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I have been collecting autographs for about 7 years. I have compiled a collection of over 2000, most of which were obtained in person. I recently started collecting through the mail by using SASE. Both methods are a lot of fun and very successful

Here I will try to update autographs that I get on a daily basis, either from attending games or through the mail. You can look at my other signatures by clicking on the links at the top. Click on the smaller pictures to see a larger shot of the autograph. Any questions or comments, you can email me at rhurd1@gmail.com

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2008 Requests	2008 Successes	2008 Success Rate
139	82	60%

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One of the best through the mail and in person autograph sites around is running free trials now until the end of the year. Check it out and even join. It is filled with information on who's signing, addresses, etc. Check out the link below, and enter me, big_r, (that's an underscore) as the reference!
Sportsgraphing.com - check it out!!
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11/28/08

Another surprise today coming from Hall of Famer Paul Molitor. This card was sent during the 2007 season, and was another long wait. Very cool that he is catching up on all of his mail.

Molitor 1991

Paul Molitor - c/o Minnesota Twins, 1/1, 541 days
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11/25/08

Mail has still been incredibly slow, with just a trade and an old request coming in. Hall of Famer Paul Molitor signed a card for me through the Minnesota Twins address in over a year. This was a nice surprise to get back.
In a trade with Dave I received signed cards of Vince Coleman and Nelson Cruz.

Molitor card

Paul Molitor - c/o Minnesota Twins, 1/2, 555 days
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11/11/08

I finally have something to post after a long time with no mail. Brewers outfielder Mike Cameron and Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina each signed for me through their home addresses. I also received a signed card of Jimmy Rollins in a trade with Brian.

Cameron 8x10

Mike Cameron - c/o home, 1/1, 7 days

Mussina ball

Mike Mussina - c/o home, 1/1, 8 days
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10/17/08

Three returns from the regular season have come in over the last week or so. Hopefully more items that I sent out during the season will be returned in the upcoming weeks. Rockies infielder Clint Barmes, Phillies catcher Chris Coste, and Mets catcher Brian Schneider all signed for me through their team addresses.

Barmes card

Clint Barmes - c/o Rockies spring training, 1/1, 243 days

Coste card

Chris Coste - c/o Philadelphia Phillies, 1/1, 75 days

Schneider card

Brian Schneider - c/o New York Mets, 1/2, 71 days
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10/7/08

Just got back from vacation to find a few successes waiting for me. Angels pitcher Jon Garland, Yankees prospect Austin Jackson, Dodgers outfielder Juan Pierre, and Reds reliever David Weathers signed for me through their team addresses. I also received a card back unsigned former Giants third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo.
I also received a signed card of Craig Biggio in a trade.

Jon Garland - c/o Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 2/2, 18 days

Jackson card

Austin Jackson - c/o Trenton Thunder, 1/1, 70 days

Pierre card

Juan Pierre - c/o Los Angeles Dodgers, 1/1, 119 days

Weathers card

David Weathers - c/o Cincinatti Reds, 2/2, 57 days
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9/14/08

        Mail has been extremely slow with only one return, although it was a good one. Giants shortstop Omar Vizquel signed a ball for me in a few weeks.
        I also did my last rush of in person graphing at Camden Yards with the Indians and Twins in town last week. First up was the Indians as I was able to get outfielder David Dellucci, catcher Sal Fasano, DH Travis Hafner, catcher Victor Martinez, shortstop Jhonny Peralta (cards), and catcher Kelly Shoppach.
        Second was the Twins. I was able to get outfielder Brian Buscher, shorstop Adam Everett, first baseman Justin Morneau, closer Joe Nathan, pitcher Glen Perkins, and pitcher Kevin Slowey.
        For the O's I got pitcher Garrett Olson and former first baseman Boog Powell.
        Also in two trades I received signed cards of Brian Bass, Justin Christian, Todd Jones, Jay Marshall, Sean Marshall, Micah Owings, Vicente Padilla, Zach Segovia, Chris Snelling, Larry Walker, and Vernon Wells.
        That wraps up my in person autographing at Camden Yards for 2008 and hopefully the mail will start to flow in more!

