Spot the Sig-5th Inning

The contestant that correctly guesses this weeks auto will be rewarded with a Double! 

These are the ground rules that I have stolen from Spot the Sig over at Phungo

• Respond in the comments to THIS post.
• Please put team you want to represent in your comment.
  
• Only the first correct response will be awarded the weeks Hit.
  
• Only ONE guess per person, please
  
• If you choose to ignore the above rule, only your FIRST answer will be taken under consideration
  
• Feel free to chat in comments, but please keep it clean
  
• That pretty much sums it up

Each week I will try and come up with a bonus question that is related to the Auto, Baseball, Pop Culture, or is noteworthy or (more likely) completely unrelated to anything.

The bonus will be good for minimal value - typically a Walk, this will also give a chance for two winners each week.

Who is Thomas Hunter?

2010 Topps-finally

I went to the local card shop and bought five packs of Topps and went to Target and bought 4 packs.  I opened 3 of the hobby packs and all of the retail packs.  I am keeping two packs of everything unopened, I will open one pack on September 13, my birthday and the other on Christmas morning because no one in my family ever buys me cards.  I got a couple of Padres and two different Adrian Gonzalez Toppstown cards.  I think Topps bipped me, but I got some good cards also. All of the inserts are available for trade. I would like the Topps cards of Padres in trade, particulary any inserts, especially the new guys.  The reprints I can do without, I already have plenty of the regular cards.  I would like the team card cause there are several guys on there that I could get signatures of.  For your viewing pleasure.  The Jackie Robinson, Dustin Pedoria and Pudge have the CMT back.  I think I will keep the Topps Million cards and see what I get, those were both in the retail packs I bought.

 

  

 

Out in the Bullpen, it's a Gospel and A Garfoose

 

Dirk Von Hayhurst ranks high on my list of all time favorite Padres.  He was drafted by the Padres in 2003 and worked his ways through the organization up to AAA Portland in 2007 and 2008.  While he was here I emailed him and we talked and I loaned him some books.  He read some of them and shared his thoughts on them.  He still has some of them cause he was called up to the Padres.  Evidently the Blue Jays liked what they saw cause they claimed him off waivers from San Diego.  The Blue Jays released him when they picked up Matt Bush from the Padres, and resigned him to a minor league contract.  He ended up spending up some time in the majors with the Blue Jays.  During his minor league career he wrote a column for Baseball America called "Non Prospect Diary"  and a column for his hometown newspaper.  He is really a great writer, I had read most of what he has written.  There are two books I am looking forward, ( alot more than that really) Cardboard Gods by Josh Wilker and Bullpen Gospels by Dirk Hayhurst.  This is a very special 2008 Topps card, especially Dirk hasn't had an official major league card yet.  This is a very special Punk Rock Paint issue of Dirk, I believe that there are four copies of this card out there, Dirk has one, Punk Rock has one and I have two.  Mine and Paints are signed.  I got this signed through the mail and this spring I hope to get a 8X10 signed by him with his creation, the Garfoose. 

Spot the Sig-4th Inning Round Up

The answer to Spot the Sig- 4th Inning was indeed the latest James Bond, from Casino Royale and the Jason Bourne film, Quantum of Solace.  The director of the Bourne trilogy, direct Quantum and it felt more like a Bourne film than a Bond Film.  I obtained the Craig auto on a 3X5 from ebay, it was purportedly gotten at a Vanity Fair party.  My son and I have obtained signed 3X5 cards of all of the main actors who have portrayed James Bond in the film series, Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.  We are going to get them all framed and matted, we are trying to figure out what to put with them and what the best way to display them would be.  Paul from Phungo correctly guessed the identity of the autograph, after a few clues were given.  The triple he gets helps him score a run, since he had a man on first, so he has a run and a man on third. 

