Camilo Pascual Return

I don't know why Camilo Pascual doesn't get more credit.  He was a pretty dominate pitcher in his day.  As good as he was, maybe he weas still overshadowed by other pitchers, like Koufax.

He led the American League in complete games in 1959 (17), 1962 (18) and 1963 (18).  Last year, there were 28 complete games in both leagues combined!  He also led the league with complete game shutouts in 1959 (6), 1962 (8) and 1963 (5).  He led the American League in strikeouts in 1961 (221), 1962 (206) and 1963 (202).  

His career ERA was 3.63, which doesn't sound super impressive, but I'm not sure what was good for the 1950's and 60's.

Anyway, he signs for $10 per card or photo.  His fees aren't specific for other items, but $20 seems to be adequate for baseballs and magazines, in my experience.

I decided to fill some gaps in his Topps run in my collection and also found some Venezuelan cards on eBay.  I also started on a new 1966 Topps Twins team card, since my original one appears to be lost after sending it to Al Worthington.  

I just did a quick inventory of my Pascual-signed Topps cards, and I've got all of the regular issue cards, including All Star and Leaders cards, except one:  a 1964 Topps A.L. Pitching Leaders card (wins) along with Whitey Ford and Jim Bouton.  I ordered an unsigned one from eBay and will include it in my next request.

That would have been a nice card to get completed by all three and wouldn't have been hard.  Ford's fee was about $40 or $50 when he passed away, but years earlier I was paying just $25.

I just sent Mr. Worthington another request, mentioning my previous request in my letter and asking if perhaps my cards got separated from my sase, or my request got misplaced at his home and if so, could he please send them back along with this new request.  It's a Hail Mary, and I'd be super happy just to get the 1966 team card back.  

There was also a 1967 Twins team card in my earlier request, along with two of his regular cards.  The 1967 team card already had 8 signatures on it, but none that I can't try to get again.  The 1967 team card itself is cheap.  I think I paid less than $3 shipped on eBay.

The 1966 team card, however, is quite expensive. It's a high number card, and it commemorates the 1965 World Series team.  I paid $38 for the first one that now appears to be lost, and nearly $60 for this one!  Also, the lost one had Rich Rollins' signature on it, who passed away recently.

My missing cards:

I know, I know, don't send anything in the mail you can't afford to lose.  People need to stop saying that.  It's obvious, and basically means, "I don't care that you lost your stuff."  Worthington has a 94% success rate on SCN, so it seemed like a safe bet, but I know there's always a risk.

Pete Cimino was the last player to sign those team cards.  His 1966 Topps rookie card, who he shares with Cesar Tovar, is also an expensive card.  I paid over $40 for the one I had him sign.

My uncontrollable urge to get all the Twins cards signed from each year is getting pretty expensive.

Yesterday I mailed out a bunch of Grand Slam portraits that I mentioned a couple days ago.  Several to paid signings, and a couple to ttm signers.  It'll be a couple weeks before I get any back, probably, but I'll try to keep sending out more in the meanwhile.