Jayson Best

Sent: 9/13/11
Received: 9/30/11
Time: 17 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1990 Star Kenosha Twins, 1991 ProCards Visalia Oaks, 1993 Fleer/ProCards Nashville Xpress
Item Received: 1990 Star Kenosha Twins, 1991 ProCards Visalia Oaks, 1993 Fleer/ProCards Nashville Xpress.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Jayson Best spent five seasons in the Twins organization, eventually making the 40 man roster before an injury cut his career short.  After a couple of seasons as a starter and swingman, he was converted into a full-time reliever in 1992.  He responded with 22 saves over two minor league levels that season, struck out a hitter per inning, and was viewed highly enough by the Twins that he was placed on the 40-man.  In 1993 he only appeared in three games before undergoing Tommy John surgery.  He was not able to come back and was eventually released by the Twins.  Jayson wrote in his reply letter to me that he is now a mail carrier in Indiana.  He also notes that the picture on the 1991 Visalia card I sent is actually of Steve Dunn.  He and Dunn switched IDs in attempt to prank the photographers, and it worked.  I may send the card to Dunn to see if I can get both of their signatures!

Bill Ranford

Sent: 9/19/11
Received: 9/30/11
Time: 11 Days
Address: c/o Los Angeles Kings
Item Sent: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1990-91 Upper Deck Conn Smythe, 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1990-91 Upper Deck Conn Smythe, 1991-92 Score Canadian.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Career backup Bill Ranford filled in masterfully for Grant Fuhr during the 1989-90 season, leading the Oilers all the way to their fifth Stanley Cup in seven years.  He was so remarkable on his run to the Conn Smythe Trophy that the Oilers traded Fuhr the following season.  Ranford is now the goaltending coach for the Los Angeles Kings.

Kevin Todd

Sent: 9/19/11
Received: 9/30/11
Time: 11 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1992-93 Ultra
Item Received: 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1992-93 Ultra.  Both signed in thin black Sharpie.

Notes:
Kevin Todd had a tremendous rookie season for the New Jersey Devils in 1991-92 with 21 goals and 42 assists.  At the time, the 63 points set a team rookie scoring record.  He slumped badly (only 10 points in 30 games) during his sophomore year and was dealt mid-season to the Edmonton Oilers.  He became an NHL/AHL journeyman for the next several years until resurfacing with the Los Angeles Kings as a handy two-way center in 1995-96.  His 43 points that year were easily his most since his rookie season.

John Cohen

Sent: 9/21/11
Received: 9/29/11
Time: 8 Days
Address: c/o Mississippi State University Athletic Department
Item Sent: 1991 Classic Best, 1991 ProCards Kenosha Twins
Item Received: 1991 Classic Best, 1991 ProCards Kenosha Twins.  Both signed in red Sharpie.

Notes:
John Cohen was drafted by the Twins in 1990 after a decorated collegiate career at baseball powerhouse Mississippi State.  After a couple years of playing minor league ball, he retired to coaching.  He gained acclaim for turning Kentucky into a perennial SEC contender and was named the 2006 National Coach of the Year.  Two years later, he took over at his alma mater, replacing his legendary coach Rod Polk.

Shannon Raybon

Sent: 9/22/11
Received: 9/29/11
Time: 7 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1986 ProCards Visalia Oaks, 1987 ProCards Visalia Oaks, 1988 Best Orlando Twins
Item Received: 1986 ProCards Visalia Oaks, 1987 ProCards Visalia Oaks, 1988 Best Orlando Twins.  All signed on back of card in black ballpoint.

Notes:
Shannon Raybon spent six years as a trainer in the Twins organization.  Since I had a handful of his baseball cards from those minor league team sets, I thought it would be fun to add his signature to my collection.  Mr. Raybon graciously obliged and added a note informing me that he left baseball and the Twins in 1989 to become a firefighter in Orlando, which he is still doing today.  Unfortunately he only signed the backs of the cards, but I'm assuming he doesn't get many autograph requests and, in all fairness, I did not specifically ask him to sign the fronts.

