Full Mailbox Waiting For Me

I arrived home from my trip to find several packages waiting for me.

First, Carlton Fisk was kind enough to sign another 2008 Goudey for me, which I included along with the creased one I got back from him last time.

Next, I received a 1951 Eddie Stewart that I bought on eBay. It was very reasonably priced so I'm happy to have it.


Finally, I got back several items I sent in to a Bill Mazeroski signing that was promoted on SCN. I had him sign a 2008 Goudey, a 1965 Topps and a 16x20 picture of him hitting his famous home run to win game 7 of the 1960 World Series. I originally purchased the picture from Steiner, already signed by Johnny Blanchard.




Speaking of the 1960 World Series, I have a baseball signed by 16 members of the winning Pirates team from that year, including Mr. Mazeroski. I sent that ball one-by-one to members of that team, beginning in November of 2003 (Bob Skinner), finally getting Maz on it in October of 2006.

Flea Market Finds

I spent about an hour at an indoor flea market at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minnesota today. I picked up a 1973 Sports Illustrated with Bill Melton on the cover for $1. I also bought my older son a 1963 Sport Magazine with Whitey Ford on the cover. It wasn't in great shape but didn't have a mailing label. It has a line/crease down the middle, but it was just $7, so it's worth it even just for reading and making fun of the people in the ads.

I was away from home over the weekend and came home to a package I received from Steiner. I bought a black & white 16x20 of Bill Mazeroski's homer in the 1960 World Series, signed by Johnny Blanchard, who was the catcher at the time. Maybe I'll see if I can get Mazeroski to sign it too.

I also bought a signed, black & white 8x10 of Bobby Thomson's homer in 1951 to clinch the pennant for the Giants. I guess I didn't realize the common theme of these pictures until I starting writing this entry. Both were excellent players. In fact, Mazeroski's in the Hall of Fame. But both are remembered mostly for a single swing of the bat.

I will probably start sending out a couple dozen requests through the mail this week. I'll have to lay off the purchases for a while and start saving up for TwinsFest next January. I'll need to buy some bats, photos, and cards as well as save up for the signing fees. With four of us attending (my wife goes through the lines for me), it adds up pretty quickly.