TTM Failure: Mason Williams (again)

Mason Williams is my favorite Yankees prospect not named Manny Banuelos. I will stand by this statement even though I am 0 for 2 with him on TTM tries.

Last year, he returned my two cards unsigned. This year, he returned my 2011 Bowman Chrome unsigned, with a note thanking me for my support. The note is in his hand-writing, based by the way he signs his “M” and the one printed here. I have seen others have success with him, so I’m not quite sure why I am striking out. The hand-written note is at least a cool keepsake, but I'd still prefer the signed card.

One theory: he is included in the 2011 Bowman Chrome certified autograph checklist, so perhaps he feels that by signing a Bowman Chrome card, this is conflicting with something he was paid for. Is that a reach? Perhaps I’ll send him a regular Bowman, not Chrome, and see if that provides me with any luck.

The worst that can happen is I’m out two stamps and a card. Regardless, he remains my favorite Yankees prospect (except for Manny Banuelos, of course).

HR Derby + Ghost Hunters = Awesome

This morning, I read that the South Atlantic League (low A) All-Star game is being held in Charleston, home of the Yankees minor league affiliate - the Charleston Riverdogs. That team is loaded with high-ranking prospects, so I keep a close watch on that team.

Anyhow, Baseball America (link here) mentioned that the HR Derby for the event will be held on a - wait for it - aircraft carrier. How cool is that?! First we saw UNC and Michigan State play a basketball game on an aircraft carrier in November. Now this. Many may see this as a gimmick (and it is), but I also think it's what minor league baseball is all about. Doing something different and involving the community is something that many minor league teams try to do. The USS Yorktown is a main attraction in Charleston, and hopefully the community is really excited about this event.

So while doing a "USS Yorktown" Google search, "USS Yorktown ghost" is one of the most common terms. of course I'm going to click that. Turns out, the Ghost Hunters - the TAPS crew - did a whole episode on the ship. Spooooky! Here is the episode. Spoiler alert: Jason and Grant think the ship is haunted.

 Here are some of the players you may see taking part in the HR Derby for the Riverdogs:

Tino Tuesday #40: 1993 Upper Deck #287

There is a lot of love for 1993 Upper Deck, and rightfully so. It was a great set. Good design, good checklist, good photography, cool inserts. I’ve appreciated more and more as the years pass by.

This Tino card from 1993 Upper Deck is no exception. I’d say the photo was from 1992 spring training, given the background and Tino’s uniform. Plus the M’s starting wearing their new uniforms in 2003. It’s a different shot – with Tino running with the ball. It’s either a run down, or Tino running the ball in to keep a runner at third after an out.

TTM Success: Dante Bichette Jr

This is an autograph I’ve been wanting for a while. The Yankees 2011 First Found Draft Pick Dante Bichette Jr signed my 2011 Bowman. I wrote to him at Charleston, where he is playing full-season Low A ball. Bichette tore up the GCL last year, hitting .342. He’s gotten off to a really slow start in Charleston, hitting just .229. He’s only 19 though, so I’m not too worried the low BA right now against older players. 

He has a bit of a messy signature. It looks even worse over his facsimile signature pre-printed on the card. I tried him once last year without success, so I’m thrilled to add this auto. It came back in only 10 days.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother’s Day out there to all the moms out there who read my blog. Since that consists of zero people, I hope you and your wives/mothers have a great day today and get to spend quality time together.

I didn't have a Bobby Bonds card?

Randomly I was searching eBay for a few cheap Yankee cards and found this Bobby Bonds card. I had to stop and think if I had any cards of Bobby in a Yankees uniform. I concluded that I didn’t and put in a bid of $.30. I won the auction. The best part? Free shipping. Since I don’t have dime/quarter boxes near me, this is how I make up for it.

Newest Rizzuto - 1956 Topps

I have three vintage Phil Rizzuto cards – 1954 Topps, and 1955 Topps and Bowman. The condition of each varies – from awful to good. I just added my fourth Rizzuto via eBay – a 1956 Topps for around $6. No idea why it was so cheap. It’s in fair condition I’d say. A few creases but nothing major. The centering is pretty good and although fuzzy, the corners aren’t horrendous for a ’56.

I’ve always toyed with the idea of collecting Rizzuto. I’m not sure if I’d stick to vintage, or try to acquire newer stuff too. I have a lot of newer issues of him, so I’d have a nice head start if I ever decided to dive in. Decisions, decisions.

Here are some of my better Rizzuto cards: