My Topps Cardinals Autograph Collection (modern stuff)

frankhardy · January 13, 2022 4:52PM

Here are 3 more to try make progress in getting caught up.

1990 Topps Joe Magrane AS
1994 Topps Erik Pappas
1994 Topps Traded Bryan Eversgerd

New total is 1,707.

baseballfan · January 13, 2022 7:10PM

they are cool

frankhardy · January 13, 2022 8:19PM

Up next is a 1979 Topps Aurelio Lopez. His nickname was Senior Smoke! Gotta love that!

Mr Lopez passed away in 1992 from a car accident. You want to hear an eerie coincidence? Aurelio Lopez, Aurelio Rodríguez and Aurelio Monteagudo are the only three players in MLB history named Aurelio, and all three were killed in car accidents between the ages of 44 and 52.

The new total is now 1,708.

frankhardy · January 14, 2022 1:14PM

Not sure if this will get any attention at all, but this here piece of cardboard is one of the toughest of my entire collection.

To start off with, it is a 1966 Topps high number SP. To have this card triple signed is indeed a monumental task. I have had this one on my list of cards that I would probably never see or own. Diligence has paid off.

I have had this card in all 3 stages. I first bought this card signed by George Kernek in May 2020. Then, back in October 2021 I sent that card to Jimy Williams and he sent it back TTM. I was so excited to get that tough card back knowing I would probably never have one triple signed because Joe Hoerner passed away all the way back in 1996. Finally, a few weeks ago, I was able to snag this triple signed card off of Ebay. I'm very excited to have this one!

Since I had already counted Kernek and Williams, only the one signature by Joe Hoerner will add to the total. The new total is now 1,709.

divecchia · January 14, 2022 4:41PM

That is incredible, Shane!!! The multi signed cards are the toughest and picking one up that is from 1960's is huge.

I am sure that you are super stoked, I know I would be.

Congrats on this huge pick!!!

Donato

mrmopar · January 14, 2022 6:25PM

I have no special love for the Cardinals, but I love baseball and autographs. I could look through threads like these forever. I always especially enjoy the Dodgers crossovers too, as so many players switch teams once or more throughout their careers. no matter the team, you'll always find crossovers that represent your team as well.

If I had time to think, I'm sure I could come up with many more, but off the very top of my head just to get the ball rolling:

Joe Medwick
Tito Landrum
John Tudor
Todd Worrell

frankhardy · January 14, 2022 7:41PM

@mrmopar said:
I have no special love for the Cardinals, but I love baseball and autographs. I could look through threads like these forever. I always especially enjoy the Dodgers crossovers too, as so many players switch teams once or more throughout their careers. no matter the team, you'll always find crossovers that represent your team as well.

If I had time to think, I'm sure I could come up with many more, but off the very top of my head just to get the ball rolling:

Joe Medwick
Tito Landrum
John Tudor
Todd Worrell

Don't forget Ricky Horton! Now you've got me thinking about it.

Wait a second... How about the most obvious... Albert Pujols!

frankhardy · January 15, 2022 9:13AM

My thanks to Fred @baseballfan , Donato @divecchia , and Curt @mrmopar for helping me keep this thread alive lately. If it weren't for you guys checking in I would probably be going at this alone. Even still, it is helpful to me to chronicle this. I can't tell you how many times I have had to go back to this thread to check up on something. Just yesterday I discovered a 1994 Topps Tom Urbani duplicate that I had in my album and I didn't even realize it because I didn't have the cards in numerical order. I had to spend some time pouring over this thread to find out which one came first and how and where I mistakenly got a duplicate. I figured it out after an hour of research. Anyway, my thanks to you guys, and others.

frankhardy · January 15, 2022 9:28AM

I know I said that the triple signed 1966 Topps high numbers was one a huge one for my collection. Well.....this one may top it. Here is a 1962 Topps Johnny Keane. Mr Keane passed away all the way back on January 6, 1967. That means that there was only a 5 year window to get this one signed. Mr Keane is the longest deceased player possible for Topps Cardinals. I also have a 1963, which means I still need a 1964.

But there is another interesting thing about this card. You may or may not know....anytime I get a slabbed autographed card, I always scan it and then bust it out to put it in my album. When I do that, I put it in a penny sleeve and tape the flip to the back. When I busted out this Johnny Keane and was tapping the flip to the back of the sleeve, I noticed a date written on the back - August 9 & 10th, 1963. The Cardinals were in Milwaukee playing in a series against Hank Aaron and the Milwaukee Braves. It is my strong belief that this card was signed in Milwaukee on one of those days when the Cardinals were in town.

