Joe Mauer - MVP

Yesterday, as expected, Joe Mauer won the American League MVP award, in addition to the batting championship, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. The decision was nearly unanimous, with one bonehead voting for Miguel Cabrera.

Keizo Konishi of Kyodo News gave Cabrera the only other first place vote. Really Keizo? Miguel Cabrera? Not a bad player. But remember how he went out drinking with members of the White Sox, got drunk, got in a fight with his wife, had to be picked up at the police station, and went, I think, 0-11 when his team needed him the most? Most Valuable Player? Really?


The criteria for MVP voting are listed here and include:

"General character, disposition, loyalty and effort."

Cabrera hardly displayed any positive traits during his team's run for the playoffs. Who is Keizo Konishi anyway? Maybe that's why he (?) voted for Cabrera. Now we've heard his name, whereas before, he was unknown. Well Keizo, now you've got your 15 minutes of fame. Too bad people, if they remember you, will remember you for voting for a player that would rather get drunk and get in fights than help his team win the division. Not that he had to vote for Mauer. Why not Teixeira or Jeter? At least those would be realistic votes.

The "Sports Data" section of the Kyodo News is focused primarily on Sumo wrestling, golf and soccer. Maybe next year we should limit the voting to voters who know something about baseball.

Anyway. Way to go Joe! Let's hope the Twins can sign him to a long, long contract this winter.

Finally Some Returns

My odd luck continues with Whitey Ford. While he signed and returned my 1954 Topps quickly, he signed it twice. Odd. This comes after he signed the penny sleeve on the 1965 Topps I sent a while ago. Not sure if I'll try another or just live with this one.


I also got a 1956 Topps signed by Gus Zernial. Mr. Zernial is a great signer through the mail and he has a lot of cards from the 50's. I have cards of his signed from 1951-1956, and 1958-1959. I have almost no 1957 Topps signed, just because I really don't like the design of the set.

Finally, I got back my 1963 Twins program signed by Camilo Pascual. He used the pen I sent and it looks really good. I hope to get Killebrew to sign it at TwinsFest this January.

Yogi

A contact on SCN took a Sport Magazine to a MAB signing earlier this month for me. He was taking items for other SCN members for an extra $5 over the in-person signing fee, which was significantly cheaper than the mail-in price.

Several Returns Today

I received just about one of everything today: a ball, magazine, bobblehead and cards. First, I received my items from the last MLAM signings. Sal Butera signed his 1987 Twins bobblehead:


And Jack Fisher signed a 1965 Topps.


I also received a HHH Metrodome commemorative ball signed by Pete Redfern in a trade with another SCN member. I sent him two Metrodome balls to keep, and he got one of my Metrodome balls signed by Mr. Redfern and also included a 1959 Topps signed by Ralph Terry.


After about a month, I got back a 1976 Sports Illustrated signed by Carlton Fisk. Mr. Fisk is still signing via his home for a $40 fee to charity which is a pretty nice deal.

Grady Hatton Return

One return in the mail today. Grady Hatton signed his 1954 Topps.


Today I mailed off a 1954 Topps to Whitey Ford. I also bought a Yogi Berra '54 Topps that I'll send out in a while.

Card Show and Pro Shop Finds

Today my younger son and I went to a card show at Har Mar Mall in Roseville. There were very few dealers so we were a little disappointed. I did, however, find a signed 16x20 picture of Jack Morris with a '91 World Series MVP inscription for just $40.

I also bought a 1958 Topps Sam Esposito that I intend to send out along with a 1960 Topps. I already have Mr. Esposito on a 1958 Topps, but the card is pretty rough so this will be an upgrade.

After the card show, we headed over to the Twins Pro Shop in Roseville. My son bought a game-used Denard Span cap for $30, which seemed like a good price to us. They also had some Metrodome banners like the ones I already have hanging in my basement, but from the 2009 season. I was excited to see a Mauer and Morneau banner, until I was told they are $300! That's more than I paid for my Mauer signed jersey, so I passed on them. Even the more common players were $150 and up. More than I was willing to spend today.

Joe Mauer Jersey

Last month I bought a signed Joe Mauer jersey during a sale at Ironclad Authentics. I'm assuming he'll win the MVP award this year, in addition to his Gold Glove and Silver Slugger, so demand for his autograph will go up even more.

A while ago I bought a jersey display case at Hobby Lobby, and my wife helped me pin in to the case so I could display it.