Troy Crowder

Sent: 2/16/11
Received: 9/27/11
Time: 223 Days
Address: c/o Adventure North Hockey
Item Sent: 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Rookie & Traded, 1991-92 Topps, 1991-92 Upper Deck
Item Received: 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Rookie & Traded, 1991-92 Topps, 1991-92 Upper Deck.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Troy Crowder, a natural born enforcer, was thrust into the fire as a 20 year old rookie during the 1988 playoffs.  Two years later he was a regular for the Devils and became a cult favorite among NHL fight fans for his legendary bouts with Bob Probert.  He joined Probert on the Red Wings in 1991 but appeared in only seven games before back injuries sent him into a premature retirement.  (He did return to the NHL a few years later for stints with the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks.)

Andre Reed

Sent: 9/16/11
Received: 9/26/11
Time: 10 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1986 Topps, 1989 Score, 1991 Stadium Club
Item Received: 1986 Topps, 1989 Score, 1991 Stadium Club.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Reed was one of the great receivers in NFL history.  He was an incredible playmaker on the Buffalo Bills dynasty of the early '90s... great hands, great speed, great route-running.  He was equally adept as a possession receiver and as a deep threat.  His numbers stack up with the best to ever play the position and if not for a positional logjam he would likely already be in the Hall of Fame (where he should end up within the next few years).

Tim Kerr

Sent: 9/16/11
Received: 9/26/11
Time: 10 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1984-85 Topps, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 1, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 2, 1991-92 Score Rookie & Traded
Item Received: 1984-85 Topps, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 1, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 2, 1991-92 Score Rookie & Traded.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
I can't help but to root for Tim Kerr.  He had to overcome so much during his tremendous NHL career and still stands as one of the great goal scorers in Philadelphia Flyers history.  Among the obstacles he faced: torn knee ligaments, aseptic meningitis, five shoulder surgeries, and the death of his wife (ten days after giving birth).  Your heart aches just reading that, doesn't it?  Still, Kerr was able to put together four consecutive 50-goal seasons in the mid '80s and finished his career with 370 goals in only 655 games.

Jeff Thelen

Sent: 9/19/11
Received: 9/24/11
Time: 5 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1990 Star Kenosha Twins, 1991 ProCards Kenosha Twins
Item Received: 1990 Star Kenosha Twins, 1991 ProCards Kenosha Twins.  Both signed in black gel pen.

Notes:
I feel like a broken record, but my favorite TTM returns have consistently been from former Twins minor league players.  The latest just arrived from Jeff Thelen.  Born in Minneapolis, Thelen was drafted in the eighth round of the 1989 draft.  He spent four seasons in the minors, including an outstanding year at Kenosha in 1991 when he posted a 3.17 ERA over 150 innings but finished with a hard-luck 5-12 record.  Thelen has given up the very cool profession of "pro ballplayer" for the much more noble profession of teaching.  As he writes in his two-page letter that came with his return, he is a reading specialist in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.  He mentions that he's a huge Twins fan himself, as most of the current coaching staff were coaches of his while coming up through the minors.  I asked if he kept in touch with any of his old teammates.  While he concedes that he doesn't really see most of them anymore, he writes that "Facebook has helped with reconnecting a bit."  He specifically asked if I happened to have any cards of a few of his good friends: Steve Dunn, Jayson Best, and Tim Nedin.  Coincidentally, I currently have letters out to both Best and Nedin, sent during the same week as this request as I made my way through my box of Twins minor league cards.

Mike Foligno

Sent: 9/15/11
Received: 9/24/11
Time: 9 Days
Address: c/o Anaheim Ducks
Item Sent: 1984-85 Topps, 1990-91 Score, 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1984-85 Topps, 1990-91 Score, 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Mike Foligno was one of the most popular players in Buffalo Sabres history.  A team captain, he averaged approximately 25 goals and over 150 penalty minutes per year during his decade in Buffalo before finishing his career as a checking specialist for the Toronto Maple Leafs.  He peaked at 41 goals and 39 assists (both career highs) in 1985-86.  He is now an assistant coach for the Anaheim Ducks and has two sons playing pro hockey - Nick for the Ottawa Senators and Marcus in the Sabres organization.

