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 Clay Carroll Atlanta Braves

Today's entry in my collection of 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball cards is Atlanta Braves relief pitcher, Clay Carroll. Card number 219 in the 1967 Topps Baseball set of 609 cards.

This autograph was obtained with a through the mail request to Clay Carroll's home in Florida on July 6, 2009. The card was returned 49 days later from a Chattanooga, Tennessee postmark with a beautiful blue sharpie signatures. It is was one of the prettiest autographs I have received. It is nice to have a player take their time and give a nice autograph. Thank you Mr. Carroll.

Clay "the Hawk" Carroll's career started in 1964 with the Milwaukee & Atlanta Braves and ended in 1978 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He also pitched for the Chicago White Sox, the St. Louis Cardinals, and was best known as a reliever for 8 seasons for the Cincinnati Reds. As a member of the 1975 World Series Champion Reds, Clay was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the series against the Boston Red Sox. Clay's career statistics include 96 wins, 143 saves, a 2.94 earned run average and 681 strikeouts in 731 games. He set the National League record for saves in a season with 37 in 1972 for the Cincinnati Reds and held that record until 1984 when Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter saved 45 games for the Cardinals. Clay Carroll was selected to the 1971 and 1972 National League All-Star teams and is a member of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. 

Looking to obtain autographs through the mail, go to sportscollectors.net and get access to addresses for players from the 4 major sports.

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

1967 Topps Denny McLain Detroit Tigers

As my 2010 trip to Spring Training in Florida began, I was given a new addition to my 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball card collection by my good friend, Jim. It is Denny McLain, pitcher of the Detroit Tigers, card number 420 in the 1967 Topps Baseball set of 609 cards.

This autograph was obtained by Jim on February 20, 2010 at the Lee High School fundraiser in Michigan. I mailed Jim the card and he attended the function and asked Denny McLain to sign the card. Denny autographed the card with a beautiful blue sharpie and included the 31-6, 1968 inscription. The inscription signifies one of the greatest pitching seasons in baseball history. Denny is the last pitcher to win 30 games in a season and we might never see that feat accomplished again as today's pitchers are protected and pampered.

Denny McLain pitched 10 seasons in the Major Leagues from 1963 to 1972. He was a member of the Detroit Tigers from 1963 to 1970, then was traded to the Washington Senators, Oakland Athletics and finally the Atlanta Braves. His career statistics include 131 wins, a 3.39 earned run average and 1,282 strikeouts. Denny McLain was named to the American League All-Star team in 1966, 1968 and 1969 and won the American League Most Valuable Player award in 1968 as a member of the World Champion Detroit Tigers. Denny also won consecutive Cy Young Award in 1968 and 1969. In the 1968 season, Denny won 31 games versus 6 losses, had a 1.96 era, and had 28 complete games with 6 shutouts.

To learn more about Denny McLain's career, go to 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 Woody Woodward Atlanta Braves

The mailbox was kind to me today. The 462nd entry into my collection of the 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball cards was waiting for me as I opened the box. It was Woody Woodward, second baseman for the Atlanta Braves. Card number 546 in the 1967 Topps Baseball set of 609 cards.

This autographed card was obtained by using a through the mail request to Woody Woodward at his home in Florida on February 12, 2010. Mr. Woodward returned the card signed with a black ball point pen autograph 13 days later. Thank you Woody!

Woody Woodward's career in Major League Baseball lasted 9 seasons from 1963 to 1971. He primarily played for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves then ended his career with the Cincinnati Reds. In his 880 games, Woody combiled a .236 career batting average, 517 base hits, included one home run in 1970, and 148 runs batted in. Woody has appeared in the 1970 World Series against the eventual champion, Baltimore Orioles. He had one hit in 5 at bats in the 4 games he played. Teammate Wayne Granger said "We've figured it out. It will take him 4,189 years to catch Babe Ruth."  after Woodward finally hit his first home run in his eighth season.

After Woody retired, he became the head baseball coach at Florida State University from 1975 to 1978. Woody Woodward also spent time as general manager of the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners. As general manager, Woody drafted some notable players such as Alex Rodriguez, Raul Ibanez, Barry Zito and Jason Varitek. He is currently a scout for the Mariners.


To learn more about Woody Woodward's career, go to his biographies at wikipedia.org and baseball-reference.com.

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