Ohio Tim picks #1001, Aaron Rakers

The Player:  Aaron Rakers

The Card: Shoebox Heroes, Series 1, #406, created 10/9/2016

How I got the auto: I sent the card to him and he signed it.

About Aaron Rakers: Aaron was drafted by the Orioles in 1999.  He made his MLB debut in 2004. He pitched for the O's in 2004 and 2005.  He missed all of the 2006 due to a torn labrum.  He was released by Baltimore after the season and was invited to spring training with the Padres and was assigned to the Portland Beavers.  He appeared in one game for the Padres.  After the season he signed with the Astros but never appeared in a game for them.  In 2009 he signed with the La New Bears in the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan.  He played with them for 2009 and 2010.  He now lives in Fallston, Maryland with his wife and children, he is a sales rep for a beverage company.

Comment: Every time I typed his name all I could hear was Mr. Garvey,  substitute teacher calling the roll. 

Up Next: Jafronius picks #803, Brian Meadows

Contest: There is a third secret Padrograph lurking out there. Pick a number between 2-1396 and if you pick the right number you will win a $25 gift card.  

 

Fuji picks #255, Clay Condrey

The Player: Clay Condrey

The Card: 2002 Donruss The Rookies #108

How I got the Auto: I purchased it on eBay

About Clay Condrey: Clay was drafted by the Yankees in 1996, but did not sign with them.  He was signed as an amateur free agent by Padres scout Theo Epstein in 1998.

He made his major league debut in 2002 for the Padres and pitched in their system and at the major league level in 2002 & 2003.  He was traded in 2004 to the Phillies for Trino Aguilar.  He pitched for the Phillies from 2004-2009.  He won a World Series ring with the Phils in 2008. We was released by the Phillies after 2009 and signed with the Twins, but never made it back to the majors.  He works for a home building company in Texas. 

Between: Keith Comstock and Brooks Conrady

Up Next: Ohio Tim picks #1001, Aaron Rakers

Contest:  I have picked a third secret Padrograph.  All the numbers pick will show up on each Sunday.  If you pick the right number you will be awarded a $25 Visa gift card.  Ebay stopped selling gift cards for their site in August of 2026

New this week 10/11/2026

Just one new this week.  Reliever Jason Adam.   I don't want to talk about the Padres right now.  After watching game three the other night. 

 Contest: Here are all the numbers that have been chosen so far.  If you pick the right number between 2-1396 you will win a $25 gift card.  The latest secret number has not yet been chosen.  Good luck.

Batting Out of Order picks #627, Greg Keagle

The Player: Greg Keagle

The Card: 1994 Topps #753

How I got the Auto: I mailed it to him and he signed it and returned it. 

About Greg Keagle: He was drafted by the Padres in 1993 and dealt to the Mariners in September of1995 with Andy Benes for Marc Newfield and Ron Villone.  In December of 1995 the Tigers drafted him from the Mariners in the Rule 5 draft.  He made his major league debut in 1996 and pitched for the them through 1998.  He stayed in baseball through 2005.  He played in the minors for the Tigers and Marlins. He also pitched for the Elmira Pioneers in the Can-Am league, pitching a no hitter for the Pioneers.  He was a player coach for a while.  He last pitched for the Pioneers in 2005.  Since retiring he has been coaching for the Rochester Institute of Technology and he another former player started a player development group Grow2Probaseball. He and his wife and three children live in Pittsford, New York.

Between: Sean Kazmar and Randy Keisler

Up Next: Fuji picks #255, Clay Condrey

Contest: There is a secret Padrograph lurking.  If you choose the right number you will win a $25 gift card.  Each Sunday I will post all the numbers that have been chosen.