The new total is now 1,710.

divecchia · January 15, 2022 2:24PM

Shane, you're welcome. I thought about chronicling my Nolan Ryan pickups (started in 1993), but the task would have been overwhelming for me. I give you props for doing this with your Cardinal's autograph set because I realize the time and effort that it takes.

I've always though the toughest autos were the multi-signed cards and players that passed away young. Your last two additions were great scores for sure.

Donato

frankhardy · January 16, 2022 1:54PM

Up next is a 2013 Topps Update Carlos Martinez RC. I really thought he would be a dominant pitcher. He never did reach his potential like I thought he would.

Total is now 1,711.

mrmopar · January 16, 2022 8:24PM

@frankhardy said:

@mrmopar said:
I have no special love for the Cardinals, but I love baseball and autographs. I could look through threads like these forever. I always especially enjoy the Dodgers crossovers too, as so many players switch teams once or more throughout their careers. no matter the team, you'll always find crossovers that represent your team as well.

If I had time to think, I'm sure I could come up with many more, but off the very top of my head just to get the ball rolling:

Joe Medwick
Tito Landrum
John Tudor
Todd Worrell

Don't forget Ricky Horton! Now you've got me thinking about it.

Wait a second... How about the most obvious... Albert Pujols!

I was thinking about it later that night and realized I had not thought of Pujols. I think I received this the next day for my Dodger collection. I don't care for unlicensed all that much, but with this guy, I'll take what I can get. I had Pujols already, but having a Dodger card (even this lame one) was a priority before they became too expensive.

frankhardy · January 16, 2022 8:53PM

@mrmopar I like it! Nice!

frankhardy · January 17, 2022 9:17AM

Up next are 2 replacements. I recently read on SCN where some TTM Adam Kennedy cards were ghost signed. That is a problem on Adam Kennedy cards because Adam Kennedy's signature is SO inconsistent and changing through the years. After researching this I determined that the previous 1998 Topps Adam Kennedy I had was a ghost signed card. I tossed it in the garbage. I then replaced it with this one that is consistent with others that I have that are authentic. I also went ahead and bought this 1999 Topps Adam Kennedy PSA/DNA for next to nothing to replace my previous 1999 even though I believe it to be authentic, but less consistent with others. Adam Kennedy signatures are kind of tough to get a handle on if you don't do your research.

Autographs can sometimes be "slippery collecting ground" so to speak. It is imperative to do your due diligence and learn as much as you can. I do research and comparisons for every autograph I put in my collection. Even if it is a common player, I do a comparison to confirmed authentic examples if possible to make sure mine is the real deal. When I can't find confirmed authentic examples, I compare to other signatures that are from reputable sellers or collectors. When I find something I don't like, I don't but it. If I find something after it is in my collection that looks questionable, I replace it. The problem with me buying the ghost signed Kennedy was that it matched others cards I had researched. This means that there are a number of ghost signed Kennedy signatures out there. The interesting thing is that the ghost signature are more consistent than his real signatures. Go figure! Even the two below are inconsistent!

These are replacements so the total does not change.

frankhardy · January 17, 2022 9:20AM

Up next is a 2003 Topps Mike Crudale that I received TTM a few days ago. Mr Crudale returned my card in 10 days. He also included a personalized note wishing me luck on my Cardinals project! Anytime a player does something like that I store those in another miscellaneous album with duplicates, index cards, etc.

The new total is 1,712.

baseballfan · January 18, 2022 8:36AM

You're more then welcome

I thoroughly enjoy this thread. I check it every time I am on the site. love seeing the progress and new cards. I think it is a great collection of the cardinals and the progression of cards through the years

frankhardy · January 21, 2022 10:20AM

Up next is a couple of cards to add to the collection. One was an important piece to the Cardinals 2011 championship. The other never made an MLB roster.

2001 Topps Blake Williams. He never made the club. This was back when prospects could make the Topps set.

2013 Topps Daniel Descalso. He was the modern Jose Oquendo for the Cardinals. He was a valuable piece coming off the bench to give them a spark.

The new total is 1,714.

frankhardy · January 22, 2022 8:57AM

Up next is a TTM success. This 1989 and 1990 Topps Greg Mathews came back to me in 18 days. Always excited to anything TTM.

The new total is 1,716.

frankhardy · January 22, 2022 3:56PM

I've got to move right along if I am going to ever get caught up.

