PEOPLE I HAVE MET

            Through the years I have met some great sports athletes as well people famous in the card industry. I do apologize on some of the photos being kinda blurry its what happens when you take them by a phone camera operator who can't use focus really well.

At my very first ever National Sports Card Convention in Chicago in 2002 from Left to Right is Pepper Hastings he was a writer at Beckett & would read his articles religiously every month,some weird blogger,Dr James Beckett holding up my signed copy of the very 1st Beckett Magazine.

That is famous artist of the Diamond Kings Dick Perez we met up at the 2012 NSCC in Baltimore he was nice to offer me postcard of his latest work on the Conlon Collection how I wish I could afford the actual painting.

Back in 2006 I was lucky to get in touch with Mark "The Bird" Fidrych  to do a private signing for mehe wanted to buy my shirt but I told him it wasn't for sale.

Back in 2018 I was finishing up my 31st season working at Michigan State University working security at the football games prior to game against Rutgers. I kicked out this rather suited fan by the name of Mark Dantonio who was MSU All-Time Wins Coaching leader.  He went 6-5 that year & I got him to do something most people aren't able to see Mark do. That being a smile on his face I got him to smile on 2 different encounters.

 That's former Tigers outfielder Jim Northrup doing a private signing for me back in 2000 we discuss his triple he hit off Bob Gibson in Game 7 of the 1968 World Series as well his Grand Slam he hit in Game 6 & how for sure 1968 was the year of the Pitcher & how he 3 Grand Slams in 1 week back in 1968.

Back in 2010 I met up with in Baltimore at the NSCC former Orioles pitcher Mike Boddicker we discussed what advice did he get from teammate Jim Palmer prior to pitching in the 1983 World Series. 

Me with the last player/manager in the American League & former All-Star Shortstop for the Cubs Don Kessinger in 2011 in Chicago

Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins w/me discussing which stadium crowd was better Fenway or Wrigley when pitching for the Red Sox & Cubs respectively back in 2008 & wondering why teammate Ron Santo still getting snubbed by the Baseball Writers to enter Cooperstown. Postscript Ron eventually got in 2015.

Former Cubs reliever & not yet in the Hall of Fame but eventually got in pitcher Lee Smith also discussed which stadium was better Wrigley or Fenway to pitch at as well why he thought Relief Pitchers are snubbed as well by the baseball writers. 

4x Batting Champion & a member of the 1979 World Series Champion Pittsburgh Pirates "We Are Family" team. Bill Madlock taking time back in 2011 to discuss that great team.

Bobby Grich back in Baltimore in 2012 telling me how Earl Weaver wanted him to be more Davey Johnson like when he first came up to play in 1971.

Not yet a Hall of Fame pitcher Jack Morris back in 2012 discussing the 1984 Tigers vs the 1991 Minnesota Twins which team was better. As well what pitch he threw to Dwight Evans on the infamous 1st pitch of the 1986 Season at Tigers Stadium when Evans took him deep his answer 2 seam fastball. As well why he was being over looked by the baseball writers for the Hall. Postscript Jack eventually made the Hall in 2018.

Darrell Evans a member of the 1984 Detroit Tigers & I discussing how I first met him in 1985 & as well my mother's favorite 1984 Tigers Player back in 2018.

 Baseball's last 30 Game winner (31-6) 2x Cy Young Award winner 1968 & co-winner in 1969 (Dave McNally the other winner) & a member of the 1968 World Champion Detroit Tigers Denny McClain talking about his time on the Ed Sullivan show back in 1968.

I am with a friend from my hometown & Baseball Hall of Fame member Class of 2015, National League Cy Young Award Winner 1996, World Series Champion for the Atlanta Braves, & a great practical joker John Smoltz. Funny thing is if you closely look at my face its all scrunched up the reason is John unbeknownst to me did a SBD as the picture was being taken as we discussed his playing career in June of 2012. Mark my words John I haven't forgotten I'll get my revenge some day.

Doc Gooden & I after he did a private signing with me in July 2013.

In August of 2014 at the NSCC with former The Ohio State University basketball great & my favorite Buckeye Hoopster of all time Jimmy Jackson. When he started college as a Froshman I was a Froshman in High School. Unfortunately he left before his Senior year to go to the NBA he was real nice to talk to about the NBA & his time with the Buckeyes the Autograph picture I asked him to personalize it To Bucky (My Name when I was in High School on the Basketball Team) plus we both agree on 1 thing we both should be wearing Scarlet & Grey.

An Autograph I wish I gotten when I was in High School.

                     Mickey Stanley the player whom Mayo Smith moved to Shortstop to help win the 1968 World Series for the Detroit Tigers with me discussing Mayo's philosophy on the move from the outfield to Shortstop in January of 2015.  

Rod Allen taking a nap with me discussing his playing careers with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in the Central League of the NPB (1989-1991) back in April of 2016.

Mickey Lolich MVP of the 1968 World Series with me discussing his 1st World Series & only Home Run in his career as well a Practical Joke he pulled one Sunday Twilight DoubleHeader as well his post career as an Announcer for the Lansing Lugnuts Inaugural season in 1996 & running a donut shop.

Wally Joyner with me talking about growing up a Dale Murphy fan as well his rookie season when Wally World took over Anaheim much like what Mike Trout later did.

Willie Horton & I discussing his career after he left the Tigers in 1977 & how he was welcomed the 300 Home Run Club by hitting #300 against Jack Morris.

Chris Kaman & I discussing the 2003 NBA Draft & 5 picks taken after LeBron James. He's the short one in the picture plus Chris is an silent partner at a card shop called Man Cave Collectables in Greenville,Michigan. 

My Mother along with me & her favorite Detroit Red Wings player of All-Time 3x Stanley Cup Champion Chris Osgood during a private signing he did for the 2 of us.