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. 

Roberto Luongo

Roberto Luongo is currently the goal tender for the Florida Panthers. He has also played for the New York Islanders and Vancouver Canucks. In 14 seasons, Luongo has established himself as one of the best goalies in the league. 

Over those 14 season, Roberto has a record of 373-312-33. He also has an impressive 66 shutouts as well. Equally impressive will be a .919 SV%. 

He has won numerous awards to what will be a storied career.
2010 & 2014 Winter Olympic Gold Metals in Men's Hockey representing Canada.
IIHF World Championship Gold Metals in 2003 & 2004. 
All Star Game appearance in 2004, 2007, 2008 & 2009. 
Won the Mark Messier Award for Leadership in 2007 and the William Jennings Trophy in 2011.

Roberto signed a card through his home address in 13 days.

Ken Berry

Ken Berry played professional baseball from 1962 until 1975. Most of his career was spent representing the Chicago White Sox. In 1967, Ken made his only appearance in the American League All Star Game. 

In 1967, Ken had a 20 game hitting streak that extended from May 28th to June 15th. 

In 1970, he was traded to the California Angels where he played until the end of 1973. Ken also played for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1974 and finished his career with the Cleveland Indians in 1975. 

Ken won 2 Golden Gloves, the first in 1970 and the second in 1972. 

Over his career, Ken had 1,053 hits, 58 HR's and 3443 RBI's. 

Ken signed two cards through his home address in 10 days. 

Bryan McCabe

Bryan McCabe is a retired defenseman who spent 15 seasons in the NHL. Bryan played for six different teams including the Islanders, Leafs, Canucks and Stars. He scored 149 goals and added 383 assists for a point total of 528. 

The best season came for Bryan while with the Leafs in the 2001-02 season. He scored 17 goals and added 43 assists. Appearing in 20 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs that year, Bryan added 5 goals and 5 assists. The Leafs lost out in the Conference Finals to the Carolina Hurricanes. 

Bryan played in 3 World Championships, winning a gold medal in 1997. He also represented Canada in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. 

Bryan signed 3 cards through the mail in 14 days. 

Bruce Hoffort

Bruce Hoffort went undrafted but made a brief career in the NHL. Playing 9 games over two seasons for the Philadelphia Flyers, Hoffort had a respectable 4-0-3 record and a .877 SV%.

Bruce was the 1988 NCAA Division 1 Ice Hockey Tournament Outstanding Player. He had an exceptional run for the Lake Superior State Lakers. As a member of the All Tournament Team, Bruce helped his team win their first Frozen Four in their first appearance.  

Bruce signed 2 cards in black sharpie in 16 days through his home address. 

 

Matthew Barnaby

Matthew Barnaby played in the NHL for 15 seasons. He skated for seven different teams, including the Sabres, Penguins, Lightning and Blackhawks. With the majority of his career spent in Buffalo, Matthew's best season was in 1996-97. He scored a career high 19 goals and 24 assists for a point total of 43. Matthew backed that effort up with another season of 249 PIM over 68 games.

The following season, the Sabres with Barnaby in tow made a good run in the Stanley Cup playoffs. In 15 games, Matthew scored 7 goals and added 6 assists. Beating the Flyers in 5 games and sweeping the Habs in 4, the Sabres lost in 6 games to the Eastern Conference Champion Washington Capitals. 

Matthew signed 3 cards in black via home address in 37 days. 
I noticed that he puts a little more emphasis on the 6 when he includes his jersey number 36. Adds a nice touch to his signature.

Jean-Marc Pelletier

Jean-Marc Pelletier had a brief career in the NHL. Limited ice time with the Flyers sent Pelletier to the Coyotes. Between 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons, he appeared in 6 games for the Phoenix Coyotes. 

In 2006, Jean-Marc signed with Adler Mannheim in the DEL. The following season, he signed his final  hockey contract with the Hamburg Freezers.

Jean-Marc signed 2 cards in blue via his home address in 23 days.
In my opinion, his signature really stands out on these cards.

Emile Francis

Emile Francis  is a former player, coach and general manager in the NHL. He is most notably remembered for his time with the New York Rangers organization. 

Emile got his start as a goalie in 1947 with the Chicago Blackhawks. He spent the next 4 seasons as a backup goal tender for the Rangers. 

