Batting out of Order picks #2, CJ Abrams

 

Note: John Sharp had picked #11 in this spot but that is Manny Alexander and he was featured back on July 13, 2026 when Nachos Grande picked #11.  

The Player:  C.J. Abrams

The Card:  2019 Bowmans Best Certified Auto #B19-CJA

How I obtained the Auto:  I bought it on eBay and received it on January 21, 2020.  That was my Dad's last birthday on earth and my little brothers 56th birthday.

About the Player: CJ was the 6th pick overall in the 2019 draft.  The Padres signed him on June 2019. He played a couple of seasons in the minors before being making his MLB debut for the Padres on April 8, 2022.  His time with the Padres was short as he along with several other players were traded on AUgust 2, 2022 to the Nationals for Juan Soto and Josh Bell.  He made his debut with the Nationals on August 15, 2022.  He was named to the Major League All Star team in 2024 and 2026.  

Fun fact: He is named after his father Christopher Paul Abrams, Sr.  CJ is short for Chris Junior.  

Between: Shawn Abner and Ed Acosta

Up Next: Fuji picks #678, Justin Lange

Contest: The secret Padrograph is still lurking out there.  Joe Pittman is the closest number so far.  We roll on.  Pick the right number and you will win a $20 eBay gift card.  

Ohio Tim picks #967, Joe Pittman

 The Player: Joe"Shoes"Pittman 

The Card: 1983 Fleer #369

How I obtained the Auto:  I sent it to him with a green sharpie and he signed it and returned it.

About Joe Pittman: Joe was drafted by the Astros in 1975.  He made his MLB Debut in 1981 with Houston.  In 1982 he was traded to the Padres for Danny Boone.  After the 1983 season he was traded to the Giants for Champ Summers.  After the 1984 season he was released by the Giants.  He played two more seasons in the minors before retiring.  He coached and scouted for the Astros.  During the Senior League inaugural season he played for the champion, the St. Petersburg Pelicans.  In 2014 he was working construction in Texas when he collapsed and passed away at the age of 61.  

Fun Fact:  He was nicknamed "Shoes" while at Southern University, because he had worn white cleats in high school.

Between: Jose Pirela and Nick Pivetta

Up Next:  Batting Out of Order picks #2, CJ Abrams

Contest:  Each month I will pick a player to be the prize winner. If that players padrograph number is picked the person who picked the number will win an $20 eBay gift certificate.  

Please pick numbers between 2 and 1385.  The more numbers you select the better your odds are.  No batches please just individual numbers.  No one has picked the correct number yet.

 

P.S. This is the closest anyone has come to the secret number.

Brett Alan picks #494, Josh Hader

The Player: Josh Hader

The Card: 2023 Topps, Series 2, #392

How I obtained the Auto: I bought in on eBay and received it July 3, 2026

About Josh Hader: Josh was drafted by the Orioles in 2012.  The Orioles traded him to the Astros, who traded him to the Brewers.  He made his major league debut with the Brewers, where he played for five seasons before being traded to the Padres.  He spent two seasons in San Diego, then he signed a free agent with Houston.  He is currently pitching for the Astros.

He is a six-time All Star, three time NL Reliever of the Year, and was part of a combined no-hitter with the Brewers.  

Between: Luther Hackman and Jason Hagerty

Up Next: Ohio Tim picks #967, Joe Pittman

Contest:  Each month I will pick a player to be the prize winner. If that players padrograph number is picked the person who picked the number will win an $20 eBay gift certificate.  

Please pick numbers between 2 and 1385.  The more numbers you select the better your odds are.  No batches please just individual numbers.  No one has picked the correct number yet.

Since no one has picked the correct number the contest will roll into September.

 

New this week

 Just one new Padrograph card this week.  Stuart over at SR'75 Cards knows Joe McIlvaine.  He was looking for a postcard of Mr. McIlvaine which I didn't have.  However I made this custom card of him and sent it to him and he signed it and returned it.  McIlvaine was the General Manager of the Padres from 1991-1993.  He is the sixth General Manager that I have a signed card.  I would like to get one of AJ Preller, but he has never responded to my letters.  

