RBI (177) Jason Kipnis...

The American League is stacked with some quality second basemen from Robinson Cano, Dustin Pedroia and now Jason Kipnis. Kipnis is a huge part of the Indians revival as a cornerstone of the franchise.

Kipnis was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2009 MLB draft and debuted in 2011 for the Indians. He's been a reliable solution for the tribe at second base with a combination of solid defense, home run power and speed on the base paths. In two full seasons he's already developed into a consistent 15/25 player. His solid numbers have resulted in an All Star nod already with more recognition likely in store for him down the road though hardware will be tough to come by considering Pedroia and Cano's residence in the AL.

I was lucky enough to get this Jason Kipnis autographed 2012 Topps Heritage card during the Indians vs Angels series at Angel Stadium during the 2013 season. I did well getting Cleveland Indians autographs this season so I'm looking forward to them coming back around so I can work on getting a few more signatures.

RBI (174) Justin Masterson Jersey...

I've posted about my Justin Masterson collection that I've slowly been building and I made a big addition. 2013 has been a huge breakout year for Masterson with him being amongst the top of the AL Strikeout leaders and a strong record. He was named an All Star for the first time so I went ahead and got a Masterson All Star Game bp jersey.

When the Indians came to town I was able to get this Justin Masterson autographed jersey on the numbers with a silver paint pen. He was kind enough to do a dual inscription "1st ASG" and then wrote the bible verse "John 16:33" I'm really happy with how it came out and it's one of my favorite autographs I've been able to get. Without a doubt Justin's one of the nicest and most accommodating signers in baseball whenever he gives out an autograph he really takes his time and knocks them out. He's always sure to give a consistent signature and almost always puts a verse when he signs. Seeing how he incorporated the All Star inscription into his normal signature was a really awesome touch. Justin Masterson's autograph is definitely one of my favorites.

RBI (173) Sandy Alomar Jr...

It's always nice when you're able to get a stud's autograph and it's even nicer when that stud is more than just a player but a respected name within baseball. I was able to get former catcher and current coach Sandy Alomar Jr to sign.

Alomar Jr. was signed by the San Diego Padres as an amateur free agent in 1983. He was traded by the Padres after two short call ups and broke into the Majors with the Cleveland Indians in 1990. Immediately he made a name for himself playing for the Tribe for 10 seasons before becoming a journeyman playing for the White Sox, Rockies, Rangers, Dodgers and finally the Mets. He's a 6-time All-Star and won the 1990 AL Rookie of the Year. After his playing days were over he became a coach for the Indians as well as temporary manager after Manny Acta was fired, but was passed over for Terry Francona to be Acta's replacement.

I was able to get Sandy Alomar Jr. to sign this 1991 Bowman card for me when the Indians were in town to play the Angels during the 2013 season. He was kind enough to inscribe "90 ROY" for me after I asked.

The Ultimate Big League Moment, Justin Masterson

During the 2012 season, the best Big League Moment that could possibly happen occurred at Angel Stadium when the Cleveland Indians were in town to play the Angels. The Indians acquired pitcher Justin Masterson from the Boston Red Sox in the middle of the 2009 season for catcher Victor Martinez. As many of you know I'm a big Red Sox fan and Masterson was one of my favorite players on the team after he debuted on the team and went the longest debut without taking a loss at home in the franchises' history.

I went to Fenway repeatedly after he debuted to buy a player t-shirt with his name on it, and finally got one the first day they were available. I was there for his start in 2009 when Jacoby Ellsbury stole home off Andy Petitte to get the go ahead run to give Masterson the win. When he was traded to the Indians I was always sure to try to get tickets to see his starts and would wear his Red Sox shirt to show support. Even though this normally gets me plenty of pretty rude comments from Angels fans, Justin's a favorite player so I always take it.

I wore my Masterson shirt to the game and when I was getting to my seat a guy came up to me and asked if he could take a photo of my shirt. I said sure and let him take a photo of the "Masterson 63" on the back. I asked if he knew him, and he responded yes. He was his agent and he was sending the photo to Justin's wife. I couldn't resist so I asked if he could help me get Justin's autograph. At the end of the game he let me come along to wait with him since he was picking up Justin.

It was crazy to see players walking out smiling and not be shooed away or ignored when I stood there. I said goodnight to Ubaldo Jimenez, Chris Perez, and Sandy Alomar Jr. as they left. The inner grapher in me was tempted to try racking up on the players as they left, but I knew the experience was a very special one so I just nodded and said goodbye to them as they walked away. Justin ended up walking out to say hi to some friends who waited after the game and signed for all the regular graphers who were waiting to get signatures. He signed multiples, was very personable sharing stories and answering questions while he signed for everyone who asked.

When he was done talking and signing for everyone Justin's agent introduced us and I got to talk to one of my favorite players uninterrupted. I shared the story of me getting his shirt in Boston and freaking out when I saw Jacoby break for home against Petitte and he laughed saying "he stumbled home." While I was talking to him I told him how I made sure to wear the shirt even though it's unpopular and right on queue an Angels fan walked out and lightly slapped me on the chest saying "Red Sox! No wonder the Angels F***ing lost" Justin looked very shocked and responded "Well goodnight to you too lady!" and I told him it was no big deal since supporting him was worth the abuse.

He said thank you for the support, autographed a ball I got from Chris Perez during BP, and took a photo with me saying photos were better than autographs anyways. Seeing as he's 6'6 and I'm 5'10 on a good day it's a pretty funny photo. It was definitely one of the best memories I've ever had and very appreciative that he and his agent made time for me so I could meet one of my favorite players.

Nowadays fans stop caring or even being polite when a player goes to another team, and sometimes I understand (Johnny Damon to the Yankees) but if the player has no choice and is traded why stop supporting them? I'll always support Masterson's career and hope he continues to have a bright one.

