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Dilferules's 1988-present Oakland A's autograph thread

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Dilferules

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2012
1,945
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Auburn, WA
Seeing the great team autograph threads from Therion, dano7, and MrMopar has alwayds made me want to do something similar with the A's. With my 1988 Topps autograph set long-term project I've hesitated to spend even more on obscure A's signatures, but now that I'm getting down near 30 remaining for the '88s those pickups are really going to slow. So I may as well start a new side project...but I don't have any interest in going all the way back to the beginning of the Oakland A's, or God forbid the beginning of the Philadelphia A's, so I'm starting from 1988 - the first year I started paying attention to baseball and the A's. I've got quite a few but I'm not near complete now...making it a running thread to track my progress should prod me on to get closer to 100%.

Personally for me my order of signature preference would be:
1. A's certified auto
2. non-A's certified auto
3. A's uncertified auto
4. non-A's uncertified auto
I'd prefer that they all be on cards but that won't be possible for some real obscure players. As far as upgrading goes, I probably won't bother to upgrade any uncertified A's autos to certified non-A's autos but I'd like to upgrade non-A's stuff when possible.

EDIT: Current wantlist is here.

I will go by year beginning with the entire 1988 team, then new players for each subsequent year. Then I'll show new additions and upgrades as I get them.

Let's start with the players I have from the 1988 team, in alphabetical order.

baylordon.jpgDon Baylor - He finished up his playing career with the '88 A's. I don't believe he has any certified A's autos.

blankenshiplance.jpgLance Blankenship - I always liked Lance, he was a utility infielder/outfielder.

bordirich.jpgRich Bordi - I have no memory of him on the team but he apparently started 2 games. No A's cards for him from this stint but luckily there's this older one from his previous time with the team.

burnstodd.jpgTodd Burns - Todd was underrated and had some really good seasons as a reliever and swingman with the A's but was out of baseball before 1996 Leaf Signature came along, so no certified autos for him.

cadaretgreg.jpgGreg Cadaret - He was shipped to the Yankees as part of the Rickey Henderson trade the next year.

cansecojose05sweetauto.jpgJose Canseco - You've probably heard of this guy. I have several of his autographs but you can't go wrong with Sweet Spot.

corsijim96leafsigext.jpgJim Corsi - The first 1996 Leaf Signature (extended) card of the thread! There will be a couple more.

davisstorm.jpgStorm Davis - Cool name and nice signature, too bad he does not have any certified autos. Not quite good enough to make a Fan Favorites set unless he had spent his whole career with one team.

eckersleydennis02sweetspot.jpgDennis Eckersley - I have a boatload of his autos but here's a Sweet Spot.

gallegomike.jpgMike Gallego - I also have his 1996 Leaf Signature Extended card but I might as well show my A's auto.

(continued in the next post)
 
Last edited:

Dilferules

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2012
1,945
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Auburn, WA
1988 (continued)

hasseyron.jpgRon Hassey - Oof this smudged signature on his 1988 Topps Traded is rough, I need to upgrade at some point. I do have his regular 1988 Topps auto as well but he's with the White Sox.

hendersondave07tcosignauto.jpgDave Henderson - This 2007 Co-Signers card is the only certified A's auto of Hendu, who sadly passed away in 2015.

honeycuttrick19tfanautopurp.jpgRick Honeycutt - Rick made it into the 2019 Archives Fan Favorites auto set!

hubbardron05tffauto.jpgGlenn Hubbard - The famous snake lover finished his career by playing 2 seasons with the A's, and has some Braves certified autos but none with Oakland.

jenningsdoug94srauto.jpgDoug Jennings - He was a decent prospect in the late '80s who never panned out, then for some reason had a card in 1994 Signature Rookies as a washed up 29 year old AAA player.

juraked.jpgEd Jurak - Played 3 games with the A's and I have no memory of him at all.

lansfordcarney12tffauto.jpgCarney Lansford - Definitely an A's fan favorite, and made it into 2 Topps Fan Favorite auto sets.

mcgwiremark19ttierauto.jpgMark McGwire - I don't have many of his autographs, they're a little cheaper than they used to be but still not cheap.

nelsongene.jpgGene Nelson - I would love to see him get into a Fan Favorites set like Honeycutt did, but I doubt that'll happen.

ontiverossteve.jpgSteve Ontiveros - The 1994 AL ERA champ has no certified autos.

