Wax Pack Wonders picked #23

The Player: Yonder Alonso

The Card: 2012 Topps Gold Rush Wrapper Redemption Autograph #66

How I got the card: I purchased it on eBay, the date I got it is lost in the fog.

About the player: Yonder was drafted in the first round of the in 2008 by the Reds.  He played for the Reds for two years before being traded to the Padres in 2011 with three other players for Mat Latos. He played for four years in San Diego playing primarily at first. In 2015 Yonder and Scrabble were traded to the A's for 3 players.  In 2017 he was named to the All Star Game.  He then played for Seattle, Cleveland and Colorado.  He signed a minor league contract with the Padres in 2020 but did not play due to the cancellation of the minor league season due to the pandemic.  

Fun Facts: Yonder played on a Little League team funded by Jose Canseco.  Yonders' sister, Yainee, is married to Manny Machado.

Up Next: San Jose Fuji picked #198

Please pick a number between 2-1379.  I need more numbers to write about.  Pick multiples if you want.

 

New this Week.

 

I got this Topps Finest auto on eBay.  It just arrived on Wednesday.  He played in the KBO from 2015-2025. He missed two years due to military service.  He signed a four year contract with the Padres in 2026.  He started the season on the IR with a strained oblique.  He made his MLB debut in Mexico City against the Dbacks. He has played in 42 games for the Padres this year.  

Saturday Hat Giveaway Winner-I ran the three names through random.org three times and Ginko-5 is the winner.  Please send me your address and I will send the hat to you.  

Saturday Hat Giveaway

I have way too many hats, some I have only worn once.  Todays' hat is a Pacific Coast League San Francisco Seals hat from Ebbets' Field Flannels.  Some one gave this to someone else and they passed away before wearing it and then it was given to me by a member of the family.  I really haven't worn it but once.  If you want it just leave a comment.  If more than one person wants it I will randomize the commenters.  
 

Ohio Tim picked Padrograph #1202

 The Coach: Peter Summerville

The Card:  Shoebox Heroes, Series 2, #331

How I got the autograph:  I sent it to him at Spring Training in 2020 and he signed it and returned it.  I always send two when I send customs and tell the player/coach to keep one.  

About the coach:  Summerville played college ball at Santa Clara.  He was hired by the Dodgers in 2017 as a minor league coach.  He was hired by the Padres in 2019 as a bullpen catcher, he has moved up the coaching ranks since, he now is Game Planning & Pitching Strategist.  

Up Next: Wax Pack Wonders picked #23

Johnnys' Trading Spot picked Padrograph #1111

The Player: Todd Sears

The Card: 2016, Shoe Box Heroes, Series 1, #391

How I Got it:  I made it in conjunction with ABC unlimited and they got it signed. 

About the player:  Sears was drafted in the third round of the draft by the Rockies in 1994. In 2000 he was traded to the Twins were he played in 2002 and '03.  During the '03 season he was traded to the  Padres for Alex Garcia.  He played in nine games for the Padres. 

Comments:  After the last custom I posted I was asked if the players make any comments about them and many do.  I have some stories about that when we get to some players.

Up Next: Ohio Tim picked #1202

Numbers previously:

507-Jason Hardtke

1162-Juan Soto

444-Michael Gettys

11-Manny Alexander

 

Nachos Grande picks Padrograph #11

 

The Player: Manny Alexander

The Card: 2005 Shoebox Heroes Heritage, Series 2

How I Got it:  I made it for ABC Unlimited and then got it signed during a private signing on 10/29/2020.

About the Player:  Manny was signed by the Orioles as a sixteen year old free agent in 1988.  He made his MLB debut as a defensive replacement for Cal Ripken, Jr. in September of 1992.  He was traded to the Mets in 1997 and partway through the '97 season he was traded to the Cubs with a handful of other players for Turk Wendell and others.  The Cubs traded him to the Red Sox in 1999.  From 2000-2003 he played in a couple of systems and a short time in Mexico.  In 2003 he was signed by the Rangers.  He spent '03 in the minors, but played for the Rangers in '04.  He spent some in the minors in '04 and was playing for the Rangers in '05 when he was traded to the Padres for Juan Jimenez.  He played in 11 games for San Diego in 2005, in '06 he was delayed getting to Spring training by visa problems.  He split the 2006 season between Portland and San Diego, appearing in 22 games.  He then played in the minors for Washington and Philadelphia.  He hasn't played professionally since 2009.  In 2008 and '09 he played in Italy.