Vizquel ball

Omar Vizquel - c/o San Francisco Giants, 1/1, 20 days
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8/28/08

        It's been a good week for mail so far as I have gotten returns from Cardinals outfielder Brian Barton, White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle, Giants pitcher Brad Hennessey, Nationals prospect Anderson Hernandez, and former batting champ Bill Mueller.
        I also did some poor autographing as the White Sox came to town. During one session of batting practice I was only able to get coach Harold Baines and Orioles third baseman Melvin Mora.
        A 50/50 with Dan also brought me signed cards of Paul Byrd.

barton card

Brian Barton - c/o St. Louis Cardinals, 1/1, 27 days

buehrle card

Mark Buehrle - c/o Chicago White Sox, 1/2, 23 days

hennessey card

Brad Hennessey - c/o Fresno Grizzlies, 1/1, 28 days

hernandez card

Anderson Hernandez - c/o New Orleans Zephyrs, 1/1, 14 days

mueller 8x10

Bill Mueller - c/o home, 1/1, 90 days
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8/22/08

        Another decent sized update today. Last week I went to see Baltimore's single A team, the Frederick Keys. I haven't been to Frederick for a game in over 10 years, so it was nice to go back there. I bought a team set and was able to get autographs from second baseman Miguel Abreu, pitching coach Blaine Beatty, coach J.J. Cannon, infielder Todd Davison, catcher Zach Dillon, pitcher Cory Doyne, outfielder Danny Figueroa, catcher Justin Johnson, shortstop Ryan McCarthy, pitcher Jeff Moore, pitcher Ryan Ouellette, catcher Mike Pierce, pitcher Jake Renshaw, pitcher Ryan Rodriguez, third baseman Billy Rowell, first baseman Brandon Snyder, outfielder Brandon Tripp, outfielder Chris Vinyard, and outfielder Paul Winterling.
        It has been a decent week for mail as well, as I got returns from Twins minor leaguer, Alex Burnett, former Bowie Baysox manager Bien Figueroa, former Rangers outfielder Richard Hidalgo, Red Sox pitcher Javier Lopez, Rangers minor leaguer Zachary Phillips, and Giants pitcher Tyler Walker.
        I also completed a few trades for autographs of Elvis Andrus, Willie Harris, Doug Jones, Jed Lowrie, Dustin Majewski, Marshall McDougall, and Brandon Morrow.

Burnett card
Alex Burnett - c/o Ft. Myers Miracle, 1/1, 20 days

Figueroa cards
Bien Figueroa - c/o Connecticut Defenders, 2/2, 70 days

Hidalo crd
Richard Hidalgo - c/o Long Island Ducks, 1/1, 7 days

Lopez cards
Javier Lopez - c/o Boston Red Sox, 2/2, 34 days

Phillips card
Zachary Phillips - c/o Bakersfield Blaze, 1/1, 24 days

Walker card
Tyler Walker - c/o San Francisco Giants, 1/1, 70 days

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8/13/08

        Time for a giant update. Last week I took my one annual trip to Bowie to see the O's AA team and go for some autographs (Matt Wieters specifically). It was a good time, as it was Adam Loewen bobblehead day, my fiance won a contest by being the first one to the announcer with an Orioles keychain, winning $15 worth of scratch offs (yielding $7 in winnings), and I won an Orioles memoribilia raffle giving me an autographed photo of Hayden Penn. Here's the autograph totals: first baseman Ryan Finan, pitcher David Hernandez, coach Moe Hill, pitcher Ryan Keefer, third baseman Jeff Nettles, outfielder Nolan Reimold (cards), second baseman Carlos Rojas, pitcher Felix Romero, pitcher Chris Tillman, second baseman Jonathan Tucker, and catcher and O's top prospect Matt Wieters (cards).
        Over the weekend I decided, like every other autograph collector/dealer on the east coast, to graph Josh Hamilton and the Rangers here in Baltimore. The Rangers were a very good signing team despite the crowds, as I only missed a few players. I was able to get pitcher Joaquin Benoit (card), injured third baseman Hank Blalock, outfielder Brandon Boggs, DH Milton Bradley (cards, cards), outfielder Marlon Byrd, outfielder Frank Catalanotto, first baseman Chris Davis (card), outfielder Jason Ellison (card), pitcher Frank Francisco, pitcher Eddie Guardado (cards), All Star Josh Hamilton (ball, Beckett), pitcher Matt Harrison, pitcher Tommy Hunter, All Star second baseman Ian Kinsler, catcher Gerald Laird (cards), pitcher Warner Madrigal, pitcher Luis Mendoza, pitcher Dustin Nippert, pitcher Josh Rupe, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (cards, card), infielder Ramon Vazquez (cards, card), and pitcher Jamey Wright.
        For the Orioles, I got pitcher Fernando Cabrera, infielder Juan Castro, former Oriole Boog Powell, outfielder Luke Scott, and I finished one of my own 8x10 photos by getting Nick Markakis.
        Finally for the mail, which hasn't been much. Giants minor leaguer Ronnie Ray signed for me and I also added a signed card of Corey Koskie to my 2006 Topps Heritage collection through a purchase.
THE END!

