1998 Multi Ad Sports, Wichita Wranglers

#1 Jamie Bluma
#24 Dan Reichert

A few years back, I came across this Wranglers team set at the oldest card shop in Kansas, Rock's Dugout. It was only a dollar, so I could not pass it up. There are no big names in it, but I am always needing cards of Jamie Bluma.

I got Bluma to sign his card at Royals Fanfest in 2016. Even though Jamie only pitched 20 innings with the Royals, he is always at Fanfest and showing up for alumni events. That is why I am always on the lookout for cards of him.

I got Dan to sign this card at a Lincoln Saltdogs game last summer. We stayed in Lincon when we went to the College World Series last year and decided to take in a Saltdog game the night before the Series started. We only stayed three or four innings before a massive storm rolled in, but I was able to get this card signed before the game started.

I finally attended my first Major League game of the year this weekend. I went and saw the Yankees whoop up on the Royals. I took cards to get signed, but came home empty-handed. It has been a while since that has happened. Turns out the Yankees aren't great signers. Who would have thought? Aaron Judge signed for a bit, but he was on the opposite side of the dugout that I was on. Clint Frazier signed for some people that had on-field passes. And Neil Walker signed two autographs for some kids in the $500 seats. That was the only signing I saw. I even called for Reggie Willits and Marcus Thames to come and sign. Reggie just waved at me and Marcus told me he had to get to a meeting. Oh well, it was worth a shot.

2006 Tristar Prospects Plus, Billy Butler

#P-BB Billy Butler

Here is the first Billy Butler autograph that I have posted on here. There will be many more to come after this one, but it might be some time before the next one pops up on here again. This one happens to be the last card that I got signed by Billy. He signed it for me at Royals Fanfest last year.

I really like this card as it shows Billy with my local Wichita Wranglers. The Wranglers had a Hell of team in 2006 with Billy and Alex Gordon in the lineup every day. Plus, they were managed by Frank White, so you would think that they wouldn't have any problem putting butts in the seats of Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. But, that wasn't the case as just under 178,000 fans went out to watch them that year. That season, they announced that they would move to Arkansas for the 2008 season.

I never made it to a Wranglers game in 2006. I was stationed in Georgia at the time and the one time I came home that summer, I went to a Royals game instead of a Wranglers game. But, I really wish the Wranglers were still in Wichita. I like the Wingnuts and I think they put a good product on the field. But, there is little comparison between the American Association and the Texas League.

Having said that, I am looking forward to going to my first Wingnuts game of the season in two weeks. While it is unlikely that there will be the next Alex Gordon or Billy Butler at the game, there will be some former Major Leaguers playing. Wichita signed Luis Hernandez and Lou Montanez for the season. So, if anyone out there needs something signed by them, just let me know.

This is finally the last card from 2006. I posted my first 2006 card on here in November of 2011. Nearly four years later and it is now time for my 2007s.

1992 Classic/Best, Lance Painter

#313 Lance Painter

I got this card signed a few days before the Tim Garland card I posted yesterday. I was on my west coast trip at the time and I got this card signed at a Rancho Cucamonga Quakes game. Lance was the pitching coach for the visiting High Desert Mavericks.

I just checked his stats page and the only thing that really stood out to me is that Lance was born in England. I did not know that. This is probably the only card that I have signed by an Englishman.

What I love about this card is that the picture is taken at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. That is the closest professional ballpark to me. According to a postcard that I received from the Wranglers in 2003, LD Stadium is the eighth oldest ballpark still being used in minor league baseball. It was built in 1934 and has hosted AA and AAA baseball (and probably lower levels) and even the 1949 College World Series. The most unique feature of LD Stadium is the turf infield/grass outfield. You can kind of see it in the card at the top, but here is a better view. Interestingly, Wrigley Wax did a little tidbit on the turf and grass years at old Comiskey Park just a couple of days ago.

After the 2007 season, the Wranglers moved to Springdale, Arkansas, where they became the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. In 2008, the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association moved into LD Stadium and it is now the most annoying spot in America to watch a game. But, that is just my opinion. The 'Nuts drew better last year than the Wranglers did for years, so I must be in the minority.