(continued in the next post)
 

Dazed

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2008
3,585
1,763
East of KC MO
Great start! I look forward to watching your progress. Keep us posted with who you need. Maybe we can help you out.
 

Dilferules

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2012
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Auburn, WA
1988 (continued)

ottodave.jpgDave Otto - Not much to say about Dave Otto. His name is Otto.

parkerdave01gotgauto.jpgDave Parker - The Cobra has a few A's certified autos but they're very limited, I haven't managed to snag one yet.

phillipstony.jpgTony Phillips - Tony didn't make it into any certified auto sets prior to his 2016 passing.

plunkeric.jpgEric Plunk - Always thought he was real dorky-lookin.

polonialuis.jpgLuis Polonia - No certified autos for Luis.

sinatromatt.jpgMatt Sinatro - I very vaguely remember his 10-game stint with the A's. No A's cards for him to upgrade to.

steinbachterry18tarchautosilver.jpgTerry Steinbach - Always one of my favorites.

stewartdave05splegccauto1.jpgDave Stewart - I have tons of Stew autos including this 1/1.

weisswalt03tffauto.jpgWalt Weiss - I always loved this Fan Favorite auto.

welchbob13tfanauto.jpgBob Welch - He had a couple of A's certified autographs before his death in 2014. Baseball's last 27-game winner!

(continued in next post)
 

Dilferules

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2012
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Auburn, WA
1988 (concluded)

youngcurt.jpgCurt Young - He went on to be the A's pitching coach for a while and was a decent 5th starter type for a few years.

Missing:

Stan Javier - I was shocked to discover I don't have a Stan Javier autograph (he wasn't in 1988 Topps). I've got one incoming from eBay now.
Felix Jose* - I've got an Archives Fan Favorites Cardinals auto sitting at COMC so I own one but won't have it in hand for a very long time.
Orlando Mercado - He's not a tough signature but has only one A's card (1989 Upper Deck) so it's a question of waiting for it at a price I like.
Jeff Shaver - This will be a tough one, he has 8 minor league team set cards but nothing from the majors and his entire MLB career was pitching one inning in one game.

So as of 6/17/21 I'm 31/35 for 1988.
 

Dazed

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2008
3,585
1,763
East of KC MO
I lived in Tacoma in the Summer of 1987. Spent many evenings sitting in the bleachers talking to the bullpen pitchers. I had high hopes for Dave Otto. Being from Missouri and a big Mizzou fan. On days he didn't pitch I was able to visit with him.
 

Dilferules

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2012
1,945
1,738
Auburn, WA
I lived in Tacoma in the Summer of 1987. Spent many evenings sitting in the bleachers talking to the bullpen pitchers. I had high hopes for Dave Otto. Being from Missouri and a big Mizzou fan. On days he didn't pitch I was able to visit with him.

Awesome! I wonder if he got a World Series ring for the one game he pitched for the 1989 A's. Combine that with the triple he hit in 1993 for the Pirates, and pitching for the Cubs in his last season (looks like he grew up near Chicago) and that's a pretty fun career for somebody that never panned out.
 

Dilferules

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2012
1,945
1,738
Auburn, WA
1989

The A's had 13 new players in 1989:

bandochris.jpgChris Bando - No recollection of him at all, but that figures since he played a single game for the A's - the final game of his career. No A's cards for him, but I have plenty of A's autographs of his brother Sal.

beanebilly.jpgBilly Beane - No A's cards from his 37-game stint with the 1989 team, but I have this one that shows him as the GM. His lone certified auto card is a Fan Favorites SP that shows him on the Twins.

dawleybill.jpgBill Dawley - No memory of him and like Chris Bando I only happen to have his autograph because he was in 1988 Topps. No A's cards were made for him.

hendersonrickey13ttierauto.jpgRickey Henderson - I have 4 Rickey autographs. Rickey's autographs are expensive.

howittdann.jpgDann Howitt - Yup it's Dann, not Dan.

mooremike.jpgMike Moore - He doesn't have any certified autos but I definitely need to upgrade to an uncertified A's card. He played for the A's for 4 years and started and won 2 games in the '89 World Series.

phelpsken.jpgKen Phelps - He has a few A's cards and I'll upgrade eventually but I'm not in a big hurry because he sucked out loud with the A's.

quirkjamie.jpgJamie Quirk - I always liked Quirk and definitely need to upgrade this ballpoint Royals card - he had several A's cards produced.

youngmatt.jpgMatt Young - His lone A's card is in 1990 Topps and it's pretty dark and crappy for an autograph so this may be the one I'm sticking with.