Here is a 1997, 1998, and 1999 Topps Ron Gant. I received these TTM in 15 days. I already had a 1998 and 1999 so these 2 will not be added to the count. However, I will be replacing the other ones and using these for my collection since I got them TTM. The 1997 is totally new.

This 1997 card makes the new total 1,717.

frankhardy · January 22, 2022 4:02PM

Here is a 2004 Topps Jesse Roman. This was back in the days when Topps would have rookie card of players that had not made the majors yet. Jesse Roman never made it to the Big Show.

The new total is 1,718.

frankhardy · January 22, 2022 4:04PM

Here is another TTM. This 1991 Topps Tim Jones came back to me after 19 days.

The new total is 1,719.

frankhardy · January 22, 2022 4:06PM

Up next is a couple of cards from my new source that is liquidating his collection. I have a bunch of these to post.

Here is a 1979 Topps and 1983 Topps Keith Hernandez.

The new total is 1,721.

divecchia · January 22, 2022 4:07PM

Shane,

Nice scores on the TTM's. Making some great progress.

Edited to add: I really like the Keith Hernandez signatures.

Donato

frankhardy · January 24, 2022 6:41PM

Here is another one from my new source. This one is a 1991 Topps Lee Smith.

The new total is 1,722.

frankhardy · January 24, 2022 8:09PM

Up next is another one from my new source. This one is a big one. Here is a 1998 Topps Mark McGwire. This is only the 2nd one I have ever seen. The other one was priced crazy.

New total is 1,723.

frankhardy · January 25, 2022 8:09PM

Ok folks.....here is a big haul! These cards come from my new source that is liquidating his collection. Most of these are signatures that range from moderately difficult to nearly impossible to get TTM (at least now). Some players signed graciously in the past but no longer sign TTM. Many of these fit that category. Some of these charge a fee to sign TTM. The bottom line is that I did not have these. Some of these could be had on Ebay, but these come from a long time collector and I got these for a bulk price that was very fair. The above McGwire, Lee Smith, and Hernandez cards came from the same deal. I just posted those separately because they are major cards. Here is a list of the rest and pictures to follow.

1981 Topps Traded Lary Sorensen
1983 Topps Julio Gonzalez
1983 Topps Eric Rasmussen
1983 Topps Traded Jamie Quirk
1985 Topps Andy Van Slyke
1987 Topps Mike LaValliere

1988 Topps John Morris
1988 Topps Traded Jose DeLeon
1988 Topps Traded Larry McWilliams
1988 Topps Traded Steve Peters
1989 Topps Bob Horner
1989 Topps Pedro Guerrero

1990 Topps Todd Zeile
1990 Topps Pedro Guerrero
1991 Topps Joe Magrane
1991 Topps Mike Perez
1991 Topps Jose Oquendo
1991 Topps Felix Jose

1991 Topps Ray Lankford
1991 Topps Jose DeLeon
1991 Topps Traded Juan Agosto (this finishes a complete 1991 Topps Cardinals Signed Team Set)
1992 Topps Cris Carpenter
1992 Topps Juan Agosto
1992 Topps Pedro Guerrero

1992 Topps Brian Barber Draft Pick
1992 Topps Joe Magrane
1992 Topps Traded Brian Jordan
1992 Topps Traded Donovan Osborne
1992 Topps Traded Mike Perez
1993 Topps Tom Pagnozzi

1993 Topps Bernard Gilkey
1993 Topps Todd Zeile
1993 Topps Omar Olivares
1993 Topps Jose Oquendo
1993 Topps Rene Arocha Prospects
1993 Topps Brian Jordan

1993 Topps Traded Mark Whiten
1994 Topps Todd Zeile
1994 Topps Steve Dixon
1994 Topps Geronimo Pena
1994 Topps Mike Perez
1994 Topps Brian Jordan

1994 Topps Omar Olivares
1994 Topps Paul Kilgus
1994 Topps Coming Attractions Brian Barber / Richard Batchelor (already had card with Batchelor; this adds one to count)
1995 Topps Brian Jordan
1995 Topps Ray Lankford
1995 Topps Tom Pagnozzi

1995 Topps Bret Wagner Draft Pick
1995 Topps Jose Oquendo
1995 Topps Bernard Gilkey
1995 Topps Traded Donovan Osborne
1995 Topps Traded Ken Hill
1995 Topps Traded Tom Henke

