A day long ago

I was about 16 years old. A friend and I went to the Palm Desert shopping mall on a Friday night. My buddies growing up always wanted to go to the mall, meet girls and try to find a party to go to. I usually wanted to go to the baseball card shop they had on the second floor right in the middle of the mall. 

http://lennyrandle.com/

We got to the card shop that day and there were two tables setup outside, one on each side of the door. There was an autograph signing. I remember the excitement when I saw Lenny Randle walk out and take a seat behind one of the tables. There was a line of about 10-15 people and he basically rushed everyone along. He charged $5 for a card, $10 for an 8x10 which he provided so it was definitely worth it. When it was my turn he was speaking to the guy working the shop. I handed his assistant my five bucks and the assistant handed me a signed card. I waited for a moment to shake his hand and say thanks. When he turned around to face me, he saw I had the card in my hand and he asked the assistant rudely if he had gotten $5 from me. He gestured like I had stolen the card. He was told I had paid for it, then he said thank you and turned back around to continue conversation with the clerk. When I turned to walk away, I noticed at the other table sat a Hispanic guy with a stack of cards. There was no one at his table so my curiosity sank in and I walked up to him. He introduced himself as Todd Cruz a former ball player with the Orioles. We spoke for several minutes and he told me how he played side by side with Cal Ripken Jr. He was very interesting to listen to and told me of his first game with the Orioles. He said he just got traded to the O's and he was ecstatic because they were having a great season. He hit two homeruns that game and he felt like everyone in the clubhouse welcomed him because of it. He said he was more of a fielder than a batter and he was extremely proud of what he did with his glove.

Todd Cruz Stats

I spoke with Todd for about 10-15 minutes. He was charging $7 a card. The entire time I was there talking baseball with him, only 2 other people walked to his table. I told him I had to run and he said I could have a card for $5. I gave him a $5 and went on my way.

Back then, I didn't really collect autographed cards. I was looking for all the Michal Jordan cards I could find. The Shaq rookies etc. Autographs just wasn't my deal. As a matter of fact, I didn't start collecting autographs until I was married and had my first born. I remember going home and putting these two cards in plastic sleeves and sticking them in with other non-signed cards. I never really thought twice of it.

Yesterday, I was digging thru some old cards from my youth and I found these two cards. It brought back a few memories from that day.

As I was leaving, two young men were walking up to the shop. Lenny, being very loud and obnoxious, introduced the one as his nephew, Tyus Edney. Tyus had just finished up his basketball playing days with UCLA and was drafted to play in the NBA (I don't remember who drafted him). I remember he was a big thing at the time, so I shook his hand and said congrats. This is something I had forgotten about until I pulled out these two cards.

This morning I wanted to see what these two individuals are doing these days so I typed their names into Google. I found out that Lenny Randle has his own website and is running sports camps for education along with Tyus and a few other former pro athletes that never lived up to their potential. I was honestly surprised after the way he acted at the mall on the evening long ago. But I know people change so good for him. 

As for Todd Cruz, when I typed in his name, I found out that Todd had passed away in 2008. I read the article on him and in my own way, I felt like I lost something. Todd was not a superstar by any means of the word. He only played for several years and never really was considered even an average player. But he loved the game enough to talk to me about it and tell how he was a great fielder and brag about playing next to The Iron Man. He seemed like a kid living out a dream for a day.

I wonder why some players are forgotten about, even if they don't hit 500 homeruns, or get to 3000 hits. They made it to the pro's. They should be remembered somehow. I was saddened that it took me two years after his death to even find out he was gone.

Todd, I don't know how many people remember watching you play or speaking with you about the game, but I do. Rest In Peace Todd and good luck playing on the diamond in the sky.

Steve Garvey

I met Steve Garvey at a Palm Springs Power game where his son Ryan is a superstar. I was a little nervous at first because this guy was my childhood hero. Being a Dodger fan, I had to get him to sign something for me.

