RBI (35) A semi-embarrassing TTM response...

Well readers, sometimes the internet is a wonderful tool that teaches you lots of new things. Other times it leaves you hanging high and dry with incomplete information. Hopefully this blog is more of a complete source with interesting baseball tidbits, autographs, TTM information, in-person tips and stories. A few websites however led me down the wrong path with former pitcher Bud Daley.

Daley played for the Cleveland Indians from 1955-1957 and put up okay numbers while with them, but wasn't having too much success. In 50 games, including 11 starts, Daley only managed a 4.87 ERA with a 3-9 record. The Indians traded him to the Kansas City Athletics in 1958 and his career had a revival as a Kansas City starter.

Moving to the rotation allowed Daley to find a groove and he dropped his ERA a full point, putting up All-Star caliber numbers being selected to the 1959 and 1960 All-Star games. This was interestingly during the time period when there were actually 2 All Star games played in an effort to boost the player pension fund, with one game played in an NL park and the other in the AL. Daley may have been a two time All Star but attended 4 All Star games.

Having been moved to the bullpen in Kansas Daley was moved to the New York Yankees during the 1961 season. He finished 1961 as a Yankee starter and made two postseason appearances as a reliever and a starter during the World Series. He went on to be a member of the 1962 championship Yankees but as a reliever having been relegated to the bullpen besides a few spot starts for the rest of his career.

Daley's career after 10 seasons in the big leagues would leave be fairly accomplished as he'd hang up his hat a 2 time All-Star and 2 time World Series Champion. He had a 60-64 record and a 4.03 ERA with 549 Strikeouts. Of 248 games played, Daley started 116 going the distance for 36 Complete Games. Surprisingly despite his ratio of Complete Games in his starts only 3 of his Complete Games would be Shutouts.

Mr. Daley not only penned a nice signature on a1960 Topps Card I got through the Diamond Giveaway but he also took the time to answer a few questions. This is where my online research failed me and I got to a bit of a rocky start.

Were there any challenges to being a lefty kunckleballer?
Much to my chagrin Bud's response is short and to the point. There's not much else I can add or say about this besides the fact that I'm highly embarrassed and wanted to omit the response were it not for my journalistic integrity. Bud pointed out, "I was not a knuckleball pitcher"

How did it feel to have Berra, Mantle, and Maris behind you when you took the mound?
I'm going to guess my first question rubbed Bud the wrong way because his response wasn't a peak into hallowed memories of three Yankee legends. Instead Mr. Daley decided it was "Great"

What was your favorite part of being an All Star?
Seeing as this year we had 80 something All Stars, being named an All Star has lost a bit of it's allure. Considering the rosters weren't as enormous in '59 and '60 Bud seemed to appreciate being selected "Being from KC on a last place team"

Was either of your World Series Championships more meaningful?
Bud selected something that most people can agree is a great accomplishment and honor. Despite having started with the Kansas City Athletics he went to the New York Yankees and in "1961 being the winning pitcher in last game"

Of all your years in the Majors, was there ever one moment or memory that stuck with you throughout and after your career?
Recognizing the roots of his success and career revival I think Daley picked something pretty personal when he shared "KC All Star game" as his career's highlight memory forgoing the two Yankee rings.

After reading his responses I'm very glad I was able to get a Kansas City Athletics card since he seemed to cherish that time even more than his championships in New York. The signature is clean, tight, and in a great location for one of my favorite autographs.

Mr. Daley was kind enough sign the card and respond to my letter sent to his home address in 8 days.

RBI (34) A familiar face...

Well I've already posted a few items signed by former Angel pitcher Clyde Wright, but Clyde's such a great guy I've gotten a few more autographs and had a conversation or two with him while at the stadium.

I think sometimes we Angel fans take having a former Major Leaguer like Clyde so easily available to us for granted, but I definitely appreciate him being so ready to sign for fans. I especially appreciate him taking the time to put inscriptions on anything you ask him to. It's nice having an old timer who has such an accomplished record really show he's in it for the fans. I've never tried getting Clyde TTM since he's around the stadium so often, but I suspect he'd be a great player for new collectors to start with. I'm sure he'd be happy to write down the no-hitter if asked for it with your request.

