Signature Sundays - Jim Abbott

With Spring Training underway and the snow in my front yard finally melting, let's return to baseball for this Sunday's autograph...

Today's autograph subject, Jim Abbott, is an example of straying outside my normal collecting boundaries.  Jim never played for the Red Sox, and this 2013 Topps Gypsy Queen release is anything but vintage, yet I absolutely had to add this card to my baseball collection.  I like the design and the autograph (on card!) is one of the more unique in my collection.

I don't see how any baseball fan (or anyone at all) couldn't admire Jim.  Being born without a right hand didn't stop him from pursuing a career in baseball, from becoming the best amateur player in the country, from winning athlete of the year in his college conference and even capturing (unofficial) Olympic Gold.  He was drafted in the first round of the 1988 draft by the Angels.  This is the team I remember him with as a late '80s/early '90s junk wax collector, so I'm glad Topps chose the Angels for this particular card.

The highlights of Jim's career are undoubtedly his incredible 1991 season (18-11, 2.89 ERA, 3rd in Cy Young voting) and his no-hitter while with the Yankees in 1993.  The fact that a man with one hand could become a first round draft pick, make the major leagues, and throw a no-hitter has mesmerized me since I first witnessed it as a kid and I think it always will.

Jim may not be the biggest name whose signature I have on cardboard, but I do think this is one of my all-time best buys at $2.27 plus shipping!