Cards As I See Them picks #272, John Costello

The Player: John Costello

The Card: 1992 Score #614

How I got the Auto: I sent it through the mail and got it back.

About John Costello: He was drafted by the Cardinals in the 24th round of the 1983 draft.  He made his major league debut in 1988 with St. Louis.  He played with the Cardinals in '88 and '89. In early1990 he was traded to the Expos for Rex Hudler. In November of '90 he was traded to the Padres.  He appeared in relief in 27 games for the Padres in 1991, before being released.  He pitched for the Mariners AAA club in 1992.

Between: Tom Cosgrove and Mike Couchee

Up Next: Ohio Tim picks #413, Ben Fritz

Contest: There is a secret Padrograph lurking within the spreadsheet. If you choose wisely and pick the right number you will be awarded a $25 Visa gift card.  Choose a number between 2-1400.

 

Batting out of Order picks #363, Randy Elliott

The Player: Randy Elliott

The Card: Shoebox Heroes, Series 2, 
 #122

How I got the auto: I made the card on 12/27/2018 and mailed it to him and he signed it and returned it.  

About Randy Elliott: He was the first ever draft pick by the Padres in 1969. He made his major league debut with the Padres in 1972.  He played in 114 games in four seasons over nine years, playing for the Padres in 1972 and 1974, the Giants in 1977 and the A's in 1980.  He had recurring shoulder problems that would keep  him from playing.  After leaving the game he and his wife, Joi operated a day care center in Utah, he was a part time scout for St. Louis, a special-ed teacher and has coached at his home town high school.  In 1997 he coached the A's class A club in Medford, Oregon.  He now lives in Camarillo, CA and gives private baseball lessons.  He and Joi have four children and six grandchildren.

Between: Donnie Elliott and Alan Embree

Up Next: Cards as I see Them picks #272, John Costello

Contest: There is a secret Padrograph lurking in the spread sheet.  Pick the right number and you will win a $25 Visa gift card.  Pick a number between 2-1400

nothing new this week, but here are the chosen numbers so far.

 

These are the numbers that have been chosen so far.  Pick the right number for the secret Padrograph lurking in the spreadsheet and you will win a $25 Visa gift card.  

Fuji picks #4, Ed Acosta

 The Player: Ed Acosta

The Card: 1972 Topps #123

How I got the Auto: I believe that I purchased it on eBay

About Ed Acosta: Ed was born in Panama in 1944.  Prior to the 1967 season he was signed by the Astros as an amateur free agent.  In 1970 he was sent from Houston to Pittsburgh in an "unknown transaction". He made his major league debut with the Pirates in 1970 and pitched in three games for them. In August of 1971 he and Johnny Jeter were traded to San Diego for Bob Miller.  He pitched for San Diego in 1971-1972.  In 1973-1974 he pitched in Hawaii for the Padres AAA club.  In 1975 & 1976 he pitched in the Mexican League.  He passed away in 2025 at the age of 81.

Between: CJ Abrams and Victor Acosta

Up Next: Batting Out of Order picks #363, Randy Elliott

Contest: There is a secret Padrograph lurking out there.  If you pick the right number you will win a $25 Visa gift card.  Please pick a number between 2-

Derek picks #1212, Brent Strom

The Player: Brent Strom

The Card: 1978 Topps #509

How I got the auto: I bought it on eBay

About Brent Strom: Brent was born to be a Padre.  He was born in San Diego, went to San Diego City College.  He was drafted three times and signed with the Mets in 1970.  He made his major league debut in 1972 with the Mets.  At the winter meetings in 1972 he was traded to the Indians.  He played for the Indians in 1973 and didn't play in the majors in 1974.  In June of 1974 he and Terry Ley were traded by Cleveland to the Padres for Steve Arlin.  He pitched in sixty-two games for the Padres from 1975-1977.  In March of 1978 he was released by the Padres and played in various systems until 1981.  Beginning in 1992 he has served for various teams as pitching coach and consultant.  In 2026 he was a pitching consultant for the Astros.  He is well known as a good pitching coach, with many pitchers complimenting his approach. 

Fun Fact: According to an interview with Tommy John, Strom was the second player to have Tommy John surgery.  Since 1992 Strom has been one of the directors of the San Diego School of Baseball with Tony Gwynn, Alan Trammell and others.

Between: Huston Street and Eric Stults

Up Next: Fuji picks #4, Ed Acosta

Contest:  There is a secret Padrograph lurking out there.  If you pick the right number you will win a $25 Visa gift card.  Please pick numbers between 2-1399

 

Ohio Tim picks #776, Jon Matthews

 The Coach: Jon Matthews

The Card: Shoebox Heroes, Series 1, #462

How I got the auto: I sent him the card and he signed it and returned it on 3/13/2017.

About Jon Matthews: Jon was drafted by the Rockies in 1994 and played two seasons in their system.  After his playing career he served as a coach at Indian Hills Community College in his hometown of Centerville, Iowa.  He then served as a coach in Baltimore and Arizonas systems. In 2017 he served as the Padres outfield coach.  After that he has been in the Padres system as a minor league coach or traveling instructor.  

Between: Gary Matthews and Mike Matthews

Up Next: Derek picks #1212, Brent Strom

Contest:  There is a secret Padrograph lurking out there.  Pick the right number and you will win a $25 Visa gift card.  Pick a number between 2-1397.

