Jim Kaat - In Person at Tom Frantzen's

Today my sons and I went to Tom Frantzen's in Mounds view for a Jim Kaat signing.  Mr. Kaat was in town for the "50 Greatest Twins" celebration at Target Field.  He was signing for the Bob Feller Museum.

My older son had won a Jim Kaat bobblehead at TwinsFest a few years ago so he got that signed.

My younger son isn't really interested in the retired players, but he went along and had him sign a Wheeldon print for me.  This joins Carew, Oliva and Jim Perry in my collection of Wheeldon prints.

I had Mr. Kaat sign an 8x10 picture that I purchased at the store.

This was the first time I've seen Mr. Kaat signing in the area so even though I know of some mail-in signings that are cheaper (we paid $30 per), I wanted a chance to see him and get some pictures with the boys.

I received the larger lot (315) of 1972 Topps I bought on eBay today.  I combined the two lots I bought and there aren't too many duplicates so I've got a good set of cards to start sending out.  I'm not sure when I'll have time though.

A Closer Look At My Latest Autographs

I've returned home from New York and had some time to scan in my latest autographs.

Jeff Nelson signed a ball and a 2004 Topps Heritage for me.

Rod Carew signed my 2000 Fleer Greats of the Game.

I just found out that Jim Kaat will be signing at Tom Frantzen's in Mounds View in early September, somehow affiliated with the Bob Feller Museum, since I purchased my tickets from the Museum's web site.  $30 per autograph.  My older son has a bobblehead he wants signed, and I have a Wheeldon print and will also probably get a picture signed.

Julio Becquer Signing

Today my boys and I drove to Mounds View for a Julio Becquer signing at Tom Frantzen's. The autographs were free, with a limit of two.

I got a ball and a picture signed. They had some nice pictures for sale which we bought. Mr. Becquer was very nice and didn't seem too happy about the pen selection they had. He was very particular about which pen he used, which was nice.

He signed my ball with a blue staedtler, which is sort of like a sharpie. Normally I don't like balls signed in sharpie as they tend to bleed and don't look as nice as a ballpoint, but these fine tipped pens look pretty nice and from what I hear, they don't bleed.

My older son had a 1961 Topps and a picture signed:


My younger son got a 1958 Topps and a picture signed:

We also picked up a few cards at the card show. My older son bought a 1956 Topps Bobby Thomson that he intends to send out to be signed.

Bobby Thomson Return and Julio Becquer Signing

Today I received a 1949 Bowman signed nicely by Bobby Thomson. I think I'm running low on other players to send to for that set.

I also received a postcard today from Tom Frantzen's in Mounds View about a Julio Becquer signing there this Saturday. I think my boys and I will head over and check it out. My older son got some hitting tips from Mr. Becquer at a Twins Clinic at the Dome a couple of years ago and had the opportunity to get his autograph afterwards.


I also read that Boof Bonser was released by the Twins today. Too bad, but he never really seemed to live up to the expectations people had for him. Hopefully he'll be successful somewhere else. Technically, the Twins "designated him for assignment". I'm not sure exactly what that means, but they had to make room for Pavano on the 40 man roster after he agreed to arbitration.

I ordered TwinsFest tickets today on the Twins website. Can't wait!

Gene Larkin In Person

Today my sons and I traveled up to Mounds View to see Gene Larkin at Tom Frantzen's Sports Collectibles. We arrived about an hour early and there were only two other people waiting. Tom does a great job of keeping his signings organized, using a ticket system to help keep your place in line without having to stand in line the whole time.

They were offering free autographs with a limit of two. Since Mr. Larkin had the game winning hit in game seven of the 1991 World Series, I chose to have him sign a Metrodome Commemorative ball.

I also had him sign his bobblehead from the 1987 set. This makes bobblehead number ten signed from the 25 piece set (two players are deceased).

Johnny had him sign a 1987 World Series program that he bought at a card show last year, as well as a photo of the 1987 team.


David got a mini bat and a 1988 Topps card signed.


Mr. Larkin was very nice. David was wearing his Denard Span shirt and Mr. Larkin was asking him a few questions about him. It was a long drive, but it's a very nice store and we also picked up a couple of bat tubes and Johnny bought a Twins mini catcher's mask, should he ever get the opportunity to get Mauer's autograph again.

TwinsFest - 1987 Twins Bobblehead Set

I'm getting close to being done highlighting the items I got signed at TwinsFest. Maybe when I'm done, I'll start sending some more requests through the mail.

In addition to the Corey Koskie bobblehead I mentioned a couple of days ago, I was able to get three more signed from my 1987 Twins bobblehead set: Roy Smalley, Tom Kelly and Kent Hrbek.

Kent Hrbek

This brings the total that I have signed from this set to nine, out of 25. The others include Juan Berenguer, Bert Blyleven, Dan Gladden, Tim Laudner, Al Newman and Frank Viola.

Tom Kelly

I believe there is going to be a signing in March with Gene Larkin at Tom Frantzen's Sports Collectibles in Moundsview, so hopefully I'll be able to add that one to my collection too.

Two players from the set have passed away: Kirby Puckett and Joe Niekro.

Roy Smalley

Johnny Blanchard - In Person Appearance

Today, Johnny and I headed out to Mounds View to meet Johnny Blanchard and get a couple of autographs. Well, five autographs. He was appearing at Tom Frantzen's Sports Collectibles and they were charging a very reasonable $8 per autograph, regardless of the item being signed.

Johnny had picked up a plastic Yankees batting helmet a while ago at a flea market, so he had him sign that, his catcher's mitt, and an 8x10 we bought at the signing.


After sending a couple of cards to him in the mail last November, I decided to have him sign a ball and a bat.


Mr. Blanchard was full of stories. The line moved very slowly as he was very talkative, but nobody minded. We all enjoyed hearing his opinions on steroids, Commissioner Selig, and Yankee Stadium. We also really enjoyed his stories about Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Yogi Berra. One funny story about Yogi revolved around he, Yogi and Mickey trying to decide where to go out to eat. Mickey suggested some Italian restaurant, but Yogi warned them not to go there. "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded", he said. Funny stuff.

Johnny really enjoyed meeting a fellow catcher, especially one that had won two World Series. Mr. Blanchard was kind enough to let Johnny wear his World Series ring. I'm sure Johnny will remember today for a long time.