Back in the 1990’s I wrote country music stars Alan Jackson, Wynonna Judd, Dwight Yoakam, and Mary Chapin Carpenter to praise their music, and ask them for an autograph photo. Naïve at how such things worked I expected them to provide me a signed photo and paid for postage to send it me. Well they were not so accommodating. Alan and Wynonna sent me letter thanking me for my letter and offering me a chance to buy an autographed photo for $3. Dwight said I had to join his fan club in order to get an autographed photo. My letter to Mary Chapin came back RTS and I never found another good address to send it to.
I did get my autographed photos from Alan, Wynonna, and joined Dwight’s fan club for a year. The photos were very nice looking, and I still have the Alan and Dwight photos framed and on display in my house.
Now well over a decade later I decided to write some of my favorite country artist again. Using my experience with sending baseball cards to players to sign, I created my own country music star baseball cards to send. Knowing that the bigger the star, the less likely I was to get a response, I choose four older artists whom I had enjoyed. Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, Clint Black, and Travis Tritt were a major part of the 90’s country boom, but only Alan is still a major commercial force.
I sent cards out to all four. I got one of them back quickly. Unfortunately it was a RTS from Vince Gill. I had the wrong address. I am still searching for a better one to send it to though I think I am on to something.
39 days after I sent all four out, my first success arrived and it was ALAN JACKSON! I must admit I was surprised. He is still very popular and though he probably can’t match Taylor Swift or Carrie Underwood in the amount of mail they get, he still must get plenty. That said he did sign a card for me and even personalizing it. Thank you Alan Jackson!
I hope to send out more to the likes of Dwight Yoakam, Pam Tillis, Brooks & Dunn, and others. I loved 1989-1995 country music and most the artists from that time period are more apt to sign as they are not getting as much fan mail as they use to, and they understand they must work maintain the fan base they have now in order to be able to keep making a living making music.
I will avoid the big stars of today like Carrie, Taylor, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, and Sugarland as they are less likely to sign due to the volume of mail they get. I will also avoid Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire. I can’t find anywhere to send the Garth item to making me think he has stopped signing autographs. I have read on multiple Web sites that people who have gotten a response from Reba have gotten pre-printed autographed items meaning the items like a picture were created with autograph already on them. She actually never signs them. I find that surprising as in her early career Reba signed a lot of things. Evidently her priorities have changed.
I will try and post updates here on my successes. I will also work harder and updating my baseball, hockey, and football successes as well.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Great TTM Successes From Great Guys
Baseball Hall of Famer Al Kaline has made my great guy list. I created a custom baseball card of Mr. Kaline on my computer. I sent the card to him with his signing fee of $10. Mr. Kaline not only signed my card, but also he also sent me a nice looking card of his own which he also signed. I have to admit it was awful nice of Mr. Kaline to send me that extra signed card. I had heard he was a really nice guy, this proves that to be true.
Another nice person is former North Star hockey player Bobby Smith. I sent a hockey card to Mr. Smith up in his native Canada, and I included a dollar to pay for return postage as I had no Canadian stamps to put on it. Well Mr. Smith not only signed my card, but put his own stamp on the return enevlop plus he returned my dollar to me. Thank you Mr. Smith! With the economy as bad as it is, I can use every dollar.
Rich (Goose) Goosage also proved to be a nice guy signing for me, and a lot of others, right before he was elected to the HOF. Why is that good? Well after he was elected to the HOF he started to charge for autographs. He could have held on to all the cards he received before getting elected to the HOF and sent them back asking for money to sign them. Instead he did the right thing and signed the ones he got before for free, and then charged people who sent to him afterward. Not all players would or have done the same.
Former Twins pitcher Al Worthington not only signed my custom baseball card on the front but the back as well. He also included a signed 3 x 5 photo of himself, some religious materials, a copy of an article of him in Life Magazine which he signed, and signed letter explaining why he had included the religious material.
He put all of this in his own envelop and put his own postage on the letter.
