Topps Caught With Their Hand in a Cookie Jar

Topps quality control took another huge hit. On late Friday afternoon Topps issued a press release on social media on authenticity of Austin Meadows and Randy Arozarena autographs from this year's Topps Definitive set. They came to "conclusion" both are fakes and those who pulled the card will be getting a replacement box of 2022 Topps Definitive and a replacement card to go along with it. It made me go what happen to their quality control and how did it get passed? Topps must have known, but decide to pass the product on the consumers hoping no one will know. The consumer will know and they will find out harder it turns out to be a fake. Reading the comments section on one of a social media sties there's one that stuck out. A collector/fan called Topps out on F1 driver Lando Norris autos being fake. The fan met Lando and showed him the card. Lando said he didn't sign it. It's highly potential it might be widespread but refuse to admit it. Topps blamed the process on covid protocols, but its not a good excuse especially when collectors and consumers are shelling over hundreds of dollars on sport card products. It didn't help when the back of Topps autograph card said all signed cards are witness by a Topps representative. So far its been proven to be false. Want to know how much a box of 2022 Topps Definitive cost? $2,000-$2,500. Imagine spending that much only to get pull a card with fake autographs. Might be forced to go over my collection over the weekend and question any autographs I pulled from Topps are legit especially the past two years. Not a great look for Topps.

For those who want a look at questionable card its this:

It can immediately tell its a horrible fake. In fact, I got Randy Arozarena signed in person at minor league game in 2017.

Yep way off from Topps. For those who don't want to spend digging through Topps social media for the press release here it is:

IP Autograph Stories: Chasing the Matz and Lessons on IP Auto Request From D'Arnaud

Last year I posted my IP autograph Hall of Shame and it turned out to be very popular among readers. Let's start the new year off with IP autograph stories. This one feature Steven Matz and Travis D'Arnaud. This took place on May 23, 2017 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas. Both players were sent down to then Mets Triple-A affiliate Las Vegas 51s for rehab assignment. Both were still on the roster when the 51s arrived in Round Rock for series against Express. Since 51s played in Pacific Divsion of Pacific Coast League they come once every two years. Dell Diamond is one of easiest places to grab in-person autographs and heavily crowded with fans lining up at the rail very quickly when the gates opened. The players come out from locker rooms at right field and have walk down the stairs to get to the field. Since Las Vegas is one of teams that comes once every two year the regular 'graphers at the stadium get their stuff ready by the load. This is no different hoping to get players sign their cards, photos, programs, or whatever merchandise. Even I knew its going be a long shot I took one of each just in case.

Steven Matz started the game so he's not going to sign before it. Same with Travis D'Arnaud as he was starting catcher. (Note: most starting catchers do not sign before the game) Got the following players from 51s before the game: Phillip Evans, Gavin Cecchini, Dominic Smith, Desmond Jennings, Tyler Pill, Sean Gilmartin, Erik Goeddel. From the Express: Jason Martinson (J-Mart as I call him), Drew Stubbs, and Bret Nicholas. As for the game Express jumped on Matz with 5 runs in 4 innings with Cesar Puello homering off him twice and getting runs from Jurickson Profar, Nicholas, and J-Mart. Kevin McGowan got shelled for 6 runs in the 5th lasting 2/3 inning. Express stretched the 51s bullpen that backup catcher Jeff Glenn pitched the 9th. He's the only 51s player who pitched a full inning without giving up a run in the game. That's the first game of the series between the two teams. Easy night for Express winning 14-3 as all the starters got a hit with homeruns from Drew Robinson and Martinson as well runs from Ronald Guzman, Luis Marte, and Josh Wilson. Back to the graphing part.

Often when players get pulled they go to the locker room in between innings. At Dell Diamond it's autograph opportunity as some do sign when they walk up the stairs. Express starter Tyson Ross was pulled after 5 innings and signed one for me and few others before he got to the locker room. Some were already waiting for Matz, but he stayed in the dugout the entire game. After the game the rails were already lined up hoping for Matz or D'Arnaud to sign as well remaining 51s and Express players. Matz signed for three fans and I end up being one of lucky ones. Glad I didn't get mugged for it by surrounding fans. Then there was Travis D'Arnaud. At first he didn't sign ignoring a fan's request. Then the fan said "That's fucking bullshit!" within earshot that he turned around signing for him along with others including me. What I saw and heard was a stern lecture D'Arnaud gave to the fan. He told the fan he didn't like the way he acted and being rude for the tantrum and cussing around kids and gave reasons why players don't sign all the time. The fan was super apologetic about toward him and promise be nice. Everyone around the fan gave him hard time for it. I pretty much understand what Travis D'Arnaud saying on autograph requests. While they do sign, sometimes they have decline time to time from being tired or having bad night or miserable long day. The players are human after the game.

That's my IP autograph story and maybe I will tell more.