Luke Hughes

Sent: 7/11/11
Received: 9/23/11
Time: 74 Days
Address: c/o Minnesota Twins
Item Sent: 2004 Bowman Heritage, 2008 Bowman Draft Picks Chrome
Item Received: 2004 Bowman Heritage, 2008 Bowman Draft Picks Chrome.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
There have not been many bright spots in this, the most depressing season in Twins history.  One has to be the play of Luke Hughes.  The Australian import has been one of the top hitting prospects in the Twins system for the last five years or so, but was always billed as a man without a position.  Playing more than anyone could have expected, he has been adequate defensively at first, second, and third base.  He has showcased some nice right-handed pop, too.  There's no reason why he shouldn't be a fixture on the roster as a utility guy (at the very least) for the next few years.

Phil Housley

Sent: 9/15/11
Received: 9/22/11
Time: 7 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee, 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee, 1991-92 Score Canadian.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
My 500th success since starting this blog!  This is my second success from legendary defenseman Phil Housley.  I hate to double-dip, but in my defense my first request (in April 2010) included a different card than what I sent Mr. Housley.  Plus, I had not yet decided to focus my hockey collection on specific sets.  This time he signed the cards I sent.  This should mean I'm done pestering him.  Thanks for your generosity in signing for my twice over the last year and a half, Mr. Housley!

Brad Staubitz

Sent: 12/27/10
Received: 9/22/11
Time: 269 Days
Address: c/o Minnesota Wild
Item Sent: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro
Item Received: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
The Wild brought in Brad Staubitz before last season to give them a bit of bulk after losing John Scott and the late Derek Boogaard to free agency.  So far, Staubitz has been more of a checking forward and less of a thug for hire.  Sure, he dropped the gloves a few times, but he didn't seem to have anything resembling the intimidation factor of his predecessors.  He did display more hockey skill, though, and is currently slated for a spot on the Wild's fourth line with Eric Nystrom and Colton Gillies.

Greg Zanon

Sent: 2/7/11
Received: 9/22/11
Time: 227 Days
Address: c/o Minnesota Wild
Item Sent: 2009-10 Ultra, 2010-11 Score
Item Received: 2009-10 Ultra, 2010-11 Score.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Greg Zanon came to the Wild two years ago as an under-the-radar free agent signing from the Nashville Predators.  He was brought in to be a shot-blocking, checking presence in the defensive zone.  Nobody expected any offensive production from him at all... which is good, because he's given none whatsoever.  As advertised, he has been absolutely fearless, throwing his body in front of screaming pucks with abandon.  I can't help but love having a player like Greg Zanon on my home team.

Kyle Brodziak

Sent: 1/31/11
Received: 9/22/11
Time: 234 Days
Address: c/o Minnesota Wild
Item Sent: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 2010-11 Upper Deck 20th Anniversary
Item Received: 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 2010-11 Upper Deck 20th Anniversary.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
During Kyle Brodziak's second season with the Wild last year, I became a really big fan.  He's a prototypical grinder, who really seemed to come into his own as the year progressed.  One could make a solid argument that, after Mikko Koivu, Brodziak was the most dependable forward on the roster.  I am extremely excited to see what he does this year on a line with Cal Clutterbuck and Darroll Powe.  I have a feeling that in addition to driving opponents insane and endearing themselves to Wild fans, they could have sneaky-good production.

Dave Barr

Sent: 1/31/11
Received: 9/22/11
Time: 234 Days
Address: c/o Minnesota Wild
Item Sent: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 1, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 2, 1991-92 Score Rookie & Traded
Item Received: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 1, 1991-92 Score Canadian Series 2, 1991-92 Score Rookie & Traded.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
I was very pleasantly surprised but somewhat baffled on September 22, when I received four different returns from four different players who I wrote to care of the Minnesota Wild last season.  All were signed in black sharpie, and all nine signatures included a uniform number.  At first I was suspicious that they may be ghost signed, but after checking signatures against other examples, I am absolutely positive they are all authentic.  The three active players I received from on Thursday are all still with the team.  The odd return was from Dave Barr.  The former Detroit Red Wings star was an assistant coach for the Wild over the two previous seasons, but was not retained this year after head coach Todd Richards was dismissed.  Barr found a job as an assistant for the New Jersey Devils, which makes the fact that this return was postmarked from St. Paul especially curious.  If I had to guess, there must have been a pile of outgoing mail left over at the end of last season, and somehow there was nobody at the Xcel Center to drop it in a mailbox between April and now.  Strange, for sure, but I'm grateful to get these back!