The Angels had a TV special where Clyde is interviewed and he made one of his regular jokes about being in a rotation with Nolan Ryan. I spotted Clyde sitting out having a soda by one of his two BBQ stands in the stadium the home stand after I saw the interview and walked over to him. I told him I saw the interview and thought it was funny and as he signed for he told me the second part of his Ryan jokes. They go as follows and are even better when you imagine them in Skeeter's Tennessee accent..."What no one ever realizes is that between me and Nolan Ryan we had 8 no-hitters...he had 7 and I had the other." The second part was equally as amusing, "Between me and Ryan we had 6,000 strike outs. He had 5,700 and I got the rest." 


When he was signing the bottom card I asked him to write the 100 Wins he finished his career with. Laughing Clyde started to sign the card and said "Yeah I'll write the 100 Wins, but only if I don't have to put the 111 Losses." Like I said, Clyde's a fun guy to have around and meet.

The Angel card is a 1972 Topps that I got at a card show, and the Brewers is a 1975 Topps I got through the Diamond Giveaway. Clyde signed these Topps cards on two separate occasions at Angel Stadium.

RBI (33) A star card...

Okay well maybe it's not really a card of a literal star, but there are a few stars involved. Angel rookie All Star closer Jordan Walden's 2011 rookie star to be precise. There's a new star in Southern California and Anaheim is on the way to becoming "Wally's World 2.0" where the speed limit is 100 MPH.

The Texas native was taken by the Angels in the 12th round of the 2006 draft and is proving to be a bargain steal for the halos. The young closer previously had been working through the Angels' minor league rotations until 2010 when he was converted into a reliever. It was a short jump from the minor league bullpen's into the Major League club's pen at the end of the 2010 season.

2010 was a good beginning for Walden when he flashed promise in 16 games, including his first career save, racking up 23 Strikeouts to post a 2.35 ERA in his appearances. In 2011 he was to be a key part of the bridge leading to Fernando Rodney in the 9th, but Rodney's early struggles led to Walden being the club's closer a week into the season.

It's been a strong season for Walden so far with some analysts even putting him in the Rookie of the Year conversation with Michael Pineada and teammate Mark Trumbo. It's been so strong a season Walden was Mariano Rivera's replacement in the 2011 All Star Game, marking his first of hopefully many appearances in the Mid-Summer Classic.

The Angel's 50th Anniversary has had many celebrations for the franchise's history, the fans, and individual player accomplishment's. This has been a year of celebrating and establishing new milestones for the players and franchise, and on July 21st Walden etched his name into the franchise record books. When he nailed down his 23rd Save against the Rangers at home Walden set the new franchise record for Saves by a rookie.

The 2011 season has seen Wally post a 3-3 record with 26 Saves, 49 Strikeouts, and a 2.74 ERA in 48 games. Batters have only been able to hit .217 against him, and those stats are even more impressive when the controversial call at the plate during the Dodger's series is taken away.

Jordan Walden autographed his 2011 Topps Heritage Rookie Card for me before the game he set the Angel's franchise record for rookie saves. Wally signed the card for me and as I was getting ready to put it away he was in need of a sharpie to sign for some younger fans. I passed him my sharpie back, and he was nice enough to put his number inscribe "ASG '11" on my card after he was finished signing for the kids. It was great to have him add that touch to remember his rookie year, and I really appreciated him taking the time to do that for me.

RBI (32) An interesting TTM combination...

At least that tends to be the way former pitcher Bob Milacki got things done throughout his career. Mr. Milacki has had some interesting highlights throughout his career and I'm sure he's having some of those moments still as he works for the Phillies Organization.

Milacki was taken in the 2nd round of the 1983 draft by the Orioles, and made his MLB debut in 1988 with Balitmore. It was with the Orioles he gained most of his career's shine by pitching in two memorable games. In his rookie year he led the American League with 36 games started and posted a 14-12 record with 3 Complete Games and 2 Shut Outs.

On April 23, 1989 Milacki posted a complete game shutout against the Minnesota Twins, but did so facing only the minimum 27 batters. He wasn't credited with a perfect game or no hitter as he gave up 3 hits and 2 walks, but he was able to escape trouble thanks to coaxing 4 key double plays. The game was not only his first Shut Out of the season, but was also his first win for the year.

Two years later while still an Oriole Milacki combined with Mike Flanagan, Mark Williamson, and Gregg Olson to no hit the Oakland A's. Milacki had put up six scoreless frames with no hits, but had issued out 3 walks prior to being pulled by manager Johnny Oates.