Zman of Autographed Cards gave the following complete answer to the bonus question, Joseph "Joe" Pike is the intimidating partner of fictional private investigator Elvis Cole, created by writer Robert Crais. Pike is a tight-lipped, seemingly joyless ex-Marine, ex-LAPD officer who owns a gun shop as well as being a part-time soldier of fortune. Joe Pike is best known for always wearing sunglasses (any time of day or night) which hide his intense blue eyes, faded Levi's jeans, and a cut-off grey sweatshirt that shows the tattoos on his deltoids (two red arrows that point forward), and his no-nonsense attitude. He also enjoys reading, running, and working out. Pike typically carries a Colt .357 Python with a four-inch (102 mm) barrel.  That answer got Zach a Walk and gives him a man on first and second.  Robert Crais is one of my favorite authors, I devoured his last book in 6 hours.  Now I have to wait a full year for another, oh well Harlan Coben, Matthew Reilly, Gregg Hurwitz, Carol O'Connell, Janet Evanovich, Kyle Mills, Brad Thor and Lee Child all have books coming out this summer, not to mention Robert K. Tanenbaum and Ted Dekker.

After four Innings 
Phungo-Phillies-Run Scored and a Man on Third
Ryan-Angels-Man on Third

Lauren-Angels- Man on Second

Marks Epherma-Man on Second

Adam E.-Red Sox-Man on Second

Zach-Wichita Wingnuts-Man on First & Second

Brian-Rangers-On Deck

Dan-Indians-On Deck

Ryan-Orioles-On Deck
oopowham-On Deck
spastikmoos-On Deck

Andy Hawkins

Melton Andrew Hawkins played in the major leagues for 10 years, 7 with the Padres, 2 with the Yankees and one with Oakland.  He was with the Padres from 1982-1988.  I got this signed through the mail years ago.

Two Names, Three Cards

Tyrone Eugene Harris pitched for three seasons for the Padres in the middle of his career.  He pitched for 7 seasons but only played multiple seasons for the .Padres and Mariners.  He played parts of seasons for Philadelphia, Detroit, Montreal and Baltimore.  This was one of the more difficult signatures that I have tracked down, I had to wait many years to find this on the Bay

  .

Gregory Wade Harris may have made more money after he retired than he did as player.  He played 6 years for the Padres before he and Bruce Hurst were traded to Colorado.  He played a couple of seasons there finishing up his career in Minnesota. After he retired he sued his surgeon for messing up his arm and won $6 million, and in another trial he won a settlement he won $10 million.  I got this signed through the mail.  I have to put something behind cards with white borders when I scan them so they don't come out  like this. 

Greg Allen Harris preceded Gregory Wade Harris with the Padres by four years.  He pitched during the 1984 postseason for the Padres, but what makes him stand out is that in 1995 he pitched with both arms in a game.  He was pitching for the Expos against the Reds, he retired Reggie Sanders right handed, then he walked Hal Morris left handed, got Eddie Taubensee to ground out left handed, and then went with the right hand to retire Bret Boone to close out the inning. I acquired this through Ebay.

Spot the Sig-Fourth Inning-Clue 2

The contestant that correctly guesses this weeks auto will be rewarded with a Triple! 
Cowboys,Quantum, Aliens, Cake, Sylvia -there is a clue there

These are the ground rules that I have stolen from Spot the Sig over at Phungo

• Respond in the comments to THIS post.
• Please put team you want to represent in your comment.
  
• Only the first correct response will be awarded the weeks Hit.
  
• Only ONE guess per person, please
  
• If you choose to ignore the above rule, only your FIRST answer will be taken under consideration
  
• Feel free to chat in comments, but please keep it clean
  
• That pretty much sums it up

Each week I will try and come up with a bonus question that is related to the Auto, Baseball, Pop Culture, or is noteworthy or (more likely) completely unrelated to anything.

The bonus will be good for minimal value - typically a Walk, this will also give a chance for two winners each week.

Who is Joe Pike?

Hammond, Hampson, Hansen & Hardy, Attorneys at Law, No Just Former Padres

Christopher Andrew Hammond was the basis for a friendship I formed when I was working at a card shop.  Jim Hammond was a baseball fan whose first grandchild was also named Chris Hammond.  Jim would come in and buy whatever cards where available of Chris Hammond.  Chris played one season for San Diego in 2005, going 5-1 although he was a middle reliever.  I got this signed through the mail.

Justin Michael Hampson pitched 2 seasons for the Padres in 2007 & 2008 after being picked up off  waviers from the Rockies.  He was 4-4 for the Padres before being released, he played in the minor leagues for Oakland during 2009.  I got this card off of eBay.