New this week 10/25/2026, Tim Flannery and the Chosen

 

Two of these I have had for awhile but I just located them and added them to the Padrograph listing.  I got the Joan Kroc through the mail in 1987.  I wrote and asked for her autograph and this is what I got back.  The Ray Kroc postcard I bought on eBay at the very beginning of my quest which would have been 1986.  I picked up the Ramon Laureano from Josh Harrison.  

While I was out running errands yesterday and spending time with my Granddaughter who turns fifteen today, I stopped by Gavin's (Baseball Card Breakdown)  house and dropped up off some Padres stuff for him.  As usual he greeted me with a Tim Flannery art card.  The space card in the center is the one he gave me today, the others have been languishing in my scanned file.  

Here are all the numbers that have been chosen so far.  No winner this round yet.  Choose wisely.

Brett Alan picks #949, Roberto Pena

The Player: Roberto Pena

The Card: 1970 Topps #44

How I got the auto: I purchased it on eBay in 2019.

About Roberto Pena: He was signed as an amateur free agent prior to the 1960 season by the Pirates.  In 1964 he was traded to the Cubs for Andre Rogers.  He played for the Cubs in 1965 and 1966.  He was drafted by the Phils in the minor league draft. He played for the Phils in 1968.  He was drafted by the Padres as the 48th pick in the expansion draft and played for them in 1969.  In March of 1970 he was traded to the A's for Ramon Webster and then in May he was traded to the Brewers. He passed away in 1982 at the age of forty-five.

Between: Jim Pena and Joe Pepitone

Up Next: Ohio Tim picks #776, Mike Matthews

Contest:  There is a secret Padrograph lurking. If you pick the right number you will win a $25 Visa gift card.  Please pick a number between 2-1396.

 

Jeremy picks #241, Jack Clark

The Player: Jack Clark

The Card: 1990 Topps #90

How I got the Auto: I purchased it on eBay

About Jack Clark: Jack got his start with the Giants, was traded to St. Louis, signed with the Yankees.  The Yankees traded him to the Padres.  The Padres released him and he signed with the Red Sox.  After that he signed with the Expos but never played for them.  

Comment: I have never liked Jack Clark.  He feuded with three of my favorite players Frank Robinson, Ozzie Smith and Tony Gwynn.  He accused Tony Gwynn of being selfish.  

Between: Galen Cisco and Jerald Clark 

Up Next: Brett Alan picks #949, Roberto Pena

Contest: There is a secret Padrograph lurking.   Pick a number between 2-1396 and if you pick the right number you will win a $25 gift card.  Numbers picked will be published each Sunday.  

 

Batting Out of Order picks #555, Alex Hinshaw

The Player: Alex Hinshaw

The Card: Shoebox Heroes, Series 2012, #24, created 7/25/2017

How I got the Auto: ABC unlimited did a signing with him and I got it signed through them.  

About Alex Hinshaw: Alex was drafted by the Giants in 2000 and 2002, the Marlins in 2003 and the Giants again in 2005.  He signed with the Giants in 2005.  He made his major league debut in 2008 with the Giants.  He pitched for the Giants in 2008 and 2009. He played in the San Francisco system until 2011 when he was released and signed with the Padres.  He pitched in 31 games for the Padres before he was placed on waivers. The Cubs picked him up off the waiver wire, he appeared in two games for the Cubs.  The Cubs released him and he signed with the Jays but never appeared for them.  He then played for five different independent teams until 2014.  He founded 95 from the left side baseball academy in Frisco, Texas.

Comment: I remember making this card.  The inset picture is part of a picture of  Alex sitting in the dugout looking at Dave Winfield as he talks to another player.

Between: Dave Hilton and George Hinshaw

Up Next:  Jeremy picks #241, Jack Clark

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.  Please choose between 2-1396

 

Nothing new this week.

 

Here is the list of all of the numbers that have been chosen so far.  

The first column is the number chosen. 

Second column is who is in that slot in the Padrograph inventory.

Third is the date the write up was posted.  If there is no date it simply means I have written the post but it hasn't been posted yet. 

Lastly is which one of you picked the number. 

I didn't get any new Padrographs this week although I did order a couple that should arrive soon.  

Have a great week.  See you tomorrow when Alex Hinshaw is posted. 

Jafronius picks #803, Brian Meadows

The Player: Brian Meadows

The Card: 2000 Upper Deck #484

How I got the Auto: I purchased it on eBay

About Brian Meadows: He was drafted by the Marlins in 1994. He made his major league debut with them in 2006.  He pitched with them for two seasons before being traded to the Padres for Dan Miceli.  He pitched in twenty-two games for the Padres before being traded mid season to the Royals.  He pitched in 2000 and 2001 for the Royals, then signed with the Twins but didn't make it back to the majors.  From 2002-2005 he pitched for the Pirates and then his career ended in 2006 with Tampa Bay.

Between: Kevin McReynolds and Joshua Mears

Up Next: Batting Out of Order picks #555, Alex Hinshaw

Contest: There is a secret Padrograph lurking.  If you pick the right number you will win a $25 gift card.  Pick numbers between 2-1396. All the numbers picked will appear each Sunday.

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.