But one of the nicest things I ever got from a player was from former Twin Juan Rincon. I sent Juan a card to sign after he had been released from the Twins. I also sent him a note thanking him for his time with the Twins and urging him to keep his head up and that I felt he would be back in the major leagues soon. Not only did he sign my card, but he also included a hand written note thanking me for my kind words. That was great stuff from a great guy.
These are just some of the nice things that have happened.
Another nice person is former North Star hockey player Bobby Smith. I sent a hockey card to Mr. Smith up in his native Canada, and I included a dollar to pay for return postage as I had no Canadian stamps to put on it. Well Mr. Smith not only signed my card, but put his own stamp on the return enevlop plus he returned my dollar to me. Thank you Mr. Smith! With the economy as bad as it is, I can use every dollar.
Rich (Goose) Goosage also proved to be a nice guy signing for me, and a lot of others, right before he was elected to the HOF. Why is that good? Well after he was elected to the HOF he started to charge for autographs. He could have held on to all the cards he received before getting elected to the HOF and sent them back asking for money to sign them. Instead he did the right thing and signed the ones he got before for free, and then charged people who sent to him afterward. Not all players would or have done the same.
Former Twins pitcher Al Worthington not only signed my custom baseball card on the front but the back as well. He also included a signed 3 x 5 photo of himself, some religious materials, a copy of an article of him in Life Magazine which he signed, and signed letter explaining why he had included the religious material.
He put all of this in his own envelop and put his own postage on the letter.
But one of the nicest things I ever got from a player was from former Twin Juan Rincon. I sent Juan a card to sign after he had been released from the Twins. I also sent him a note thanking him for his time with the Twins and urging him to keep his head up and that I felt he would be back in the major leagues soon. Not only did he sign my card, but he also included a hand written note thanking me for my kind words. That was great stuff from a great guy.
These are just some of the nice things that have happened.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Time to hand out the grades for the Twins organization
Jim, Bob, and Bill Pohlad, owners of the Twins – Grade of B+
The Pohlads let Torii Hunter leave, but did sign Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan to long–term contract extensions. Hunter had an average year with his new team while Morneau had an MVP worthy season, and Nathan remains a dominate closer.
The Pohlad brothers also were willing to eat the remainder of the contracts for Craig Monroe, Livan Hernandez, and Mike Lamb when it became obvious their time was up. It’s not the Pohlads fault that GM Bill Smith choose to bring these guys instead of going with the youngsters right away.
The Pohlads did offer big money to Johan Sanatana, but there was no way they could have given Santana the $140 million he got from the Mets.
Bill Smith, general manager of the Twins – Grade of D
Smith gets an F bringing in free agent Livan Hernandez, Adam Everett, and Mike Lamb, and for trading for and Craig Monroe. I had written that I thought Everett’s gold glove caliber defense would help the Twins. However, you cannot help a team when you can’t play. Everett’s season long battle with injuries was unfortunate. Also unfortunate was Lamb’s inability to handle the full time job at 3rd. I, and a lot of other people, expected Lamb to hit 15-20 HR’s. He hit 1. Monroe had a couple of big home runs, but mostly looked old and slow. Hernandez meanwhile did get some early wins, but quickly turned into the most hittable pitcher in baseball.
Smith trade of Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett to Tampa for Delmon Young and Brendan Harris looks bad too. Garza is now living out his promise as a top flight starting pitcher while Bartlett’s play at short was so good, the Tampa area media voted Bartlett the division winning Tampa Bay Rays team MVP. Harris started the season as the Twins second baseman and looked lost. A move to short and then to 3rd help him a lot in the field, and he was solid with the bat. Unfortunately he looks like nothing more than a platoon player. Delmon Young was supposed to be a superstar in waiting. Will we are still waiting. In Young’s defense he was asked to switch positions from his natural right field to left field in a stadium – the Metrodome – where it is hard to play the outfield. Young did hit for a solid average, but he must hit for more power. He is very young, so he may yet have a bright future, but right now this trade is looking real bad.
