Santa brought two Major League Baseball autographs to my mailbox for Christmas.
Former big league pitcher Derek Lilliquist responded to my through the mail autograph request in just seven days.
The only players to respond quicker are Kevin Gross, four days; Vance Law, Ricky Jordan, and Bruce Benedict, six days.
Former Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Mickey Morandini is now an autograph success instead of a failure.
My first attempt for a Morandini autograph fell short when the request came back as a return to sender. However resending the request to a different address paid off in just 9 days.
Lilliquist was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1987 and made his debut with the Braves on April 13, 1989.
In 1990 Lilliquist pitched for the Braves and the San Diego Padres. In 1992 he went to the Cleveland Indians where he played until 1995 before becoming a Boston Red Sox. In 1996 he finished his career with the Cincinnati Reds
Lilliquist finished his career with a 25-34 win-loss record and 261 strikeouts. As a batter, he belted two home runs, drove in eight and earned a .213 batting average.
As of late Lilliquist has been working as a minor league pitching coach for the St. Louis Cardinals.
On Nov. 2 , the Cardinals named him their new bull pen coach, replacing Marty Mason.
Morandini, The Dandy Little Glove Man, debut with the Phillies on Sept. 1,1990.
In 1993 Morandini and the Phillies reached the World Series after defeating the Braves in the championship series.
In 1995 Morandini was named to the All Star team.
In 1998 Morandini played for the Cubs after being traded from the Phillies for Doug Glanville. That year Morandini made it to post season baseball again as the Cubs played the Braves in the National League Division Series. The Braves won.
Morandini played one more year with the Cubs before finishing his career with the Toronto Blue Jays. In 2000.
Today Morandini is the manager of the Phillies A-level affiliates Williamsport Crosscutters.
If you are interested in trying this hobby, its simple. Just mail your card, baseball, hat or whatever you want autographed to the player with a letter of request and a self addressed stamped envelope. Then sit back and wait.
I have decided to keep the envelopes that my cards arrive in, as they are the closest thing to a certificate of authenticity for this hobby.