Bryan Oelkers

Sent: 9/6/11
Received: 9/21/11
Time: 15 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1984 Donruss, 1987 Donruss, 1987 Fleer, 1987 Topps
Item Received: 1984 Donruss, 1987 Donruss, 1987 Fleer, 1987 Topps.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
The Twins selected Bryan Oelkers with the fourth overall pick in the first round of the 1983 draft.  He was the college baseball pitcher of the year that season, and capped his career at Wichita State with a 30-2 record.  He was a legitimate talent.  After only eight professional games, the Twins rushed him to the big leagues.  He made the opening day roster in 1983 and made his debut on April 9 in Seattle.  He was impressive, pitching 6 2/3 innings and allowing only two runs and three hits en route to a hard-luck loss.  It would be the best start of his big league career.  After giving up two runs in one inning of relief on the Fourth of July his ERA stood at an unsightly 8.65.  He was mercifully optioned to AAA Toledo.  The Twins' top pitching prospect -- their #4 overall pick of the previous season -- had appeared in a Minnesota Twins uniform for the last time.

After scuffling to finish the year with Toledo, Oelkers was demoted to AA Orlando, where he put together the finest professional season of his career.  He went 16-11 with a 3.40 ERA, but a mind-boggling (for a minor league pitcher) 219.2 innings.  I'm sure that contributed to a brutal 1985 season.  Injuries limited him to only 81 innings as he split the season between Orlando and Toledo.  He combined for a 6.44 ERA and 1.827 WHIP.  In the off-season, Oelkers was dealt (along with Ken Schrom) to the Cleveland Indians for Roy Smith and Ramon Romero.  He appeared in 35 games for the '86 Indians, almost exclusively in relief, and was 3-3 with a save and a 4.70 ERA.

He broke in with excitement, but in the end Bryan Oelkers is a classic example of college stardom not necessarily translating to professional success.

Oh, in case you were wondering who else the Twins could have chosen with that #4 pick, the Mets had the fifth pick that year.  They used it on a high school pitcher from Tampa.  Name of Gooden.

I don't mean for this to be a negative post on Oelkers.  I actually have very fond, vivid memories of the buzz surrounding him in the spring of 1983, and it was probably the first time I had ever heard the term "first round pick."  Thank you for the great signatures, Mr. Oelkers!

Mike Modano

Sent: 8/29/11
Received: 9/19/11
Time: 21 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Canadian "The Franchise," 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 8x10 photograph
Item Received: 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Score Canadian "The Franchise," 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Retro, 8x10 photograph.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

 Notes:
Wow.  This is one of the greatest returns I've had.  Near the end of the 2009-10 NHL season, it was announced that the Dallas Stars would not bring back Mike Modano.  Modano, the future Hall of Fame center and the highest scoring U.S.-born player in league history, had been the face of the franchise since their final days as the Minnesota North Stars.  It was widely believed Modano would retire following the season.  The Stars' final game just happened to be against the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Center -- in front of the same fans, in the same state where Modano began his career.  During the game, the Wild showed a wonderful career highlight reel on the scoreboard, which left Modano visibly overcome with emotion.  Following the game, a Wild victory which had brought out many old-school North Stars fans wearing Modano jerseys and displaying "thanks for the memories" signs, Modano waved to the crowd.  He ducked back into the tunnel.  When the Stars of the Game were announced he was predictably number one.  I don't know that anyone in the place was expecting him to skate back out wearing a Minnesota North Stars jersey, though.  It was the first time that sweater had hit the NHL ice since the North Stars lost the 1991 Stanley Cup Finals to the Pittsburgh Penguins (they switched to a more modern black and green motif the following season, a precursor to the Dallas Stars era).  I don't think there was a dry eye in the house, including Modano.  I know there wasn't a dry eye in my house.  I was letting tears of joy flow without shame.  It was such a cool moment.  It's almost too bad Modano didn't actually retire.  Anyway, I've had this image sitting around for quite some time, and finally wrote to Mr. Modano a few weeks ago.  I was taking a chance by sending three cards as well, but I needed them for the two sets I'm working on, so I gave it a shot.  Mike nicely signed everything in blue Sharpie.  It's even his real signature, from his Dallas home (it's well documented that anything sent to his Michigan home is actually signed by his mother)!