Smith gets an incomplete for the trade of Johan Santana to the Mets for Carlos Gomez, Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey, and Deolis Guerra. Santana had another fine year, and did nothing to make the Mets regret the move. Gomez quickly became a Twins fan favorite with his display of dynamic talent. As a defensive player Gomez as more range and a stronger arm in center field than his gold glove winning predecessor Torii Hunter. Gomez has speed to burn and stole most bases by a Twin in over a decade. Gomez also looks to have some power potential. Unfortunately Gomez also swings too freely, and a can get a little too worked up. Still, he is a major talent.
Humber and Mulvey look to be noting more than fifth starters or long relievers. Humber is out of options so the Twins have to either keep him on the major league team or trade or release him. Guerra has a live pitching arm, but is very raw. Time will be needed with him.
A lot was asked of Bill Smith in his first year and he did not deliver. I do give him credit for admitting his mistakes and getting rid of them. With a less hectic off-season approaching perhaps Smith can focus in and get something productive done.
Ron Gardenhire, manager – Grade A
I like to second guess some of Gardenhire’s moves during a game, but I cannot question the job he did this season with this team. Working with three everyday players (Gomez, Spahn, and Casilla) who were basically rookies; handling a staring pitching staff with pitchers who had little major league experience, and having to deal with a bullpen on the verge of meltdown; Gardenhire somehow willed this team into being within a run of winning the central division.
The Pohlads let Torii Hunter leave, but did sign Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan to long–term contract extensions. Hunter had an average year with his new team while Morneau had an MVP worthy season, and Nathan remains a dominate closer.
The Pohlad brothers also were willing to eat the remainder of the contracts for Craig Monroe, Livan Hernandez, and Mike Lamb when it became obvious their time was up. It’s not the Pohlads fault that GM Bill Smith choose to bring these guys instead of going with the youngsters right away.
The Pohlads did offer big money to Johan Sanatana, but there was no way they could have given Santana the $140 million he got from the Mets.
Bill Smith, general manager of the Twins – Grade of D
Smith gets an F bringing in free agent Livan Hernandez, Adam Everett, and Mike Lamb, and for trading for and Craig Monroe. I had written that I thought Everett’s gold glove caliber defense would help the Twins. However, you cannot help a team when you can’t play. Everett’s season long battle with injuries was unfortunate. Also unfortunate was Lamb’s inability to handle the full time job at 3rd. I, and a lot of other people, expected Lamb to hit 15-20 HR’s. He hit 1. Monroe had a couple of big home runs, but mostly looked old and slow. Hernandez meanwhile did get some early wins, but quickly turned into the most hittable pitcher in baseball.
Smith trade of Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett to Tampa for Delmon Young and Brendan Harris looks bad too. Garza is now living out his promise as a top flight starting pitcher while Bartlett’s play at short was so good, the Tampa area media voted Bartlett the division winning Tampa Bay Rays team MVP. Harris started the season as the Twins second baseman and looked lost. A move to short and then to 3rd help him a lot in the field, and he was solid with the bat. Unfortunately he looks like nothing more than a platoon player. Delmon Young was supposed to be a superstar in waiting. Will we are still waiting. In Young’s defense he was asked to switch positions from his natural right field to left field in a stadium – the Metrodome – where it is hard to play the outfield. Young did hit for a solid average, but he must hit for more power. He is very young, so he may yet have a bright future, but right now this trade is looking real bad.
Smith gets an incomplete for the trade of Johan Santana to the Mets for Carlos Gomez, Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey, and Deolis Guerra. Santana had another fine year, and did nothing to make the Mets regret the move. Gomez quickly became a Twins fan favorite with his display of dynamic talent. As a defensive player Gomez as more range and a stronger arm in center field than his gold glove winning predecessor Torii Hunter. Gomez has speed to burn and stole most bases by a Twin in over a decade. Gomez also looks to have some power potential. Unfortunately Gomez also swings too freely, and a can get a little too worked up. Still, he is a major talent.
Humber and Mulvey look to be noting more than fifth starters or long relievers. Humber is out of options so the Twins have to either keep him on the major league team or trade or release him. Guerra has a live pitching arm, but is very raw. Time will be needed with him.
A lot was asked of Bill Smith in his first year and he did not deliver. I do give him credit for admitting his mistakes and getting rid of them. With a less hectic off-season approaching perhaps Smith can focus in and get something productive done.
