Phungo 5 with Autograph Cards

The All-Star Game is Tuesday Night in Kansas City.  To mark the occasion we talked to HoF Autograph seeker and Royals fan Zach from Autograph Cards.

1) Are you going to make it to the 2012 Futures Game and if so who's signatures are you going to try and get?

Yes, I am going to the Futures Game.  I'll take any autograph that I can get there.  But, if I have to pick one, it would be Royals prospect Wil Myers.

2) What Royals Alum are you most looking forward to be part of the All-Star festivities.    

I am most looking forward to seeing Bo Jackson.  He doesn't get too involved with the team and I am hoping to land an autograph from him this weekend.

 1988 Score #180 Bo Jackson

3) How many ballparks do you get to in a typical year while chasing autographs? 

Not as many as I used too. If I am lucky, I'll make it to five different parks in one summer.  I've only been to three this year and I don't see that number changing the rest of the season

4) The Royals have had a lot of debuts the last few seasons, Who is your favorite Royal under the age 26 or under?    

 This is a tough one.  Right now, I'm going to have to go with Salvador Perez as he is swinging a hot bat.  It's nice to have him back in the lineup.  

5) Are the Kansas City Athletics a noted at all in Kansas City or at Kauffman Stadium.  

 Yes and in a few different spots.  At the Royals Hall of Fame at Kauffman, there are a few references to the A's and you can even get KC A's hats in the gift shop now.  Also, where old Municipal Stadium stood, there is a sign there that talks about the various teams that called the park home.  Lastly, the Kansas City T-Bones (independent, American Association) hosts a KC A's reunion every summer when the A's are in town to play the Royals.  There isn't a lot of KC A's recognition in Kansas City, but there is much more now than there was ten years ago.

Scorecard

I am unaware of who Salvador Perez is, always good to get a scoop on a new player.  I am also happy to see that the Kansas City A's are getting some recognition in there one-time hometown.  and hey a Bo Jackson sighting - 5 out of 5 for Autograph Cards.

1988 Score #180 Bo Jackson (b-Side)


Check out the b-side of the Bo Jackson card (you may have to click the card to enlarge it and read the text). I felt that it was pretty appropriate that the All-Star game is being played where Bo Jackson first came up with so much promise - a special combination of Power and Speed - Just like a certain other player that is making his All-Star debut this week.  Not sure if Bryce Harper will have a Bo Jackson type career but it is fun to think about the two of them this week.     

Replay - 2012 Phungo 5 Postings
 

Philadelphia Phillies - The Phillies Room. 

Atlanta Braves - Cardboard Junkie 

Miami Marlins - 30-Year Old Cardboard

New York Mets - Paul's Random Baseball Stuff

Chicago Cubs - Wrigley Wax

Pittsburgh Pirates - Pirates Treasure Room

San Diego Padres - Padrographs

Oakland A's - The Fuji Chronicles

Seattle Mariners - Emeral City Diamond Gems 

Texas Rangers - Play at the Plate

Nachos Grande Survey - Autographs

Recently Nachos Grande posted a survey related to Autograph collecting.  I collect Autographed cards of all types of players. Most of the players are noteworthy to me for some reason, usually something insignificant, as I generally try and find the $5 an under cards - a lot of those I use for Spot the Sig! fodder.  Others are favorite players and Hall of Famers. 

 

The Phungo Auto collection likely stands at a few hundred cards and I think I can provide some interesting insights into autograph collecting. 

 

1.  What is the best autograph you own?

    Today, Joe Frazier - More on that Later

    otherwise Mike Schmidt on a book.  My best card Auto is probably Steve Carlton Leather Cuts.  
2.  What is the best autograph that you've ever pulled from a pack of cards?

    Paul Molitor (Goudey Graphs 2008), Brooks Robinson 09 OBAK. 

2009 Obak #A48 Brooks Robinson (#59/200)

3.  What is the worst autograph you've ever pulled from a pack of cards?

    07 Sweet Spot Chirs Capuano - The box was only $45 and I still felt stiffed - althought the RC Auto was of Hunter Pence.  

    Brad somebody from the Astros in Donruss 08 Product.  See the card at shows for $2 all the time.

4.  Do you try to get autographs through the mail?  If so, what sort of success (or failure) stories do you have?    No - this facet of the hobby has not capture my attention yet.  

5.  Who was the subject of your first ever autograph?

    It was either Scott Fitzkee (TE w/ the Eagles) or Greg Manning(Collegiate Hoop star w/ the Maryland Terrapins - I think he may now be a radio broadcaster w/ the team)

    As an  adult, I think Jay Bell may be the first auto I got at the ballpark - it is all faded now.       
6.  Do you actively collect any autographs (certain players, teams, brands, etc)?

    I have an affection for certain brands but no aspirations for a set.  Among my favs are Sweet Spot, A&G, UD Goodwin Champs, SI Greats of the Games, 1996 Leaf, UD Goudey

7.  Which is better:  Autographs or Relics?

    Autographs - I for the most part dismiss relics
8.  What do you think of cut autos?

    I don't have any yet - would like to add one to my Type collection but that is about it right now.       
9.  What is your favorite autograph design (say in the last 5 years)?

    In general Sweet Spot.  A&G, and I like the Goodwin Champs design in general. 

10.  If you could get the autograph of any five people (dead or alive) who would you want a signature from (and why)?

    Couple names off the top of my head without much thought - Richie Ashburn, Martin Scorcese, Jim Morrison, Fran Tarkenton, Dali - Ashburn would probably be on that list any day the rest of those folks would likely change depending on my mood.

 

I dashed this off the top of my head, so some of the set/yr names may be a lil off, but I am in the general area.  It is a solid survey that asks some interesting questions.  I sort of fell into Autograph collecting and it is one of the areas of the hobby I really don't have much of a checklist - perhaps that helps keep it enjoyable.

Better than the Swimsuit Issue - Swag from Autographed Cards featuring Zack Greinke!!!

I have lots of autographed cards but I didn't have any Autographed SI covers, but I do now!!!

2009 05 05 Sports Illustrated Zack Greinke Autograph

Zman40 over at Autographed Cards ran a recent contest featuring this terrific prize of an SI issue autographed by the Royal young superstar pitcher Zack Greinke. It was my kind of contest, and involved calculating what Greinke's ERA would be after a pair of starts. Math and Baseball - thats for me, and I am really proud of having come up with the second closest guess. The actual answer was 1.72. I guessed 1.60, To be honest, I forget how I arrived at 1.60 and I know it is a higher guess than I wanted, but most of the lower numbers were taken.

Autographed Cards as one can conjecture from the name has tons of autographs plus some good tips and ideas on collecting autographs.

I was particuarly happy to see this post regarding the College World Series. This is an event I have always wanted to attend but it just hasn't gotten high enough on the priority list yet.

Thanks to Zman40 for running the contest and awarding team Phungo this great prize. This is certainly going to be one of the centerpieces of my collection.