Kevin Hagen

Sent: 9/10/11
Received: 9/19/11
Time: 9 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1987 ProCards Portland Beavers
Item Received: 1984 Topps, 1987 ProCards Portland Beavers.  Both signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Kevin Hagen's time in the Twins organization was brief.  Very brief.  He appeared in 13 major league games for the Cardinals from 1984-1984.  After spending the 1986 season in the Cleveland Indians system, he came to spring training with the Twins in 1987.  He started the year in Portland and appeared in only three games before finding himself with Tucson in the Houston Astros organization.  (I can't find whether he was traded or released by the Twins.)  Kevin generously added a signed 1984 Topps card to the Beavers card I sent.  I actually had planned on sending an '84 Topps as well, as I knew I had one somewhere, but it was badly creased when I uncovered it so I elected to only send the minor league card.  Great return!

John Davis

Sent: 9/10/11
Received: 9/19/11
Time: 9 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1991 Fleer, 1991 Pro Set
Item Received: 1991 Fleer, signed in blue ballpoint.

Notes:
John Davis was a career backup offensive lineman who came to the Bills as a Plan B free agent from the Houston Oilers.  He stepped in to the starting right guard job for the Bills on their first Super Bowl team.  The Bills fielded the league's top offense that season and Davis held on to the starting gig until conceding it to Glenn Parker halfway through the 1991 season.  He stuck with the Bills for a couple more years as a valuable reinforcement who played all over the line.  For some reason, he kept the Pro Set card I sent (which is a much more aesthetically pleasing card than the 1991 Fleer).  Oh well... can't complain too much about a free autograph!

Butch Rolle

Sent: 9/7/11
Received: 9/17/11
Time: 10 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1990 Score, 1991 Bowman
Item Received: 1990 Score, 1991 Bowman.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Over the last two weeks I have sent out many autograph requests to former Buffalo Bills.  I was a huge Bills fan during their early '90s dynasty.  I adopted them as my number one team, even over the Vikings.  I knew the roster up and down.  I knew far more about the Bills than a 13 year old kid in Minnesota should have known.  Butch Rolle was one of my favorites because he was such a peculiar phenomenon.  All he did was catch touchdowns.  He was a third-string tight end who appeared almost exclusively as a blocker and a special teams player.  He caught four passes of no real significance in his 1986 rookie season.  In 1987, he had two catches for a combined total of six yards.  Both catches were touchdowns.  Once again in 1988, he had only two receptions on the season.  This time they totaled three yards.  But, again, both were touchdowns.  He played in all 16 Bills games in 1989, but only hauled in one pass.  Still following?  That one catch was indeed a one-yard touchdown.  He made up for that drop in production by catching three passes  -- three touchdown passes, of course -- in 1990.  And in 1991 he caught three balls for a whopping ten yards... but only two touchdowns!  The first two reached the end zone, which stretched his streak two ten consecutive receptions to result in touchdowns.  Sure, he stretched it out over five seasons, but it still stands as an NFL record.  In 1992, Rolle signed a free agent contract with the Phoenix Cardinals and was installed as their starting tight end.  He caught a career high 13 passes that season.  And, of course, not a single one resulted in a touchdown.

LaTroy Hawkins

Sent: 6/14/11
Received: 9/16/11
Time: 94 Days
Address: c/o Milwaukee Brewers
Item Sent: 1994 Bowman's Best, 1996 Upper Deck, 1999 Topps
Item Received: 1996 Upper Deck, 1999 Topps.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
The Twins gave up on a great number of highly touted starting pitcher prospects in the '90s (see Willie Banks, Pat Mahomes, Frankie Rodriguez, Dan Serafini, David West...), but give them credit for finding the proper role for LaTroy Hawkins.  The Hawk was awful in brief call-ups in 1995 and 1996, with an ERA over 8.00 in each of those stints.

He had such a tantalizing arm, though.

Given a permanent rotation spot, he would make 86 starts from 1997-1999.  He wasn't just atrocious... he was historically awful.  His ERAs for those years were 5.84, 5.25, and 6.66.  His WHIPs were 1.752, 1.513, and 1.709.  As bad as the aforementioned failures may have been, none failed as a starting pitcher quite as spectacularly as Hawkins.

But he still had that arm.

