HOF Autographs Every Collector Should Have - Al Kaline

I finally sent out a couple of requests today. I sent a 1959 Topps to Duke Snider and the 1962 Topps Tribe Hill Trio card (already signed by Barry Latman and Jim Perry) to Dick Stigman.

I thought I'd start highlighting some autographs that I think new collectors should add to their collection right away. These are HOF players that sign with a high degree of success through the mail for a small fee or for free.

I've already written some posts about Duke Snider. He's the first request any collector should send. For a small fee ($5-$10) Mr. Snider will sign a card, ball, picture or magazine.

Another great HOF signer is Al Kaline. Mr. Kaline spent his entire career with the Tigers, 22 years, from 1953 to 1974. He was an 18-time All-Star, and Batting Champion in 1955. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1980, along with Duke Snider.


I have several autographs from Mr. Kaline in my collection. I have a 1964 Sports Illustrated that he signed for me about 5 years ago, a ball that he inscribed with his HOF year that I sent about 6 years ago, and several cards that I have sent over the years including a 1958 and 1965 Topps for my sets.


Always send to Mr. Kaline in care of the Detroit Tigers, not to his home address. He doesn't have a price list, but $5 per card, and $10 for balls and magazines seems to be successful.

Big Day Today - Kaline, Larsen and Roberts and more

I received six successes today, for a total of 11 cards, including two 2008 Goudeys.

Al Kaline signed his 2008 Goudey. I sent his request to the Detroit Tigers' address and included $5 cash.









Don Larsen signed his 2008 Goudey for his $7 fee.

Robin Roberts signed a 1959 Topps "Ace Hurlers" picturing him and Billy Pierce, for a $10 donation to B.A.T. (Baseball Assistance Team). I will get this in the mail to Mr. Pierce tomorrow.


Joe Gaines signed his 1963, 1964 and 1965 Topps cards for me.

Gene Stephens signed his 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1964 Topps.

And John Herrnstein signed his 1965 Topps for my set.

That's the most returns I've had in one day in a long time. Still no Whitey Ford though. I also want to get Whitey on his 2008 Goudey but I want to make sure I get back my 1965 Topps first.

One Return and Basement Purchases

Today in the mail I received one response. Stan Williams signed and personalized a 1960 and 1968 Topps. On one card he added the years he played for the Twins, even though it wasn't a card with him in a Twins uniform. Mr. Williams has signed for me in the past and always personalizes the cards. He has written, "To Rog", "To Roger", and on one of these cards he even wrote "To Roger P.". On Monday, I sent out 8 requests, including 2008 Goudeys to Al Kaline and Rollie Fingers.


Today my wife and I did some shopping while my boys were at an Al Newman Holiday baseball clinic (which they really enjoyed). We happened to stop at the Twins Pro Shop in Apple Valley and it looked like they had just received a fresh batch of the banners that they hang outside of the Metrodome with players on them from last season. They are about 6 feet tall and about 2 feet wide. I couldn't resist and bought one of Michael Cuddyer and one of Francisco Liriano. I had my eye on one of Mike Redmond but didn't buy it. While driving away, I got about 2 blocks and decided to go back and get it.

These are going to look great hanging in the basement, once I get it all done and have inspired me to get going on the basement cleanup so I can get more painting done and get them hung up.

Still Waiting

I was out of town for a few days, and was anxious to see what might be waiting for me in the mailbox when I got home.  I was really hoping to see the 1965 Topps signed by Whitey Ford that I re-sent when he signed the penny sleeve originally.  But, all I found was some cards I had bought on eBay.  I bought several more 2008 Goudeys of retired players including Al Kaline and Paul Molitor, as well as a 2003 Topps Heritage of Corey Koskie who will be at TwinsFest next month.  I got Corey Koskie through the mail when he played for the Twins back in 2003, but not on the Heritage set that I'm working on.

Other than that, I got about 25 cards form the early '60s that I'll write letters for later this week and send out.

Oh No.

Well, at first I was excited to see the small padded envelope waiting for me in the mail today. Whitey Ford! So, I opened it up and there was a nice blue signature across my 1965 Topps. It was in a penny sleeve, inside a top loader. As I removed the card from the top loader, my heart sank. The signature moved across the card.

I've read about this happening to other people, but it couldn't happen to me, could it? Especially with Whitey Ford, who must sign hundreds and hundreds of autograph requests just like mine. But yes, Mr. Ford signed the penny sleeve, not the card itself. Ugh. I paid $40.

I'll send it back tomorrow with a note explaining what happened and hopefully he'll sign the card for me.

On a brighter note, Johnny received Al Kaline on a 2000 Fleer Greats of the Game. They are great cards and Johnny is trying to get 20 of them signed to fill a baseball card display for his wall.