Gary Matthews

"The Sarge" Gary Matthews signed this 1986 Topps baseball card in the mid 1990's at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium when he was coaching with the Daytona Cubs of the Florida State League. They were in town to play the Clearwater Phillies. Mr. Matthews won the 1973 National League Rookie of the Year award while playing for the San Francisco Giants. He also earned the National League Championship Series MVP award in 1983 while playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.

 

Stephen Vogt

Stephen Vogt signed this 2016 Topps baseball card for me at the Vinoy Renaissance Marriott Hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida on May 14, 2016 when the Oakland A's came to play the Tampa Bay Rays.  Stephen won the American League Manager of the Year award in his first season as skipper of the Cleveland Guardians on November 19, 2024.

 

Sid Fernandez

It took 13 short days for me to receive this 1990 Fleer baseball card.

I mailed it to Sid Fernandez on October 25, 2024 to his home in Hawaii and received it back on November 7, 2024. I'm very grateful to add him into my collection. He was a major factor in the Mets 1986 Championship over the Boston Red Sox!

 

Mike Piazza

On October 15, 2024 a friend of mine told me he saw a post on social media that Mike Piazza would be attending a dinner at the Italian Club In Ybor City along with the team he manages (Team Italy) On Wednesday October 16th. Mike, the 1993 National League Rookie of the Year and 2016 Hall of Fame inductee arrived at the restaurant about 10 minutes after us and was kind enough to sign the inside cover of a Beckett Baseball Card Monthly magazine for me, along with an 8x10 picture for my son! Being huge Mets fans, we were psyched to add Hall of Famer Mike Piazza into our collections!
 

Cecil Fielder

I mailed this December 1991 issue of Beckett Baseball Card Monthly magazine to Cecil Fielder's home in Tampa, Florida requesting his autograph on September 8, 2024. It arrived 6 days later on September 14th! The two time Silver Slugger clubbed 51 home runs in 1990 and a total of 319 over a 13 year career.

 

Adrian Antonini

Adrian Antonini signed this 1995 Multi-Ad Batavia Clippers teamset card in the mid 1990's when he was a Minor League pitcher in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. 

 

Doug Angeli

Doug Angeli signed a 1994 Classic team set baseball card from the Spartanburg Phillies set in the mid 1990's while a member of the Philadelphia Phillies Farm System.

 

Marlon Anderson

I first met Marlon Anderson in 1996 when I was a bat boy and he was a rising star in the Philadelphia Phillies Minor League system. Marlon was playing for the Clearwater Phillies that year. Marlon signed a 1996 Fleer Excel baseball card.

 

Dave Anderson

I met Dave Anderson in the early 1990's. Dave signed a 1989 Upper Deck baseball card.

 

Brian Anderson

Brian Anderson signed this 1993 Four Sport baseball card on August 21, 2014 in between innings of a Tampa Bay Rays game. Brian was the color analyst for the Rays and they were on a commercial break.

 

Brady Anderson

Brady Anderson signed this 1993 Bowman baseball card in the mid 1990's when he played for the Baltimore Orioles. Brady, not known for his power, smashed 50 home runs during the 1996 season.

 

Larry Andersen

Larry Andersen signed this 1992 Upper Deck baseball card for me in the mid 1990's when he was playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.

 

Ruben Amaro Jr.

Ruben Amaro Jr. signed this 1992 Upper Deck baseball card in the mid 1990's when he was still playing for the Philadelphia Phillies.

 

Wilson Alvarez

I believe I met Wilson Alvarez in the late 1990's when he was a member of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

In 1998, Wilson threw the very first pitch in Devil Rays history as he was the Opening Day starter for the newly formed franchise. 

 

Erick Almonte

I met Erick Almonte at George M. Steinbrenner Field on July 28, 2017. Erick signed a 2002 Bowman baseball card after his Palm Beach Cardinals played the Tampa Yankees.

 

Bill Almon

I mailed this 1988 Donruss card to Bill Almon on July 27, 2022 and received it back on August 8, 2022 for a 12 day turn around! Glad to have him in my collection!

 

Manny Alexander

Manny Alexander signed this 1994 Classic baseball card in the mid 1990's during Spring Training when he was with the Baltimore Orioles.

 

Will Allen

Will Allen signed a 2017 Grandstand baseball card from the Lakeland Flying Tigers team set.