1995 Topps Traded Scott Cooper
1996 Topps Tom Henke
1996 Topps Brian Jordan
1996 Topps Danny Jackson
1996 Topps Bernard Gilkey
1996 Topps Ray Lankford

1996 Topps Bret Wagner Prospects
1997 Topps Tom Pagnozzi
1997 Topps Royce Clayton
1997 Topps Ray Lankford
1997 Topps Dmitri Young Prospects
1997 Topps Brian Jordan

1997 Topps Todd Stottlemyre
1997 Topps Braden Looper Draft Pick (this finishes a 1997 Topps Cardinals Signed Team Set)
1998 Topps Dmitri Young
1998 Topps Royce Clayton
1998 Topps Ray Lankford
1998 Topps Brent Butler Prospects

1998 Topps Eli Marrero Prospects
1998 Topps Brian Jordan
1998 Topps Delino DeShields
1998 Topps Tom Pagnozzi
1998 Topps Braden Looper / Cliff Politte Prospects (already had card with Politte; this adds one to count)
1999 Topps Jeff Brantley

1999 Topps Traded Eric Davis (this is a replacement; previous one was authentic but just looked shaky; does not add to the count)

These add 78 to the count to increase the total to 1,801.

divecchia · January 25, 2022 9:30PM

What a great haul!!! I am a huge fan of cursive writing as I won a few penmanship awards while I was in the third and fourth grades. Some of the earlier signatures from the 1980's look great when someone takes the time to write their name in such a way that it looks like art.

Congrats on picking up some great looking autos!!!

Donato

threeofsix · January 26, 2022 4:58AM

Wow!!!

baseballfan · January 26, 2022 8:01AM

great stuff!!

I have been wondering after the last couple post, what do you think will be your hardest cards to get? what modern card and what vintage card?

frankhardy · January 26, 2022 9:15AM

@baseballfan said:
great stuff!!

I have been wondering after the last couple post, what do you think will be your hardest cards to get? what modern card and what vintage card?

Thanks for the question.

Modern cards - probably any number of Pujols League Leaders. Usually collectors try to get regular cards signed. You don't see many LL cards signed by Pujols. Would probably need to cough up some serious money at a private signing just to get one.

Modern - 2014 Topps Update Oscar Taveras. Close to literally impossible. If memory serves me correctly, there is a window of around one or two weeks between the release of this set and his tragic death. There probably isn't one in existence, but you never know.

Vintage - the 3 1952 Topps High numbers that I don't have...Les Fusselman, Eddie Yuhas, and Hal Rice. I actually do have a Wilmer Mizell high number but his death was later (1999) and his signature is more common. However, Rice died in 1997, Yuhas died in 1986, and Fusselman died in 1970. I must say that ANY signed card of someone that died in 1970 is going to super expensive. Couple that with it being a 1952 high number... Nearly impossible and if one exists it would be unaffordable!

frankhardy · January 26, 2022 4:00PM

Time to move on to the next one. This is a recent TTM success.

This 2002 Topps Traded and 2003 Topps Traded Jimmy Journell. These cards were returned in 17 days.

The 2002 is a duplicate but will use this one for my collection.

The 2003 raises the total to 1,802.

frankhardy · January 29, 2022 8:43AM

Here is another TTM success. I remember getting Fernando Vina TTM years ago back in 2007. At that time I was just getting the main card in base sets. As the months and years went on I started trying to get everything from base sets. I sent of these cards and got them back in 18 days.

2002 Topps Fernando Vina Gold Glove Award Winner

2003 Topps Fernando Vina Gold Glove Award Winner

These 2 make the new total 1,804.

frankhardy · January 29, 2022 6:25PM

The following 2 cards are from a reputable member over at SCN. I'm just glad for the nameplate and the picture on the card because I wouldn't have a clue from the signatures!

2010 Topps Update Adam Ottavino

2010 Topps Update Jon Jay

Total is now 1,806.

frankhardy · January 29, 2022 7:39PM

Picked up 5 more from another collector on SCN.

2007 Topps Mark Mulder

2007 Topps David Eckstein

2007 Topps Update Mike Maroth

2007 Topps Update Rick Ankiel

2013 Topps Joe Kelly

These 5 increase the total to 1,811.

frankhardy · January 30, 2022 2:30PM

Here is another one from over at SCN. You can't really read it, but I kind of like Brendan Ryan's signature. Kind of neat!

2010 Topps Brendan Ryan

New total is 1,812.

frankhardy · January 31, 2022 7:17PM

Here is another TTM. Tony LaRussa sent this back to me in 23 days. It was a little weird sending it to the Chicago White Sox, but it worked.

