1996 Leaf Signature Series, Andujar Cedeno

#41 Andujar Cedeno

Here is one of six cards from this set that I picked up from checkoutmycards.com back in September. I was buying some Royals cards to try to get signed during the final month of the season and I ended up buying about ten certified autographs at great prices as well. I picked this card up for $0.99. The reason why I bought this card is because Andujar died in a car accident in 2000 and I could not pass up an unpossible autograph that cost less than a buck.

Andujar played in the Majors for parts of seven seasons as a member of the Astros, Padres, and Tigers. Incidentally, he played for all three of those teams during the 1996 season. His best season probably came as an Astro in 1993. That year, he had career highs in hits (143), average (.283), home runs (11), RBI (56), and just about every other offensive category except doubles. But, his career highlight would have to be the cycle that hit for in 1992.

For some reason, 1996 was the last season Andujar played in the Majors. He was completely out of baseball for 1997 and 1998 before reappearing as a Yankee AAA player in 1999. 2000 was split between the Mexican League and the Atlantic League. He was playing winter ball in his native Dominican Republic at the time of his death.