Blog Bat Around: My All-Autograph Team

This morning I was straining my brain, trying to come up with something to write about on the blog.  It's been a couple of days since I've banged out a post because the creative juices just have not been flowing lately.  Inspiration is a fickle mistress.  Then, Zippy Zappy, of Torren' Up Cards fame, zipped into my reading list with his very first Blog Bat Around topic and - boy oh boy - was it a good one.  This prompt obviously could not have come at a better time for me and as soon as I finished reading his kick-off post, I immediately started drafting my take on the topic.

That topic, by the way, is creating a personal "all-autograph team."

For those that are familiar with Zippy Zappy's writings (and if you're not, you should be), this point of inspiration shouldn't come as much of a surprise.  After all, the Internet's preeminent Luis Torrens collector may very well be the TTM king of the blogosphere.  With that in mind, the starting lineup that Zip created from his immense stash of autographed baseball cards was deep and talented; but, I did my best to create one of my own that could compete.  Full disclosure - my take is entirely based around the Cubs because, y'know...

The parameters include starting eight position players and the starting pitcher, plus two relievers, a DH/PH and a closer.  Furthermore, this roster can be constructed only with players of whom the collector possesses a John Hancock, be it on a trading card or any other piece of memorabilia.  With the guidelines set, I'd like to introduce you to my personal "All-Autograph Team:"

C - Randy Hundley

Honorable Mention(s) - Joe Girardi, Jeff Reed, Josh Paul, Robert Machado, Danny Breeden

I still don't know much about this Northwest Herald/Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce oddball that I found at a collector's convention in Kankakee a couple of years back; however, I do know that I could never pass up a five-dollar auto from "Iron Man" Randy Hundley.  The Cubs' signal caller caught 149 games or more for four straight years in the late-60's and was an All-Star with the infamous 1969 Cubs squad.

1B - Mark Grace

Honorable Mention(s) - None

"Amazing Grace," the hit-king of the 1990's was also a whiz with the glove, earning him three Gold Glove and All-Star selections.  That's a pretty tough resume to beat by itself, adding in the fact that "Gracie" happened to have been my favorite player growing up.  Therefore, this 2016 Archives pull was making this lineup no matter what.

2B - Todd Walker

Honorable Mention(s) - Cy Block, Eric Patterson, Bret Barberie, Zeke DeVoss

Okay - second base was obviously a weak link.  Of the four second basemen to have signatures in my binders, Todd Walker was the clear standout, with only Bret Barberie having had a drink stronger than a cuppacoffee.  Walker served as an above average, offensive keystone-minder for a few seasons with the disappointing, Dusty Baker-led teams of the mid-00's.  Plus, the red and blue design of this repack-pull reminds me of the iconic Wrigley Marquee.  That'll do, even if his penmanship is lacking.

SS - Billy Jurges

Honorable Mention(s) - Cody Ransom, Darryl Robertson

Full disclaimer - I can't be 100% sure that this signature is authentic.  I found it stashed in a discount box at one of my LCS for that very reason, though I was more than willing to take the risk.  Billy Jurges was still alive when this set came out and the handwriting looks similar to other known copies of his mark, but it's not authenticated.  Anyway, the Cubs shortstop might be most famous for providing some of the inspiration for Roy Hobbs, after being shot by a jilted lover; but, he was also a key contributor to three pennant-winners for the Northsiders in the 1930's.

3B - Ron Santo

Honorable Mention(s) - Kevin Orie, Brendan Harris

The first Hall of Famer on this lineup card and my absolute favorite professional athlete of all-time.  I don't think that the most underrated third baseman of all-time really needs an introduction at this point, but Ronnie was the bleeding heart and soul of the franchise, on the field and in the booth, for decades.  My most treasured piece of baseball ephemera was a generous gift from my health teacher in high school, who had a connection in Arizona and knew I was a huge Cubs fan.  Favorite teacher forever!

 

OF - Rafael Palmerio

OF - Jason Heyward

OF - Bill Buckner

Honorable Mention(s) - Austin Jackson, Felix Pie, Brett Jackson, Paul Schramka

As you can see, I had to get a little creative with the outfield.  Mark Grace nudged out Bill Buckner at first, but there was no way I was leaving this surprise gift from Bob Walk the Plank on the bench.  Buck's days chasing fly balls might have been mostly over by the time he blew into the Windy City, but he did play 12 games in right field for the 1980 Cubs.  Good enough for me!

