Featured autograph - Dickie Thon

I probably first read about Thon when he was featured in Sports Illustrated back in 1990 - I generally know of him as a player who might have been a star shortstop for years to come if he hadn't gotten beaned during a game in 1983.

Though Thon bounced back to enjoy a solid playing career - the beaning derailed his ascent and literally changed his perspective as a professional ballplayer.

I got Thon's certified autograph [$4] to add to my all-time Angels autograph collection - at SCN, there isn't much to go on with zero successes reported out of 23 requests.

Presumably Thon isn’t really a tough autograph, just a retired player who might not typically be accessible because he lives in Puerto Rico - and may not be focused in coaching or doing something stateside.

Featured autograph - Mike Scott

I picked a certified autograph of the former Houston Astros pitcher and 1986 National League Cy Young Award winner for $4 - I knew Scott mostly as a junk wax guy, but the pitcher had a five-year run as an ace quality pitcher with the Astros in the mid 1980s before injuries presumably led to his retirement.