Vinny Testaverde

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback and 1986 Heisman Trophy winner, Vinny Testaverde signed an 8x10 picture for me at Plant High School as he arrived to be a guest referee for Slam Jam Basketball Game hosted by Cup Coffee Uniting People on April 19, 2026.

Vinny was also the number 1 overall draft pick in the 1987 NFL Draft.

 

Joe Girardi

On the night of April 10, 2026 my brother called me asking if I wanted to go to Tropicana Field to get some autographs. The Yankees were there to play the Tampa Bay Rays. Joe Girardi was one of Yankees announcers, so I had my 8x10 picture on hand. We waited outside of the media entrance for him. After about 20  minutes of waiting, we gave up and moved onto a new spot where the visiting team players usually exit. After several minutes at the new spot, I spotted Joe Girardi walking through that area but from the direction we had just walked from. Mr. Girardi was very generous as he signed for the small group of us. Very grateful to add another baseball lifer and former Manager of the Year into my collection.

 

Ruben Tejada

Ruben Tejada was kind enough to sign an 8x10 picture for me prior to a Minor League Spring Training game against the Blue Jays. Ruben infamously broke his leg during Game 2 of the 2015 NLDS against the Dodgers when Chase Utley slid hard in an attempt to break up a double play. Ruben signed the picture on March 15, 2026 while he was a coach in the Phillies Minor League system.

 

Orion Kerkering

I had the opportunity to meet Orion Kerkering on Sunday March 15, 2026 at Carpenter Complex. He was spotted outside of the clubhouse chatting with a couple of his friends. A group of us waited for his conversation to wrap up and he willingly signed autographs for the small group. Orion signed a 2024 Topps baseball card.

 

Jarrod Parker

Jarrod Parker signed a 2015 Topps Heritage baseball card for me at Carpenter Complex on Sunday March 15, 2026. Jarrod was there as a Phillies Minor League pitching coach.

 

Kyle Farmer

I met Kyle Farmer on Sunday March 15, 2026 as he arrived as a non-roster invitee player for the Atlanta Braves to play a Spring Training game at BayCare Ball Park against the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, Florida. Kyle signed a 2022 Topps baseball card.

 

Walt Weiss

On March 15, 2026 Walt Weiss signed a 1990 Topps baseball card as he exited the Atlanta Braves team bus when they arrived in Clearwater, Florida to play a Spring Training game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Walt, was the 1988 American League Rookie of the Year.

 

Chadwick Tromp

Chadwick Tromp signed a 2021 Topps baseball card for me on the morning of March 15, 2026 moments after he was dropped off at BayCare Ballpark. Chadwick was arriving prior to a Spring Training game featuring his Atlanta Braves against the Spring home Philadelphia Phillies.

 

Steve Hofstetter

I finally had my opportunity to meet my favorite comedian, Steve Hofstetter at the Funny Bone in Tampa, Florida on the evening of March 12, 2026. I had reached out to Steve on Facebook about a month prior requesting a discount on tickets as money has been tight. He came through however with a free ticket!

Steve is an unapologetic comedian that tells things they way they are in a respectful, yet hilarious way. He clearly has no love for President Donald Trump due to the disrespect Trump shows to the United States and Steve loves to point it out by using his clever wit and humor. After the show, I had the chance to thank him for the ticket as he signed an 8x10 picture for me. I waited a long time to see this show and he didn't disappoint! 

Thank you Steve!

 

Joel Chimelis

Joel Chimelis signed this 1993 Classic Best baseball card for me on Saturday March 7, 2026 after a Phillies Minor League Spring Training game at Carpenter Complex. Joel, a Minor League coach in the Phillies farm system. I approached him and asked him for an autograph and he was kind enough to do so. As he was signing the card, I told him that I had always liked that card. He replied that the uniform pictured, was made of wool and was very itchy and uncomfortable. Regardless, it looked great! Glad to have such a cool baseball card signed and added to my collection.

