# 641 - Marcus Thames

A friend from SweetSpotGraphs.com sent us nine signed 08 Topps cards for our set. Our next nine posts will feature these cards. First up is former New York Yankee and current Detroit Tiger, Marcus Thames.

# 641 - Marcus Thames

Progress: 159/990

# 354 - Edwin Jackson

Back in May we sent a card to Detroit Tigers pitcher, Edwin Jackson. Earlier this month we received it back signed! Definitely worth the wait. Thanks, Edwin!

# 354 - Edwin Jackson

Progress: 158/990

# 556 - John Gibbons

The second card zman40 from Autographed Cards sent me is of former Toronto Blue Jays manager, John Gibbons. I had no idea that John was a coach for the Kansas City Royals this year.
Thanks again, Zach!

# 556 - John Gibbons

Progress: 157/990

# 14 - Lenny DiNardo

I figured that I wouldn't be doing as many blog posts after the regular season ended. While that has been true it isn't for the reason I originally thought. I've gotten mail and plenty of cards to post about. I just haven't had time. Between work, Arizona Fall League games, and the swine flu it's been an interesting two weeks.

Not too long ago, zman40 from Autograph Cards sent us a nice little package with two signed cards. The first is of former Oakland Athletics pitcher, Lenny DiNardo. Zach was able to get Lenny's autograph during a recent trip to see one of the final Twins games at the old Metrodome.

Thanks, Zach! Much appreciated!

# 14 - Lenny DiNardo

Progress: 156/990

Silk Collection: Andrew Miller - Part Two

Yesterday I posted about the 2008 Topps Silk Collection card I bought of Andrew Miller. I also mentioned that Andrew Miller was playing in the Arizona Fall League.

Last Thursday, my son and I headed over to Surprise to see the Mesa Solar Sox play against the Surprise Rafters. Of course we got there when the gates open and were ready to get some autographs. While concentrating on the Mesa side we got most of the players we wanted including Mr. Andrew Miller.

Andrew signed a few cards for us including the 2008 Topps Silk Collection. He had never seen this card before and asked what it was. I did my best to quickly explain that they printed the regular Topps cards onto a piece of silk. He seemed to think it was kind of cool and joked that it probably came out of a pack that cost $50.

Below is the only 2008 Topps Silk Collection card that features Andrew Miller's autograph... well its the only one as of last Thursday...

Silk Collection: Andrew Miller - Part One

The second Topps Silk Collection card I found is of Florida Marlins pitcher, Andrew Miller. Andrew was a key part of the Tigers / Marlins trade that sent Miguel Cabrera to Detroit last year. He hasn't quite lived up to his potential but is only 24 years old.

Andrew is currently playing in the Arizona Fall League for the Mesa Solar Sox. Can anyone guess what tomorrow's "08 Topps Silk Collection: Andrew Miller - Part Two" post will be?

Silk Collection: Orlando Hudson

Wow! It's been 10 days since my last post. I've received a few more signed cards for our set but I haven't gotten a chance to scan them.

You may remember that back in June I purchased a Topps Silk Collection card of Chris Young. A few weeks ago I picked up two more of the Topps Silk Collection cards. The first is of former Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman, Orlando Hudson. The are slowly starting to grow on me. They're numbered to 50 and most have been going for only a few dollars.

O-Dog was one of my favorite D-Backs the past few years so this was one that I was glad to add to our 08 Topps collection.

# 48 - Zach Duke

I've been a Zach Duke fan since he made his MLB debut back in 2005. He won his first 5 starts for a dismal Pittsburgh Pirates team and was named National League Rookie of the Month for July. While he hasn't quite matched the success he had during his rookie year, Zach was named to the 2009 National League All-Star team.

This is the fifth and final card from the eBay lot. Zach has been great TTM signer in the past but I haven't seen any successes from him this season. Hopefully we'll still get the 08 Topps card we sent but if not it's not big loss.

# 48 - Zach Duke

Progress: 155/990

# 57 - Wladimir Balentien

Another one from the lot... this one is of former Seattle Mariner Wladimir Balentien. On July 29, 2009 the Mariners traded Balentien to the Cincinnati Reds for reliever Robert Manuel.

# 57 - Wladimir Balentien

Progress: 154/990

# 132 - Ramon Vazquez

Card number three from the five card eBay lot is of former Mariners, Padres, Red Sox, Indians, and Rangers infielder Ramon Vazquez. Ramon just finished up the 2009 season with his sixth team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. He hit .230 with 1 home run and 16 RBIs.

# 132 - Ramon Vazquez

Progress: 153/990

# 207 - Alberto Gonzalez

The second card from our eBay lot was of Alberto Gonzalez. I don't know much about Alberto Gonzalez besides the fact that he had a card in the 2008 Topps Updates & Highlights set. After a quick Google search I learned that Alberto is now in the Nationals system and played with the Syracuse Chiefs in 2009. He hit .311 but only had 90 at bats in 23 games.

# 207 - Alberto Gonzalez

Progress: 152/990

# UH 98 - Denny Bautista

Picked up five more signed 2008 Topps cards in a recent eBay auction. None were too exciting but I'm always glad to add a few more cards.

# UH 98 - Denny Bautista

Progress: 151/990