Phil Niekro SUCCESS!!!

[milbfan]

Hi Chad, nice collection of autographed baseballs.

Chad is correct about balls made in China being a problem. Several Minor leaugues use balls made in China. Just something to look out for.

Uncle Sam: Hoyt Wilhelm threw the knuckleball before Phil and he is also a HOFer.

Check is bio here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoyt_Wilhelm

I can't myself call Phil the founding father of the knucleball.

[chadallen985]

I can't myself call Phil the founding father of the knucleball.

Nice catch. I didn't even catch that when I read it. Hard to believe that pitch has been around for over 100 years.

[JayHo7284]

Very nice success. I too started a HOF collection about 10 years ago, meeting all of mine in person except 1, that being Pat Gillick. Yeah I paid for the chance to meet them, but to be able to meet them means alot to me.. the memories and storie you hear from them. I remember when I was at Bob Feller's Museum and he had Ted Williams there, so there I was in front of one of the greatest pitchers, and greatest hitters of all time and heaing them talk about teaming with, and how hard it was hitting again Satchel Paige. Never forget that story that Ted was telling Bob.

I would be interested in seeing your list of HOF'ers you have on baseballs.. Here is mine... Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Willie Mays, Pee Wee Reese, Al Lopez, Duke Snider, Cal Ripken Jr., Richie Ashburn, Rick Ferrell, Bob Feller, Harmon Killebrew, Stan Musial, Carl Yazstrzemski, Yogi Berra, Gary Carter, Eddie Murray, Larry Doby, Eddie Mathews, Ernie Banks, Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson, Tom Seaver, Catfish Hunter, Phil Rizzuto, Nolan Ryan, Ryne Sandberg, George Brett, Carlton Fisk, Johnny Bench, George Kell, Robin Roberts, Sparky Anderson, Rickey Henderson, Monte Irvin, Hal Newhouser, Early Wynn, Dick Williams, Brooks Robinson, Tony Gwynn, Willie Stargell, Bob Gibson, Mike Schmidt, Whitey Ford, Frank Robinson, Enos Slaughter, Lee MacPhail, Paul Molitor, Billy Williams, Orlando Cepeda, Willie McCovey, Joe Morgan, Jim Palmer, Lou Brock, Juan Marichal, Dave Winfield, Al Kaline, Robin Yount, Bob Lemon, Warren Spahn, Doug Harvey, Don Sutton, Ralph Kiner, Phil Niekro, Tommy Lasorda, Luis Aparicio, Hoyt Wilhelm, Wade Boggs, Gaylord Perry, Steve Carlton, Jim Bunning, Rod Carew, Ozzie Smith, Whitey Herzog, Fergie Jenkins, Bobby Doerr, Red Schoendienst, Bill Mazeroski, Andre Dawson, Lou Boudreau, Jim Rice, Goose Gossage, Rollie Fingers, Earl Weaver, Pat Gillick, Dennis Eckersley, Tony Perez and Bruce Sutter.

Also, I'm sure you have either heard this before, or will be told this but I won'd do it in a rude way like some people have been known to do. I hate to say it but there is a good chace your autographs will fade over time if they are on the "china" baseballs. They have been known not to hold a autograph very well. They're all different but 2 examples I have... a sigend baseball I got signed by George Brett and many others at the Field of Dreams almost 20 years ago, and they are probably more than 50% faded away. I received a signed baseball from Jack Dittmer a couple years ago, as he and his wife listened to the radio station where I worked as a sprots director and did a tribute to him on his birthday, and that autograph is 75% faded. They both were on the "china" ball. I would suggest that if yor paying for autographs, spend the extra money on mlb balls. It stinks they cost so much more, but it will be worth it in the long run for your HOF collection.

Once again, congrats on your collection..

Impressive Hall of Famer collection! I don't have NEARLY as many as you do. I've only got Stan Musial, Bruce Sutter, Whitey Herzog, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Ozzie Smith, Red Schoendienst, Enos Slaughter, Mike Schmidt, Joe Morgan, Tommy Lasorda, Jim Bunning, Whitey Ford, Goose Gossage, Rollie Fingers, Yogi Berra, Ernie Banks, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Billy Williams, Sandy Koufax, Hoyt Wilhelm, Bob Feller, Harmon Killebrew, Carl Yastrzemski, Duke Snider, George Kell, Bob Doerr, Brooks Robinson, Ralph Kiner, Gaylord Perry, Phil Niekro, Orlando Cepeda, Don Sutton, Fergie Jenkins, Johnny Bench, Monte Irvin, Andre Dawson, Wade Boggs, Bert Blyleven, & Willie Mays...so far.