David Andrew Hansen was a longtime Dodger who played a season and a half for the Padres in 2003 and 2004.  He finished his playing career with the Mariners, he is now the minor league hitting coordinator for the Diamondbacks.  I am not sure how I accquired this card.

Howard Lawrence Hardy had a much shorter major league career than I thought.  He only played three major league seasons after being drafted by the Padres in 1970.  He was traded from the Padres to the Astros for Doug Rader after the 1975 season.  I got this signed through the mail a few years ago.

Matt, Joey and Atlee

Matthew Douglas Halloran was drafted in the first round of 1996.  He then played 6 seasons in the Padres and Texas organizations,but never made it to the majors.  I got this through the mail several years ago using the one of the address list.

Johns Joseph Hamilton was the 8th pick in the first round of the 1991 draft.  He made his major league debut in 1994 with the Padres, he pitched for 5 years in San Diego.  He then pitched for three years each in Toronto and Cincinnati.  He  has never officially retired but hasn't signed a contract since 2005.  Fleer Tradition was a good card to get signed because of the finish.  I got it through eBay.

Charlton Atlee Hammaker played for four teams in his 12 year major league career, most of them with the Giants.  He spent two years with the Padres. The card isn't really that off center, my scanner did that.  I got this signed through the mail years ago. 

Hackman, Hairston and Hall

Luther Gean Hackman played for Saint Louis and Colorado before playing for the Padres in 2003.   Since 2003 he has been playing all over China.  I believe I got this signed through the mail several years ago.

Scott Alexander Hairston  is a member of Major League Baseballs' largest family.  His brother, father, uncle and grandfather have all played major league baseball.  Scott will be playing with his brother, Jerry Hairston, Jr. this year in San Diego (unless more trades happen).  Scott is returning to San Diego after having been traded to the A's during the 2009 season.   I got this signed through the mail at the beginning of the 2009 season before he got traded.

William Earl Hall was a career minor league player who played from 1991-2005.  He started with the Padres in 1991 and played for the Padres organization until 1995, then he bounced around between organizations and independent leagues until 2005.  I believe I got this card from eBay.

2/3 of the Family

Christopher Karlton Gwynn  played ten seasons in the Major Leagues after being drafted in 1985 by the Doggers, two years with the Royals and finished his career with the 1996 Padres, playing alongside his older brother Tony.  It took many attempts to get this signed through the mail and I finally got it signed last year.  Chris continues to work with the Padres, being promoted under the new ownership to Director of Player Personnel.

Anthony Keith Gwynn Sr. is the only Hall of Fame player who played his entire career with the San Diego Padres.  He was granted free agency after the 2000 season and signed with the Padres for the 2001 season.  He played four seasons (or parts of four)  in the Padres minor league organization before beginning a 20 season career with the Padres.  He was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2007 along with Cal Ripken, Jr..  I have several cards of Tony that I have gotten signed in person and through the  mail.  Somewhere in all my stuff I have a signed Nike Hitting Machine poster, and a bunch of other oddball stuff.  At one card show here in Portland in the early 90's the promoter knew that I was a Tony Gwynn fan and so he arranged for me to be the guy sitting with Tony and handing him stuff to be signed.  I got to spend a couple of hours talking with him and showing Tony and his agent Johnny Boggs my collection of cards of him.  Amazingly there were many they had never seen before.  One I remember that they really liked was one of the first Donruss Elite cards, a green border I think.  I remember having a statistics paper that I wrote comparing Tony statistically to the other outfielders in the Hall  of Fame and making a case for Tonys' election to the Hall.  That was in 1997, and I sent it to Tony and Johnny and got notes back from them commending me on my research.  I hope that Tony Gwynn Jr. stays with the Padres and has a stellar career and they become the first father son combo in the Hall of Fame. 

I had hoped to have a signed card of Tony Gwynn, Jr. by this time, but it was not to be. 

We hereby conclude the G portion of Padrographs.

Eyechart

Doug Wayne Gwosdz was drafted by the Padres in 1978 he played from then to until 1989.  He played 4 years with the Padres from 1981-1984.  And then he played in various organizations until finishing with the Nashville Sounds in 1989.  Doug was nicknamed Eyechart because of the lack of vowels found in his last name.  I got his card signed through the mail a few years ago.