Ron Gardenhire, manager – Grade A
I like to second guess some of Gardenhire’s moves during a game, but I cannot question the job he did this season with this team. Working with three everyday players (Gomez, Spahn, and Casilla) who were basically rookies; handling a staring pitching staff with pitchers who had little major league experience, and having to deal with a bullpen on the verge of meltdown; Gardenhire somehow willed this team into being within a run of winning the central division.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Twins Season Ends
I was disappointed with the Twins 1-0 loss to the White Soxs in one game playoff to decide the A.L. Central Drivision champion. However, that the Twins were competitive at all was a pleasant surprise, and I have great hope for the future of this team. Why? Look what the Twins accomplished despite:
· Having lost the best pitcher in baseball in Johan Santana, an All-Star outfielder in Torii Hunter, their starting shortstop in Jason Bartlett, and an innings eating starter in Carlos Silva.
· Off-season additions Livan Hernandez, Craig Monroe, Mike Lamb, and Adam Everett were almost all complete busts.
· Star player Michael Cuddyer missed almost the entire season due to injury.
· Major acquisition Delmon Young – who was suppose to hit 20 + HR’s and have 100 + RBI’s - hit 10 HR’s and had 68 RBI’s.
· Three starting players – Carlos Gomez, Denard Span, and Alexi Casilla were in their first full year in the majors
· None of the Twins five starting pitchers Scott Baker, Francisco Liriano, Kevin Slowly, Nick Blackburn, and Glen Perkins had ever gone a full year as a starter in the major leagues.
· The Twins hit the fewest home runs in the major leagues.
Despite all of this the Twins came within one run of winning the division. Yes, the Twins should have wrapped up the division title in their final series of the regular season when the inexplicitly lost two out of three to Kansas City. Still that they were even in the position at all was amazing.
· Having lost the best pitcher in baseball in Johan Santana, an All-Star outfielder in Torii Hunter, their starting shortstop in Jason Bartlett, and an innings eating starter in Carlos Silva.
· Off-season additions Livan Hernandez, Craig Monroe, Mike Lamb, and Adam Everett were almost all complete busts.
· Star player Michael Cuddyer missed almost the entire season due to injury.
· Major acquisition Delmon Young – who was suppose to hit 20 + HR’s and have 100 + RBI’s - hit 10 HR’s and had 68 RBI’s.
· Three starting players – Carlos Gomez, Denard Span, and Alexi Casilla were in their first full year in the majors
· None of the Twins five starting pitchers Scott Baker, Francisco Liriano, Kevin Slowly, Nick Blackburn, and Glen Perkins had ever gone a full year as a starter in the major leagues.
· The Twins hit the fewest home runs in the major leagues.
Despite all of this the Twins came within one run of winning the division. Yes, the Twins should have wrapped up the division title in their final series of the regular season when the inexplicitly lost two out of three to Kansas City. Still that they were even in the position at all was amazing.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Target Field
The Twins new stadium will be named Target Field. While Minnesota is home to many large companies like Best Buy, Medtronic, Cargill, US Bank, and General Mills; Target has always been the most aggressive when it comes to marketing itself. Many Twins fans I had talked to thought General Millis would buy the naming rights and name it Wheaties Field after the cereal of the same name.
However, I got the feeling that Target wanted to enhance their name nationally. Target has really expanded across the country, and having a MLB baseball stadium named after them will definitely raise the profile of their brand name. Add the fact that the new Target Field is right next to the Target Center (home of the NBA Timberwolves) and Target has venues named after it in two professional sports league. Though I am not sure, I think they are the only company that does.
I read that Target will be spending some money to enhance the plaza outside Target Field. That’s good because the people of Minnesota have never really enjoyed the pleasure of a good pre-game gathering place. The Metrodome plaza was never anything to get excited about.
Another good aspect of this deal is the joint marketing venture the Twins and Target will be undertaking. Hopefully this will include a several sections of seats sponsored by Target that will be affordable. I also think there will be multiple player appearances at local Targets.
The Twins and Target look like they will both be around (unlike the Vikings and Northwest Airlines) in Minnesota for years to come. It makes sense they should partner together. Target Field does not exactly flow off the tongue, but at least it is the name that Minnesotans can identify with and take pride in.