 

Night Owl picks #928, Greg Page

The Player: Greg Page

The Card: 1995 Shoebox Heroes, Series 2, #302

How I Obtained the Auto: Another blogger about six or seven years ago was trying to make card fronts of everyone who had played for every team for every season. I unfortunately cannot remember who it was.  I got all the Padres from him and made card backs for them and sent them to some of the players and asked them to sign them.  Greg Page was one of them. I got it back in the mail on December 28, 2019. After reading a few other blogs yesterday I realized the other blogger was Johnny,hiflew author of Cards from the Quarry.  He passed away this last summer, I just found out yesterday.  He will be missed I remember doing a few trades with him and we did some custom trading.  He made the card fronts for the 1995 Padres replacement players.  

About Greg Page: Page was a replacement player for San Diego during the lockout and strike that lead up to the 1995 season.  Since the work stoppage ended on April 2 none of the replacement players played in the regular season. He played in the Giants minor league system from 1988-1990.  He was working at a mortage company when he attempted his comeback in 1995.  

Interesting: I found out writing that any of the replacement players who made it to the majors on their own merit were denied union membership, so the did not get any union benefits during their time in the major leagues.  They wouldn't be pictured on cards or be part of the merchandising pools.  

Between: Emilio Pagan and Mike Pagliarulo

Up Next: Batting Out of Order picks #627, Greg Keagle

Contest: There is a secret Padrograph lurking out there. If you pick the correct number you will win a $25 gift card. Each Sunday I will post the numbers that have already been chosen. I have chosen the 3rd secret Padrograph.  

We have our second winner, Matt picked #492, Tony Gwynn Sr.

Matt picked #492 a while back but with new additions a number he picked came up.  I will pick a new Secret Padrograph soon.  Matt please email me your email at padrographs@livedotcom

The Player: Anthony Keith Gwynn

The Card: 1987 Fleer, #416

How I obtained the Auto: My Day with Boggs and Gwynn.  From 1990-1995 I worked at Baseball Cards and More in Portland, Oregon.  We did many shows all over the area. One show was held at the Memorial Coliseum.  One of the autograph guest was Tony Gwynn.   The promoter knew I was a fan and asked if I would sit with Tony for two hours and pass the items from the fan to Tony.  So I did, I showed he and his agent, Johnny Boggs, all the cards I had at the time.  There were a few serial numbered cards that they had not seen before.  It was an enjoyable two hours.  I got this card signed that day. Johnny Boggs is Wade's cousin.  Some where I have autographed pictures of me with each of them.  

About Tony Gwynn: Tony was drafted in the third round of the 1981 draft.  He made his major league debut in July of 1982.  He was an All Star fifteen times, won five Gold Gloves, seven Silver Slugger awards and won the National League Batting Title eight times.  He retired in 2001 and was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2007.  Major League Baseball named the National League Batting Title the Tony Gwynn National League Batting Champion.  There are portions of a freeway in San Diego named for him.  I last saw him in 2013 at a reunion of the 1998 World Series team.  He passed away on June 16, 2014.  

Between: Chris Gwynn and Tony Gwynn Jr.

Up next:  Night Owl picks #928, Greg Page

Contest will continue.  I will choose another secret Padrograph in the next couple of days.  
 

New This Week

Just one new Padrograph this week and it is a little different and necessiated a purchase to go with it.  It is Ed Giovanola on a 1998 Padres postcard.  I went to put it in a four pocket sheet and it is just a little too big, so I had to purchase some 2 pocket pages.  

 

Here is the list of all the numbers that have been chosen so far. You have chosen over 100 different numbers at this point.  We have a second winner at this point which will be revealed this week.  

Batting Out of Order picks #210, Raul Casanova

The Player: Raul Casanova

The Card: 1995 Upper Deck #11

How I obtained the Auto: eBay

About Raul Casanova: Raul never made it to the majors with the Padres but he had an eight year major career. He was drafted by the Mets in 1990 and traded to the Padres in 1992.  He was part of the trade that sent Tony Fernandez to the Mets.  He played in the Padres system until 1996 when he was traded to the Tigers.  He made his major league debut later that year with Detroit.  He played with the Brewers, Orioles, White Sox, Tampa Bay and the Mets. He is now a certified scout and the owner of El Shaddai Hitting Center.  