Domingo y Freddy

Domingo Guzman was signed by the Padres as a amateur free agent in 1993.  He made his major league debut in 1999 pitching in 5 innings in 7 games.  He pitched 1 inning in 2000, and then played in China in 2001, from 2002-2008 he played for an assortment of teams in Japan.  I think got this card from ABC Unlimited.

Freddy Antonio Guzman was signed by the Padres as undrafted free agent by the Padres in 2000.  I got to watch him play here in Portland and got this signed at one of the games.  He has played in the majors for Texas, and the Yankees.  He even played against the Angels in the ALCS last season.

Mailbox Saturday

Saturday at 2:09PM I went to the Parkrose Station of the United States Post Office and mailed packages to the following towns; Tallevast, FL; Salina, KS; Egg Harbor City, NJ; Saint Paul, MN; Lutherville Timonium, MD; Santa Fe, NM; and Dallas, TX.  I still have a few more packages to go out but they will have to wait  for a payday or two.

Hope you all enjoy your packages.

Spot the Sig-3rd Inning-Roundup

I don't know why I cropped this the way I did.  It is a sportscaster card of Ali, the Greatest of All Time.  I sent this to him and is actually signed three times.  It is signed on the border above his head and on the back.  He also returned the letter I sent him with a signature on it also.  One through the mail request resulted in four signatures.  I also have a older signature of his that is more legible that he signed on a placemat from an old restaurant.  He has been a hero of mine since the late 60's, somewhere in all my stuff I have a scrapbook that I made in the 60's and 70's.  I was moved when he lit the torch at the 1996 Olympics and will be grieving when he leaves this world for the hereafter. 

Adam E from Thoughts and Sox got the autograph and so we now have three players with men on second. And a new player with a man on third from completely answering the brothers question.  Answering the question more completely than the Padres.  The Padres website list 6 sets of brothers, but Ryan came up with seven, one that I didn't know were brothers.  Wil and Melvin Nieves, and today the Padres made it 8 sets of brothers by signing Jerry Hairston, Jr. and trading with Oakland to get Scott Hairston back. 

Tony and Chris Gwynn
Roberto and Sandy Alomar
Edgar and Adrian Gonzalez
Brian and Marcus Giles
Greg and Mike Maddux
Jerald and Phil Clark
Wil and Melvin Nieves
Scott and Jerry Hairston

After three Innings 
Ryan-Angels-Man on Third

Lauren-Angels- Man on Second

Marks Epherma-Man on Second

Adam E.-Red Sox-Man on Second

Zach-Wichita Wingnuts-Man on First

Phungo-Phillies-Man on First

Brian-Rangers-On Deck

Dan-Indians-On Deck

Ryan-Orioles-On Deck
oopowham-On Deck
spastikmoos-On Deck

Spot the Sig-3rd Inning

The contestant that correctly guesses this weeks auto will be rewarded with a Double!

These are the ground rules that I have stolen from Spot the Sig over at Phungo

• Respond in the comments to THIS post.
• Please put team you want to represent in your comment.
  
• Only the first correct response will be awarded the weeks Hit.
  
• Only ONE guess per person, please
  
• If you choose to ignore the above rule, only your FIRST answer will be taken under consideration
  
• Feel free to chat in comments, but please keep it clean
  
• That pretty much sums it up

Each week I will try and come up with a bonus question that is related to the Auto, Baseball, Pop Culture, or is noteworthy or (more likely) completely unrelated to anything.

The bonus will be good for minimal value - typically a Walk, this will also give a chance for two winners each week.

How many sets of brothers have played for the Padres?  Extra base for naming the sets of brothers, another extra baseball for everyones first names.  You could get a triple for this.

Spot the Sig-2nd Inning-Round Up

The autograph is indeed the actor D.B. Sweeney, who played Shoeless Joe Jackson in the movie "Eight Men Out".  One day after a Portland Beavers game my friend, Dan Fields and I were hanging out under the stands getting signatures, when we spotted D.B.  We asked him why he was there and he said he was doing research for a role.  It turns out that the role was Joe Jackson.  I got him to sign an index card.