Missing:
Larry Arndt - Had a 2 game MLB career and his lone major league card is in 1990 Topps Debut - tough signature to find.
Dick Scott - Topped Arndt with a *3* game career and is also in 1990 Topps Debut. He did at least go on to be a manager in the A's system.
Scott Hemond - I was surprised I didn't have one since he spent a few years on the team. I've got an autograph on the way from eBay.
Brian Snyder - Pitched 2/3 of an inning for the A's then his MLB career was done...he played for the Mariners in '85 and was in 1986 Topps, I've got one of those on the way from eBay.

So for 1989 that's 9/13, overall 1988-89 40/48.
 

Dilferules

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2012
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Auburn, WA
1990

14 new A's in 1990.

afenirtroy.jpgTroy Afenir - I thought this card looked cool so he would definitely be a star. He was not.

bainesharold04tfanauto.jpgHarold Baines - This is his lone certified A's auto, a short print out of 2004 Fan Favorites. I always liked Baines so this is one of my favorite cards.

bordickmike96leafsigg.jpgMike Bordick - Unfortunately when he had a Fan favorites autograph a while back it was an Orioles card. We'll always have 1996 Leaf Signature.

cansecoozzie.jpgOzzie Canseco - Woof, if there were ever a need for an upgrade.

chitrensteve.jpgSteve Chitren - He would go on to pitch in 56 games for the 1991 A's and that was it for his MLB career.

lewisdarren.jpgDarren Lewis - Longtime Giants outfielder but he started on the A's.

mcgeewillie.jpgWillie McGee - Willie has a few A's cards so an upgrade might be nice some day.

norrismike05tfanauto.jpgMike Norris - He pitched in 14 games for the 1990 team but is more known for his 1975-1983 stint, which got him into the 2005 Fan Favorites autograph set.

randolphwillie.jpgWillie Randolph - He has a number of A's cards but is kind of a tough signature (still missing his '88 Topps All-Star card from my set) so this one may have to do.

sandersonscott.jpgScott Sanderson - I either got this one TTM or got lucky buying one since my name is Richard. He has several A's cards so this is in need of an upgrade.

Missing:
Steve Howard - He has a few MLB cards but only played this one year in the majors and is a bit of a tough signature.
Joe Klink - I could swear I picked up a Klink auto recently so I'm hesitant to buy one in case I find it later.
Reggie Harris - Same as Klink, I might already have one.
Joe Bitker - Pitched one game for the A's and 14 games for the Rangers 1990-91. He does have a 1991 Topps Debut A's card but I'll probably have to settle for one of his Rangers cards.

So 10/14 for 1990 and 50/62 overall 1988-90. That's it for today.
 

mrmopar

Member
Jan 19, 2010
6,169
4,057
I'll see if I can help you out with some cheaper, easier ones from my discard auto pile. For some of the 1989-91 guys, there is a chance of getting the Topps Debut cards signed if you need them. They won't be certified, but a great way to get some otherwise obscure guys.
 

Dilferules

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2012
1,945
1,738
Auburn, WA
I'll see if I can help you out with some cheaper, easier ones from my discard auto pile. For some of the 1989-91 guys, there is a chance of getting the Topps Debut cards signed if you need them. They won't be certified, but a great way to get some otherwise obscure guys.

That would be an incredible help, thanks...yeah for some of these guys the Topps Debut cards are their only MLB cards.

View attachment 135341
Pretty sure he is the same guy as one of the stoner kids from super troopers, Geoffrey Arend

View attachment 135342

Haha, I mean probably never seen both of them in the same place at the same time.



