TTM Success- Rex Hudler

Rex "Wonder Dog" Hudler

1986

The Yankees traded Rex and Rich Bordi to the Orioles on Decemeber 12, 1985 in return for Gary Roenicke and Leo Hernandez. He played in just 14 games for the Orioles, all of them during the 1986 season, and was used almost exclusively as a late-inning defensive replacement or pinch-runner. He only had one at-bat over those 14 games, but luckily there is this Orioles Crown card to confirm that he spent time with the O's.

Rex played for 6 Major League teams over a 13 season career in the Majors but played in 100 games just once while on the '91 Cardinals. He was primarily a second basemen but spent time at every position besides pitcher and catcher.

For the past ten seasons, Rex was the color commentator for the Los Angeles California Angels of Anaheim. His contract was not renewed by the Angels & FSN West after last year so Rex is currently a broadcasting free agent.

He signed my TTM request in 37 days and I really like the "Go Hard" inscription. It's always nice to see something unexpected and different with someone's autograph. Thanks for signing Rex!

An attempt to catch up...Orioles Alumni Autographs

I am so far behind on things I want to post that if I can share half of what I have I will still be a few weeks behind. If that even makes sense.

The two main things I will try to get to this week are my pictures and autographs from the Nats Picnic in the Park two Saturday's ago and my pictures from Harold Baines' Orioles Hall of Fame induction this past Saturday. I know Steve at White Sox Cards will be especially interested in those.

But today's post will showcase the autographs I've got at the past four or five Orioles Alumni Autograph series. Most of these are available in a trade if you are interested.

And here we go...


This was the first time I ever got Dave's autograph. Nice addition to my collection!



If you are an O's fan and don't have "the B's" autograph, you are doing something wrong.



My Devo autograph collection is much larger now than it was before. My favorite is the upside down one.


Ken Gerhart, yep.



This was the first time I got Ross's autograph in person. Check out his cards from back in the day. He had some wacky hair styles. This one wasn't too bad, in comparison at least.



John Habyan, another first time in person auto.



Billy Hunter was nice as always.



Dave Johnson is always around the Yard. Another guy that any O's collector should have.



McGregor is a local guy; which equals me having 50 autographs of his. Give or take 20.



Gary is not around nearly as much so I don't have very many of his signatures. And couldn't Donruss and Fleer changed the border colors up just a little bit? Ah, the 80s.



Dave made an appearance, taking a break from his Minor League duties.



My Larry Sheets autograph collection rivals my McGregor & Bumbry collections.


Bill Swaggerty doesn't look like this at all. At least, not anymore.

Catching up on O's Alumni Signings in time for tonight's 1989 "Why Not" alumni signing

I know that I have somewhat dropped the ball on showcasing my Orioles Alumni pictures and autographs. So today I am going to cover the most recent signings that I failed to blog about.

As a refresher, the Orioles have been holding these signings at every Monday & Thursday home game this season in the MASN tent on Eutaw St. Between two & four former Orioles and coaches show up for an hour, between 1.5 and 30 minutes till first pitch, to sign for fans. It has been awesome and a major boon to my project over the course of the season. Without further delay...


Monday July 27-Ross Grimsley, Gary Roenicke, John Habyan & Ken Gerhart

Gary Roenicke Ross Grimsley

Ross was a very nice guy. He smiled at most of the fans and was joking around with people. Gary showed up late and definitely acted like a former ballplayer. In my brief encounter with him, he seemed a little full of himself.

Ken Gerhart John Habyan

Ken was a nice guy, and joked with Kalina that he was going to charge her for signing with a blue sharpie. John seemed cool, but a little quiet. I feel like Ken looks the same as he does on the 20 year old cards I was having him sign while I wouldn't have recognized John at all.


Thursday July 30-Larry Sheets, Jimmy Williams (1B coach from 81-89) & Bill Swaggerty

Larry Sheets Jimmy Williams Bill Swaggerty

Since this was a day game, Kalina was in charge, and I wasn't at this signing. But I have met Sheets and Swaggerty before and they were both nice. I keep trying to type Sheetz as opposed to Sheets. Maybe I'm hungry, I don't know.

Monday August 10- Dick Williams, Joe Durham & Billy Hunter

Dick Williams Joe Durham Billy Hunter

Joe & Billy have done this other times this season, and Billy is especially nice. I felt bad for these older guys since this was a very hot day.

Getting HOFer Dick Williams to one of these signings was a big deal. He normally charges something like $35 per auto so I was pumped to get my card signed for free.


Dick was just elected to the HOF last year; but for his time as a manager which wasn't with the Orioles, but he was on the O's during his playing days. Since I just visited the Hall, I said something like "I was just at the HOF and got to see your plaque. I thought it looked pretty good." To which Dick replied "So did I." Funny stuff. I also found it humorous that Dick was drinking a Heineken Light during the signing. (It's not pictured above because he was hiding it under the table.)



Tonight is a 1989 O's mini-reunion signing, with Mickey Tettleton, Mike Devereaux, Dave Schmidt & Dave Johnson all signing on Eutaw St. I hope to see you there!