Contest:  Each month I will pick a player to be the prize winner. If that players padrograph number is picked the person who picked the number will win an $20 eBay gift certificate.  

Please pick numbers between 2 and 1385.  The more numbers you select the better your odds are.  No batches please just individual numbers.  No one has picked the correct number yet.

Since no one has picked the number yet. The prize will roll into September.  

Derek picked #242, Horace Clarke

 The Player: Horace Clarke

The Card: A very early custom card.

How I obtained the auto:  I sent the card through the mail and Mr. Clarke returned it.  

About Horace Clarke: A mainstay of the New York Yankees from 1965-1973 he was signed by the Yankees as a amateur free agent in 1958.  He played for various minor league teams in the New York system before being promoted to the majors in 1965.  In 1974 he and Lowell Palmer were purchased by the Padres from the Yankees.  He played in twenty-four games for New York and forty-two for the Padres in 1974.  He played his last game on September 15, 1974.  After his retirement he was a coach for the Virgin Islands Department of Recreation and an assistant scout for the Royals. He had two sons who both played in the minor leagues.  He passed away in 2020 of complications from Alzheimer's.  

Fun Fact:  The photograph appears to be at Wrigley Field and seems to have been taken by legendary baseball photographer George Brace.  

Between: Phil Clark and Matt Clement

Up Next: Brett Alan picks #494, Josh Hader

Contest:  Each month I will pick a player to be the prize winner. If that players padrograph number is picked the person who picked the number will win an $20 eBay gift certificate.  

Please pick numbers between 2 and 1385.  The more numbers you select the better your odds are.  No batches please just individual numbers.  No one has picked the correct number yet.

Derek picked #12, Jorge 'LFGSD" Alfaro

The Player: Jorge Alfaro

The Card: 2023 Topps #46

How I obtained the Auto: I bought on eBay in July of this year.

About the player:  After his third walk off in 2022 for the Padres, his teammates all waited for his postgame interview to hear him say something he had said to them before.  Live on  air he said, "let's fucking go, San Diego".  He was signed at sixteen by the Rangers, in 2015 he was traded to the Phillies.  He played with the Phils from 2016 to 2018, he was traded to the Marlins in early 2019.  He was purchased by the Padres in December of 2021and played in eighty-two games for the Padres in 2022.  He then played with the Rockies, Red Sox and Nationals.  This year he is playing at AA in the Royals system.  

Between:  Manny Alexander and Austin Allen

Up Next:  Derek picks #242, Horace Clarke

Contest:  Each month I will pick a player to be the prize winner. If that players padrograph number is picked the person who picked the number will win an $20 eBay gift certificate.  

Please pick numbers between 2 and 1385.  The more numbers you select the better your odds are.  No batches please just individual numbers.  No one has picked the correct number yet.

 

Night Owl picked #777, Cory Mazzoni

The Player: Cory Mazzoni

The Card: 2016 Topps Update #194

How I obtained the Auto: I bought the card on Ebay

About Cory Mazzoni: The Mets drafted him in the second round of the 2011 draft.  In 2015 the Mets traded him and a player to be named later for Alex Torres to the Padres.  He pitched for the Padres in 2015 and 2017, he had shoulder surgery in 2016 and missed the season.  In 2018 the Cubs selected him off of waivers from the Padres.  He made 8 appearances for the Cubs and was granted free agency in November of 2018.  He doesn't seem to have played since.  

Between:  Adam Mazur and Jim McAndrew

Up Next: Derek picks #12 Jorge Alfaro

Contest:  Each month I will pick a player to be the prize winner. If that players padrograph number is picked the person who picked the number will win an $20 eBay gift certificate.  

Please pick numbers between 2 and 1385.  The more numbers you select the better your odds are.  No batches please just individual numbers.  No one has picked the correct number yet.

New This Week

Just two new Padrographs this week. Clark Candiotti, son of Tom Candiotti, who seems to be playing in Independent Ball at this time.  Nick Castellanos, who was released by the Padres on June 5, after playing in thirty-nine games.  
 