Ray card

Ronnie Ray - c/o Connecticut Defenders, 1/1, 13 days
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8/7/08

This is the first time in a long time that I've actually had multiple returns in a week. One was almost a two year wait as former Phillies outfielder Doug Glanville signed three cards for me. The other came from Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds which was sent out during spring training. Tonight I'm going to my annual Bowie Baysox game, and then it's the Rangers here in Baltimore!

Glanville cards

Doug Glanville - c/o home, 3/3, 648 days

Reynolds card

Mark Reynolds - c/o Diamondbacks spring training, 1/1, 161 days
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8/5/08

Started off the week with one success, coming from former Rangers outfielder Tom Goodwin. Tom is now a coach for the Lowell Spinners in the Red Sox minor league system.

Goodwin cards

Tom Goodwin - c/o Lowell Spinners, 3/3, 10 days
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8/1/08

Well, I started off the new month with a return in the mail box. White Sox prospect Ehren Wassermann signed a card for me through his minor league team address in almost a month.

Wassermann card

Ehren Wassermann - c/o Charlotte Knights, 1/1, 26 days
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7/31/08

        The Blue Jays were in town last week and I saw them twice. In the two days, I got catcher Rod Barajas, pitcher A.J. Burnett (cards), pitchers Jesse Carlson, Scott Downs (card), infielder shortstop David Eckstein (cards, cards), pitcher Jason Frasor (card), manager Cito Gaston, infielder Joe Inglett, outfielder Adam Lind (card), pitcher Jesse Litsch (card), pitcher Shawn Marcum (cards), infielder John McDonald, outfielder Kevin Mench (cards), coach Dwayne Murphy, closer B.J. Ryan, DH Matt Stairs (cards), pitcher Brian Tallet, outfielder Brad Wilkerson (card), and catcher Greg Zaun (card).
        For the O's I got pitcher Randor Bierd, Hall of Famer Jim Palmer, and outfielder Luke Scott.
        Once again mail has been very slow, and I have only received Yankees minor leaguer J.D. Closser in the last 9 days.

Closser 2006 Topps Heritage

J.D. Closser - c/o Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees, 1/1, 60 days
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7/22/08

Mail has been very slow as of late, but I have received two quick responses. Orioles catcher Ramond Hernandez and Dodgers pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo both signed through their team addresses.
I also took a day after the All Star break to try to graph the Tigers a little bit here in Baltimore. I came out with pitcher Armando Galarraga, outfielder Curtis Granderson, third baseman Brandon Inge, utilityman Ryan Raburn, and catcher Ivan Rodriguez. For the Orioles I was only able to get pitcher Brian Burres.

Hernandez cards

Ramon Hernandez - c/o Baltimore Orioles, 2/2, 12 days

Kuo cards

Hong-Chih Kuo - c/o Los Angeles Dodgers, 2/2, 12 days
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7/11/08

Finished the week with a couple more returns. Braves prospect Josh Anderson, Cardinals prospect Jarrett Hoffpauir and Red Sox prospect Iggy Suarez all signed through their minor league teams.

Josh Anderson - c/o Richmond Braves, 2/2, 13 days

Hoffpauir cards

Jarrett Hoffpauir - c/o Memphis Red Birds, 2/2, 11 days

Suarez card

Iggy Suarez - c/o Portland Sea Dogs, 1/1, 13 days
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7/7/08

More decent mail coming in today. Former Orioles minor leaguer Pete Maestrales, Athletics prospect Jamie Richmond and former Diamondbacks slugger Matt Williams all signed for me. The Williams was a big surprise as it took over 2 years to come back.

Maestrales card

Pete Maestrales - c/o Long Island Ducks, 1/1, 25 days

Richmond card

Jamie Richmond - c/o Kane County Cougars, 1/1, 9 days

Williams 8x10

Matt Williams - c/o home, 1/1, 871 days
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7/3/08

The other day I went to see the Royals in town to visit the O's. I only tried for autographs during batting practice and didn't get a whole lot. I was able to get outfielder Mike Aviles, pitcher Brian Bannister, outfielder David DeJesus, and third baseman Mark Teahen (cards).
In the mail I also got Yankees prospect Anthony Claggett and Mariners pitcher Mark Lowe.

