Team Specific Autograph Collections - Tracking & Trading Central Database

[mrmopar]

I know that there are several publicly noted team autograph collectors. Off the top of my head, the main one's I recall seeing frequently and/or recently are: Astros, Braves, Brewers, Dodgers (myself), Mets and Yankees. Forgive me if I left anyone out who is equally passionate about team specific autographs. I bring this up because most, if not all, of us are seeking any player related to that team, but here is where I was hoping to clarify some of the minor differences.

For example, I will collect an autograph of any player who was ever part of the Brooklyn or LA Dodgers roster, coach, manager, owners/GM/executive and even go so far as to include others like broadcasters, scouts, team Rx, etc and other better known personalities associated with the team. I don't know any specifically for the Dodgers, but here in Seattle, I have even grabbed a signature from a food vendor who was well known and a lovable stadium character (Rick The Peanut Man). If it is free, I'd take the assistant manager of ticket sales, but realistically I would only buy or trade for people that might be known to the public at some level. I prefer Dodger specific items, but will take anything if that is not available. I might upgrade someday, but that is not a high priority. I am OK with a Rangers card of a guy who played 6 games for the Dodgers.

I'd like to hear from anyone else I may have missed and perhaps even some clarification in one spot from some of the other team collectors who share their pick-ups or have websites, in hopes that maybe we all or others can help with the chase. Please feel free to share the TEAM you collect, does player have to be in that teams uniform? Are minor League affiliates OK? What if the player is pictured on your team, but they never made it to MLB level?

That said, I sold a lot of my extra unwanted autographs in lots, as the individual trading had all but evaporated. However, over time I have built up a small collection again and there are also some sub-categories that I never cleared out at bulk rates for various reasons like players still active (as they may eventually come to the Dodgers...learned this the head way in the past), foreign born players who might return to their native land and be harder to obtain, deceased players and nobody ever bought my certified MLB card lot, so have a bunch of those still. I have maybe 200 unwanted autographs of various teams, manufacturers and players that could help other team collectors. They should all be considered "commons". I keep most of my star autographs in my collection.

 

[mrmopar]

Team Collected: Dodgers
Do they need to be in Dodger uniform? No, but that is preferred.
Are Minor League Affiliates OK? Yes, but will always take a Dodger card over say a Albuquerque Dukes card.
What if the player never made the bigs, but is shown as a Dodger? Most definitely.

Team Collected: Mariners (1977-1987)
Do They need to be in a Mariners uniform? Yes, with a few exceptions (scarce guys, will take anything - Rod Craig, Reggie Walton, Byron McLaughlin, etc)
Are Minor League Affiliates OK? Mostly, yes.
What is the player never made the bigs, but is still shown as a Mariner? Yes, for any cards in the 70s and early-mid 80s.

 

[BucCollector]

Team Collected: Pirates (1970-1979) - currently 96 / 159 on cards; 117 / 159 total
Do they need to be in a Pirates uniform? Yes.
Are Minor League Affiliates OK? Yes.
What is the player never made the bigs, but is still shown as a Pirate? There are a few of those - Harry Saferight is one. Yes.
Are custom cards okay? Definitely.
Signed team cards? Yes.
Just players? - Managers, coaches, front office, announcers, mascot, and 100-year-old usher Phil Coyne, who appeared in 2018 A&G.

 

[mrmopar]

Year	Brand	Player	Team	Notes
1966	Topps	Bork, Frank	Pirates
1969	Topps	Shellenback, Jim	Pirates	2 copies
1969	Topps	Taylor, Carl	Pirates
1971	Topps	Cambria, Fred	Pirates
1975	Topps	Morlan, John	Pirates	Mini
1978	Topps	Macha, Ken	Pirates

 

[chippernate]

Team Collected: Braves (190 out of 2032)
Do they need to be in Braves uniform? Yes
Are Minor League Affiliates OK? Yes, but Braves over Stripers cards any day of the week
What if the player never made the bigs, but is shown as a Brave? Sure, but not a priority
Are custom cards okay? Absolutely
Signed team cards? Yes, but would prefer custom if they don’t have any other available
Just players? Managers/coaches as well, broadcasters too. Would love to make a custom of the Carey family

 

[mrmopar]

Team Collected: Pirates (1970-1979) - currently 96 / 159 on cards; 117 / 159 total
Do they need to be in a Pirates uniform? Yes.
Are Minor League Affiliates OK? Yes.
What is the player never made the bigs, but is still shown as a Pirate? There are a few of those - Harry Saferight is one. Yes.
Are custom cards okay? Definitely.
Signed team cards? Yes.
Just players? - Managers, coaches, front office, announcers, mascot, and 100-year-old usher Phil Coyne, who appeared in 2018 A&G.

That is a nice tight time frame, which keeps the chase finite. Don't have many extras from that era, but if there are any you need, let me know. List posted in previous comment.

Who would be considered the toughest from that list? I realize Clemente is in that grouping, but his signature does not appear to be all that scarce, just pricy. Who was or is a pain to even find at all?