As to the bonus question, in my opinon Billy Crudup is the closer looking Steve Prefontaine.  I went to South Eugene High School from 1972-1975 which was just a couple of miles away from the University of Oregon.  It was not an uncommon sight to see Pre running around town.  I saw him run more times than I can count.  The first time was the 1972 Olympic Trials and the last time was the night he died.  I skipped school to go to his memorial service at Marshfield, going with Robin Baker, Sharon Daviscourt and John Gustafson.  I attended the memorial service at the U of O, when the clock was run to the record.  During the clock running, with our eyes closed it was possible to picture Pre running around the track by where the applause was.  I have never seen anyone since with the kind of connection he had with a crowd.  In 1998 when "Without Limits" was filming at the U of O I got a chance to be an extra at the filming of Pres' last race.  The first time I saw Billy Crudup I did a double take because he looked so much like Pre.  I had a picture of Pre from that last race and the staff of the movie wondered how I had a picture of Crudup  in costume. It was a wonderful experience and I still enjoy watching the movie.  It seems to be the closest to what I remember happening.

Marks Epherma won the autograph portion of the contest and Phungo got the bonus question right, so here is where the game stands after two innings.

Lauren-Angels- Man on Second

Marks Epherma-Man on Second

Zach-Wichita Wingnuts-Man on First

Phungo-Phillies-Man on First

Brian-Rangers-On Deck

Dan-Indians-On Deck

Ryan-Orioles-On Deck
oopowham-On Deck
spastikmoos-On Deck

Spot the Sig-2nd Inning-Updated with a Clue

The contestant that correctly guesses this weeks auto will be rewarded with a Double! We have a bonus winner, if no has gotten any closer by tomorrow morning I will post a clue.  He played a baseball player no longer eligible for the Hall of Fame.

These are the ground rules that I have stolen from Spot the Sig over at Phungo

• Respond in the comments to THIS post.
• Please put team you want to represent in your comment.
  
• Only the first correct response will be awarded the weeks Hit.
  
• Only ONE guess per person, please
  
• If you choose to ignore the above rule, only your FIRST answer will be taken under consideration
  
• Feel free to chat in comments, but please keep it clean
  
• That pretty much sums it up

Each week I will try and come up with a bonus question that is related to the Auto, Baseball, Pop Culture, or is noteworthy or (more likely) completely unrelated to anything.

The bonus will be good for minimal value - typically a Walk, this will also give a chance for two winners each week

This weeks bonus question is; In my opinion,who looks more like Steve Prefontaine, Jared Leto or Billy Crudup?  Good for a walk.

Ricky and Rick

Ricardo Guiterrez is another former Padre to win a World Series.  I wonder how many players won World Series after they played for the Padres.  Ricky had a much longer career than I thought.  He only played for two seasons in San Diego, '93 and '94.  But then played for 10 more years playing with the Cubs, Houston, Cleveland, the Mets, and the Red Sox.  He was with the Red Sox in 2004 when they won the World Series.  I got this signed through the mail.

Ricky Lee Guttormson has spent more time pitching in the Far East than in the major leagues.  He was drafted by the Padres in 1997.  He worked his way up to AAA Portland, then played a couple of years in Independent leagues, then went to Japan for 4 years.  In Japan he was the first pitcher to throw a no hitter in interleague play between the two Japanese leagues. He was also the first player in Japanese baseball to fail a drug test.  He failed because he had traces of a hair growing drug that has been used as a masking agent.  He spent 2009 pitching in the Korean League.  I got this card from ABC Unlimited.

Good Greif, Good Griffin, Good Grubb

William Briley Greif played seven years in the majors, 5 years in book ended by years in Houston and Saint Louis.   He hit .322 for the five years he was in San Diego, when the team sucked and the wore the ugliest uniforms in the history of the franchise.  I got this signed through the mail several years ago.

 Thomas James Griffin pitched for a season and a half in San Diego after being picked up on waivers from the Astros, where he played 8 years.  After his time in San Diego he played 3 years with the Giants, a year with the Pittsburgh Pirates and a year with the Angels.  I think I got this card from eBay

 

 John Maywood Grubb, Jr.  played in the 1984 World Series of Detroit and San Diego, unfortunately by 1984 he was playing for Detroit.  He was drafted by the Padres and played there for 5 years, in Cleveland for 1.5 years, then for 5 years in Texas and 5 years in Detroit.  He had a longer career than I knew.  I got this card from eBay.

