1967 Topps Don Mincher #312 California Angels

Today's entry about my collection of 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball cards is a player who was the only All-Star in the Seattle Pilots' franchise history. He also went on to become President of the Southern Minor Baseball League. It is Don Mincher, first baseman for the California Angels. Card number 312 in the 1967 Topps Baseball card set of 609 subjects. Sadly, Don Mincher passed away on March 4, 2012 at the age of 73 after a long illness.

This autograph was obtained on June 2, 2010 in Birmingham, Alabama during the 100th anniversary of the Rickwood Field, the oldest ballpark in America. My friend Ryan and I took a bus trip sponsored by the Tennessee Smokies Baseball Team to Birmingham to get an opportunity for the autograph and watch the game between the Smokies and the Birmingham Barons. Don Mincher was the President of the Southern League in Minor League Baseball and was in attendance with his long time friend, Harmon Killebrew , who was a special guest for the event and threw out one of the first pitches of the game. Also in attendance were many of the former Negro League Baseball players and it was an amazing day of baseball nostalgia and history. I met Mr. Mincher as he walked through the stadium and I requested his autograph on his 1967 Topps card. Don Mincher signed the card with a black sharpie. Definitely a beautiful signature. If you want to know more about my encounter with Harmon Killebrew, read my story from my blog by clicking here. As of March 6, 2012, I have obtained 569 autographs in my 1967 Topps Baseball set.


Don Mincher career in the Major Leagues lasted from 1960 to 1972 and he played for the Washington Senators, Minnesota Twins, Angels, Seattle Pilots, Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers. He was part of two franchise moves, both involving the Senators. The original Senators moved to Minnesota and became the Twins and then the New Senators franchise moved to Texas and became the Rangers. His career statistics include a .249 batting average with 200 home runs and 643 runs batted in while playing 1400 games. Don was named to two All-Star teams, 1967 with the Angels and 1969 with the Seattle Pilots. Since the Pilots moved to Milwaukee in 1970, Don Mincher will always be the lone all-star in the franchise's history. Don Mincher also won a World Series crown in 1972 as a member of the Oakland A's in the 1972, his final season.

Mr. Mincher served in the front office of the Milwaukee Brewers and Huntsville Stars before becoming the President of the Southern League in 2000. He remained in that post until October of 2011 before announcing his retirement. Don was elected to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. To learn more about Don Mincher, read his biography on wikipedia.

1967 Topps Ed Kirkpatrick California Angels

Today's entry in my 1967 Topps Autographed baseball card collection is a player who had a 16 year career with 5 different teams. It is Ed "Spanky" Kirkpatrick, utility player for the Californai Angels. Sadly, Ed Kirkpatrick passed away today, November 15, 2010 at the age of 66. Card number #293 in the 1967 Topps Baseball card set of 609 subjects.

The autographed was obtained through the mail after sending Mr. Kirkpatrick the card om January 6, 2009 to his home in California. Forty-one days later, I received the card back signed with a blue sharpie. Thank you, Mr. Kirkpatrick. As of November 15, 2010, I have accumulated 512 different signature in my collection.

During Ed Kirkpatrick's 16 year career, he played in 1311 games with .238 batting average, 85 home runs, 424 runs batted in and 34 stolen bases. His career started in 1962 with the Angels, then played there until 1968 when he was traded to the expansion Kansas City Royals. He also played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers and Milwaukee Brewers, retiring in 1977. 

Sadly, Spanky Kirkpatrick was maimed in a 1981 auto accident that relegated him to a wheelchair for life. Ed Kirkpatrick's post-baseball life is rich in many ways. His hometown of Glendora, California, has named a civic award in his honor, as each year the member of that community who has done the most in support of youth athletics wins the "Ed Kirkpatrick Award."
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1967 Topps Cookie Rojas Philadelphia Phillies

Today's entry about my collection of 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball cards is a player who appeared in 5 All-Star Games, including 4 straight in the early 1970's. It is Octavio Victor Rojas Rivas, better known as Cookie Rojas, infielder/outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies. Card number 595 in the 1967 Topps Baseball card set of 609 subjects.

This autograph was obtained with a through the mail request to Cookie Rojas via the Florida Marlins, where he is the Spanish Television Announcer for the Fins, on June 10, 2010. Mr. Rojas graciously returned the card 23 days later with a nice blue sharpie autograph. Thank you, Cookie! This is the 508th autograph in my 1967 Topps collection and the last 100 or so to go are becoming harder and harder to obtain.

 Cookie Rojas played 16 seasons in the major leagues from 1962 to 1977. His career started in 1962 with the Cincinnati Reds, then went to the Phillies from 1963 until 1969. After Philadelphia, Rojas played in 1970 for the St. Louis Cardinals and played his final 8 seasons with the Kansas City Royals. A symbol of versatily, Cookie Rojas has played all 9 positions during his career including catching and pitching. Primarily during his career, Cookie played second base, while compiling a career .263 Batting Average, 1660 hits, 593 runs batted in, 54 home runs and stealing 76 bases. He played in two playoff series for the Kansas City Royals in 1976 and 1977 versus the New York Yankees.




Cookie Rojas appeared in five All-Star games during his career, 1965 and 1971 to 1974. In the 1972 Game in Atlanta, he hit a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the eighth inning, which was the first time that a non-American-born player ever homered for the American League in the mid-summer classic.

After his playing days were over, Cookie Rojas coached and scouted until he was named manager of the California Angels in 1988. He also managed a game for the Florida Marlins in 1996. To learn more about Cookie Rojas, check out his biography at wikipedia.org.

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