Andy Benes

Andy Benes threw the first pitch in the history of the Arizona Diamondbacks franchise ten years after he was the number one pick in the draft. He was drafted with the number one pick in the 1988 draft by the Padres. He made his major league debut in 1989 with San Diego. He pitched for the Padres until 1995, having made an All Star appearance in 1993, when he was traded with Greg Keagle to the Mariners for Marc Newfeld and Ron Villone. After the season he was granted free agency and signed with the Cardinals, he spent two seasons with the Cardinals, where he was a teammate of his brother Alan. Then he spent two seasons with the Diamondbacks then he returned for three more seasons with the Cardinals, where he was again a teammate of his brother. I got this 1990 Topps card signed through the mail while Andy was still with the Padres, I have another card that he signed when was with the Mariners which the signature is not as clear on. That will show up later in the year by year section.