2009 Topps Update Legendary Leaders Tony LaRussa

Total is now 1,813.

frankhardy · February 3, 2022 7:02PM

Here is another TTM. This 2005 Topps Update Mark Grudzielanek came back after 26 days. He also was nice enough to send an extra signed Expos card to me that I did not send to him.

Total is now 1,814.

divecchia · February 3, 2022 7:04PM

@frankhardy said:
Here is another TTM. This 2005 Topps Update Mark Grudzielanek came back after 26 days. He also was nice enough to send an extra signed Expos card to me that I did not send to him.

Total is now 1,814.

Some players really appreciate their fans. It's nice to see that.

Donato

frankhardy · February 4, 2022 7:29PM

Up next is another good one from my new source. Here is a 2001 Topps Mark McGwire. He signed it vertically, but it's still a nice signature.

New total is 1,815.

frankhardy · February 6, 2022 12:36PM

Here is another nice haul from my new source that is liquidating his collection. These are either deceased or very tough to get.

1977 Topps John Denny LL (super tough; finishes 1977 Topps Cardinals signed team set; also has Mark "The Bird" Fidrych, which obviously does not count since he was not a Cardinal)

1978 Topps John Denny (super tough)

1980 Topps John Denny (super tough; finishes 1980 Topps Cardinals signed team set)

1981 Topps Bob Forsch (d. 2011; not super tough, but just could never find one)

1983 Topps Darrell Porter (d. 2002; all of his signed Cardinals cards are tough; others teams not as much demand)

1983 Topps Bob Forsch (d. 2011; not super tough, but just could never find one)

1983 Topps Cardinals Team Leaders w/ Lonnie Smith and Joaquin Andujar (already had one with Smith; Andujar died in 2015; only adds one to the total)

1985 Topps Darrell Porter (d. 2002; with Proverbs 3:5-6 inscription)

Proverbs 3:5-6 is one of my favorite passages. Proverbs 3:5-6 says Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

1990 Topps Paul Coleman (tough; only Topps card; never played MLB)

1992 Topps Andres Galarraga (tough)

1993 Topps Andres Galarraga (tough)

1994 Topps Allen Watson (not tough; just didn't have it)

1999 Topps Matt Morris (tough)

1999 Topps Fernando Tatis (tough)

These 14 signatures raise the total to 1,829.

divecchia · February 6, 2022 12:45PM

Another great haul, Shane.

Congrats on all your new pickups!!!

Donato

frankhardy · February 7, 2022 5:09PM

This next one is a replacement. My previous one was a very hurried signature and I like this one better. It also comes from my new source.

This 1991 Topps Pedro Guerrero does not add to the total, which stays at 1,829.

frankhardy · February 7, 2022 5:31PM

The next 17 postings will be of HOF Cardinals that I just received from my new source. These are not the easiest to come by due to the nature of some of these cards.

I will start with a 1981 Topps Traded Bruce Sutter. I have looked for this card for a long time. Finally!

Total is now 1,830.

frankhardy · February 10, 2022 4:38PM

Up next in this HOF run is a 1983 Topps Bruce Sutter. Again, I got this one from my new source. I love Sutter's signature. Very classy.

Total is now 1,831.

divecchia · February 10, 2022 11:48PM

I agree, the Sutter signature is a beauty. I love the older signatures, much better than the scribbles of today.

Donato

frankhardy · February 11, 2022 8:44PM

Here is a fairly tough one - a 1983 Topps Steve Carlton Super Veteran. He had not been with the Cardinals since 1971, but this super vet shows him with the Phillies and with the Cardinals so it is part of the team set.

The new total is 1,832.

frankhardy · February 13, 2022 2:59PM

Here is another Super Vet HOF'er. This is a 1983 Topps Bruce Sutter Super Veteran.

Total is now 1,833.

frankhardy · February 14, 2022 5:57PM

Up next is another super vet. Here is a 1983 Topps Ted Simmons Super Veteran.

Total is now 1,834.

Panama Mutiny · February 15, 2022 3:18PM

do u have tom hughes from PANAMA ? 1959

frankhardy · February 15, 2022 4:22PM

@lawyer05 said:
do u have tom hughes from PANAMA ? 1959

Tom Hughes did not have a Topps card so I do not have his autograph. However, I did just read about him on Wikipedia. Interesting.

My Topps Cardinals Autograph Collection (modern stuff)

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