Autograph – PaulHadsall.com

Autograph of the week: Phillies prospect Aaron Nola

Posted on September 7, 2014 by Paul

Aaron Nola was the Philadelphia Phillies’ first round pick in this year’s amateur draft. The seventh overall selection in the draft, Nola received a $3.3 million signing bonus when he agreed to a contract in June and was assigned to the Phillies’ Single-A team in Clearwater, Florida.

Nola made 11 starts in the Florida State League before being promoted to Double-A Reading to finish the season. When the Fightin Phils visited Trenton to end the season on Labor Day weekend, Nola signed the Autograph Card pictured above for me.

While many younger players don’t like to sign the blank cards, Nola had no problem with it (perhaps because he has yet to appear on a baseball card since turning pro.)

Nola finished his first season with a combined record of 4-3 with a 2.93 ERA, 45 strikeouts and just 10 walks in 55.1 innings. If he continues to progress at this rate, an appearance in Philadelphia before the end of 2015 might not out of the question.

Signed Satoru Komiyama 2002 Upper Deck SPx baseball card from my collection

Autographs, Baseball, Baseball Cards, Uncategorized

Autograph of the Week: Satoru Komiyama

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Paul

Satoru Komiyama had been a seven-time All-Star in Japan when the Mets signed him to a one-year deal in December 2001, but the 36-year-old right-hander was unable to bring that success to Major League Baseball.

A control pitcher, Komiyama had the misfortune of being billed as “the Japanese Greg Maddux” when Mets GM Steve Phillips introduced him to the New York media.

Komiyama was never comfortable with that label. “It’s a very honorable thing,” he told New York Post reporter Tom Keegan during spring training. “I really respect Greg Maddux, but I don’t want to be called the Greg Maddux of Japan because I respect him too much.”

Komiyama also never seemed comfortable with his role in the Mets’ bullpen. Almost exclusively a starter in Japan, Komiyama struggled with the irregular workload he received as a Met. He ended up splitting the year between the major leagues and Triple-A Norfolk, and put together an 0-3 record with a 5.61 ERA in 25 major league relief appearances.

After leaving the Mets, Komiyama returned to Japan and pitched for the Chiba Lotte Marines until 2009. According to Wikipedia, Komiyama has also found work as a baseball commentator.

I bought this certified autographed baseball card in 2012 for $30, making it one of the more expensive additions to my collection.

Autographs, Baseball, Uncategorized

Autograph of the Week: Clayton Kershaw

Posted on March 2, 2014 by Paul

Signed 2008 Topps Stadium Club Clayton Kershaw baseball card from my collection

This winter, Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw signed a contract to make him the highest-paid pitcher in Major League Baseball.

The two-time Cy Young Award-winner has a reputation for signing baseball cards that makes him a favorite of autograph collectors with patience. Send a baseball card and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Kershaw c/o the Dodgers’ spring training camp in Arizona, and next winter you may just find a signed card waiting in your mailbox.

I wrote to Kershaw last year, mailing my card on February 11th, 2013. Last month, I got it back – coincidentally on February 11th, 2014.

Included in the envelope was a slip of paper promoting Kershaw’s charity foundation, Kerhaw’s Challenge, a Christian organization that “encourage[s] people to use whatever God-given passion, purpose or talent they have been given to make a difference and give back to others in need.”

“And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,” – Colossians 3:23 (WEB)

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Autographed Valentino Pascucci 2013 Buffalo Bisons baseball card from my collection

Autographs, New York Mets, Uncategorized

An autographed Valentino Pascucci baseball card

Posted on July 11, 2013 by Paul

Valentino Pascucci’s signature is the latest addition to my Mets autograph collection. I believe I’m just missing 92 players now.

Pascucci is playing for the Camden Riversharks in the independent Atlantic League this year.

Valentino Pascucci (Photo credit: Paul Hadsall) — Valentino Pascucci *(Photo credit: Paul Hadsall)*

Autographs, Baseball Cards, Uncategorized

A Lenny Randle autograph

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Paul

Lenny Randle signed 1991 Wiz Mets card from my collection

Lenny Randle was traded to the Mets in 1977 following an altercation with Texas Rangers manager Frank Lucchesi, and he turned out to be one of the best players on the 98-loss team.

Arguably his most memorable Mets moment came as a result of circumstances outside of his control – Randle was at-bat when the lights went out at Shea during the 1977 New York City blackout.

I got this card signed through a private signing conducted by a SportsCollectors.Net member. It is the 861st addition to my all-time Mets roster autograph collection project.