Jeremy picks #55, Carlos Baerga

The Player: Carlos Baerga

The Card: 2017 Topps Archives Snapshots, Missing Black, Numbered 6/10

How I got it: I bought it on eBay

About Carlos Baerga: Carlos was signed by the Padres in 1985 at age sixteen.  He along with Sandy Alomar, Jr and Chris James were traded to the Indians for Joe Carter.  He played in Cleveland for six years, then he was traded to the Mets.  He was a three time all star while with Cleveland.  He played in thirty-three games with San Diego in 1999, splitting the season between the Padres and the Indians.  He also appeared in the majors for the Red Sox, Diamondbacks and Nationals.  He played in Korea in 2001 for the Samsung Lions.  He played through 2005.

Between: Cha Seung Baek and Henry Baez

Up Next:  Night Owl picked #777, Cory Mazzoni

Contest:  Each month I will pick a player to be the prize winner. If that players padrograph number is picked the person who picked the number will win an $20 eBay gift certificate.  

Please pick numbers between 2 and 1385.  The more numbers you select the better your odds are.  No batches please just individual numbers.  No one has picked the correct number yet.

 

Matt picks #250, The Colonel Jerry Coleman

The Manager: Jerry Coleman (1980)

The Card: 1980 Topps #356

How I obtained the auto: I sent it to Mr. Coleman c/o of the Padres and he signed it and returned it.

About the manager: Coleman was a broadcaster for the Padres before and after his one year managerial stint, he was 73-89, for a sixth place finish.  That one year was his only ever as a manager in the major leagues.  Jerry Coleman played 9 years in the major leagues, all for the Yankees.  He finished his major league career in 1957, just 16 days after I was born.  He flew combat missions for the USMC in both WWII and the Korean War.  He was inducted into the Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame, one of several Hall of Fames he is in.  He was a radio broadcaster for the Padres from 1972-2014, he had been a broadcaster for the Yankees and Angels before joining the Padres.  He passed away in 2014 and is buried at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego.  That is a career you can hang a star on!

Between: Dusty Coleman and Larry Colton

Up Next: Jeremy picks #55, Carlos Baerga

Contest:  Each month I will pick a player to be the prize winner. If that players padrograph number is picked the person who picked the number will win an $20 eBay gift certificate.  

Please pick numbers between 2 and 1385.  The more numbers you select the better your odds are.  No batches please just individual numbers.  No one has picked the correct number yet.

Batting Out of Order picks #34, Euribiel Angeles

The Player: Euribiel Angeles

The Card: 2022 Bowman Sterling Certified Autograph

How I obtained it:  I bought it on eBay and received it April 25, 2025

About the player:  Angeles was signed by the Padres as an International Free Agent in 2018 at age 16.  On April 3, 2022 he, along with Adrian Martinez, was traded to the A's for Sean Manaea.  He is still playing in the A's system, he seems to be playing at AAA right now.

Between: Sparky Anderson and Matt Antonelli

Up Next: Matt picks #250, Jerry Coleman

Contest:  Each month I will pick a player to be the prize winner. If that players padrograph number is picked the person who picked the number will win an $20 eBay gift certificate.  

Please pick numbers between 2 and 1385.  The more numbers you select the better your odds are.  No batches please just individual numbers.  No one has picked the correct number yet.

 

 

No new Padrographs, so something a little different.

I didn't receive any new Padrographs this week.  I know the blob title is Abner to Zimmer, but it is actually Shawn Abner to Alan Zinter, but I haven't want to bother Punk Rock Paint to change it.  He is busy being a father and husband.  

I really like spreadsheets.  My oldest is my reading spreadsheet in which I track all the books I have read since 1978.  I used to write them in a log book, but when Excel began and my sons could keyboard I paid them a quarter an entry to put them in Excel.  I am currently at 4,565 entries in that one. I have several others for a multitude of things.  