Meanwhile, Raffy Palmeiro might have spent the great majority of his career at first base and DH; but, when he was coming up in the Cubs chain, Grace's presence shunted him into left field.  Again, I'll take any excuse to get his 500 homer/3,000 hit bat into the starting nine.  Thanks again, Dennis!

Last, but not least, Jason Heyward might not have lived up to expectations in Chicago, but he's still a World Champion and, apparently, a phenomenal motivational speaker.  Not to mention, with Raffy and Buck manning the corners, J-Hey's vacuum of a glove will be desperately needed in center.  Would you believe this ink came as a consolation prize from Collecting Cutch?

DH/PH - Rock Shoulders

Honorable Mention(s) - None

I suppose I could have bumped one of my slow-footed outfielders to the DH spot, but the drop-off after those three was drastic.  Plus, I'll take any excuse to get one of the best names in minor league baseball history into the fold!  With a name like Rock Shoulders, it should come as no surprise that this former Cubs prospect thrice posted double-digit home run totals in the bushes  He may not have made the ultimate ascent; however, he did make it into my lineup and collection, courtesy of P-Town Tom.

And now, with the offense set, let's take a look at the pitching staff.  It's a good one, if I do say so myself:

SP - Fergie Jenkins

Honorable Mention(s) - Mark Prior, Guy Bush, Steve Trout, Rich Hill, Angel Guzman, Jerome Williams, Dave Swartzbaugh

I could patch together a quality starting rotation out of my autograph collection and Ferguson Jenkins would unquestionably be my ace.  The 300 game winner is the second Hall of Famer on my roster and is the first autograph on this list to have been obtained in person.  I had the incredible luck of running into the man himself at the local shopping mall, making an appearance (with a partner) to promote Cubs charities.

LHP - Mitch Williams

RHP - Carl Edwards, Jr.

Honorable Mention(s) - Bob Howry, Mike Remlinger, Paul Assenmacher, Matt Karchner, Larry Casian, Bob Patterson, Neil Ramirez, Corey Black, Newt Kimball, Tony Balsamo, Footer Johnson, John Pyecha, Dick Burwell, Seth Frankoff, Lendy Castillo, Kennie Steenstra,

As you can see, I basically have an entire side-collection relievers to choose from.  In the end, I decided to go with one lefty and one righty - Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams and the man formerly known as CJ Edwards.  Things could get a little dicey at the end of games due to their noted control problems; however, their power arms are just too tempting to pass over.  Also, in case you were wondering, Mitch was a Listia find while that Carls Jr. beauty was another five-buck purchase from the same convention as my Randy Hundley oddity.

Finally, closing out wins for my all-autograph team will be:

CL - Lee Smith

Honorable Mention(s) - Mike Montgomery

Lee Smith SHOULD BE the third Hall of Famer on my roster.  For many years, Lee was the premier closer in the National League and, for many years, held the all-time saves record.  How he continues to be passed up by Hall of Fame voters while Sutter, Fingers, Hoffman, etc. get the call is beyond me.  Anyway, this dominating closer was Fergie's partner at the Orland Park mall function I alluded to earlier.  For a generous donation to both charities, I received autographs from both legendary Cubs hurlers.  I'll take that opportunity every time!

As far as honorable mentions go, how could I not give a shout out to the man who closed out the Cubs' first World Series title in 108 years?  MiMo might not really be a closer, but he'll always be remembered as one in Chicago!

So, there you have it - my all-autograph team.  I feel pretty confident that my squad would make for some stiff competition, courtesy of it's offensive potential and pitching staff.  Of course, that outfield defense might be a bit problematic.  At any rate, I think I did surprisingly well for a decidedly low-budget collector who rarely seeks out autographs! 

What say you?  I cannot wait to see what lineups the rest of you can generate.  I highly encourage you all to participate in Zippy Zappy's excellent Blog Bat Around debut.  It made for quite the fun little creative exercise. 

In conclusion, I think it's time for me to "sign" off.  I mean obviously my brain is tired... I just made that stupid pun.  Play me out, aptly-named, 80's hair metal band...