RBI (131) Ryan Howard, The Angels, and Charity...

I went to the Angels' 2013 Yard Sale at the stadium in Anaheim. Unlike the previous year I had gone it was not held under the hats, and instead was within Gate 3 of the stadium. The usual items were available for sale ranging from jerseys (I got one of Jean Segura's authentic team issued jerseys) bats (picked up a used Kendrys Morales)  helmets, hats, t-shirts, and autographed items including baseballs.

There were an assortment of autographs available and as I perused through the items I can across a weird signature that seemed out of place. Whose was it? None other than Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard. I didn't believe it and the Angels representative nodded saying that the different charities traded autographs with each other. In the selection there were balls autographed by Adrian Beltre, Grady Sizemore, Brandon Webb, Joe Mauer and the Ryan Howard ball I bought.

Howard is a 3-time All Star, '05 NL Rookie of the Year, Silver Slugger winner, the 2005 NL MVP, 2008 World Series Champion, and the fastest hitter to reach the 100 and 200 Home Run milestone. He's a hitter who knows what he wants to do regardless of the other team running an extreme shift when he comes up to bat and of his so far 1,100 career hits he's hit over 300 home runs. He's a great hitter and has even made a pretty funny appearance on It's Alway Sunny In Philadelphia as himself.

Needless to say I was beyond thrilled to pick up a certified autograph of his even though I bought it at Angel Stadium. Who's going to complain about a $20 certified autograph? Not this guy. To make matters even better there is a sweet COA sticker on it from Howard's foundation authenticating the ball. Definitely a sweet pick up that I'm very happy to add to my collection.

RBI (119) More 1987 TTM Goodness...

I've got to make one thing clear, I very much enjoy working on my 1987 Topps set. I'll obviously never finish it considering there are a substantial number of non-signers, expensive Hall of Famers, and players/managers who have passed on but I enjoy the long arduous task. Maybe one day I'll be close and have hit the lotto so I can buy the missing cards but for now it's all in good fun.

One of the latest 1987 Topps cards I was able to get signed TTM was by pitcher Dan Schatzeder. Dan was taken by the Montreal Expos in the 3rd round of the 1976 draft. He debuted in 1977 for the Expos at the age of 22 and continued playing for 15 seasons retiring finally after the 1991 season. He played for the Expos, Tigers, San Francisco Giants, Phillies, Twins, Indians, Astros, Mets, and the Royals. He was  traded from the Phillies to the Twins during the 1987 season and went on to win game 6 of the '87 World Series for the eventual champion Twins. When he retired Schatzeder was 69-68 in 121 Starts and 383 relief appearances. He had 10 Saves and 18 Complete Games tossed in amongst all of his appearances, supported by a career 3.74 ERA and 748 Strikeouts.

Mr. Schatzeder was kind enough to sign this 1987 Topps for me from his home address after a 41 day turn around. Pretty quick considering I sent it to him during the holiday season, and is the 25th return of the 365 challenge.

One further note I really enjoy the '87 Topps considering how well they sign as cards and the plethora of great mustaches you see players rocking in their cards.

RBI (74) Final 365 TTM in the off season...

With baseball's week long opening series' beginning and the Angel's Opening Day tomorrow, I was wondering what would be the final return for the off season. It's a fairly appropriate return as former player, Angel coach and Milwaukee Brewers manager Ron Roenicke.

Roenicke was a 1st round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1977 June secondary draft. Despite being such a high pick, taken 17th overall he did not make his MLB debut until 1981. Roenicke spent 8 seasons split between 6 teams, and was never able to really capitalize on the playing time he was given as a sometime starter, utility outfielder, and pinch runner. At the end of his career he sat on a .238 average and 17 Home Runs.

Roenicke returned to the Dodgers as a coach and manager throughout the organization at the Major and minor league level. Eventually he left the Dodgers to join the Angel organization as third base coach and was a member of the championship team. After Joe Maddon left to become the manager of the Rays he was promoted to bench coach. His time with the Angels through their dominant regular season runs through the early 2000's gave further credibility to his resume and he continued the Mike Scioscia coaching tree becoming the Milwaukee Brewer's manager. In his first year as a manager he took the Brew Crew to the NLCS, and it'll be interesting to see how he keeps the club pushing forward in the wake of the franchise losing its Prince and the reigning MVP having his crown tarnished by scandal.

Roenicke signed this 1987 Topps card for me sent c/o the Brewers at Spring Training in 43 days.

RBI (65) 1st 365 Spring Training TTM response...

And I'm sure this guy has seen his fair sure of fan mail over the decades. That's right decades. I sent a request to none other than pitcher Jamie Moyer as he attempts to break camp after a year lost to Tommy John surgery.

Moyer was the 6th round pick of the Chicago Cubs in 1984 and made his MLB debut in 1986 for the Cubs. Since being brought up to the show in 1986 Moyer has played consistently besides missing the 1992 and 2011 season due to injury and being sent to the minors. He has played for the Cubs, Rangers, Cardinals, Orioles, Red Sox, Mariners, and Phillies while he is attempting to comeback again to the MLB with the Rockies.  He was an All-Star in 2003, World Series Champion with the Phillies, and won the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award in 2003. 

Though his career isn't finished and he apparently has been crisp in camp so far these numbers are pretty impressive. Through his 24 year career, Moyer enters Spring Training with an astounding 267-204 record across 4020.1 innings and 33 Complete Games. His career 4.24 ERA is supported by 2405 Strikeouts. 

Mr. Moyer was nice enough to sign this 2007 Topps card for me in only 14 days sent c/o the Colorado Rockies at their Spring Training facility. I like how you can see there are still strong characteristics in his signature years later like on the "J" and the "Y".