Finally Freddy

Anytime that I am able to knock a name off of my list of Orioles autographs that I need is a good day, and today, I am happily knocking Freddy Garcia's name off of that list. 

Freddy made his Orioles debut back on May 4, 2013 and served as the Orioles fifth starter for about two months before being shipped to the Braves. I never got his autograph during his time with the O's but he had a few certified autographs out there, and I purchased a Mariners auto and plugged it into my collection.

Even though he was an well-traveled MLB veteran he was only in Baltimore for about two months, so I figured he wouldn't be featured in any sets as a member of the Orioles. Then on November 14, 2013 Topps released their Heritage High Number set, with Freddy pictured as an Oriole. No matter that he hadn't been an Oriole for nearly five months, and he finished the season with the Braves. Topps made me add Freddy's name to my need list.

Then Freddy spent the entirety of the 2014 season pitching in Taiwan. So I had no chance to get this card signed. And as far as I know, he still lives in his native Venezuela in the off-season, so obviously I wasn't sending him a TTM request that way. Freddy seemed out of reach, possibly permanently.

But then, the Dodgers signed him this past March 30th to a minor league deal. A window of opportunity to get this card autographed opened and I sent it out on a consignment via a connection on SCN. And there it is, a beautifully autographed Freddy Garcia Orioles card. And it was signed none-too-soon as Freddy was released on April 22, mere days after this was signed. And now, I don't have to worry about Freddy Garcia anymore.

Beckett Releases 2013 Topps Heritage Checklist

(Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know that my last post was a week ago when I speculated the the start of Spring Training might hearken an increase in my posting here. Well, it hasn't yet, but I hope it will soon. One post a week isn't good enough for you Orioles autograph fans.)

Yesterday, Beckett posted the final checklist for 2013 Topps Heritage. From an Orioles fan perspective, there aren't too many surprises but a couple of players will be featured on their first card as an Oriole. Since I reviewed the Orioles who were included in the 2013 Topps Series 1 set last month, I will do the same with the 2013 Heritage Orioles. I hope to have that review up tomorrow, which at least would mark my second post of the week, and an improvement over last week!