 

[mrmopar]

Team Collected: Braves (190 out of 2032)
Do they need to be in Braves uniform? Yes
Are Minor League Affiliates OK? Yes, but Braves over Stripers cards any day of the week
What if the player never made the bigs, but is shown as a Brave? Sure, but not a priority
Are custom cards okay? Absolutely
Signed team cards? Yes, but would prefer custom if they don’t have any other available
Just players? Managers/coaches as well, broadcasters too. Would love to make a custom of the Carey family

There are just the vintage "trade-ables" I have. Since you don't limit to specific time frame, I may have a few newer cards (certified, minors, ttm, etc). Since you are just starting out fairly recently, it should not be hard to find larger groups of needs. Who would you say is the toughest auto to find, say post WWII, for the Braves?

Year	Brand	Player	Team	Notes
1964	Topps	Britton, Jim	Braves	Dual signature w/ Maxie
1964	Topps	Maxie, Larry	Braves	Dual signature w/ Britton
1965	Topps	Kolb, Gary	Braves
1971	Topps	Kester, Rick	Braves
1972	Topps	McQueen, Mike	Braves
1972	Topps	Neibauer, Gary	Braves
1974	Topps	Devine, Adrian	Braves
1974	Topps	Goggin, Chuck	Braves	3 copies
1975	Topps	Correll, Vic	Braves
1975	SSPC	Correll, Vic	Braves
1975	Topps	Foster, Leo	Braves
1976	Topps	Beard, Mike	Braves
1976	Topps	Correll, Vic	Braves
1976	OPC	Correll, Vic	Braves
1976	Topps	Easterly, Jamie	Braves
1976	OPC	Easterly, Jamie	Braves
1976	Topps	Gilbreath, Rod	Braves
1977	Topps	Belloir, Rob	Braves	2 copies
1977	Topps	Correll, Vic	Braves
1978	Topps	Asselstine, Brian	Braves
1978	Topps	Campbell, Dave	Braves
1978	Topps	Nolan, Joe	Braves	3 copies
1979	Topps	Asselstine, Brian	Braves	4 copies
1979	Topps	Beall, Bob	Braves	3 copies
1979	Topps	Campbell, Dave	Braves
1979	Topps	Devine, Adrian	Braves
1979	Topps	Easterly, Jamie	Braves	2 copies
1979	Topps	Gilbreath, Rod	Braves
1979	Topps	Nolan, Joe	Braves	2 copies
1979	TCMA	Smith, Kenny	Braves	Minor League
1980	Topps	Devine, Adrian	Braves
1980	Topps	Hanna, Preston	Braves
1980	Topps	Matula, Rick	Braves	2 copies
1980	Topps	McLaughlin, Bo	Braves
1980	Topps	McLaughlin, Joey	Braves
1980	Topps	Nolan, Joe	Braves	3 copies
1982	Topps	Asselstine, Brian	Braves
1984	Topps	Harper, Terry	Braves
1986	Donruss	Johnson, Joe	Braves
1986	Fleer	Komminsk, Brad	Braves

 

[dano7]

Yankees .... have to be in Yankees uniform or on something without team affiliation, such as index cards, logos, etc. ....definitely will collect minor leaguers..... announcers, executives, etc with the Yankees organization are collected also.
Hope that answers all the questions! There’s also my running thread on my Yankees acquisitions.

 

[MrMet]

Team Collected: Mets (see my Mets thread)

Do they need to be in Mets uniform? Yes (or Mets minors, see below)

Are Minor League Affiliates OK? Yes.

What if the player never made the bigs, but is shown as a Met? Yes, but not a priority and part of the collection, but a separate part

Are custom cards okay? Gotta do what you gotta do to get them on a “Mets” card

Signed team cards? Yep, even logo cards, eventually to be upgraded but they work for now

Just players? Anyone affiliated with the team, managers, coaches, announcers, mascots, fans, and on and on...spoiler alert: nonplayer update coming to the thread...soon




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[mrmopar]

Yankees .... have to be in Yankees uniform or on something without team affiliation, such as index cards, logos, etc. ....definitely will collect minor leaguers..... announcers, executives, etc with the Yankees organization are collected also.
Hope that answers all the questions! There’s also my running thread on my Yankees acquisitions.

Danny, I probably couldn't help you out even if I had extra Yanks, but all of my "unwanted" Yankees are spoken for to a long time trade partner.

 

[mrmopar]

Team Collected: Mets (see my Mets thread)

Do they need to be in Mets uniform? Yes (or Mets minors, see below)

Are Minor League Affiliates OK? Yes.

What if the player never made the bigs, but is shown as a Met? Yes, but not a priority and part of the collection, but a separate part

Are custom cards okay? Gotta do what you gotta do to get them on a “Mets” card

Signed team cards? Yep, even logo cards, eventually to be upgraded but they work for now

Just players? Anyone affiliated with the team, managers, coaches, announcers, mascots, fans, and on and on...spoiler alert: nonplayer update coming to the thread...soon




Sent from my iPhone using Freedom Card Board mobile app

I keep an eye on the "main" team collectors autograph threads, so I have not seen anything you need pop up in my extras yet.

