Zach Britton's Autograph Evolution

Most of the time, as a player rises from the Minor Leagues to the Majors, his autograph degrades from a decent signature to some random squiggles.

Example Derrek Lee...

1994 Signature Rookies (Certified)

2011 Topps Heritage (In-Person)

However, Zach Britton appears to have gone the opposite way with his autograph.

In his early years in the Orioles farm system, this is how his signature looked...

It was pretty much big Z scribble, big B scribble.

But then sometime over the past year or so, this is how he started to sign...

That's a pretty legible Zach Britton signature.

If I hadn't got all three of these autographs in person, I would definitely think that I was being duped, but I watched Zach sign these cards, so I know they are 100% authentic. I don't think that I've ever seen another example of a player's signature improving as he has become more successful or famous. Maybe the next time Zach is signing, I can try to ask him what prompted the change. I'm certainly intrigued.

Some Recent Orioles Autographs

So far this year I've gotten less autographs than in past seasons. I've had less time than I've had in previous years but I guess getting married will do that to you. At least the quality of the autographs has made up for the decrease in quantity.

My favorite additions to the collection have been upgrading my Vlad, D-Lee and Hardy autographs to Orioles cards.

  

The biggest thrill by far was getting Vladdy to sign his first and only O's card. I even got to mention to him that I had seen him play with the Senators in the mid-90s and he commented that was "a long time ago."

 

Adding Derrek Lee not five minutes after I got Vlad was pretty exciting too.  Although his signature leaves a bit to be desired. 

 

Hardy signed for a bunch of fans on his first day back from his DL stint. And he's had a pretty good week at the plate too.

 

I don't have much nice to say about Gonzo at this point. But I am glad to finally have his only actual O's card signed.

 

 I didn't really know what to say to Simon. "All that murder accusation business over?" sounded a little heavy. He seemed happy to be back in Baltimore though. 

 

 I remember being a huge fan of this card when this set came out 15 odd years ago, so it's cool to have it signed now.

 

I'm confident that I haven't heard Russell say a word to anyone during the two times I've seen him sign. How quintessentially '80s is this card? Awesome. 

 

I was shocked to see JJ sign, he doesn't seem to enjoy it too much. 

Oriole Debuts #888-893, 895-96 UPDATED

Over the first eight games of the Orioles' 2011 season, eight new O's have made their debuts in the black and orange. Luckily, I have autographs of all eight, so I don't need to add anyone to my need list.

Here's a quick rundown of my autographs of the eight newest Orioles.

#888- Derrek Lee

 

I've had this card for about 18 years. D-Lee was included in the the 2011 Topps Heritage set in an O's uniform so I need an upgrade.

#889- Mark Reynolds (this really could have been Reynolds or JJ Hardy since they both debuted in the field in the bottom of the first inning of the O's first game in 2011, but I chose Reynolds as 889 because he plays third base, position #5, and Hardy is a SS, position #6. Essentially, I don't think anyone is going to fight with me on this, because I'm likely the only one counting.)

Reynolds' card was in the O's 2011 Topps team set; a very similar card is in the 2011 Topps Opening Day set, and he is also pictured as an Oriole in the 2011 Topps Heritage set. I'm pretty jacked to already have his Orioles card signed though. 

#890- JJ Hardy

I got this card signed at Fanfest, but JJ was also included in the 2011 Topps Heritage set as an O, so I'm in need of another upgrade.  

#891- Vladdy Guerrero

This is another card that's been in my collection since the mid '90s since Vlad was a member of the AA Harrisburg Senators. Although I'm sure he will, Vlad doesn't yet have any cards that picture him as an Oriole, so this stays in the collection for the time being.

#892- Jeremy Accardo

 

Since he's a middle reliever, this might be the closest thing to an Orioles card that Accardo will ever get, so I'm happy to have it in my collection. I also like to have a card, so I'm keeping this too. 

#893- Kevin Gregg

 

Kevin has an O's card in the '11 Topps team set, so I'm looking for an upgrade from this postcard. 

#895- Josh Rupe

Rupe and Jakubauskas signed for me at the same time and Jak thought this picture of Rupe was pretty hilarious. Honestly, if this picture was all I had to go by, I don't think I'd recognize him.

#896- Chris Jakubauskas

Jak made his rather unsuccessful O's debut last night. He was one of the autographs that I got at Spring Training so he passes go, collects $200, and jumps right to my have list.

Welcoming D. Lee & Kevin Gregg

Somehow, I failed to acknowledge the two players who the Orioles signed last week. I had a few things that I wanted to write about and kept pushing it back, and just remembered that I hadn't mentioned the Derrek Lee or Kevin Gregg signings yet. I'm glad that you don't look to me for breaking news...

I really like both transactions and they definitely make the Orioles a much better and more formidable team. Lee and Gregg both are additional veteran presences on the still very young team too. They will very possibly be the Orioles' last major signings this offseason, although a few bullpen/fifth starter types will likely be signed to compete for roster spots in Spring Training.

I only have a few cards of Lee and Gregg, so will need to find some more to possibly get signed throughout the season. If anyone out there has some cards of either player, I would be happy to take them off your hands.

Interestingly, one of the few Derrek Lee cards that I do have in my collection is his 1994 Signature Rookies autograph. I remember when the Signature Rookies cards came out and I freaked out because the packs included real, live AUTOGRAPHS! It was right up my alley, but I have way too many autographs of players who never cracked a Major League roster. I did manage to find a few gems like Derrek along the way and his becoming an Oriole is why I don't like to trade away autographs of players who are still active on the off chance that they might one day play for the O's.

Unless I have two of them. I'm not really sure how it happened but I have two copies of this card (out of only 7,750!). So this one is up for trade if anyone is interested. I tried to sell the double for $11 at a garage sale back in the mid-90s but didn't find any takers.

I looked up some pictures of how Derrek's autograph has changed over the years and it looks like the major differences are that his D is much more rounded and his last name consists of pretty much just an L now. Not too bad for the number of autographs that he has likely signed since 1994.

I don't have an autograph of Kevin Gregg yet, but I hope that change that at Fanfest or Spring Training. Believe me, I'll keep you all posted.