1967 Topps Atlanta Braves Team Card with Cito Gaston

Today's entry of my 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball cards was obtained after 18 months of trying. It is Cito Gaston, rookie during the 1967 Atlanta Braves Spring Training and pictured on the team card, number 477 in the 1967 Topps Baseball card set. It is the 509th autograph in my pursuit of collection the set.

This autograph was obtained in person on August 13th, 2010 at the Blue Jays versus Angels game in Anaheim, California. I called Cito Gaston, the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, over before the game and requested his autograph. When I presented the card, he looked at the picture and the back of the card, then I told him it was during his rookie season and he acknowledged the same. He signed the card with a blue sharpie I had provided. The reason it took 18 months is because during my 2009 Spring Training trip, I had attended two different Blue Jays games and in each I asked Mr. Gaston for his autograph and both times he was unable to sign. I guess being the manager has a lot of responsibility. Third time was the charm! Thank you Mr. Gaston.

Clarence "Cito" Gaston played in the major leagues for 10 season from 1967 to 1978. His career started with the Braves in 1967, playing 9 games and rooming with Hall of Famer Hank Aaron. He was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 1969 as an expansion pick. He played for the Padres until 1974 then went back to the Braves from 1975 to 1978 before finishing his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1978. Cito's career statistics include a .256 batting average, 91 home runs, 387 runs batted in and 13 steals. His best season was 1970 for the Padres, which included being selected to the 1970 All-Star team.

After his playing days were over, Cito Gaston went into the coaching profession and has made quite a name for himself. Starting out as a hitting instructor for the Blue Jays from 1982 until 1989, then he became manager of the Toronto Blue Jays. Cito built the team into a contender and in 1992 and 1993, he led the Blue Jays to their only World Series Championships. He remained as manager until the 1997 season until being replaced by pitching coach, Mel Queen, incidentally card number 374 in the 1967 Topps Baseball card set. Cito Gaston was given the opportunity to manage the Blue Jays again in 2008 and has helped rebuild the team to respectability through the 2010 season. Cito has announced that he is retiring at the end of the season. He has managed 1689 games throughout his career, winning 872 while only losing 817.

To learn about Cito Gaston, check out his biography at wikipedia.org.

Looking for great Sports memorabilia, apparel and collectibles, check out Dugoutdug Sports Collectibles for your favorite players and teams.

1967 Topps Ron Taylor New York Mets

The mailbox today had a new addition for my collection of 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball cards from it came with a postmark from Canada. The newest entry is that of Ron Taylor, pitcher of the New York Mets. Card number 606 in the 1967 Topps Baseball card set of 609 cards.

The Ron Taylor autograph was obtained with a through the mail request to his home in Canada. I mailed the card to Dr. Taylor on February 12, 2010 and he returned the card sign with a black sharpie autograph 24 days later. This marks the 466th autograph in my collection. Thank you, Ron Taylor. Wanting to send your own cards to players, go to sportscollectors.net for addresses of the major sports leagues. You can get team and player addresses.

Ron Taylor's career lasted 11 seasons from 1962 to 1972. His career started with the Cleveland Indians and he also played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, New York Mets and finally the San Diego Padres. Used mainly as a relief pitcher, Ron Taylor's career statistics include 45 wins, 72 saves, a 3.93 earned run average and 464 strikeouts. Ron won World Series championships in 1964 with the Cardinals and 1969 with the Mets. 

After Ron Taylor's career ended in 1972, he decided to pursue a medical degree from the University of Toronto, which he completed in 1977. In 1979, Dr. Taylor became the first former player to be a team physician for the Toronto Blue Jays and has filled that role for 31 years. He also has a private practice in Toronto and lectures at his alma mater. He was named to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985 for his pitching abilities, and was also named to the Canada Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. He was also named to the Order of Ontario in 2003 for his accomplishments. To learn more about Ron Taylor, go to his biography at baseball-reference.com.

Looking for great Sports memorabilia, apparel and collectibles, check out Dugoutdug Sports Collectibles for your favorite players and teams.

1967 Topps Galen Cisco Boston Red Sox

The streak ended after one day. I received a new addition to my 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball card set in the mailbox today. It is Galen Cisco, pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. Card number 596, a hard to find high number, out of the set of 609 cards.

This autographed card was obtained by mailing Galen Cisco the card to his home in Ohio on January 29, 2010. He signed the card and returned it to me 7 days later with a super black autograph. This marks the 451st autographed card in the set and one step closer to completion.

Galen Cisco's career lasted 7 seasons starting in 1961 with the Boston Red Sox, then he joined the New York Mets from 1962-1965, again with Boston 1967, and the Kansas City Royals in 1969. In a seven-season career, he posted a 25-56 record with a 4.56 earned run average while striking out 325 batters.

Before making the major leagues, Galen Cisco was a two-sport star at the Ohio State University, playing fullback and linebacker for the 1957 National Championship Football team and as a star pitcher on the baseball team. Following his playing retirement, Cisco became a respected pitching coach for the Royals, Montreal Expos, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies. He won 2 World Series Championships while with the Toronto Blue Jays.

To learn more about Galen Cisco's career, read his biography at wikipedia.org and baseball reference.com.

Go to Dugoutdug Sports Collectibles for great apparel, memorabilia and collectibles.