In 2000, Tom Kelly moved Hawkins to the bullpen.  He started in a low-pressure role as the long man out of the bullpen.  He would come in during the early to middle innings while the Twins were on the wrong side of a blowout and would give the rest of the bullpen a break.  Something seemed to click.  He was one of the lone bright spots on that pitching staff.  Slowly, he was eased in to higher leverage situations.  By late summer, he had taken over as the closer.  He ended up with 14 saves and entered 2001 with the ninth-inning job.

He was solid during the first half of 2001 for the surprisingly competitive Twins.  His brutal walk rate aside, he did own a 3.48 ERA and 23 saves at the All-Star break.  The wheels completely came off in the second half, however, with a 10.70 ERA and a 2.547 WHIP.  He saved only five games in the second half and lost his job, first to Todd Jones, then to Eddie Guardado.

In 2002, new manager Ron Gardenhire installed Guardado as the closer.  Hawkins was once again relegated to mop-up duty when the Twins signed veteran Mike Jackson to take over eight-inning duties and serve as insurance for Guardado.  In Jackson, the Twins were also getting a bullpen mentor for Hawkins.  By the end of the season, Hawkins had leapfrogged Jackson on the bullpen depth chart.  Armed with newly found control, Hawkins went 6-0 with a 2.18 ERA out of the bullpen.  Most impressively, he posted a 0.97 WHIP -- remarkable for a guy who's career WHIP to that point was hovering in the 1.60 range!  He proved his success was no fluke by going 9-3 with a 1.86 ERA in 2003 -- his final year with the Twins.  Hawk had quickly established himself as one of baseball's most dominating set-up men and cashed in on a lucrative deal to become the new closer of the Chicago Cubs.

Hawkins had a solid first year in Wrigley, saving 25 ballgames with a 2.63 ERA.  He struggled as closer in 2005, losing his job before getting traded to the Giants.  From there he was off to Baltimore, Colorado, and the Yankees, no better than an average relief pitcher at any stop.  Then, out of nowhere, he posted one of the finest seasons of his career for the 2009 Houston Astros.  He signed a nice free agent deal with the Brewers in 2010 but missed most of the year to injury.  This season, he's enjoying another wonderful comeback for the first-place Brew Crew.  At age 38, this might be his last chance to win that elusive World Series.

Wendel Clark

Sent: 8/9/11
Received: 9/16/11
Time: 38 Days
Address: c/o Wendel Clark's Classic Sports Bar & Grill
Item Sent: 1991-92 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1991-92 Pro Set, 1991-92 Score Canadian.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Wendel Clark is revered by Maple Leafs fans from the last couple of generations, many of whom refer to him as "the greatest Leaf ever."  He was a fearless all-around player (of only five feet and ten inches) who would lay out body checks and drop the gloves with anyone, then bust out his rocket shot to score a game winner.  Perhaps because of his extreme physical play, injuries were a constant throughout his career (he would appear in 80 games only once in his fifteen seasons).  Still, one could make a compelling case that he was, pound for pound, the toughest hockey player of his era.

Dave Andreychuk

Sent: 9/2/11
Received: 9/13/11
Time: 11 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1984-85 Topps, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Topps, 1991-92 Upper Deck
Item Received: 1984-85 Topps, 1991-92 Score Canadian, 1991-92 Topps, 1991-92 Upper Deck.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
For nearly two decades, Dave Andreychuk was a constant on "most underrated players in the NHL" lists.  He spent his first 10 1/2 seasons in Buffalo, almost always overshadowed by another star.  First the great Gilbert Perrault, then Pierre Turgeon, and finally Pat LaFontaine and Alex Mogilny.  Still, he put up seven 30 goal season for the Sabres, and two 40 goal years.  Dealt to the Maple Leafs midway through the 1992-93 season, just in time for the oh-so-close Toronto resurgence of the early '90s, he put up back-to-back 99 point seasons (his career high).  He moved on to New Jersey, where the Devils first two Stanley Cups came the year before he arrived and the year after he left.  Continuing to chase the elusive Cup, he moved on to brief stints in Boston and Colorado, and returned to Buffalo for one year before signing with the lowly Tampa Bay Lightning.  Finally, in 2004, 40-year old captain Dave Andreychuk hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time by helping to lead the young Lightning to one of the most surprising championships of the last decade.  Next stop: Hall of Fame.

