Autograph Collecting

The history of baseball has always amazed me. I’ve always wanted to capture a little piece of baseball history – through collecting autographs I have done just that. It is a personal hobby. The cards aren’t for sale. Some day I’ll probably hand them down to my son to continue building a small slice of apple pie.

1983 Fleer Baseball Card Autograph Project

In the early part of 2006, I began an ambitious project. I wanted to see if I could get every baseball card from the 1983 Fleer baseball card set autographed. I wasn’t sure if it would be a success or a bust – I just wanted to give it a shot.

As I quickly discovered, the Internet is an amazing tool. There are many web sites out there to help quirky people like me find ways to reach the players of yesteryear. Some players (from Bud Black to Gary Gaetti) are now managing or coaching. Others are in broadcasting (from Jerry Remy to Charlie Lea). And still others have taken a second profession (from Ken Smith as a car dealer salesman to Don Hood as a Park Ranger).

Some players charge for their autograph. Dave Henderson, for example, requests a $3 donation per autograph to the Angelman Syndrome Foundation Fred Lynn’s donations support Child Haven.  Fergie Jenkins has established a foundation in his name and he charges $15 per autograph.

There are some players that seem to simply disappear: Marshall Edwards, Ricky Wright, Luis Aponte, David Green, Jack O’Connor, Dale Murray, to name a few. If you know of the whereabouts of any of these players, drop me a note.

Feel free to come back and see how the project is progressing. I’d like to hear from you. Click here to contact me.