However, I got the feeling that Target wanted to enhance their name nationally. Target has really expanded across the country, and having a MLB baseball stadium named after them will definitely raise the profile of their brand name. Add the fact that the new Target Field is right next to the Target Center (home of the NBA Timberwolves) and Target has venues named after it in two professional sports league. Though I am not sure, I think they are the only company that does.
I read that Target will be spending some money to enhance the plaza outside Target Field. That’s good because the people of Minnesota have never really enjoyed the pleasure of a good pre-game gathering place. The Metrodome plaza was never anything to get excited about.
Another good aspect of this deal is the joint marketing venture the Twins and Target will be undertaking. Hopefully this will include a several sections of seats sponsored by Target that will be affordable. I also think there will be multiple player appearances at local Targets.
The Twins and Target look like they will both be around (unlike the Vikings and Northwest Airlines) in Minnesota for years to come. It makes sense they should partner together. Target Field does not exactly flow off the tongue, but at least it is the name that Minnesotans can identify with and take pride in.
2008 CMA Award Nominations
The nominations for the 2008 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards have been announced. Overall I think they were alright. There were a few people I think should not have been nominated and a few who should have been.
Brooks & Dunn’s “Cowboy Town” should not have been nominated for Album of the Year. I thought Reba McEntire’s “Duets” album should have been nominated. LeAnn Rimes and Reba should have joined Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, and Miranda Lambert as Female Vocalist of the Year nominee. Also Alan Jackson’s “Small Town Southern Man” should have been nominated for Song of the Year.
However you can nitpick these things to death. I was pleased to see my prediction that Sugarland would be considered for Entertainer of the Year come true. I was also pleased to see my man Alan Jackson up for Male Vocalist, Album, Song, and Video of the Year.
Here are my predictions for the winners.
Entertainer of the Year will be Kenny Chesney. This will give him four EOY wins tying him with Garth Brooks for the most wins. I personally think Keith Urban should be the choice. I think his live performances and his music are superior to Kenny, but that is a personal preference.
Male Vocalist will be Brad Paisley. Since 1991 only one person, Toby Keith in 2001, has won this award and not won it at least a second time in a row. Paisley won last year for the first time, so the laws of percentages say he will win again. I prefer Alan Jackson here and he deserves it, but it is hard to not say Brad deserves it too.
Female Vocalist will be Miranda Lambert. Miranda is definitively deserving, and she is really making some great music. Of course Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift are the two best selling artist in country music right now. Underwood has won the last two FOY awards, but I get the feeling the industry is tiring of her winning all the time. There was a time in the 90’s when the CMA used the Female Vocalist Award to push female artists to the new level of stardom. I think that will happen here with Miranda.
Group of the will be Rascal Flatts. I think the CMA is tiring of RF as they were not nominated for Entertainer of the Year even though they had a big tour and sold some albums. It seemed to me that RF was never really accepted by the CMA and its voters. I think Lady Antebellum is more to the CMA voters liking, and will soon be taking over this award.
Duo of the Year will be Sugarland. I think they will have a big night. Nashville biggest female stars (Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, and Taylor Swift) are young, and country music core 25-54 female audience may not see them as one of them. Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles (age 34) is someone they can related too more wholly. The country music industry knows this and also knows Sugarland is selling a lot of albums. Country Music needs more superstars, especially with female voices, and the CMA will do its part in promoting Sugarland for that role.
The New Artist of the Year will be Lady Antebellum. Music folks think these guys are great, and the CMA voters will agree. I think Ashton Shepherd should have been dominated and won, but I was not consulted.
Album of the Year will hopefully be “Good Time” by Alan Jackson. I think it is the best album nominated. Of course the CMA could go for a more commercially successes album like Carrie Underwood or Kenny Chesney’s.
Single of the Year will be “Stay” by Sugarland. Simply put this song is sung powerfully and masterfully by a gifted vocalist in Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland.
Song of the Year will be “Stay” by Sugarland. Why? See above.
