Featured card: 2010 Bowman Throwbacks Kendry Morales #BT 69

I picked up the Los Angeles Angels [Torii Hunter / Hideki Matsui / Kendry Morales] cards from the 2010 Bowman Throwbacks set because I still familiar with the 1992 Bowman set as one from a 'nine or 10 years ago,' though it has actually been 18 years since its release - I like the novelty of the reprinted card designs because there is a 'what-if' quality to them, even the cards themselves are anachronistic and some of the details on the original cards may not actually be mimicked on the insert cards.

When I overheard a couple of Angels fans [I'll assume] telling former Halo Adam Kennedy [during batting practice before the Washington Nationals / San Diego Padres game in San Diego on Saturday] - how Morales got injured after hitting a walk-off grand slam, I was in disbelief. The biggest news for this fan on Saturday wasn't Roy Halladay's perfecto, but the Halos losing their 'bully' in the middle of their lineup with light tower power from both sides of the plate.

Morales is probably close to as done for the regular season - who knows how he will bounce back if somewhat healthy enough to make a return this year.

In 2009, the Angels had to deal with Nick Adenhart's passing - but losing a guy for a chunk of the season because of an apparent walk-off celebration adds insult to injury and is a blow to a team looking for some consistency.

Maybe the real question is how are the Halos going to be able to get production from first base with the possible options they have available - will the Angels trade for a first baseman who can hit with some pop or is the organization content to 'fill in the blank' at first base with someone within the farm system or perhaps someone currently on the Angels.

Autograph request through the mail received: Kendry Morales

Kendry Morales c/o Los Angeles Angeles - signed two cards in black Sharpie in about two weeks.

Morales doesn't glare, doesn't growl or yell when you approach him for an autograph in-person - I've tried to get his autograph in-person just a couple of times and he just looks past you like you weren't there.

Maybe he is more accomodating in organized events - but it is hard to get his attention in-person. I'm sure he is the dude wearing the sunglasses.

Several months ago, I saw this post on another collector's blog - and decided to send a request to Morales, skeptical he would actually respond to an autograph request in the mail.

Fortunately, the cards got back to me safely and both of them were signed - they look pretty good and Morales is just having a breakout season for the Halos in 2009.