Picked up this faded signed ball with players and coaches on the 1977 White Sox. I’m wondering if it’s a ball from Spring Training because Sam Hairston’s sig (his SABR bio says he coached with the Sox primarily in Spring Training in the 60s and 70s). He, along with Hall of Famers Minnie Miñoso and Larry Doby, are 3 former Negro League players on the ball. And my all-time favorite announcer, Steve Stone, with a sweet playing days sig (I also have his auto from a Cubs convention years ago).

Happy birthday to my all-time favorite ball player - Hank Aaron. He chased down the Babe in spite of hate and did so with honor and dignity. A Hall of Fame person.

Back in early 2004, fresh off that crazy, exciting, maddening, heartbreaking 2003 season, the Cubs Caravan stopped at Illinois State University. We paid a couple of extra bucks and had VIP access before the event opened up. There were 50 of us with the guys and my wife and I were able to get autos for myself and a couple of other buddies. It was the last stop on what was surely a long day and they were all super-cool. I got to talk to Dusty…and SARGE…and Billy Williams! Mark Prior! I’ll never forget how kind Michael Barrett was to a special needs youngster that was there - love seeing that. Hall of Fame announcer, Pat Hughes, was there, too. He didn’t have photo but signed a ball for me. He was as nice in-person as he sounds on the radio.

I picked up this 51 Monte Irvin 3 or 4 (or 5??) years ago at an antique mall in Niles, MI. I bought it raw knowing it would look sharp in a tux (and would probably grade out at a 1) and I was right! This is one of my many favorite cards.

I was the high bidder for this Framed, Autographed, Jersey of Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame, 500 Home Run Club Superstar Ernie Banks