Featured autograph - Josh Donaldson

Someone asked me who Donaldson was when he was dropped off at Angel stadium as a visiting player a couple of years back and I referred to him the 'scrubbliest of scrubs -' it took some time, but the Oakland third baseman has stuck in the Big Leagues in 2013 and emerged into a fun player to watch on a day-to-day basis.

I wish the Angels had stumbled upon someone like him instead of a guy who plays like a stiff at times in Alberto Callaspo - Donaldson plays some good defense, gives you some pop and has 'clutched up' at times, getting big hits for the front-running Athletics at the most opportune moments over the past couple of seasons.

I think I got Donaldson to sign my card during a past spring training trip either in 2009 or 2010 - his autograph has gotten sloppier over the last several years I've gotten him to sign, though he's been always accommodating about doing it.

Featured autograph - Edward Mujica

It took him several teams through parts of eight Major League seasons but it looks like Mujica has found his niche as a relief ace for the St. Louis Cardinals - the 2013 All-Star signed my cards when the Cardinals were visiting the Angels a couple of weeks ago.

Featured autograph - Kyle Seager

For the handful of prospects the Seattle Mariners have brought up and were expected to do something as Major Leaguers in recent years - it seems like Seager was the least hyped, but as put together a couple of solid seasons as a young, emerging talent.

Seager isn't quite an All-Star caliber performer yet - but Justin Smoak, Dustin Ackley, Jesus Montero have been sore disappointments so far and may not fulfill their potential.

As an autograph signer, Seager signs when asked and is fairly accomodating - makes him a decent guy in my book even if he plays for a division opponent of the Angels.

2011 home brewed card set #2 - underrated idols

2011 Home Brewed Baseball Card Set #2

Underrated Idols explained

A.) Players who may not be nationally known and still flying under the radar - younger players who have crossed over from promising talent into productive every day MLB players, players who are entrenched in the prime as the stars of their team and veterans who are still pushing along.

B.) These cards are usually 'put together' at the beginning of the MLB season - with an initial set of 20-30 cards, an in-season update to bump the number up to about 31-36 cards and a 'final update' at the end of the season to add a final group [perhaps after the World Series].

C.) There is no set number of cards [minimum of 18 cards to about 63 cards maximum] - though multiples of nine applies,because nine is a number of cards fitting into one plastic sheet.

Underrated Idols - updated 7/31/11

1.) Michael Cuddyer - 2011 Topps #21
2.) Adam Lind - 2010 Topps Target #472
3.) Howie Kendrick - 2007 Fleer #182
4.) Brett Gardner - 2011 Topps Heritage #338
5.) C.J. Wilson - 2011 Topps #323; autographed in-person / 2011
6.) Carlos Ruiz - 2009 O-Pee-Chee #286
7.) Anibal Sanchez - 2006 Topps 52 #265
8.) Alex Gordon - 2008 Upper Deck #527
9.) Ervin Santana - 2007 Topps Chrome #17
10.) Nick Swisher - 2010 Topps Update #US-127
11.) Wandy Rodriguez - 2011 Topps #241
12.) Adam Jones - 2010 Topps #543
13.) Yadier Molina - 2010 Topps Update #US-259
14.) Mark Buehrle - 2009 Topps 206 #238
15.) Jacoby Ellsbury - 2008 Upper Deck #435
16.) Francisco Cordero - 2009 Topps Update and Highlights #184
17.) Shane Victorino - 2009 Upper Deck #296
18.) Matt Cain - 2011 Topps #570
19.) Daniel Murphy - 2010 Upper Deck Biography insert #SB-173
20.) Jeremy Hellickson - 2011 Topps #165
21.) Gavin Floyd - 2009 O-Pee-Chee #385
22.) Kevin Correia - 2011 Topps #47
23.) Michael Brantley - 2011 Topps #274
24.) Nick Markakis - 2009 Topps 206 #122
25.) Jordan Zimmermann - 2011 Topps Heritage #79
26.) Brandon Phillips - 2009 Topps 206 #157
27.) Mike Morse - 2005 Topps Total #755
28.) Eric Hinske - 2011 Topps Braves #ATL 9
29.) Billy Butler - 2010 Bowman Platinum #59
30.) Miguel Cairo - 2009 Upper Deck Update #U17
31.) Erick Aybar - 2010 Topps #108
32.) Alex Avila - 2011 Topps #497
33.) Joel Hanrahan - 2010 Topps Update #US 257
34.) Nyjer Morgan - 2010 Topps Heritage High Series #653
35.) John Axford - 2010 Topps Update #US 257
36.) Madison Bumgarner - 2011 Bowman Platinum #33