Up Next: Johnnys' Trading Spot picked #1111

Numbers previously picked-#507, #1162, #444

please pick a number between 1-1378 and I will write a post about the card in that position in the spread sheet. 

 

Batting out of Order picks Padrograph #444

 The Player: Michael Gettys

The Card: 2014 Bowman Draft Picks on card Autograph

How I got it: Ebay, date unknown

About the player: Gettys was drafted in the second round of the 2014 by the Padres.  He played as an outfielder in the Padres until 2019.  He didn't play anywhere in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the Pandemic.  He elected free agency after the season and signed with the Red Sox and became a pitcher in their system.  In 2023 he had surgery for a herniated disc and became a free agent. 

Up Next: Nachos Grande has selected #11

Night Owl picks Padrograph #1162

 The Player:  Juan Soto

The card:  2022 Onyx on card autograph

How I got it:  Ebay, October 25, 2025

About the player: Juan was signed by the Nationals as an amateur free agent in 2015. In 2022 he was traded to the Padres with Josh Bell for six players.  In 2023 he was traded to the Yankees with Trent Grisham for five players.  In December 2024 he signed a free agent contract with the Mets.

Up Next:  Batting Out of Order chooses #444

GCRL picked Padrograph #507

 

Who: Jason Robert Hardtke

Card: 1994 Topps 2nd Base Prospects 

How I got it: Ebay

When I got it: April 21, 2014

About the player: Jason Hardtke, was drafted in the third round of the 1990 draft by Cleveland.  In 1992 he and another were traded to the Padres for Thomas Howard.  He played in the Padres system from 1992-1994.  In December of 1994 the Mets got him in the Rule 5 draft.  In 1997 and 1998 he played in 67 games for the Mets and Cubs.  He played in the minor leagues until 2001.  He played in Japan for one season and was a minor league manager for a bit. He is currently President of Hardtke World of Baseball, a baseball academy in Campbell, CA.

The Other Guys: 

Norberto Martin: played in the majors from 1993 to 1999 with the White Sox, Angels and Blue Jays.

Ruben Santana: played from 1988-1996 in the minor leagues, a year in China and several years in Independent leagues.

Chris Sexton: drafted by the Reds in 1993 and played 35 games for Colorado in 1999 and 35 games for the Reds in 2000.

 

The Great Research is done

 I have completed my research and reorganization of my Padrographs. 

I went to Baseball Almanac and printed out every Padres roster from 1969-2025.  Then I compared each year to the Padrographs I had on my spread sheets.  2528 players appeared on those rosters, yes some are duplicates.  I then compared the players from each year to see how many signed cards I had from that year.  There were sixteen years where I had everyone from that roster.  The lowest percentage was 67% and that was the 2025 roster.  I have 2340 of the roster spots covered, for 93% total.  

There are a total of 188 players that I don't have signatures of.  There are 144 of those players who don't have any cards.  There are 44 players with Padres cards that I don't have signed.  I will be concentrating on those 44.  If I get those signed I will think about making customs of those players.  I have in hand 27 of the players that I still need and have saved searches for signed cards of the players I need saved on ebay.  

Above are the players I need that have Padres cards.  The strangest one is a Nick Vincent card from 2015 Platinum Series.  It is listed on TCDB but I can't find a listing for it on any other site.  Also Pedro Astacio has a Padres card in a 2005 Upper Deck Team Issued set, which I have most of but not that one.

Then there is this guy.  When I went through my Topps Total and Heritage sets.  I found this Breyvic Valera card.  He is not listed on any roster.  On February 12, 2020 he was chosen by the Padres off of waivers from the Blue Jays and on July 21, 2020 the Blue Jays selected him off waivers from the Padres.  According to Baseball Reference he never played for the Padres or any of their affiliates.  He must have been in Spring Training with the Padres. I haven't decided if I will try to get a signature of him or not.  

I am currently unemployed so I have more time to write.  So pick a number between 1-1378 and I will write a post on the player that occupies that number in the spread sheet.  

Coca Cola and FIFA World Cup

 My drink of choice during the work day is Coca-Cola Zero.  Last week while drinking a bottle I noticed that there was something on the inside of the label.  After doing some investigating I discovered that there are twelve different Panini FIFA stickers.  I have been keeping the stickers, but I don't want them so if anybody does please let me know.