Between: Yefri Carvajal and Dave Cash

Up Next:  Night Owl picks #928, Greg Page

Contest:  The is another secret Padrograph lurking out there.  Pick the right number and you could win a $25 Gift card.  
 

Matt picks #1234, Gene Tenace

The Player: Gene Tenace

The Card: 1981 Fleer #489

How I obtained the Card: I bought it on ebaY

About Gene Tenace:  Born Fiore Gino Tennaci born on October 10, 1946, he was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics in 1965.  He made his major league debut with the Oakland Athletics on May 29, 1969.  He was part of the A's dynasty that won three consecutive World Series from 1972-1974.  In November of 1976 he was granted free agency and in December of 1976 he signed with the Padres.  He played from 1977-1980 with the Padres.  He hit 68 home runs and hit .237 while there. In December of 1980 he was traded with Rollie Fingers, Bob Shirley and Bob Geren to the Cardinals for Terry Kennedy, John Littlefied, Al Olmsted, Mike Phillips, Kim Seaman, Steve Swisher and John Urrea.  In 1982 he signed as a free agent with Pittsburgh.  In 1986-1987 he was a coach for the Astro's and from 1990-1997 for Toronto. When Toronto's manager Cito Gaston had a herniated disc in 1991, he served as interim manager, going 19-14.  He was part of the Cardinals World Series team in 1982 and a coach when the Jays' won the Series in 1992 and 1993.  He currently lives in Redmond, Oregon with his wife, Linda.  

Between: Gary Templeton and Walt Terrell

Up Next: Batting out of Order picks #210, Raul Casanova

Contest:  There is another secret Padrograph lurking.  There are only 1,309 numbers left to choose.  Try you luck and you may win a $20 gift card.
 

Derek wins with #947, Joe Pepitone

The Winner: Derek (please send me your email and I will send your prize).  Derek I posted the wrong email address for me, I corrected it.  Please try again.

The Player: Joe Pepitone

The Card: Shoebox Heroes, Series 2, #160

How I obtained the Auto:  ABC of a signing with Joe and I made the card and got it signed.  

About Joe Pepitone:  Joe is best known for his days with the Yankees.  The Yankees signed him as amateur free agent before the 1958.  He played in the Big Apple until 1969 when he was traded to the Astros, for Curt Blefary (who would play for the Padres in 1972). In 1970 the Cubs purchased his contract from Houston. In May of 1973 he was traded to the Braves for Andre Thornton.  In June of 1973 the Braves released him.  He then signed with the Yakult Atoms in Japan, appearing in just 14 games.  He often sat out because of supposed injuries, but would be seen out in the nightlife.  Pepitone became a word in Japan for goofing off.  He attempted a comeback in 1976 with the Padres, he appeared in 13 games for the AAA Hawaii Islanders and hitting .225.  He reconciled with the Yankees and was a coach for them.  He passed away from a suspected heart attack in Kansas City, Missouri on March 13, 2023 at age 82.

Interesting: I knew Joe was colorful but I didn't realize how colorful. Joe and his father were admitted to the hospital on the same day in 1957.  Joe was shot at age 17, by a classmate at school, his father, Joe Pepitone Sr. suffered a heart attack.  Junior went home, his father did not.  Senior suffered a stroke and passed away.  Joe had multiple run ins with law enforcement, even doing time at Rikers Island.  He posed fully nude for Foxy Lady magazine and played professional Slo-Pitch softball.  His memoir, Joe, You Coulda Made us Proud, should be good reading.  

Between: Roberto Pena and Luis D. Perdomo

Up Next:  Matt Picks #1234, Gene Tenace

Contest: I have picked another secret Padrograph and let the guessing begin.  Each Sunday I will post the numbers that have been chosen.  Pick between 2-1393.  Thank you.

Derek, please send me your email and I will send your prize.  My email is padrographs@live(dot)com.

 

New This Week

Two new Padrographs this week.  Both found on Ebay.  Two weeks ago I turned 69 years old and my wife bought me two prepaid Visas.  I have been spending them mostly on Padrographs. Craig Kimbrel has one of the most unorthodox sets before pitching and this card shows it well.  He has pitched for the Rays, Royals and Mets this year.

