Mike Malmgren

Recently, I have been searching the globe for different autographs. The world is full of a wide variety of racing. But drag racing is almost identical on every continent. Australia has ANDRA while in Europe it is better known as European Drag Racing Championship. And if you search the FIA web site, you just might be amazed at what you will find. 

I started looking at the European Drag Racing and stumbled across a few names that were familiar. One that stood out was Mike Malmgren. Finishing the 2014 season 3rd in points behind Jimmy Alund and Magnus Pettersson, all from Sweden. 

Below is an autographed card I received from Mike yesterday. I was impressed with his reaction that he had fans all the way across the pond. Pro Stock has always been my favorite class in drag racing. Maybe I will get a chance to see Mike in 2015 when the NHRA returns to Arizona. 

Adam Port

Adam Port is an acclaimed artist who had done extensive work with Topps baseball cards. His work is so detailed that you might think it was a photograph. Realistically painted works of art that are very detailed, Adam is able to capture the moment to perfection.

Adam also did some artwork for Topps Star Wars Galaxy 5. The card I sent him was named Undercover Jedi. I was not sure how he would sign this one since it was filled with dark colors. Being a true artist, he found the best solution.

Adam signed one card through his work address in 30 days.

Mark Chiarello

Mark Chiarello is an American artist and comic book editor. 

As an editor for DC Comics, Mark has created Batman: Black & White and Wednesday Comics. He also worked on Star Wars: The New Essential Chronology along side Tommy Lee Edwards and John Van Fleet. 

The card I sent Mark was from the 2010 Star Wars Galaxy 5 Series. His work is very impressive and stands out in the crowded field of Star Wars artists. 

Mark signed this card via DC Comics in 35 days.

Bryan Berard

Bryan Berard played professional hockey in the NHL for 10 seasons. Playing for six different teams, the majority of his career was with the New York Islanders. 

Over 619 games, Bryan scored a 76 goals and added 247 assists for a point total of 323. His best year was in 1996-97, Bryan's rookie season. He scored 8 goals and 40 assists for a season high 48 points. 

Bryan spent one season in the KHL with the Vityaz Chekhov, scoring 3 goals.

Both cards were signed through his home address in 48 days.

Throwback Thursday

Collecting autographs can try your patience at times. The mail box has been empty for over 10 days. Going through a drought can often send me looking at pages and pages of signatures I have collected in the past. 

Searching for an autograph to talk about send me on a search. I pulled out binder after binder, looking for something different. Then I realized that there was plenty of autographs on the desk. I reached for a box that had pictures in it and this is what I found.

I have always favored Pro Stock over any other category in drag racing. To the right is a picture of Greg Stanfield. I met Greg at for Firebird International Raceway in 2008. I had the opportunity to chat with him and mentioned that we were both from Northeast Louisiana. Greg was very polite and I was able to get a brief tour of his area in the pits.

This picture was also signed at Firebird International Raceway in Arizona. While attending the event in February 2008. From right to left is Hot Rod Fuller, Tommy Johnson Jr. and Warren Johnson. 

Each autograph was signed in person at Firebird International Raceway in Arizona, February 2008. 

Peter Douris

Peter Douris spent 11 seasons in the NHL. He played for the Jets, Bruins, Ducks and Stars as a right winger. Scoring a total of 54 goals and 67 assists, Peter produced 121 points during his ice time. 

In 1999, Peter had played his last game in the NHL and went overseas looking for a job. He played 4 seasons in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. He spent a year with the Landshut EV and the next 3 years with the Munich Barons.  

Peter signed 3 cards in 17 days through the mail via his home address.   

The postal service did a number on the O'pee Chee. There is a nasty crease on the bottom third of the card. The damage is done, just wish it would not have been that card. 

Robbie Tallas

Robbie Tallas played professional hockey for 11 seasons. Skating for the Bruins, Blackhawks and Panthers, Tallas appeared in 99 games and compiling a 28-42-10 record.

His best season was 1997-98 while with the Bruins. With a 6-3-3 record, Robbie maintained an impressive .926 SV%. Regulated to a backup goalie, he had many great games.

Robbie is the current goaltender coach for the Florida Panthers.

He signed 2 cards through his home address in 13 days. 

Robbie is also the goaltender coach for Roberto Luongo, the previous post I entered. Ironically, I mailed out cards to both players on the same day and received the cards back on the same day.