 

[MrMet]

I keep an eye on the "main" team collectors autograph threads, so I have not seen anything you need pop up in my extras yet.

Copy that, I believe we made a big trade a few years back if I remember correctly


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[BucCollector]

Year	Brand	Player	Team	Notes
1966	Topps	Bork, Frank	Pirates
1969	Topps	Shellenback, Jim	Pirates	2 copies
1969	Topps	Taylor, Carl	Pirates
1971	Topps	Cambria, Fred	Pirates
1975	Topps	Morlan, John	Pirates	Mini
1978	Topps	Macha, Ken	Pirates

PM sent, thanks!

 

[BucCollector]

That is a nice tight time frame, which keeps the chase finite. Don't have many extras from that era, but if there are any you need, let me know. List posted in previous comment.

Who would be considered the toughest from that list? I realize Clemente is in that grouping, but his signature does not appear to be all that scarce, just pricy. Who was or is a pain to even find at all?

Of the players with Pirates cards, I think the toughest is going to be George Brunet (dec). He has one Pirates card and I've never seen it signed. Others that will be hard to find on a Pirates card will be Doug Bair, Dave Hamilton, Johnny Jeter, Tim Jones, Lou Marone (dec), Jim Nelson (dec), Willie Randolph, and Charlie Sands (dec).

Of those without cards - I've mailed a custom to Rimp Lanier, but without success. Same with George Kopacz. As far as I know, neither has been included in a cut signature release.

 

[mrmopar]

Of the players with Pirates cards, I think the toughest is going to be George Brunet (dec). He has one Pirates card and I've never seen it signed. Others that will be hard to find on a Pirates card will be Doug Bair, Dave Hamilton, Johnny Jeter, Tim Jones, Lou Marone (dec), Jim Nelson (dec), Willie Randolph, and Charlie Sands (dec).

Of those without cards - I've mailed a custom to Rimp Lanier, but without success. Same with George Kopacz. As far as I know, neither has been included in a cut signature release.

Randolph has that multi rookie card as a Pirate. You just mean it might be tough to find one signed? Does he avoid the RC? I know he doesn't seem to be too common in general (he was a Dodger too at the end).

 

[chippernate]

There are just the vintage "trade-ables" I have. Since you don't limit to specific time frame, I may have a few newer cards (certified, minors, ttm, etc). Since you are just starting out fairly recently, it should not be hard to find larger groups of needs. Who would you say is the toughest auto to find, say post WWII, for the Braves?

See a good bit of names I’m missing there haha will have to check my spreadsheet tomorrow.
Of the names I’ve looked up, Carl Sawatski and Gene Mauch are pretty tough to find on a non reprint Braves card. 3x5s are a little more readily available and much cheaper but those are more of a last resort option to me, mostly for the guys who played 1 year or pre WWII. I’m sure there’s tougher ones to find, just haven’t found out who yet since I just started this late last year

 

[BucCollector]

Randolph has that multi rookie card as a Pirate. You just mean it might be tough to find one signed? Does he avoid the RC? I know he doesn't seem to be too common in general (he was a Dodger too at the end).

I'd need either the 76T or the 76 SSPC; haven't seen either signed. He doesn't sign TTM; although I saw on Facebook that someone is working on a private signing.

Who are the toughest Dodgers of the 70s?

 

[mrmopar]

70s toughies...I would say Mike Marshall (P) is near the top, if not the top. Although he has a handful of early 2000s past pack issued certified cards, it was very limited numbers (I think each one was 25 copies or less) and his price point in general is way high due to a rather strict non-signing policy in general as well as a handful of more private signings that averaged around $250 a signature. Its not hard to find Marshall autographs for sale, but if you need something specific signed, good luck.

Some of the others that are a bit harder to find, but not impossible, are Glenn Burke, Sergio Robles *, Eddie Solomon, Bobby Darwin *, Bob O'Brien *, Orlando Alvarez, Enzo Hernandez, Gary Moore *, Terry McDermott *. These guys are all find what you can and not sure if the living guys (*) are just unpopular or just don't sign much.

Also both living, but harder: Ed Goodson (although he is now apparently signing through PastPros for $25 per), Andy Messersmith (stopped signing, but there seems to be a good supply of stuff out there if you are not too picky).

This is mostly due to early deaths or presumed signing habits. The 70s are not a bad era for Dodger signatures actually. None of those listed would be too tough to track down over the course of a month or two if you just needed a signature of any type.

The hardest guy for me just finding a signature I could buy (at any price) was probably Sergio Robles, but since I added one, I have seen at least one private signing offering a variety of items now available.

 

[mrmopar]

Sorry, did not intend to make this a Buy/Sell/Trade thread (although I do encourage people to strike up deals by using the thread to ID specific team autograph collectors). I need to post this image, as I don't know how via the message system.