Video of the Year will be “Stay” by Sugarland. I still remember watching it for the first time on YouTube. Not much happens in the video, but it was definitely powerful.
Vocal Event of the Year Sugarland will win here with “Life in a Northern Town.” Never released a single, and only recorded during a live concert, this song was an improbable success.
Brooks & Dunn’s “Cowboy Town” should not have been nominated for Album of the Year. I thought Reba McEntire’s “Duets” album should have been nominated. LeAnn Rimes and Reba should have joined Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, and Miranda Lambert as Female Vocalist of the Year nominee. Also Alan Jackson’s “Small Town Southern Man” should have been nominated for Song of the Year.
However you can nitpick these things to death. I was pleased to see my prediction that Sugarland would be considered for Entertainer of the Year come true. I was also pleased to see my man Alan Jackson up for Male Vocalist, Album, Song, and Video of the Year.
Here are my predictions for the winners.
Entertainer of the Year will be Kenny Chesney. This will give him four EOY wins tying him with Garth Brooks for the most wins. I personally think Keith Urban should be the choice. I think his live performances and his music are superior to Kenny, but that is a personal preference.
Male Vocalist will be Brad Paisley. Since 1991 only one person, Toby Keith in 2001, has won this award and not won it at least a second time in a row. Paisley won last year for the first time, so the laws of percentages say he will win again. I prefer Alan Jackson here and he deserves it, but it is hard to not say Brad deserves it too.
Female Vocalist will be Miranda Lambert. Miranda is definitively deserving, and she is really making some great music. Of course Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift are the two best selling artist in country music right now. Underwood has won the last two FOY awards, but I get the feeling the industry is tiring of her winning all the time. There was a time in the 90’s when the CMA used the Female Vocalist Award to push female artists to the new level of stardom. I think that will happen here with Miranda.
Group of the will be Rascal Flatts. I think the CMA is tiring of RF as they were not nominated for Entertainer of the Year even though they had a big tour and sold some albums. It seemed to me that RF was never really accepted by the CMA and its voters. I think Lady Antebellum is more to the CMA voters liking, and will soon be taking over this award.
Duo of the Year will be Sugarland. I think they will have a big night. Nashville biggest female stars (Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, and Taylor Swift) are young, and country music core 25-54 female audience may not see them as one of them. Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles (age 34) is someone they can related too more wholly. The country music industry knows this and also knows Sugarland is selling a lot of albums. Country Music needs more superstars, especially with female voices, and the CMA will do its part in promoting Sugarland for that role.
The New Artist of the Year will be Lady Antebellum. Music folks think these guys are great, and the CMA voters will agree. I think Ashton Shepherd should have been dominated and won, but I was not consulted.
Album of the Year will hopefully be “Good Time” by Alan Jackson. I think it is the best album nominated. Of course the CMA could go for a more commercially successes album like Carrie Underwood or Kenny Chesney’s.
Single of the Year will be “Stay” by Sugarland. Simply put this song is sung powerfully and masterfully by a gifted vocalist in Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland.
Song of the Year will be “Stay” by Sugarland. Why? See above.
Video of the Year will be “Stay” by Sugarland. I still remember watching it for the first time on YouTube. Not much happens in the video, but it was definitely powerful.
Vocal Event of the Year Sugarland will win here with “Life in a Northern Town.” Never released a single, and only recorded during a live concert, this song was an improbable success.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Gary Gaetti Comes Through
In my last post I described how my 8 x 10 autographed photo of Gary Gaetti was badly damaged. I quickly sent a note to Gary explaining what happened and asked if he would sign another photo for me. Not only did he sign another photo for me, but he personalized it! Since I no intention of ever selling or trading any of my autographed items, I really enjoyed it when players personalize items.
Gary has always been one of my favorite Twins of all-time. This class move just re-enforces that feeling. I doubt Gary or anyone who knows him will ever read this blog, but I still want to publically thank you Gary for taking the time to sign my picture. It was most appreciated.