Joniel Hernandez was signed by the Padres this year and was traded during the season for Robbie Ray.

 Contest: We have a winner.  All will be revealed tomorrow. A new guessing will begin tomorrow.  

Batting Out of Order picks #19, Abraham Almonte

The Player: Abraham Almonte

The Card: 2015 Gypsy Queen on card auto, #GQA-AA

How I got the Auto: I bought it on ebAy and received it April 20, 2015.

About Abraham Almonte: In 2005 the Yankees signed him as an amateur free agent.  In 2013 he was traded to Seattle for Shawn Kelly.  In 2014 he was traded to the Padres for Chris Denorfia.  He played in thirty-two games for the Padres.  He was traded to the Indians in 2015 for Marc Rzepczynski.  After the Indians he played for the Royals and D'backs.  He returned to San Diego in 2020 and played in seven games. He played with the Braves, Red Sox and Mets. After being granted free agency in 2023 he has been playing in Mexico.  He is playing this season for the Piratas de Campche.

Interesting: The Memorial patches for both Jerry Coleman and Tony Gwynn are visible on this card.

Between: Billy Almon and Roberto Alomar

Up Next: Matt picks #1234, Gene Tenace

Contest:  Since I would like to give away the first eBay $20 before the end of September, I will give you a clue.  One of Bretts' picks is just two numbers off.  

 

Fuji picks #408, Christian Friedrich

The Player: Christian Friedrich

The Card: 2017 Topps #24

How I got the auto: I bought it on eBay earlier this year, receiving on July 1.

About Christian Friedrich: He was drafted by the Rockies with their first pick in 2008.  He made his major league debut on May 9, 2012 for the Rockies against the Padres.  In February of 2016 the Rockies released him and he signed with the Padres in March.  He made his Padres debut May 13, 2016.  In October of 2017 the Padres released him due to sustained injuries.  In 2019 he played with the independent Burlington Bees. He played in the KBO, before signing with White Sox.  He didn't play in 2020 because of the pandemic.  He then played for the Lexington Legends and the Chicago Dogs. He was released by the Dogs in April of 2022.

Between: Max Fried and Ernesto Frieri

Up Next: Batting Out of Order picked #19, Abraham Almonte

Contest:  There is a secret Padrograph lurking.  Whomever picks the number of the secret Padrograph will win a $20 eBay gift certificate. When the secret number is chosen I will pick another Padrograph.  Please choose a number between 2-1389.  No batches, individual numbers only.  No one has chosen the correct number yet.

 

Brett Alan picked #874, James Needy

The Player: James Needy

The Card: 2015 Bowman #BCP-60

How I got the Auto: I sent the card to him through the mail and he sent it back in 2015.

About James Needy: He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2009 draft by the Padres.  He played in their system from 2009-2015.  Derek looked into his missed systems of 2010 and 2016, and found in 2010 Needy was injured for the season and missed 2016 recovering from Tommy John surgersy.  In 2017 he was in the Marlins system and played for four different teams.  

Between: Blaine Neal and Tyson Neighbors.

Up Next: Fuji picked #408, Christian Friedrich

Contest:  There is a secret Padrograph lurking.  Whomever picks the number of the secret Padrograph will win a $20 eBay gift certificate. When the secret number is chosen I will pick another Padrograph.  Please choose a number between 2-1389.  No batches, individual numbers only.  No one has chosen the correct number yet.
 Someone has come within four numbers of the secret Padrograph.

New this week and needs

I picked up the Miguel Mendez card on Ebay.  It is from this years Bowman Chrome. He was traded to the Giants earlier this year along with Joniel Hernandez for Robbie Ray. Pedro Astacio split the 2005 season between the Rangers and the Padres.  He pitched in twelve games for San Diego.  This is the only card I know of with him in a Padres uniform.  I would really like to get this signed.  The card is from a 2005 Upper Deck team issued set.