Baltimore would be the highlight of Milacki's career as he left at the end of the 1992 season for Cleveland, Kansas City, Seattle, and a stint pitching in Japan. He would only make 22 starts in the 3 MLB seasons he played after leaving Baltimore, despite having 109 starts in his 5 years with the Orioles.  In 143 appearances, Milacki would post a 39-47 record with 8 Complete Games, 5 Shut Outs, 387 Strikeouts, and a 4.38 ERA.

Bob Milacki autographed this 1992 Score card mailed to him at the Double-A Reading Phillies facility. He responded to me after 54 Days.

RBI (31) An impulse pull...

A while ago I was out and about picking up some batteries for my reading light and of course the closest battery rack to the door is normally on the checkout aisles. Well next to the checkout aisles as you all know there are the card racks, and I couldn't resist wandering over to see what was there. I decided to have a little restraint and grabbed the last pack from the box.

I was pleased to see my first 2011 autograph from the Topps 60 inserts. I'm a little unsure about the signer though. Chris Tillman was the Mariners 2nd round pick in 2006, but was traded to the Orioles with a host of prospects for Erik Bedard. He's been ranked as the best pitching prospect in the Orioles organization and second best prospect only behind All Star catcher Matt Wieters.

The Anaheim native has had a bumpy Major League career and since 2009 has made 34 Major League starts. He shows flashes of potential but against big league hitters continues to be pummeled having a career 5.35 ERA not including a shelling by the Yankees today. He fails to get the strikeouts necessary to survive with runners on as he has been unable to coax the groundouts needed to escape the perils of the AL East. 

His time in the minors has been more successful as he threw a no-hitter against the Gwinnett Braves for the Norfolk Tides in 2010. He also finished as a 2010 International League ERA leader with the 4th best ERA a 3.34 with Norfolk. Despite his struggles so far with the Orioles it's likely they don't give up on their pitching prospect as a combination of Tillman and the still developing Brian Matusz can give a strong 1-2 punch to help pull the Orioles out of the AL East cellar in future seasons. As in the 2013 season when Tillman was named an All-star.

I pulled this Chrill Tillman autographed Topps 2011 Series 1 Topps 60 insert from a loose pack box.

Sac Fly (2) Winner...does anyone have his email address?

Well folks it's that time again...time to announce a winner! I'm going to have to apologize for disappointing all of you with the autographs I got, because not many of you actually guessed the players I got. I guess Adrian Beltre, Darren Oliver, and Matt Harrison aren't very popular guys with many of you, but I did appreciate them signing a few things for me.

With a grand total of 2 points our winner is...mmmrhubarb who correctly guessed Harrison on a Tuesday. Congratulations on winning, I'll be contacting you unless you beat me to it.

RBI (30) Gracefully moving on...

Well maybe moving on down to the minors is more like it. That's how Angel rookie catcher Hank Conger took his recent demotion from the big show due to recent struggles at the plate.

When the season began the Angels had Jeff Mathis, Bobby Wilson, and the 25th overall pick from the 2006 draft on the roster. Most were surprised the Angels carried three catchers, but Conger played his way onto the team and complicated the catching situation. With Mathis and Wilson out of options and likely to be stolen by another team before they cleared waivers back to AAA Salt Lake, Conger forced the Angels to carry all three with his strong spring.

When the season began Conger batted a strong .273 in April, but the following months were tough and dragged the promising young catcher's average to .214 on the season. The Angels "Hammering" Hank had been able to crank out 5 Home Runs and 7 doubles in 50 games, but with the Rangers on the hunt the Angels were unable to let the rookie catcher work through his struggles with the big league club anymore. While hitting better than Jeff Mathis, Conger's problem were compounded by nabbing only 8 of 56 base stealers and Mathis being paired with the aces of the staff.

When asked about his demotion, Conger showed poise and the big league polish he picked up when discussing the news. He definitely is a key cog to the new core of the Angels led by Peter Bourjos, Jordan Walden, Mike Trout, and Mark Trumbo. Having seen Hank earn his 2010 Futures Game MVP in person, I'm confident he will be sure to have a promising career under a halo in the future when the catching situation in the organization opens more big league at-bats for him.

Hank Conger signed a few autographs at Angel Stadium before a game he wasn't appearing in. It was pretty nice of him to come out of the dugout for the fans, and he put a great signature on his 2011 Gypsy Queen rookie card.