In 1945, Emile was the first goal tender to use a first baseman's glove with a cuff added to protect his hand and wrist. 

Emile was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982. 
He signed a card through his home address in 25 days. 

Chuck Taylor

Chuck Taylor played professional baseball for Cardinals, Mets, Brewers and Expos. A relief pitcher from 1969 to 1976, he spent part of his career as a starter. 


1974 was Chuck's best season in the major league. He appeared as a relief pitcher 61 times, posting an ERA of 2.17. Chuck was ranked 9th in the league in game appearances, 6th in games finished at 39 and 5th in the league with 11 saves.

Chuck signed 2 cards through his home address in 10 days. 

Dominic Lavoie

Dominic Lavoie played a total of 38 games in the NHL. While playing for the Blues, Senators, Bruins and Kings, he scored 5 goals and added 13 assists. Dominic's only goals scored came via a hat trick.







Most of Dominic's career was spent in the minor leagues and in Europe. He excelled while in the former IHL, scoring 20 goals and 32 assists. While in the AHL, his best effort was a 16 goal season. While back In the IHL with the Phoenix Roadrunners, Dominic regained that scoring touch and had another 20 goal season.

Dominic signed 2 cards through his home address. Both cards were signed and returned in 19 days.

Moe Mantha

Moe Mantha is a former professional hockey player. Playing for the Jets, Penguins, Oilers, North Stars & Flyers, he skated for 12 seasons. In 656 games, the defenseman scored 81 goals and added 289 assists for a point total of 370. Moe also represented the USA in international hockey in 1981, 1985 and 1991. He was a member of the US Men's Hockey Team in the 1992 Winter Olympics.

Since retiring, Moe has been behind the bench coaching. Moe coached in the AHL for the Hersey Bears and Cincinnati Mighty Ducks. He is currently the general manager and head coach for the Michigan Warriors of the NAHL.

I mailed out the two cards featured on May 21 and they were returned on May 30.

Tony Granato

Tony Granato is a former hockey player that played for the Rangers, Kings & Sharks in the NHL.  He played a total of 774 games over 13 seasons. Tony scored 248 goals and added 244 assists for a point total of 492.

Tony made his only All Star Game appearance in the 1996-97 season. He also won the Bill Masterton Trophy that same year. 

After his playing career, Tony went on to coach the Colorado Avalanche. He is currently an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

I mailed out 3 cards to Tony on April 29, 2008. I received the cards back today 5/30/2014. That makes it the longest return I have ever had. It took a total of 6 years, 1 month and 2 days or 2,223 days. Not that I am complaining, just amazed at the length of time. I am guessing that Tony found it in a box he never unpacked until he moved to Pittsburgh. At the top right are 2/3 cards he signed. 

Jamie Whincup

Much to my surprise, I received this signed picture from Jamie Whincup on May 23rd. Due to the size of the picture, I was only able to scan most of it. Jamie personalized the picture and added " Thanks for your support." 

Jamie is a 5 time champion in the V8 Supercar Series in Australia. Since 2007, he has placed no less than 2nd in the series points. Driving a Holden VF Commadore for Triple Eight Race Engineering, he has dominated the series. Jamie has an impressive record at the track. With 141 podium finishes, he has placed first 76 times. Over his career, he has 4 wins at the infamous Bathurst 1000 in New Southwales. 

Jamie is currently sitting in 4th place in the series, 213 points behind the leader. 

Jason Blake

Jason Blake played professional hockey for 4 different teams: Kings, Leafs, Islanders & Ducks. Over his 14 year career, Jason scored 213 goals and added 263 assists for a point total of 486. In 2006-07, Jason had his best season. Scoring 40 goals and 29 assists, he helped the Islanders make the first round of the playoffs. Jason added a goal and 2 assists before losing out in the first round of the Stanley Cup Finals. That same year, Jason made an appearance in the All Star Game to record 2 assists. 

In 2006, Jason represented his country by playing hockey in the Torino Winter Olympics. At the end of the 2007-08 season, he was awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy for his dedication and perseverance to hockey.

I mailed the two cards above to Jason's home in Minnesota. They returned back to Arizona in 13 days.