More TwinsFest - Bert Blyleven

I have very few mail requests out and really don't feel like writing any letters. There are several mail-in signings coming up including Tony Kubek, who I need on a 1958 and 1965 Topps. There is also a Lou Brock signing, who I need on a 1965 Topps as well as a 2008 Goudey. There are other signings coming up for many in the Goudey set including Bob Gibson, Mike Schmidt and Ozzie Smith. We'll see if I decide to pay the fees.

Tonight I scanned in a bunch of items that Johnny got signed at TwinsFest. One of our favorite people to meet is Bert Blyleven. He is always very friendly and funny and great with the kids. Johnny has been working on the 2000 Fleer Greats of the Game set and was able to get Bert to sign his card.

Blyleven Falls Short in Hall Voting Again

Another year, and no Bert Blyleven in the Hall of Fame. I was mostly right in my post back in December, predicting that Jim Rice would get in and that Bert wouldn't. I thought Andre Dawson and Bert would make a bigger jump, but they didn't really. Ricky Henderson was elected, of course. No surprise there.

Well, since I have Jim Rice's autograph on a baseball (pictured), that increases my Hall of Fame collection by one. I was hoping Bert's autograph would increase it by two, but I'll have to wait.

One return in the mail today. Bill Davis signed his 1965 Topps rookie card for my collection.

I also ordered a new TV for the basement. A 40-inch Toshiba LCD. Now I need a new TV stand that matches the basement and can fit the TV and hopefully hold a bunch of games and dvds.

Will Bert Make the Hall of Fame This Year?

The annual article regarding Bert Blyleven's chances for making the Hall of Fame has been published. I consider this the official sign that winter has begun. That, combined with the 3-4 inches of snow that fell last night, has me ready to hibernate.

Although I don't think he'll make it this year, I think he will in the next couple of years. Last year, Jim Rice and Andre Dawson had higher vote percentages. I think Rice will get in this year, and maybe Dawson, but probably not Blyleven. He has four chances left to get voted in by the writers.

I think Bert should be in the Hall, unfortunately, he played for some really bad teams which prevented him from getting 300 wins, which is a guarantee to get elected.



Bert is also a great TV broadcaster, along with Dick Bremer. The two of them can make watching even a boring game more enjoyable. I especially enjoy listening to Bert complain that pitchers don't throw at batters enough these days, and complain that none of today's pitchers can throw a complete game.

I've gotten Bert's autograph in person on a few of occasions. Once at the Twin's Autograph Party in June of 2007, and twice at TwinsFest, in both 2007 and 2008. He is extremely nice in person and my sons really enjoyed meeting him.

Hopefully I'm wrong, and Bert gets elected this year. What do you think?

No returns in the mail today. I sent out another seven requests this morning, as well as a couple of cards to be signed by Tommy Davis at Bud's.