1991 Score, Fernando Valenzuela

#449 Fernando Valenzuela

I got this card signed through the mail sometime in the '90s. I have no idea when I got it. This card came out in '91, right before he got released by the Dodgers. He only made two appearances with the Angels that year, so I probably didn't get it signed in 1991. It was most likely signed in 1993 while he pitched for the Orioles.

No matter when he signed it, I was pretty happy when I got it. Sure, his early success didn't last his whole career. But, he is the only pitcher to win the Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in the same season. That counts for something. Plus, he made six straight All-Star teams before he started to have arm problems.

Unfortunately, I was only two years old when Fernandomania was taking place. That is too bad. I can't think of anything like that that I have seen since. I guess the home run chase in 1998 might have been similar, but I don't know. The chase certainly wasn't a rookie pitcher, signed from the Mexican League, dominating a league.

I have heard that Fernando still signs fan mail from his home in Los Angeles.

I mentioned yesterday that I was going to have a contest to start off the New Year. Well, because of the Winter Classic and college football, the contest will start the second day of the New Year.

1991 Line Drive, Tim Bogar

#626 Tim Bogar

This is the second of three cards that I got signed in Kansas City last summer. At the time, Tim was the quality assurance coach for Tampa Bay. Next season, he takes over as first base coach for the Red Sox.

The last card that I showed of Tim had him in AAA. This card came out the next season and it has him back in AA. Speaking of AA, this card is of the Williamsport Bills. Williamsport now has a short season A team, the Williamsport Crosscutters. Of the four AA cards that I have shown from this set, two cities dropped down to A ball, one dropped down to independent ball and one moved up to AAA. I guess that goes to show how the economics of minor league baseball work.

These cards were made by Impel. They came in two sets, one of AA cards and one of AAA cards. After this, it's back to Major League cards until I get to 1992 Classic/Best.

Also, I think that I'm going to start off the new year with a contest. I have never done a contest on here, so I'm looking forward to it. So keep checking back during the next few days if you might be interested.

1991 Line Drive, Steve Shifflett

#417 Steve Shifflett

I got this card signed in the winter of 1993 at the mall when the Royals Caravan came to town. He came to town the same year as Kevin Koslofski. I mentioned in my Koslofski post that Kevin thought that the Ft. Myers card was pretty cool. But, now that I think about it, I think that Steve thought that the Ft. Myers card was cool. He wasn't nearly as impressed by his Memphis card.

1992 was the only year that Steve appeared in the Majors. He made 34 appearances and pitched 52 innings while posting a 2.60 ERA. Not bad for non-drafted rookie. The next year (and the year after that), it was back to Omaha. Then he split time in 1995 between Iowa and Colorado Springs, not doing too well at either place. That was his last season in pro ball.

I'm sure Steve wasn't the first one-season relieving wonder, and he surely won't be the last.

As for minor league ball in Memphis, the fans in that city now get to watch the Cardinals AAA team, the Redbirds.

1991 Line Drive, Al Martin

#211 Al Martin

I got this card signed through the mail in the early '90s while Al was with the Pirates. If it wasn't for this card, I would have forgot that he was ever in the Braves organization.

Al was the starting left fielder for the Pirates for eight seasons. In 1999, he hit a career high 24 home runs. After that season, he was traded to San Diego for John Vander Wal. He was having a decent season there before being shipped off to Seattle at the trade deadline. He finished the season there and was back with the M's the next season, too. The next year, he was signed by the Cardinals, but was cut in Spring Training. He ended up sitting out that year but was back the next year with the Devil Rays. He played in 100 unproductive games for the D-Rays, and that was the end of his career.

This card shows Al as a Greenville Brave. A few years ago, the team moved to Pearl, Mississippi and are now known as the Mississippi Braves. They are still the AA affiliate of the Braves. Greenville, on the other hand, got a new ballpark and dropped down a level to the South Atlantic League. The new team is called the Greenville Drive.

1990 Upper Deck, Bruce Hurst

#433 Bruce Hurst

Sorry I haven't posted a card in a couple of days. I've been hanging out with friends, working, and trying to get ready for a party that I'm throwing tonight. So, it's been a little hecktic around here.

Anyways, here is another Padrograph. This card catches me up and I am back to one post a day. Tomorrow, it will be back to 1991 Line Drive and it will continue from there.

Bruce pitched in the Majors for 15 seasons, mostly with the Red Sox and Padres. He struck out 190 batters in 1987, won 18 games in 1988, and posted a 2.69 ERA in 1989. Those were all career bests. He was an All-Star with the Sox in 1987. In the 1986 World Series, he made three starts, winning two with one no decision, while posting a 1.96 ERA in 23 innings of work.

The St. George Roadrunners of the Golden Baseball League play their home games at Bruce Hurst Field.

This signature is done with a pen and doesn't look too bad on the Upper Deck card stock.

1990 Upper Deck, Mark Grant

#412 Mark Grant

I thought about not posting today, but I want to get these Padrographs caught up with the rest of my cards. So I'll just do this one and it is a short one.

About ten days ago, I posted another Mark Grant Padrograph that Rod sent me. There are a couple of differences to note. One is that this one wasn't taken in front of a green screen. The second is that this one was signed with a marker that had a fat tip, so it is not quite as neat as the '89 Topps one.

Other than that, I hope that all of you have a Merry Christmas!

1991 Line Drive, Pat Listach

#191 Pat Listach

I got this card signed through the mail in either 1992 or 1993. Pat was the AL Rookie of the Year winner in 1992 as a Brewer. That was the highlight of his career. Only three other American League rookies recieved any votes for the award (compared to eleven in the NL) and they were Kenny Lofton, Dave Fleming and Cal Eldred. Comparing the stats of Lofton and Listach, it would be hard for me to pick a winner. Their numbers are very similar. Listach had the edge in average, hits and RBI, but Lofton had more runs, homers, walks, stolen bases (66 to 54), OBP, SLG, and he had less strikeouts. Plus Fleming won 17 games for he Mariners and Eldred was 11-2 with a 1.79 ERA. It's funny how these things work out (like Mike Aviles finishing behind Jacoby Ellsbury in the balloting this year).

Unfortunately for Listach, that was the beginning of the end for him. He only stole 68 more bases over the next five seasons. He missed most of 1994 due to what I would presume to be an injury. After he hit .290 in his rookie campaign, he never again hit over .250 in a season in which he played more than 16 games. In 1996, he was traded to the Yankees, but he never played a game with them. After that season, he was released and he signed on with the Astros. After 52 disappointing games with the 'Stros, he was let go. He was signed by a couple of different clubs after that, but he never made it back to the Majors. He retired after the 1998 season.

Pat was the manager for the Iowa Cubs last season. This coming season, he'll be the third base coach for the Nationals.

This card shows Pat as an El Paso Diablo. The Diablos were the AA affiliate of the Brewers and they were member of the Texas League. Today, the Diablos operate as an independent team in the American Association.

Also, I got a few cards from my want list from Kris of Cards in the Attic. If you have never visited his site, check it out. He's a big fan of the Albuquerque Isotopes, minor league baseball, and autographs. He sent me three Doug Waechter cards that I didn't have. After these and the Waechter cards that Night Owl sent me, I'll probably be taking him off of my want list. And Kris, I'm running a little behind this week, but I'll send some cards your way sometime next week. Thanks again.