Even though I might lose a couple of cards [regardless of all the success reported over the years] due to uncertain times, I mail a request towards the end of spring training - I wanted to see if I can get some fresh ink off a current Angels player I look to watch close out ballgames throughout the 2021 season.
Even though this old-school Sports Illustrated magazine showed Rod Carew on the Twins and not the Angels - I bought the copy on eBay to have it signed by Carew at the local card show back in 2007.
I put away the magazine for good and never thought about getting Foster’s autograph until I saw he was doing these spring training autograph signings with Fergie Jenkins - in recent years, maybe Foster has been a white whale of sorts, since he has shown up where it may not have been convenient for me to go.
I was able to go the Cactus League for a couple of weekends this past spring and on my last day, I saw a Facebook post by Jenkins' foundation that they were going to be signing at the Texas Rangers game in Surprise - regardless of whether I got any actual active players, one of my priorities was getting Foster.
I saw the Fergie Jenkins booths as I finally got in through the left field gates after going through security / a metal detector - Jenkins’ table was between Foster on his left and Byron Browne, a former Cubs player, who I knew because he participated in a kids camp in Peoria 11 years ago.
During the start of the game, I made my way to the Jenkins booth [Rollie Fingers was actually signing on the concourse, behind home plate, so it seemed like he getting most of the foot traffic] to get things over with - I looked over the price list posted on the tables [Jenkins was $30 and Browne was $20 maybe for the flat / balls] and Foster was the only one that the basic price was dependent on what you had.
I dug out my magazine and asked how much it would cost to sign - hoping it wouldn't be like $30 or $40.
"$20," Foster said.
As I handed him my magazine and my Sharpie - I gave my money to the handler next to him.
Foster suggested a spot where to sign my magazine and I pointed at a different place - he signed where I wanted and shook his hand after he was done.
I thought about taking a picture of him signing my item or maybe a photo op but it was nighttime and I was a little harried - to worry about anything but getting ink on my SI and leaving for a 5-hour trip back home.
While Cano still has 7 years left on his hefty contract, he already has the numbers of a probable Hall of Famer - particularly for a second baseman who still looks like he can post big batting numbers to pad his counting stats.
The No. 3 overall pick in last year's amateur draft, it took Rodon only 34.1 random innings in the minors before getting to the Major Leagues - it doesn't mean he won't be back down in the minors at some point, but maybe it just shows how top amateur talents [particularly college players] are expected to contribute sooner than never.
It probably helps to have Madison Bumgarner emerge as your outright, no doubt about it ace - but it's kind of amazing the San Francisco Giants won the World Series last year despite Cain being injured and Tim Lincecum being up-and-down.
They were the Giants' one-two pitching duo for a long time, but both Cain and Lincecum have a lot to prove - looking to find the success that defined their careers as Giants.
I wasn't sure about his signing habits but I had assorted prospect cards and a Future Stars 8x10 print I bought several years ago - so I was hoping to get at least the picture signed and maybe a few cards signed when I got out to Arizona for several days.
Hawkins was actually 'one per' guy, where he only signed one thing for a person at a time, but was actually cordial - he made sure to sign for anyone who wanted his autograph at Sox camp going out and coming back from practice.
It doesn't change things from a autograph collector's perspective but I guess 'one per' is just how Hawkins rolls - when he was signing, he asked another collector if he was going to be around and told him that he'd sign more for him then as opposed to signing more than just one card at the particular moment.
Now, it looks like he'll get a spring training try out after signing a minor league deal with the Angels - chances are he will not make the big league roster and might be stuck in AAA until another opportunity opens up, but who knows.
I’m thinking there is a chance the seven letters put in was included among the 100,000 - though considering the following players I sent to, I might not have been realistically counting on getting any responses back.
Javier Baez
Xander Bogaerts
Byron Buxton
Robinson Cano
Carlos Correa
Frazier
Masahiro Tanaka
I like getting something in the mail as far as a SASE with the card(s) I sent to a player - but even if a player gets to responding to all the requests sent to him at some unspecified time in the future, it's a snail's pace to get something back, even for non-stars.
I'll let the guys who don't live relatively close to a MLB stadium enjoy their Josh Hamilton or Clayton Kershaw TTM successes - I'm worried more about getting back the rank-and-file I might end up sending to in a relatively reasonable amount of time.
Devin Mesoraco c/o Cincinnati Reds [spring training] - the Reds rookie catcher signed my two cards, including a 2011 Topps Heritage 'setter.' I sent the request on 2/22/12 and my SASE with my cards signed snuck into my mailbox probably two or three days ago, on 8/15.
I don't know if I could pronounce or spell this guy's last name to save my life - but the Angels traded a couple of prospects [Alexi Amarista and Donn Roach] to get him from the San Diego Padres.
Frieri might only throw in the low 90s but looks like he's done a pretty good job - as he's gotten an extended role in the Padres' bullpen the last couple of years.
Hopefully what it means is he gives the Angels bullpen some depth and breathing room - I can think of only Scott Downs and perhaps LaTroy Hawkins as the Angels' relievers worth handling the ball over.
With respect to the other guys - they are either old, unproven or ineffective.
Adam Jones c/o Baltimore Orioles [spring training] - I sent an autograph request to the Orioles' centerfielder on 2/25 and got a SASE back with one card signed in blue ink on 4/7/12.
The other card I sent wasn't returned [an 2011 Donruss Elite Extra Edition].
I only sent 10 spring training requests in 2012 and the only other response was on 3/8/12 - when I got a 'return to sender' for a request I sent to Detroit Tigers prospect Jacob Turner.
Max Scherzer c/o Detroit Tigers [spring training] - personalized [To: Lauren] and signed my card in blue ink.
This was mailed on February 24 and arrived in my mailbox on December 27 - this request took a while to get back to me but it is always nice to get a somewhat unexpected TTM autograph success.
Willie Aikens c/o home - signed my three cards in blue Sharpie in about a week. He also returned my letter with a note saying his book is coming out next year and it will answer the questions I had for him in my letter.
Josh Hamilton c/o Texas Rangers [spring training] - signed one card in black Sharpie; I thought I was glad to get this one back but I chose a card with too dark of a background and only the streaky part of the autograph is sort of visible.
Adam Jones c/o Baltimore Orioles [spring training] - I sent an autograph request to the Orioles' centerfielder on 2/18 and got my SASE back with two cards signed in black on 4/4/11.
Felix Doubront c/o Boston Red Sox [spring training] - he had signed one signed card in black Sharpie in about a month, but part of the autograph had stuck to the inside part of my SASE, so I'm going to try to remove the autograph with either an eraser or a nail polish remover.
I haven't made up my mind whether or not I lose sleep over these things but I'm anal when it comes to signed items - I don't like imperfections in the way the autograph was signed including but not limited to smears, smudges and bubbling.
Jerry Sands c/o Los Angeles Dodgers [spring training] - signed my card in black ink in about a month or so.
Sands has put up big numbers in the minor leagues but has seemingly gone under the radar - while it looks like he'll start the season in the minor leagues, it isn't a stretch to say he'll get his call to the Major Leagues sooner than later.