Lou Franceschetti

Sent: 8/9/11
Received: 9/10/11
Time: 32 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1990-91 Pro Set, 1990-91 Upper Deck, 1991-92 Score Canadian.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Physical winger Lou Franceschetti was one of the NHL's more notorious agitators during his late '80s stints with Washington.  His one full season in Toronto (1989-90) was easily the finest of his NHL career, as he notched career highs in games played (80), goals (21), and assists (15).  The next season, split between the Leafs and Sabres, was the last of his NHL career.

Dale Hawerchuk

Sent: 8/9/11
Received: 9/6/11
Time: 28 Days
Address: c/o Barrie Colts
Item Sent: 1984-85 Topps, 1991-92 Score Canadian 1000 Point Club, 1991-92 Score Canadian
Item Received: 1984-85 Topps, 1991-92 Score Canadian 1000 Point Club, 1991-92 Score Canadian.  All signed in thin blue Sharpie.

Notes:
To celebrate the return of the Winnipeg Jets this season, I decided to write to the greatest Jet of them all.  Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk gave instant credibility to Winnipeg when they took him first overall in the 1981 draft.  He won the Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year) that season as an 18 year old by scoring 45 goals and adding 58 assists.  In fact, he topped the 100 point mark six times in his first seven seasons (he scored a lowly 91 points during his sophomore season), topping out at an incredible 130 in 1984-85 (53 goals, 77 assists).  Still, buried in the Smythe Division with the powerhouse Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, Hawerchuk's Jets teams were never able to escape the second round of the playoffs.

Fuad Reveiz

Sent: 6/24/11
Received: 9/3/11
Time: 71 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1986 Topps, 1992 Upper Deck, 1995 Upper Deck
Item Received: 1986 Topps, 1992 Upper Deck, 1995 Upper Deck.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Fuad Reveiz was one of my favorite players on the mid-'90s Vikings.  I know it's a little sad to say that about a kicker, but hey... he was awesome.  In 1994, the Vikings acquired Warren Moon in an attempt to transform a dull offense into a Super Bowl contender.  Moon threw for over 4,000 yards, but accumulated only 18 touchdown passes.  Reveiz picked up the slack with a league-leading 34 field goals and made his only Pro Bowl.

Larry Casian

Sent: 4/19/10
Received: 9/1/11
Time: 500 Days
Address: c/o University of Portland
Item Sent: 1989 ProCards Portland Beavers, 1990 CMC Portland Beavers, 1993 Fleer Final Edition
Item Received: 1989 ProCards Portland Beavers, 1990 CMC Portland Beavers, 1993 Fleer Final Edition.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
Yeah, you read that correctly.  500 days, on the dot!  I wrote to Larry Casian within my first week and a half of starting this hobby and blog in April 2010.  Nearly a year and a half later, he demolished my record for longest wait on a successful request, previously held by former Minnesota North Star Mike Craig (394 days).  Casian spent parts of five seasons with the Twins.  He appeared in 15 games for the 1991 World Series winners, but was not a part of the post-season roster.  His finest season in Minnesota was 1993, when he went 5-3 with a 3.02 ERA in 54 games.  After a disastrous 1994, which saw him released by both the Twins and Indians and posting a combined 7.35 ERA and 1.82 WHIP, he rebounded with two wonderful seasons for the Cubs.  He was 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in 42 games in 1995 and 1-1 with a 1.88 ERA in 35 games in 1996.  The wheels fell off again in '97 and after brief stints with the Royals and White Sox, his career was over.  He is now the pitching coach for the University of Portland baseball team.

Gary Serum

Sent: 8/29/11
Received: 9/1/11
Time: 3 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1979 Topps, 1980 Topps
Item Received: 1979 Topps, 1980 Topps.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Gary Serum graduated from Alexandria High School in central Minnesota and went on to pitch for St. Cloud State University.  He gained notoriety among Minnesota sports fans when the Twins signed the undrafted righty following an open tryout at Met Stadium.  Two years later he made his big league debut.  He had a solid rookie season in 1978, going 9-9 with a 4.11 ERA over 184 innings, highlighted by a two-hit shutout against the Blue Jays.  His ERA ballooned to 6.61 in 1979.  He did not return to the major leagues.