 

Eloy Jimenez

Pleased to add Eloy Jimenez to my autograph collection, when he signed this 2023 Topps Heritage card at Baycare Ballpark on March 7, 2026. Eloy had just exited the Toronto Blue Jays bus prior to a Spring Training game against the Phillies. He came right over and said, "I'm gonna be late. I can only sign about two". That's what he said, but he probably signed 10 or so. Glad to be one of them! Eloy was the Midwest League MVP in 2016 and took home an American League Silver Slugger award in 2020.

 

Mike Burgess

This is a cool one, because Mike Burgess is my son's new high school baseball coach at A3 Baseball Academy.

Mike signed a 2011 Topps Heritage Minor League Baseball card for me on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Frank Tack Field in Clearwater, Florida after my son's game.

 

B.J. Upton

My son's former travel baseball teammate was playing for his Tampa Prep baseball team at St. Petersburg Catholic High School. We were invited to watch him play on Friday February 20, 2026. We were already aware that B.J. Upton's son plays for Tampa Prep, so my son and I came prepared. B.J. signed a 2008 Upper Deck baseball card for me during the game.

 

Ryan Vilade

 

Ryan Vilade signed this 2015 Panini baseball card on February 12, 2026 outside of Tropicana Field during the Tampa Bay Rays Fan Fest.

 

Chris Sale

Chris Sale attended a baseball camp as a guest speaker at Peterson Park in Lakeland, Florida on Saturday February 7, 2026. I was thrilled to be able to obtain his autograph on this 8x10 picture. Chris has an impressive resume including a bunch of All-Star selections and a Cy Young Award in 2024. Things are looking good for an eventual spot in Cooperstown!

 

Terry Mulholland

I was able to get this 1992 Fleer Ultra baseball card signed by Terry Mulholland on January 24, 2026.

Mr. Mulholland was participating as a coach during Phillies Phantasy Camp at Carpenter Complex in Clearwtater, Florida.

Fun fact, Terry Mulholland threw the first no-hitter at Veterans Stadium on August 15, 1990 beating the San Francisco Giants 6-0.

 

Aaron Rowand

Aaron Rowand signed a 2006 Upper Deck baseball card for me at Carpenter Complex, during the Phillies Phantasy Camp on January 24, 2026. 

 

Wes Chamberlain

Wes Chamberlain signed this 1991 Classic baseball card on January 24, 2026 at Carpenter Complex. Wes was participating as a coach during the Phillies Phantasy Camp in Clearwater, Florida.

 

Kyle Kendrick

 I attended the Phillies Phantasy Camp on Saturday January 24, 2026 to get some autographs of some of the former big leaguers that were coaching the campers. I spotted Kyle Kendrick talking with former teammate Cole Hamels at Carpenter Complex. Luckily, I was prepared and had his 2014 Topps baseball card in my car. Once I returned with the card, I approached him and he was kind enough to sign for me!

Chase Utley

Chase Utley signed this 8x10 picture at Brighthouse Networks Field on March 21, 2015 as he was walking to his car in the players parking lot after a Spring Training game in Clearwater, Florida.

 

Tyler Austin

My son was able to get this 8x10 picture signed by Tyler Austin for me on January 14, 2026. 

My son is on the Varsity baseball team for A3 Baseball Academy, playing for the Trojans. Tyler Austin has been working out at the A3 facility for some time and was kind enough to sign an autograph for us.

 

Jack McDowell

I mailed this Beckett Baseball Card Monthly magazine to Jack McDowell on December 31, 2025 along with $5, which I had heard is his standard autograph request fee. I was thrilled to receive it back on Friday January 9, 2026 for a quick turn-around! Black Jack won a Cy Young Award in 1993 capping his 22-Win season!

 

Bucky Irving

My son and I met Bucky Irving at an autograph signing event at Planet Fitness in Wesley Chapel, Florida on January 6, 2026. My son and I had each brought a specific 8x10 picture to get signed. We unfortunately were informed the moment it was our turn to meet him that no outside items were permitted and we had to settle on the pre-approved give-away photo provided by Planet Fitness. We are of course happy to add Bucky into our collections as he's an exciting player to watch, but were discouraged that our prepared items were turned away.