Way a Go Auto Collectors

Last month I mention about how greedy autograph collectors will cause athletes to stop signing through mail for free. Guess what? The collectors have broke Jim Kaat. After finding his stuff being bragged about on social media and sold online he decide to stop accepting all mail. The only time he will sign is through private signings or appearance. Congratulations greedy jackasses for ruining things as usual

....And One Day They'll Stop Signing For Free Through Mail

Agent Mike Maguire posted a photo on Facebook few days ago. The photo was over four years of unopen fan mail and autograph requests from former MLB All-Star pitcher Dave Stieb who doing a private signing. Both went through the box and what they found was alarming.

Photo provided by Mike Maguire

About half of the mail contains 8 or more cards with some at 10-12 cards. In fact one request package contains 17 cards and 10 index cards wanting 2 or 3 inscriptions. The sender sent the request TWICE! About 15% wanted Stieb to chip for return postage. A dozen sent him same generic copied autograph request from the internet instead sending a handwritten note. Three letters contained player's name crossed out and replaced it with Dave Stieb. The amount that sent him a donation to sign? 1%. Dave Stieb said he stopped signing because he gets taken advantage. In his long out of print book he gave his stance on not signing when someone took out a loan under his name using index card he autographed. I don't blame him one bit. Sooner or later the player, whether current or former, will stop signing through mail for free altogether mainly at fault of the collectors. The collectors have gotten too greedy with their autograph requests bombarding with multiple cards and items to sign. The through mail autograph requests have became too much and taken up the player's time that some have gone to Past Pros or hire an agent to set up private signings to limit the amount of items to be signed. Or another case, the player chose the route of no longer signing at all. You know who stopped a signing not long ago after years of being "automatic" autograph return? Former Astros player Denny Walling. He was accommodating to fan's autograph request through mail. What made him stopped signing few months ago when someone sent him NINE cards to get signed. According to SCN he returned them unsigned and have stopped taking items. Way a go! Some collectors are ungrateful complaining about receiving only one back signed despite sending multiples to the player. I'll be glad to get at least one back signed. Some collectors are cheapskates complaining when a player put a price tag on signature per item even if its for donation or low as a $1. Collectors have set off a chain reaction thanks to sites like SCN. Users posting success rates of autographs through mail as well amount items sent and got back signed it. If they see collector got back over 4 or more items back signed other collectors will likely follow suit. Often the collector will re-pay the player's free generosity by putting the signed item on Ebay or being advertised to be sold on various Facebook autograph groups. I'll be not surprised if up to 70-80% of players, former or current, go through private signing route hooking themselves up with an agent instead giving away free autographs through mail in the future. At the end it will be greedy collectors fault on ruining autographs through the mail. It takes one autograph collector to ruin it for everyone.

IP Autograph Hall of Shame

One of things that excite certain fans at the stadium are in-person autograph before the game. The excitement of a player taking their time to sign item for a fan. I still remember my first one. Ellis Burks signed my card at Rangers/Rockies interleague game in 1997. He kept signing away that security have to fetch him because the game was starting. I will always remember that moment. Through the decades I manage a good hefty autograph collection mostly on cards. One day I decide to catalog all the autograph cards I got into a database. While doing so I look back at few and have chuckle some of the penmanship scribbles. This bring me to my small collection of IP autos hall of shame. What makes it in? It range from sloppy or lazy scribbles to that is my name at the time to being on wrongside of the law. All the autographs were obtained at minor league games I attended.

My first card on the list is:

"Jairo Garcia" was a hot prospect for A's in early to mid-2000s throwing up to 100 MPH. What is wrong with this auto? A year later turns out his name wasn't Jairo Garcia. It was Santiago Casilla and was three years older than listed. Put that under "not my real name" signature.

Known for infamous Topps' Puffer/Bong card to collectors Brandon Puffer was trying make his way back to the majors. He was playing for Texas Rangers organization when I got this signed. What makes this in my Hall of Shame? He got arrested in 2008 and spent five years in prison for burglary with intent of sexual assault of a minor. Good news prison changed him after his life altering mistake. Bad news he's on this list.

Jorge Padilla travel the long roads of the minors before getting his break in 2009 with Nationals for 29 games of his MLB career. What makes this Hall of Shame? The amount on loop-de-loop on this card when he signed it. I can make out the J but its a circular loops all the way. Searched and looking at his previous signatures he changed it up to a quick scribble.I don't think signing is his thing. There's one on Ebay where he put down "PAD" on a sticker auto.

This was first one I totally had a laugh when I got this signed by Neftali Feliz when he was with Frisco Roughriders. You can make out the N then its cram it all in a small space. I believe he changed his signature to be more spread out later down the years. If you got him signed in-person give yourself a pat on the back. He's one of players that's hard to get signed.

This my IP version of Vernand Morency famous "checkmark" or players who just put their initials on card product auto card. I got this scribble at Round Rock when he was with Nashville Sounds. Why its in my IP Hall of Shame? He just signed it S.C. I get a laugh out of it. Looking at some of images of his autograph cards it seems he doesn't like doing it. The initials signature is better than not getting anything signed.

Those were the few in my IP auto Hall of Shame. I don't sell, I just collect. If I got multiples I would give them away to a random kid/family at the ballpark. I get interactive feel with in-person autographs to chatting a few lines with the player/coach/manager help adding more memories of being in the ballpark. Sadly the thrill in-person autographs likely going to the way of the dodo. With covid-19 changing everything who knows if any player, manager, or coach will be signing autographs to a fans if they let them in the ballpark. Evan I gone through TTM and private signings route at this time it doesn't feel the same.