Thank goodness the Power is in a summer collegiate wood bat league and does not draw many fans. My son caught two foul balls that day. Near the end of the game, I had my son (yes I was too much of a chicken) walk up and ask him to sign the balls. He was awesome and signed both on the sweet-spot.

A couple weeks later, we went to another game and he sat right next to us. We engaged in conversation and I found out that Ryan had been drafted by the Phillies. Steve owns a business in Palm desert, CA, which is right down the road from where we live. This time, I had brought a couple of brand new balls and an 8x10. I hesitantly told him I was hoping to see him and he generously signed them as he laughed at me for being too nervous to ask.

 Overall, Steve has gotten some flack by the media in the past but I think the guy is generally awesome to the fans. Every time I saw him at the games, not once did I see him turn down a fan request for a signature or a photo opportunity. He would speak to whoever he sat next to. And although he had reserved seats behind home plate, he would walk around the stadium to take the occasional shot of Ryan while he was playing. He seemed like the average everyday proud father watching his son play the game he loved so much.

Speaking of Ryan, I spoke with him also a couple times this season. He is also a very nice young man. Once, after winning the 2011 homerun derby, he had a line of fans asking for his signature. He did not leave until the last person had walked away happy. He spoke very highly of his father and how he wanted to follow in his footsteps. He dropped down to my 4 year old daughters level and told her how pretty she was and signed a ball for her as well as myself. I really hope Ryan finds success in the Phillies organization.

Steve was nothing like you would expect after hearing the media bash him in the past. He was extremely fan friendly to both those that watched him play and those that were way to young to actually know who he was, just that they knew he was a former MLB player and wanted his autograph.

This Power season was definitely a memorable one thanks in part to Mr. Clean himself. My hats off to you Mr. Garvey, you made a childhood dream come true.

About the Collector

I played baseball for a semi pro team in Yucca Valley, CA. We practiced two days a week and played double headers on Sundays throughout Southern California. Not bragging, but I was probably the only player on the team with college playing experience. It was a team full of fans and former little league players that just wanted to get their hands on a wood bat one last time before age made them hang their cleats up.  

I remember the 5 or 6 kids that would show up to watch the games. With the exception of families, we never had too many people in the stands.

One game, I hit two homeruns. In this league, we had to fetch our own homeruns and foul balls and reuse them. After the game, one of the little boys that came to watch asked me for one of my balls. I tossed one to him and he held out a pen and asked me to sign it. This was the first and only time I have even been asked for my autograph. I got home that day and I realized two things; one, I was never going anywhere with the baseball thing and it was time to focus on my real job and two, I wanted to collect autographs as a hobby.

At the time, we lived in Phelan, CA. There was a Minor League team just up the road in Adelanto. The High Desert Mavericks were the Class A Advanced Minor League team for the Arizona Diamondbacks. I called the stadium to get ticket prices and found out that they were having a game with a local company against some former MLB players. I bought 3 tickets.

That Saturday I took my wife, Mindy and daughter, Rebecca to the game. The first autograph I got was from John "Blue Moon" Odom. I was hooked. I quickly went to the other players which included, Tommy Davis, Jay Johnstone, Kenny Landreaux, and a few others.

The internet was just getting big with the public at that time. I went home and jumped online. I started searching for autographed memorabilia. I found a site that was dedicated to people that would send their cards to players through the mail and the players would actually sign the items. My collector days took off.

Over the years I have sent to many stars with both good and bad results. I keep my cards protected, balls in their cubes, photos in glass etc etc. I sometimes go through my collection and think back to that little boy, did he ever put that ball in a cube; is it still in a cube; has he searched the internet to see if I ever made it to the pros? Sometimes it brings a smile to my face, sometimes my eyes water. Do I miss it, I honestly don't know. But I do know that I'm happy where I'm at.

My name is Steve and I'm your average Joe. I collect signed memorabilia from athletes and celebrities. This blog will be about my experiences collecting autographs. A few of my thoughts and rants and raves. Follow me if you'd like, both here and on Twitter @smraines12

Thanks for reading