Claggett card

Anthony Claggett - c/o Trenton Thunder, 1/1, 7 days

Lowe cards

Mark Lowe - c/o Seattle Mariners, 2/2, 23 days
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7/1/08

Another piece of mail today coming from independent leaguer and former Pirates infielder Bobby Hill.

Hill cards

Bobby Hill - c/o Newark Bears, 2/2, 20 days
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6/30/08

Only a trade came in today from Chad of Sports Autos TTM. In the trade a received a signed card of Orlando Cabrera. I have done many trades with Chad and he is always a pleasure to deal with. Check out his site as he has a great collection and sends out more ttm requests than anybody I know.
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6/27/08

One piece of mail has come in this week. Brewers pitcher Seth McClung singed one of two cards for me through his team address. McClung always eluded me in person when he was with Tampa, so it's nice to add his autograph to my collection.

Seth McClung - c/o Milwaukee Brewers, 1/2, 10 days

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6/20/08

Well, the last month has been ridiculous with my site. I lost it somehow and just figured out the easy way to fix it. However, in the process I deleted any old information that I had on here, so I have no way of going back and putting up my previous successes. I have a million things to update, but it will take forever. I've seen a few games over the last month, including the Nationals, Red Sox, Pirates and Astros all here in Baltimore. From what I remember, here's how I did with Washington:

Aaron Boone, Ryan Zimmerman, Jesus Flores, Austin Kearns, Joel Hanrahan, John Lannan, Tim Redding (cards), Saul Rivera, Wil Nieves, Christian Guzman (cards), Wily Mo Pena, and Felipe Lopez.

The Red Sox were easier to remember since I only got pitcher David Aardsma.

Just did the Pirates and did great; Jason Bay (ROY Ball), Raul Chavez, Jose Bautista, Jack Wilson, Ian Snell (Card), John Russell, Luis Rivas (card), Xavier Nady, Jason Michaels (card), Doug Mientkiewicz (cards), Nate McLouth, Damaso Marte, Paul Maholm (card), Adam LaRoche, Tom Gorzelanny, Chris Gomez, Lou Frazier, Zach Duke (cards), Ryan Doumit, Matt Capps, Sean Burnett (card), and Tyler Yates.

Most recently I saw the Astros who were ok signers; Darin Erstad (card), Reggie Abercrombie (who almost got in a fight with an asshole dealer), Wesley Wright, Wandy Rodriguez, Humberto Quintero, Sean Berry (cards), Mark Loretta, Geoff Blum, Ed Romero, Ty Wiggington, Jose Valverde, Geoff Geary, Jose Cruz Sr, Brad Ausmus, Hunter Pence, Miguel Tejada, and Kaz Matsui signed for me. Tejada was also the last signature needed on this piece that my fiance and I have been working on for the last year.

The totals for the Orioles during the Astros and Pirates games go like this; Lance Cormier, Guillermo Quiroz (card), Oscar Salazar, Garrett Olson, George Sherrill (cards), Brian Roberts, Luke Scott (card), Jim Johnson (card, Debut ticket), Alex Cintron, Matt Albers (card), Adam Jones, and Radhames Liz. Also attended a signing for pitcher Dennis Sarfate (card, postcard).

Finally for the mail, which has been great for the last month. Two Hall of Famers as I got signed baseballs from Jim Bunning and Goose Gossage. Also received and autograph from Danny Putnam on his ML Debut ticket. Here are all the other autographs I received through the mail in the last month; Jeromy Burnitz, Royals pitcher Kyle Davies, Brewers pitcher Mitch Stetter, Padres pitcher Chris Young, Red Sox prospect Mark Wagner, Giants closer Brian Wilson, former Tigers slugger Cecil Fielder, former Orioles infielder Jeff Reboulet (cards), Yankees prospect Chris Stewart, Padres reliever Cla Meredith, and York Revolution pitcher Nick McCurdy.

Also, in a couple of 50/50 deals I got signed cards of Ron Coomer (cards) and Ricky Bottalic o. And last but not least was a pack pull of White Sox prospect Brian Omogrosso.

Mark Wagner - c/o Portland Sea Dogs, 1/1, 8 days