 

Brandon Allen

In 2018 Brandon Allen signed a 2010 Allen & Ginter rookie card when he was the hitting coach for the Palm Beach Cardinals of the Florida State League.

 

Angel Aguilar

Angel Aguilar signed this 2017 Grandstand baseball card from the Charleston Riverdogs team set at Dunedin Stadium after the Tampa Yankees finished playing the Dunedin Blue Jays.

 

Pete Agostinelli

I met Pete Agostinelli when he was a southpaw pitcher for the Clearwater Phillies in 1994. I was one of the bat boys for that team. Pete signed a 1994 Classic team set baseball card.

 

Tim Adkins

Tim Adkins signed this 1993 Classic Best Gold baseball card when he was a Minor League southpaw in the Toronto Blue Jays system.

 

Tommy Adams

Tommy Adams signed this 1993 Classic Best baseball card for me in 1996 when he was playing for the Charlotte Rangers of the Florida State League.

 

Terry Adams

Terry Adams signed this 1992 Classic Best baseball card for me when he played for the Daytona Cubs of the Florida State League in the early 1990's.

 

Clay Buchholz

Clay Buchholz signed this 2009 Upper Deck baseball card during Spring Training in 2017 when he was playing for the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, Florida. Clay had just finished pitching and was leaving the ballpark for the day. He stopped to sign as he was walking to his car in the players parking lot.

 

Tyler Gilbert

I met Tyler Gilbert on August 22, 2017 prior to the start of a Clearwater Threshers home game.

Tyler wound up making his Major League debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his first MLB start, on August 14, 2021 Tyler threw a No-Hitter against the San Diego Padres, beating them 7-0.

 

Mike Flanagan

Orioles Pitching Coach Mike Flanagan signed this 1992 Upper Deck baseball card at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium when the Baltimore Orioles came to play the Philadelphia Phillies during Spring Training in 1995. Mike won the American League Cy Young Award in 1979 by going 23-9 with a 3.08 ERA.

 

Randy Arozarena

I first met Randy Arozarena on May 16, 2021 at Al Lang Stadium, the home of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. I had heard that Randy's brother was a soccer player for the Rowdies and that he sometimes shows up. Well, on that day, I came prepared. I spotted him prior to the game outside of the stadium as he parked his car. He was very friendly and signed an 8x10 picture of himself holding his 2020 ALCS MVP trophy.

 

Evan Longoria

July 13, 2024 former Tampa Bay Rays all-star 3rd baseman Evan Longoria signed an 8x10 picture for me at Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays. Evan was signing autographs for fans from 1pm-2pm. I am thrilled to add him into my collection.  Evan is a fan favorite for many, but he's been a tough autograph to obtain. I'm very happy to finally have this piece in my collection!

 

Rick Manning

On Saturday July 13, 2024 I went to Tropicana Field to see the home town Tampa Bay Rays play the Cleveland Guardians. Rick Manning is a Bally Sports TV announcer for the Guardians. After the game, as he was exiting the TV booth, my brother had asked him for an autograph. Mr. Manning declined by saying he was in a rush to catch a bus and headed to the elevator. My brother, son and a friend of ours were heading in the same direction and ended up in the elevator with Mr. Manning. As the elevator doors closed, my brother tried again. Mr. Manning was clearly annoyed and rolled his eyes, but agreed to do so. After he handed my brothers 1987 Topps card back to him, I nervously asked as well, "Could I get you, too?" He sighed, but grabbed my 1985 Topps card and pen. My son then chimes in my saying, "I'm a kid... Can I get you?" Now, this elevator was jammed packed and Mr. Manning seemed so annoyed, but agreed. The mood in the elevator was very tense and uncomfortable for everybody, but now, it was our friends turn and he asked if he could get his Gold Glove baseball signed as Rick had received that award in 1976. Mr. Manning signed the ball. The elevator doors finally opened up again and I couldn't wait to get out! This was one of the most awkward and uncomfortable moments of my life! Very grateful to have Mr. Manning in my collection and even more grateful to never have a need to ask him for anything ever again!

 

DJ LeMahieu

DJ LeMahieu was kind enough to stop to sign autographs for a few fans outside of Tropicana Field as he was leaving for the night after the New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays. DJ signed a 2021 Topps baseball card.

 

Nestor Cortes

Nestor Cortes signed this 2023 Topps Heritage baseball card on July 10, 2024 as he was getting ready to exit Tropicana Field after his Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays.