I dug around and found Reggie Harris but no Klink still...

harrisreggie.jpg

So that puts me at 51/62 for the first 3 years.
 

mrmopar

Member
Jan 19, 2010
6,169
4,057
My scrub pile is getting pretty weak. I used to add a few a week, then sold a few lots and now I am not buying much in the way of random lots that have much extra.

There is certified:

Greg Smith
Mike Rouse
Graham Koonce
Bobby Kielty
Danny Putnam

Non-Certified:

Reggie Harris (x2)
KirkDressendorfer
Fred Caligiuri (He's an old timer, forgot you were not chasing pre 88 guys)

I may have a couple others that I missed or that were in Minor League or with another team. I can dig deeper later if you have some names you need that I can reference.

IMG_9294.jpg
 

Dilferules

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2012
1,945
1,738
Auburn, WA
My scrub pile is getting pretty weak. I used to add a few a week, then sold a few lots and now I am not buying much in the way of random lots that have much extra.

There is certified:

Greg Smith
Mike Rouse
Graham Koonce
Bobby Kielty
Danny Putnam

Non-Certified:

Reggie Harris (x2)
KirkDressendorfer
Fred Caligiuri (He's an old timer, forgot you were not chasing pre 88 guys)

I may have a couple others that I missed or that were in Minor League or with another team. I can dig deeper later if you have some names you need that I can reference.

View attachment 135344

Thanks for looking! I believe I have all of those since I found my Reggie Harris autograph.
 

Dilferules

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2012
1,945
1,738
Auburn, WA
1991

There were 19 new A's in 1991.

briscoejohn.jpgJohn Briscoe - John was a quadruple-A kind of reliever, he had a 6-year career (all with the A's) but only pitched more than 17 games once. In half of those seasons his ERA was over 7.

brosiusscott96leafsigg.jpgScott Brosius - One of my favorites on the crappy mid-90s A's teams, he was more famous later as the 1998 World Series MVP for the Yankees.

darlingron05tprislegauto.jpgRon Darling - Darling finished his career with four and a half seasons in Oakland. I don't believe he has any A's certified autos but I should pick up an uncertified one some day.

dressendorferkirk.jpgKirk Dressendorfer - He was one of the A's "Four Aces" from the 1990 draft along with Todd Van Poppel and two guys that never made the majors. So not exactly aces. The seven games he started in 1991 were his entire MLB career.

hawkinsandy.jpgAndy Hawkins - I think I had blocked how desperate the A's were that year that they brought in Hawkins to start 14 games. He was right at replacement level and that was the last of his career. He does have one A's card (1991 Stadium Club) so an upgrade is possible.

jacobybrook.jpgBrook Jacoby - He played half a season for the A's and suuucked. But he does have several A's cards so this is an eventual upgrade.

komminskbrad.jpgBrad Komminsk - He hit .120 in 24 games and that was the end of it for him, but he did get a 1992 Score A's card.

lawvance.jpgVance Law - Another player that stunk up the joint to finish their career on the 1991 A's. He did get a few A's cards out of it and is a super easy signature so I'll upgrade this one.

manriquefred.jpgFred Manrique - Same as the above, played his last 9 games in Oakland...didn't get any A's cards out of the deal, though.

rilesernie.jpgErnie/Earnie/Ernest/Earnest Riles - Had several A's cards so I'll have to grab one of those at some point.

(continued in next post)
 

Dilferules

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2012
1,945
1,738
Auburn, WA
1991 (continued)

showeric.jpgEric Show - The 1991 A's were his last MLB stop before his 1994 death. He has several A's cards but with his early passing getting one of those might be tricky/expensive/fake.

slusarskijoe.jpgJoe Slusarski - Definitely need to upgrade to an A's auto, I was surprised this was the only one I had.

vanpoppeltodd96leafsigg.jpgTodd Van Poppel - I have perhaps the most extensive Todd Van Poppel collection in the world, including two game-used jerseys and nearly every one of his cards. I'm just weird like that.

wilsonwillie12tarchauto.jpgWillie Wilson - I always liked Wilson and I love this 2012 Archives Fan Favorites auto.