Reuse, Recycle

My brother was going to comic con in Lubbock with appearance of former WWE wrestler Lita. I was pulling out two of her cards for him to get signed when I notice this.

This is from 2016 Topps WWE Heritage set. The second card I pull of her from 2017 Women set and its.....

the same picture from 2016 set except cropped and bit zoomed. Another case of Topps reusing and recycling a picture for a set. My brother did get the cards signed and it looks like this

She used silver for one and black for the other. Another autograph to my collection.

Random Autograph Card: MIke Moustakas

Royals going to World Series and one of key players is this guy with his hitting and catching. I got this signed when he was with Royals Double-A club Northwest Arkansas in 2010.  Every year I kept wondering when will Royals get it together for playoff run. They won almost everything in the minors with these same group of players. Now they got it together this season and surge themselves to World Series.

Random Autograph Card: Carlos Corporan

My featured autograph card is Astros catcher Carlos Corporan. He had career game against hated New York Yankees going 4-5 with a homerun, 4 RBIs, and double just a triple shy of a cycle. A good defensive player while low on batting side he will surprise you, at times, with impressive game using his bat. You just don't know til it happens. One of Astros games I attended he went 2-3 with a RBI against San Francisco Giants. Astros shut out then-champions Giants 6-0 thanks part of his contribution along being behind the plate catching strikes from Wandy Rodriguez. This is second straight game he caught for starter Lucas Harrell and both games were quality starts. The guy has been down the road of majors and AAA ball and sitting on the bench being the no. 2 catcher. When given opportunity to start on the lineup he will scrap his way to produce a spark for the team. That's why he's one of my favorites in the game. Forget stats as long a player performs their hardest in the game in offense, defense, or both. The card got signed last year when he was at AAA club Oklahoma City.

Also obtain is his game-used jersey I picked up Astros game last year. Glad to find one. Go Astros!

Randon Autograph Card: Chris Davis

Week and half into the season Orioles' Chris Davis on rampaging tear. In 7 games he bashed 4 homeruns and driven in 17 runs while batting above .400 earning him AL player of the week.  This is nothing new as he been crushing homers since started in the minors. It was different story in the majors when he go for broke swinging at the fences, Rob Deer and Gorman Thomas style, but found himself leaving the batter box with a K. He was on the fringe with the label of "AAAA" hanging above his head being stuck between Rangers and their AAA club. Then came the trade at 2011 trade deadline. Rangers wanted reliever Koji Uehrara from the Orioles offering pitchers Tommy Hunter. Orioles willing complete trade if they send Davis as part of the package. Reluctantly, Rangers agreed and in a three-way deal involving Pirates Davis goes to Baltimore. It's what he needed. A fresh new start after four years crushing balls in Rangers organization, but fallen out of favor when Mitch Moreland took over his starting 1B spot. Now with Orioles he can shed away "AAAA" tag and be regular starter for down and out Orioles team. Orioles got more than they bargained. In his first full season with Orioles he broke with 33 homeruns and 85 runs batted in becoming a contributor to the team's surprise run of AL East crown and in the playoffs. Now in his second season with the team he's already off to fast start. Orioles won out big in the trade as they got a player with a heavy bat. Koji Uehrara never became a factor in the Rangers organization and left for free agency after end of last season.

I got this card signed in 2007 when he was playing for Rangers Double-A club. The fans who saw him crush balls at minor league parks expected big things from him. After so many jump starts and stalls he finally living it up.

Random Autograph Card: Rick Ankiel

First regular MLB game of 2013 season in the record books. Rick Ankiel, now playing for Houston Astros, made a good impression. In pinch-hit performance he hits first homerun of 2013 MLB season with a 3-run shot off Derek Lowe putting the game out of reach for Texas Rangers as Astros went up 7-2. Astros went on to win 8-2.
 
I got this card signed in 2005 when he was playing for St. Louis Cardinals Double-A affiliate. At the time he was making transition from pitcher to batter. Ten years in the league and still going.

Random Autograph Card: Quintin Berry

Quintin Berry featured as my random autograph card. After seven years of toiling in the minors he finally got the call last year with Detroit Tigers two months into the season. The speedy outfielder made impression with the team as he stayed on the roster as the team made it to the postseason and into World Series losing to the champs San Francisco Giants.

Quintin Berry became one of cuts of Tigers in spring training as he gets sent down to Triple -A club missing opening day opportunity. He will be back up soon hopefully.

I got the card signed when he was playing for Padres Double-A club.

Random autograph card: Cesar Carrillo

While digging through a pile of autograph cards I obtained in person I ran into this one.

Cesar Carrillo been in the news last week as the league suspended him 100 games for violating minor league drug and prevention program. He's the first player from Biogenesis documents to be suspended which includes the names of Ryan Braun and Nelson Cruz.

I obtained this few years ago when he was playing for Padres Double-A affiliate San Antonio Missions.