TTM autographs received: Roberto Hernandez

The former big league closer signed my cards in about a couple of weeks - I must have gotten his autograph at least once during his 17-year playing career, though I don't know if that was actually the case, so I figured to send him some cards.

Featured card: Jack McDowell 1994 Upper Deck #395 - when going through a pile of commons with the intention of finding something unique, sometimes it is a needle in a haystack. However, you do find hidden gems that make you smile.

Looking at the back of this card - McDowell was at his prime, coming off two 20-win seasons. This was at his budding musician stage, before he gave the finger to New York Yankees' fans as a Yankees' pitcher, before his arm was completely shredded by the end of the 1990s.

He won won the Cy Young Award in 1993 and saw his yearly win total in his five seasons prior to the 1994 season [1988, 1990-1993] jump from 5, 14, 17, 20 and 22 - more telling about his success at the Major Leagues was the number of innings he threw: 158.2, 205, 253.2, 260.2 and 256.2.

McDowell spent a forgettable last season in the Major Leagues as an Anaheim Angel - going 0-4 in four starts, getting pounded for 31 hits and 17 runs in 19 innings pitched.

McDowell had very good Major League career, built upon his prime years in Chicago - he finished with a 127-97 won-loss record, making 275 starts in his 277 appearances in the Major Leagues. His lifetime ERA was 3.85 and he struck out 1311 batters in 1889 innings pitched.