wantlist.  I obtained these through the mail.  Mr. Fisk will sign for a $40 donation to the Cancer Support Center.

I am making pretty good progress on my All-Time Upper Deck White Sox project.  As of right now, I've gotten 258 out of 531 cards signed.  That puts me at 49% completion. 

I've finally put together my wantlist.  Click here to see it.  If you have any of the cards I need, please shoot me an email at the address on the left side of this page.

In honor of Gavin's recent stretch of fantastic pitching, I present to you my Gavin Floyd signed rookies:

My wife and I attended the White Sox game on Wednesday night.  We had Scout Seats (7th row, behind home plate), so we had dinner in the Scout Seat Lounge prior to the game.  As soon as I walked in, I practically bumped in to Bill Melton.  I brought cards of all of the former players that work in "Community Relations", so I was prepared.  Mr. Melton signed 4 cards for me.

Shortly after that, Minnie Minoso walked in.  He was the former player I most wanted to see there.  I had 6 cards with me: 2 vintage cards (including his 1952 Topps rookie card) and 4 modern cards.  I asked him to sign the 2 vintage cards first.  He happily signed, while telling me a story about his competition with Gil McDougald for the 1951 Rookie of the Year award.

I returned shortly with the 4 modern cards.  He told me he did not want to sign for me, saying "You have a store, don't you?".  I assured him that I was a HUGE White Sox fan, and he begrudgingly signed the cards for me. 

Last night, Triple Threat Sports held a signing with John Danks and Paul Konerko.  The wife and I went to get Konerko on a mini helment at 2005 World Series 16x20.  While in the store purchasing the tickets, I noticed they had John Danks authentic jerseys for $100, which is quite a good deal!  So I picked up a Danks autograph ticket as well.  Here is the bounty!