 

Carlos Rodon

July 10, 2024 Carlos Rodon signed this 2016 Topps Bunt baseball card as he was leaving Tropicana Field after his New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays. 

 

Jon Lester

Jon Lester signed these two 8x10 pictures for my son and I at Aviation Sports Complex in Marietta, Georgia on Friday June 21, 2024 as he was leaving following my son's travel baseball teams win during a 12u Perfect Game World Series baseball tournament. I was prepared because one of the parent's on my son's team had mentioned in the past that he's a close personal friend of Jon's and that Jon might show up since he lives close by. During the 5th inning of a 6 inning game, my son tells me from the on-deck circle that Jon was here watching. I hadn't even noticed! I immediately went to my car to grab a book holding these two pictures. As soon as the game ended, I expected Jon would hang around and congratulate the team on their victory. Instead, Jon was already heading towards his car to exit the complex. I approached him and mentioned that my son was on the Dragons team and had asked me to try get an autograph. Jon complied, although he didn't appear to be enthusiastic about it. Nonetheless, my son and I have added another future Hall of Famer into our collections! 

 

Jake Peavy

On Sunday June 2, 2024 Jake Peavy was the Opening Cermony guest speaker at a baseball tournament in Panama City that my son and his team, the Wily Mo Dragons (Coached by Wily Mo Pena) were attending. The 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner signed an 8x10 picture as he was walking into the complex. He was very friendly and even let my son hold his two World Series rings, one from the Boston Red Sox and the other was the San Francisco Giants. 

 

Jose Cruz Jr.

I met Jose Cruz Jr. in April, 2024 when he was managing the Rice Owls. Jose signed a 1998 Score baseball card from the visiting team dugout during batting practice prior to a game at the University of South Florida against the USF Bulls.

 

Joey Volini

I met Joey Volini in April, 2024 prior to the start of a USF Bulls home game at the University of South Florida. Joey signed a 2024 USF Bulls team set card.

 

Chandler Dorsey

I met Chandler Dorsey prior to the start of a USF Bulls home game at the University of South Florida in April, 20214. Chandler signed a 2024 USF Bulls team set baseball card. 

Bryce Archie

I met Bryce Archie in April of 2024 at the University of South Florida. Bryce signed a 2024 USF Bulls team set card prior to a home game.

 

Matt Rose

Matt Rose signed a USF Bulls team set baseball card in April, 2024 prior to the start of a home game at the University of South Florida.

 

Austin Newton

Austin Newton signed a USF Bulls team set card prior to a home game at the University of South Florida in April, 2024.

 

Rafael Betancourt

Rafael Betancourt signed a 2024 USF Bulls team set baseball card in April, 2024 prior to a home game at the University of South Florida.

 

Adam Wainwright

Adam Wainwright signed this 8x10 picture at Tropicana Field after he finished his debut as a broadcast announcer for MLB on Fox. The 200 game winner and future Hall of Famer was getting ready to leave and was kind enough to stop to sign autographs and meet with fans.

 

Starling Marte

I met Staring Marte on Saturday May 4, 2024 at Tropicana Field when the New York Mets came to play the Tampa Bay Rays. Starling signed a 2023 Topps baseball card prior to the game from inside the ballpark.

 

Harrison Bader

Harrison Bader signed this 2022 Topps baseball card on Saturday, May 4, 2024 as he was arriving at Tropicana Field when the Mets were in town to play the Tampa Bay Rays. 

 

Carlos Mendoza

New York Mets Manager, Carlos Mendoza signed an 8x10 picture for me on May 3, 2024 as he was leaving Tropicana Field following a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Carlos is friends with the family of one of my son's travel-ball teammates. We had talked about our mutual friend as he was signing the picture and he stated that the woman mentioned to him that she has a friend that was hoping to meet him. When he said this, I said, "That's me!" He was very friendly and even took a picture with my son.

 

Steve Karsay

On April 15, 2024, Angels Bullpen Coach, Steve Karsay signed this 1991 baseball card from the Angels bullpen at Tropicana Field, prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

 

Jerry Narron

On Monday April 15, 2024, the Angels came to Tropicana Field to play the Tampa Bay Rays. Angels Catching Coach, Jerry Narron signed this 1986 Topps baseball card prior to the game from the Angels bullpen.