I'm very happy to have this Justin Masterson autographed baseball in collection and I'm excited he was finally named to the All Star team during the 2013 season so I had Masterson autograph a jersey.

RBI (68) More 365 Spring Training TTM...

I can't even begin to say how excited I was to get this response. It had been a slow mail week besides the awesome Jerry Dipoto letter, I hadn't been able to get anything else back. But when I saw the Arizona postmark I got a little excited. When I opened up the envelope I was thrilled to see Indians' pitcher Justin Masterson had autographed my card.

I am a huge Justin Masterson fan. I was there at Fenway for his MLB debut in 2008 and immediately saw the talent and possibility that summer. Even now when he's on the Indians I still wear my Red Sox Masterson player t-shirt when he's going to make a start despite the boo's I get around the stadium. When he was traded by the Sox to the Indians, they realized his potential and value that most had underestimated in being worth All-Star hitting catcher Victor Martinez. Years later with Masterson at the front end of the rotation for Cleveland and V-Mart hurt in Detroit it looks like the Indians got the better end of the deal with the former 2nd round pick.

So far into his promising career Masterson has a 28-38 record with a 3.92 ERA and 485 Strikeouts across 4 seasons with the Red Sox and Indians as a starter and reliever. Coming off a career year in 2011 Masterson is posed to help the on the cusp Indians challenge the powerhouse Tigers for dominance of the AL Central. I'm sure he will continue on his success and build a long lasting career.

Justin was kind enough to sign this 2011 Topps card for me c/o the Indians at Spring Training in 27 days. Justin inscribed the card "Phil 4:13" as he is very well known for his faith and has even led the Pentagon's weekly prayer breakfast. I was able to get a Justin Masterson autographed jersey since then.

RBI (23) A TTM return from a rock star...

Ok well maybe not a rock star, but a player who has the same name. Cleveland Indians catcher and first baseman Carlos Santana responded to my TTM request though he didn't respond to the letter I included.

Santana was a Dodgers prospect signed in 2005 until he was traded to the Indians with John Meloan for Casey Blake in 2008. While in the minors he played for local minor league team the Inland Empire 66ers and did his part to become the organization's top prospect.

In June, 2010 Santana was called up to join the Indians and immediately slotted in the line up 3rd. He was having a solid rookie season until he walked the hallowed halls of Fenway Park. While covering the plate, Red Sox rookie Ryan Kalish came in trying to score sliding cleanly through Santana's legs. Santana was carted off the field and three days later he had to have season ending surgery to repair his torn lateral collateral ligament in his knee.

2011 has been full of ups and downs for Santana and the Indians as he deals with some struggles at the plate against right handers. However despite his poor .232 average, Santana is tied for 4th in the AL with 49 Walks and still shows flashes of power with 10 Homers. His ability to go yard has etched his way into the Indians' record books by being the first Indians catcher ever to end a game with a grand slam.

His defense however still has much to be desired and it's not clear how long in his career he will stay behind the plate as Santana has only caught 7 of 40 base stealers. When he is behind the plate Indians pitchers have a pedestrian 4.29 ERA and 26-23 record. The 4.29 ERA is even more surprising when you consider as a team, Cleveland has a 3.90 ERA.

Santana was nice enough to sign the Topps 2011 Opening Day card I sent to the Indians stadium, and got it back to me after 41 days. It was awesome to get the card signed, but less awesome to see Santana put his thumb on his first name while signing his last name. I suppose it just means it's authenticated with his fingerprint. 

RBI (22) Another nice 'mann' responded TTM...

This time though it was a sweet return from Mr. Tom Timmermann of the Tigers and Indians. Tom was nice enough to not only sign and personalize my card, but he also responded to the questions in the accompanying letter.

Timmermann signed as a amateur free agent with the Detroit Tigers in 1960 and eventually played for the Tigers and Indians from 1969-1974. Beginning his career as an effective reliever he was converted to a starter and bounced between the rotation and bullpen. His rookie season would prove to be his best when at the age of 29 he would in 31 appearances carve out a 4-3 record and 2.75 ERA.

In 1972 the Tigers moved Timmermann into the rotation where in 25 starts he would put up a 2.89 ERA but only manage a 8-10 record. Looking to be a reliable starter the Indians acquired him from the Tigers in 1973, but he would not be effective in Cleveland and hold a 4.96 ERA in 33 appearances. Eventually Timmermann would retire with the advanced age he got his break at seeming to prevent any second chances with another organization as his six-year career would end at the age of 34 with a 35-35 record and 35 saves to go along with a 3.78 ERA.

Mr. Timmermann was nice enough to personalize and sign his 1974 Topps card I got through the Diamond Giveaway. It was nice to see that he really has a crystal clear signature, and that he signed across the most visible part of the card with a extra fine point. I'd have to say it is one of the best looking I've seen.

When asked in my letter:

What was it like moving from being a reliever into the starting rotation?
Showing why he was voted Tiger of the Year by the Detroit BBWAA in 1970, Timmermann responded "You do what you have to do"


What was your favorite city to pitch in as a visitor?
Surprisingly despite the most common response so far to have been the larger east coast cities, Timmermann selected a city he had plenty of experience pitching in, "Kansas City"


Was there any moment in your career that stood out to you as your favorite?
Picking what is a meaningful moment to many players, but especially so after his long service to the organization, Tom picked a very nice memory. He responded, "Telling me to report to the Tigers after 9 years in minors"

Is there any pitch you tried to learn or wanted to master?
Probably as a result of being around professional baseball and players of all types for so many years, Timmermann responded "All of them"


Mr. Timmermann responded to my letter and request that I mailed to his home address after 20 days.