Missing:
Dana Allison - 11-game career...I've got one incoming.
Kevin Campbell - Bounced up and down with the A's and Twins for 5 seasons...I've got one incoming.
Johnny Guzman - Reliever pitched 7 games over 2 seasons but does have some A's cards.
Bruce Walton - Bounced up and down with multiple teams for 4 years and has some A's cards.
Ron Witmeyer - 11 games in 1991 was it for him, but he does have a couple of A's cards.

So hey at least there's nobody with no MLB cards this year. 14/19 for 1991 and 65/81 1988-91.
 

Dilferules

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2012
1,945
1,738
Auburn, WA
1992

16 new A's in '92.

brownejerry.jpgJerry Browne - I always liked Jerry.

downskelly.jpgKelly Downs - I kind of forgot he was on the team but he was pretty good in '92 and bad in '93. He does have some A's cards.

foxeric.jpgEric Fox - One of the few autographs I ever got in person at an A's game.

gossagegoose.jpgGoose Gossage - Panini has made several Gossage Oakland autos recently but they're all fairly low-numbered and of course lacking the logo so if I ever upgrade it may just be to an uncertified A's card.

hillegasshawn.jpgShawn Hillegas - I kind of remember him? He's got a few A's cards.

kingerymike.jpgMike Kingery - I also very vaguely remember his 12-game stint. He does have one A's card in 1992 Stadium Club.

parrettjeff.jpgJeff Parrett - He definitely has several A's cards so I'll need to upgrade at some point.

readyrandy.jpgRandy Ready - More vague memories here. He's got a few A's cards as well.

russelljeff.jpgJeff Russell - He's got several A's cards from 1993.

(continued in next post)
 

Dilferules

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2012
1,945
1,738
Auburn, WA
1992 (continued)

sierraruben13tchasingauto.jpgRuben Sierra - I was surprised and delighted when Topps put out this Sierra A's auto in 2013, snagged one immediately. I believe it's still his only certified A's autograph.

wittbobby.jpgBobby Witt - This one is a little junky so I'll probably get a different one eventually.

Missing:
Vince Horsman - I've got one incoming.
Henry Mercedes - Got one incoming.
Troy Neel - I was a little surprised I didn't have one, got one incoming.
Mike Raczka - 8 games in '92 was his whole career but he did get A's cards in 1993 Donruss and Pinnacle.
Todd Revenig - Got one incoming.

So 10/15 for 1992 and overall 75/96 1988-92. I suspect my completion percentage will continue to drop through the '90s since I hadn't previously really gone after uncertified autos to fill any gaps.
 

Dilferules

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2012
1,945
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Auburn, WA
1993

15 new A's in '93.

aldretemike96leafsige.jpgMike Aldrete - A central California guy like myself.

boeverjoe.jpgJoe Boever - Vaguely remember him, he did get a few A's cards.

gatesbrent.jpgBrent Gates - No certified autos for Brent, I was a little surprised he wasn't in 1996 Leaf Signature.

karsaysteve.jpgSteve Karsay - I definitely need to pick up an A's autograph of him, he was one of my favorites from the '90s.

lydyscott.jpgScott Lydy - He continued playing in AAA until 2001 but his 41 games on the '93 A's were his only major league action.

mohlermike96leafsige.jpgMike Mohler - Oh 1996 Leaf Signature, how I love you.

nunezed.jpgEd Nunez - Finished up his 13-year career with the '93 and '94 A's and made it into several card sets with the team.

paquettecraig.jpgCraig Paquette - Had an 11-year MLB career but no certified autos.

seitzerkevin.jpgKevin Seitzer - He started the year with the team but was released mid-season. He has several A's cards for that stint.

sveumdale.jpgDale Sveum - I think if you look up "common" in the dictionary there's a picture of a Dale Sveum card. And he did have a few A's commons from 1993 but they're from more obscure sets like Pacific and Mother's Cookies.

Missing:
Kurt Abbott - Surprised I never picked up his Marlins '96 Leaf Signature but I've got an uncertified A's card on the way.
Marcos Armas - Got one incoming.
Eric Helfand - Had 3 cups of coffee with the A's and got some cards out of it.
Miguel Jimenez - Same as above but 2 cups.
Roger Smithberg - 2 cups for Smithberg as well, he got in 1994 Donruss and Topps with the team.

So that's 10/15 for the year and 85/111 1988-93.
 

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