Gary has always been one of my favorite Twins of all-time. This class move just re-enforces that feeling. I doubt Gary or anyone who knows him will ever read this blog, but I still want to publically thank you Gary for taking the time to sign my picture. It was most appreciated.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Good News Bad News
The good news is on Saturday I received my signed Harmon Killebrew baseball card and 8 x10 photo. I have stood in line five times at Twinsfest and the Twins Autograph Party to get Harmon to sign things, and only twice have I got through and actually got him to sign. The other three times the line was cut off before I got through.
Tire of this happening I sent a contribution to Harmon’s foundation. In exchange for a certain dollar contribution I could get items autographed. The price was not much more than it cost to get into and have him sign stuff at Twinsfest, so I decided to go this route. It worked great. Harmon got, signed, and returned my items in under 30 days. I was most pleased.
Now the bad news, I seriously damaged my signed Gary Gaetti 8 x 10. I was so happy when it arrived, and now I have pretty much ruined it. I spilt liquid on it. The only saving grace was the Killebrew picture I had just gotten was only a short distance away from the Gaetti picture. Luckily it was spared.
I will send another 8 x 10 to Gary, explain in my letter what happen, and ask him to sign a new one. Hopefully he will.
Tire of this happening I sent a contribution to Harmon’s foundation. In exchange for a certain dollar contribution I could get items autographed. The price was not much more than it cost to get into and have him sign stuff at Twinsfest, so I decided to go this route. It worked great. Harmon got, signed, and returned my items in under 30 days. I was most pleased.
Now the bad news, I seriously damaged my signed Gary Gaetti 8 x 10. I was so happy when it arrived, and now I have pretty much ruined it. I spilt liquid on it. The only saving grace was the Killebrew picture I had just gotten was only a short distance away from the Gaetti picture. Luckily it was spared.
I will send another 8 x 10 to Gary, explain in my letter what happen, and ask him to sign a new one. Hopefully he will.
Monday, August 4, 2008
First Place!
After losing 2-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana and All-Star CF Torii Hunter, to conceive that on 8/4/08 the Minnesota Twins would be in first place would be almost unthinkable. Yet here we are The Twins are indeed in first place and may indeed make a run at the post season. I cannot express how happy that makes me feel. Win Twins!
Two Leave, Two Arrive
With the release of Livan Hernandez and Craig Monroe and the call up of Francisco Liriano and Randy Ruiz the Twins continue their annoying habit of signing overrated free agents who are released when the Twins find they have better players in the minors.
I never understood why the Twins wanted Livan Hernandez. Yet Ron Gardenhire seemed eager to make Hernandez his staff ace. Hernandez had some early success, but his flaws were soon exposed.
The present Twins pitching staff of Baker, Blackburn, Slowey, Liriano, and Perkins are not Hall of Famers in waiting, but I’d argue there are not many teams in baseball who would not have a spot for any one of these guys in their rotations.
I had hoped for more from Craig Monroe. He could have provided power off the bench, and a solid right-handed option at DH. While Monroe did hit a couple of key home runs, it was obvious he was not getting the job done.
I don’t know much about Ruiz except that he is over 30 and this is his first trip to the majors. Usually if you are any good you make it the majors before your 30th birthday, so the odds are good Ruiz will not offer much. Likely he is just holding a spot for Michael Cuddyer who will be returning shortly from the DL. Still Ruiz has got to feel good about finally getting to the majors.
I never understood why the Twins wanted Livan Hernandez. Yet Ron Gardenhire seemed eager to make Hernandez his staff ace. Hernandez had some early success, but his flaws were soon exposed.
The present Twins pitching staff of Baker, Blackburn, Slowey, Liriano, and Perkins are not Hall of Famers in waiting, but I’d argue there are not many teams in baseball who would not have a spot for any one of these guys in their rotations.
I had hoped for more from Craig Monroe. He could have provided power off the bench, and a solid right-handed option at DH. While Monroe did hit a couple of key home runs, it was obvious he was not getting the job done.
I don’t know much about Ruiz except that he is over 30 and this is his first trip to the majors. Usually if you are any good you make it the majors before your 30th birthday, so the odds are good Ruiz will not offer much. Likely he is just holding a spot for Michael Cuddyer who will be returning shortly from the DL. Still Ruiz has got to feel good about finally getting to the majors.
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