When I started getting a couple of hundred Padrographs I decided to start putting them in a spreadsheets.  I remember the first two players to go in were Tony Gwynn and Tim Flannery.  I keep track of the player name, the card, how I got it, when I got it if possible and whether it is scanned or not. This series is helping get many of them scanned.  

The cards are in the spreadsheet alphabetically by last name and then first name.  This causes the numbers of the entries to shift occasionally when new cards are added.  We will be seeing this in the next couple of weeks when a number selected has already been profiled and then chose again, but it will be a different player since new Padrographs have been added.  

My collection includes all the managers, several owners, fifty seven coaches, five general managers, a couple of signed first pitch cards, and some broadcasters.  They are all in order.  There are a few players who never played for the Padres, but they were featured on cards or I thought they were noteworthy and I made a custom card of them.  I also have some minor league Padres included from when they were a PCL team.

If you have any questions please let me know I will be glad to answer them.  

Matt picks #330, Miguel Dilone

The Player: Miguel Dilone

The Card: Shoebox Heroes, Series 2, #36

How I obtained the auto:  ABC unlimited was doing a signing with Dilone and asked me to make a Padres card.  He signed it at that signing.

About the player: He was signed by the Pirates as an amateur free agent in 1972 and made his debut with them in 1974.  He was traded to the A's in 1978 and after them played for the Cubs, Indians, White Sox and Expos.  He signed as a free agent with the Padres during the 1985 season.  He played in 27 games for the Padres.  That was his final season in MLB.  In 2009 he lost an eye when a baseball struck him in the face, he was coaching his son and a 15 year old prospect.

Between: Don Dillard and Glenn Dishman

Up Next:  Batting Out of Order picks #34, Euribiel Angeles

Contest:  Each month I will pick a player to be the prize winner. If that players padrograph number is picked the person who picked the number will win an $20 eBay gift certificate.  

Please pick numbers between 2 and 1385.  The more numbers you select the better your odds are.  No batches please just individual numbers.  No one has picked the correct number yet.

Fuji picks #482, Ricky Gutierrez

The Player: Ricky Gutierrez

The Card: 1993 Upper Deck #660, looks to be from Spring Training.  

How I got the card: I purchased the signed card from eBay.  

About the Player: Gutierrez is currently the third baseball coach for the Nationals.  He was the Orioles second pick in the 1998 draft.  He was traded to the Padres in 1992 in exchange ,Craig Lefferts.  In 1994 he was part of a fourteen player trade that sent him and several other players to Houston and brought Ken Caminiti, teve Finley and more to the Padres.  He played for the Cubs, Indians, Mets and Red Sox.  He won a World Series ring with the Red Sox in 2004.  That was his final season as a player.

Fun Fact: His nephew, James Jones, played in the NBA and is currently GM for the Suns.

Between:  Brian Guinn and Rick Guttmorson

Up Next: Matt picks #330, Miguel Dilone

Contest:  Each month I will pick a player to be the prize winner. If that players padrograph number is picked the person who picked the number will win an $20 eBay gift certificate.  

Please pick numbers between 2 and 1385.  The more numbers you select the better your odds are.  No batches please just individual numbers.  No one has picked the correct number yet.

Night Owl picks #449

The Player: Dave Giusti

The Card: 1969 Topps #98

How I got the card: I bought the card on eBay.

About the Player:  Giusti never played for the Padres.  He was signed as an amateur free agent in 1961 by Houston.  He played there until 1968 when he was traded to the Cardinals.  The Cards left him unprotected in the 1968 expansion draft and the Padres selected him in the 3rd round.  2 months later San Diego traded him back to St. Louis for four players.  He was traded several more times playing for the Pirates, A's and Cubs. He was an All Star in 1973, NL saves leader in 1971 and got a World Series ring in 1971 with the Pirates.  He passed away at age 86 on January 11, 2026

Between: Rudy Giron and Chris Gomez

Up Next: Fuji picks #482

Contest starting today:  Each month I will pick a player to be the prize winner. If that players padrograph number is picked the person who picked the number will win an $20 eBay gift certificate.  

Please pick numbers between 2 and 1385.  The more numbers you select the better your odds are.  No batches please just individual numbers.