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.