It's not easy being Green(e)

Gary Allan Green played in 5 seasons for San Diego, Texas and Cincinnati although his total number of games doesn't even add up to a full season.  I remember watching him play for Las Vegas when they would come to play Portland, when there were three AAA Leagues the PCL teams came to town many more times than they do now.  The configuration of Civic Stadium then made it much easier to have access to the players.  He was always a nice guy and helped me get a few autographs.  I got this signed through the mail I believe.

 

Khalil Thabit Greene is one of the biggest disappointments to hit the Padres and Cardinals.  He played for the Padres for 6 years getting progessively worse. I had great hopes for him when he first got to the majors after having watched him play here.  I got this signed through the mail I thought it would be cool to get him to sign it in green.

Spot the Sig-1st Inning-round up

Kevin Gunderson lives across the street from me, or at least his parents do.  I got this signed several years ago at a Oregon State vs. University of Portland game when Kevin was still at OSU.  His grandfather pointed him out to me and helped me get Kevins' attention.  A year or so I ago I found myself standing in the yard across the street where a Magnum had taken out a power pole, a stop sign, a bus stop sign and hit 5 cars in the Gunderson front yard.  I was talking to Kevins' grandfather again, I have yet to meet Kevin, but I have a card to mail him and another I will ask if I can bring over.  He was drafted by the Braves in the 5th round of the 2006 draft and has worked his way up to AAA this year. 

Here are the current standings after one inning

Lauren-Angels- Man on Second

Zach-Wichita Wingnuts-Man on First

Brian-Rangers-On Deck

Dan-Indians-On Deck

Ryan-Orioles-On Deck

Spot the Sig-Winter Edition-1st Inning

The contestant that correctly guesses this weeks auto will be rewarded with a Double!

These are the ground rules that I have stolen from Spot the Sig over at Phungo

• Respond in the comments to THIS post.
• Please put team you want to represent in your comment.
  
• Only the first correct response will be awarded the weeks Hit.
  
• Only ONE guess per person, please
  
• If you choose to ignore the above rule, only your FIRST answer will be taken under consideration
  
• Feel free to chat in comments, but please keep it clean
  
• That pretty much sums it up

Each week I will try and come up with a bonus question that is related to the Auto, Baseball, Pop Culture, or is noteworthy or (more likely) completely unrelated to anything.

The bonus will be good for minimal value - typically a Walk, this will also give a chance for two winners each week.

This weeks bonus question is who was the subject of the last baseball related book I read?  Good for a walk.

Goose and Mudcat

Richard Michael Gossage runs a burger joint in Parker, CO in Burgers N Sports.  He has a son who plays Rookie League Ball for the Chicago White Sox.  He was enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008.  I once had a mustache modeled after the one on this card.  I got this card signed through the mail back in 1986 or '87.  He helped the Padres to their first World Series in 1984 when he was one of the dominant closers in the game.

Mark Andrew Grant only played 4 seasons for the Padres but has broadcast for them for several years using all kinds of strange phrases.  I got this signed through the mail. 

Spot the Sig-Winter Edition- Will be posted tomorrow afternoon at 3 PM PST

Some Unrelated Gonzalez

Alexander Scott Gonzalez played a whopping 11 games for the Padres in 2004.  I chased him from team to team through the mail for a couple of years before I got this back through the mail. 

Jose Fernando Quinones Gonzalez played in the majors from 1972-1979 and finished his major league career with the Padres. He was signed as amateur free agent by the Seattle Pilots in 1968 and finished his professional career in 1984 at AA in the Pirates Organization.  I believe I got this off of eBay.

Andres Antonio Gonzalez played 53 games for the Padres in 1969 after being drafted from the Phillies in the expansion draft.  Part way through the season he was traded to Atlanta for Walt Hriniak and Van Kelly.  I don't remember how I accquired the signature.

Wiklenman Vicente  González caught and pitched for 5 years for the Padres.  For some reason in 2003 he pitched one inning for San Diego in 2003.  He played for awhile with Seattle and Washington.  I got this cool looking signature through the mail.