Update

Well it's been awhile since I posted anything.  I have divested of most of my extra cards, I've seen them on some of your blogs.  I have decided to concentrate on fewer collections.  I will highlight some of the in the coming (insert time period), it won't be eons or eras, but may be awhile.  I have picked up a few new and exchanged a few cards for cards I liked better.  The Rick Wise card I got signed in person when I met him at lunch for people in sports in Oregon.   There were players from all sports, umpires, broadcasters and more. I liked the Heath Bell card with the gumballs for a while.  It is a variation of an update card.  Those last two cards scanned like that multiple times.

After scanning all those two cards I picked up three more cards.  

 I found the Gavin Sheets and Brent Rooker cards on eBay.  The Craig Stammen card came in the mail yesterday.  I had made it and sent it to him during Spring Training.  He is the only person that I have two signatures from in Padrographs, one as a player and one as manager.  Both are customs that I made.  

Plus 1=1340

 Well I added a card to my Padrographs collection.  Reginald Preciado signed by the Padres in 2019, he played in instructional ball for the Padres but was traded to the Cubs for Yu Darvish and Victor Caratini.  He is currently ranked 11th among Cubs prospects, played at A+ last year.

In other news I took my 1965 Philadelphia Football set, 1965 Topps football (almost completed set) and 1969 Topps football set to Hoody's Collectibles in Beaverton, OR.  I was able to get a bunch of stuff in trade.  I will be opening it in the next week or so.  I also got some cash.  I am trying to divest myself of stuff.  I got too much for my corner of the house.  My wife is a tailor and says all her stuff fits in two boxes.  I told her she had to quit calling our house and the neighbors houses boxes.  So I get a corner of the laundry room.  

Here is what I picked up in trade.

Thanks for stopping by.

Plus 5=1339

Since Bowman Chrome came out I managed to pick up 5 signed cards of prospects.

Ismael Javier-is a 20 year old from the Dominican Republic who was signed as an amateur free agent in 2022. He plays second.

Jhoan De La Cruz is a 17 year old Domician who was signed as a free agent this year. De La Cruz is a shortstop.

Henry Baez is a 22 year old pitcher from the Dominican Republic who was signed as a free agent in 2019.

Kai Roberts is a 20 year old outfielder who was drafted in the seventh round in 2024 from Orem, Utah. His Dad played in the Cardinals system in 1996.

Kale Fountain is a 20 year old third baseman from Nebraska who was drafted in the fifth round in 2024.

That brings me to a total of 1,339 different Padres autographs.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Custom cards, Series 1, page 6

Phil Mudrock-pitched in one game for the Cubs in 1963, pitching in 1 inning.  He came into the game in the 8th inning in relief and gave up a lead off hit to Jim Davenport and then an RBI double to Willie McCovey.  Both he and Giants pitcher Juan Marichal were called for balks in this game.  He has a career ERA of 9.00 from that one inning.

Kurt Seibert-got 2 AB in 7 games for the Cubs in 1979.  He got no hits but did score 2 runs.  His MLB batting average is .000

Steve Davis-played in 3 games for the Cubs in 1979.  In his first at bat he grounded out but Dave Kingman scored on the play getting Steve's only RBI in his major league career.

Rick James-no not that Rick James, started one game for the Cubs in 1967 and pitched in relief in two others. His start came on the last day of the '67 season and he gave up a home run to Vada Pinson, racking up 7 earned runs and nine hits in 3 innings.

Joe Campbell-was chosen in the Rule 5 draft in 1967 from the Mets.  He missed most of spring training that year because of his obligation to the Marine Corps.  He played in one game against the Braves on May 3, 1967.  After that one game for the Cubs he was returned to the Mets and never returned to the Majors.

Mike Johnson-pitched in 18 games for the Padres in 1974 finishing 10 of them.  His major league ERA is 4.64 in 21.1 innings.  I have made more copies of this card than any other.  Mike works for a pest control company in Arizona and uses them for calling cards.  A couple of years ago he was inducted into his high schools hall of fame and requested extras to hand out.  About every two months he asks for 45 more cards.  I figure that I have printed over 600 copies of this card.  I have a variation of this card signed in my Padrographs collection.  My favorite part of this card is the Gremlin billboard outside Wrigley Field.  

Bob Giggie-pitched in 30 games for the Braves and A's from 1959-1962 but never had a Topps card.  He did have some team issued cards with the Braves. He retired after the 1962 season.

Manny Mota-is best known as a Pirate and Dodger but he was signed as an amateur free agent by the Giants in 1957.  He made his made his major league debut in April of 1962.  After the '62 season he was traded to the Astros, but before playing for them he was traded to the Pirates.  

Ramon Conde-appeared in 14 games for the White Sox in 1962, getting no hits but did get three walks and an RBI.