Baseball Cards – A-F, G-K, L-Q, R-Z, Multi. Ah, baseball cards… this is where it all started for me. When I first started getting autographs, I couldn’t afford anything else to get signed. So I brought a binder full of cards with me to games, and got as many cards signed as I possibly could. On a good day, I’d get over 100 cards signed. I try to collect cards that depict the player in a White Sox uniform, but I have a fair amount pictured in other uniforms. All players did play for the Sox at some point.
Baseballs – All of my signed balls are listed here. Every single baseball listed is an official Rawlings ball of some kind, with one notable exception. Moreso than any other item, I like to collect signed baseballs that have inscriptions on them, such as an award that player has won. I think it really adds to the aesthetic value of the ball.
8×10 photos – A-K, L-Z – I’ve never been a huge fan of 8×10 photos, but I have a fair amount, all of which are listed here. I only collect 8×10 photos that depict the player in a White Sox uniform. The only exception is a handful of my all time favorite players, such as Steve Sax or Robin Ventura. When it comes to players like that, I’ll take any autograph I can get my hands on, whether it pictures them in a White Sox uniform or not.
Large photos – Here you will find all photos larger than 8×10. 16×20 photos have probably become my favorite item to get signed by some of the bigger names in White Sox history. Nothings displays quite as well as a nice 16×20. There are also some 11x14s and panoramics.
Baseball Bats – I usually only collect signed bats from the cream of the crop, as well as personal favorites. As such, this list isn’t as long as the others. It doesn’t help that bats are quite akward to get signed in person, and quite expensive to buy secondhand. But they sure do display well!
I particularly like game used bats. It is my favorite game used item to collect. They display just as nicely as jerseys do, at about half the cost.
Mini Helmets – One item that I seem to like more than anybody else is signed mini helmets. They are a pain in the butt to get signed, and aren’t usually readily available on the secondary market. Otherwise I’d have quite a few more.
Index Cards, Cuts, & Paper – Here you will find all of my signed index cards, cuts, and paper. Mostly index cards, though. They aren’t my favorite item to collect, but sometimes it’s the best you can hope for from some older players.
Postcards & Small Photos – Here will you find the few postcards and small photos in my collection. I’m not much of a fan of either type of item, so this section probably isn’t very interesting!
Jerseys – I only recently started getting jerseys signed. Like bats, I only use jerseys for the best of the best. I would love to collect game used jerseys, but they are way out of my price range.
Magazines – Here is my modest collection of signed magazines. When I first started getting autographs at games as a child, Becketts were the most “premium” item I ever got signed. My, how times have changed!
Figurines & Plates – Statues, Figures, Plates, etc. can be found in this section.
Miscellaneous – Here you will find everything that doesn’t fit into the categories above. Equipment, Wheaties Boxes, Ice Cream Helmets, etc.