November 30, 2014 My Favorite Met....after Seaver and Harrelson

Finally found a color picture of my favorite Met after Tom Seaver and Bud Harrelson, which begged for a card

November 29, 2014 Cards For Collectors....1964 Hockey, 1967 Hockey and 1952 Topps Red Sox

Been a while since the last post but here are some cards I made recently for collectors.....

Keith from NYC
wanted some hockey cards made.Since the 1967 Topps set was made up of the six teams before expansion, he wanted cards made of the six  new Expansion Teams, the Oakland Seals, LA Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, St Louis Blues and the Minnesota North Stars. Also made were the All Star cards and team photos....

He also wanted some 1964 Topps Tall Boys hockey made....

Jim from Massachusetts
collects Red Sox and wanted some 1952s made to fill out his 1952 Red Sox Team Set

I did not realize how hard it was to find a Hal Bevan autograph to put on the front....he's a toughie.

He also wanted some Ted Williams and Sibbi Sisti cards made in different designs

Jim from Upstate NY
wanted some 1953s and 1955s made up

Rick from Florida
wanted some tobacco and caramel cards

October 10, 2014 More "Friends of Ray Peters"

In another installment of the "Friends of Ray Peters", we have a former Seattle Pilot, a former Brewer and Astro and a minor league teammate of Nolan Ryan.

Dick Bates
was a teammate of Ray Peters in Jacksonville and Portland in 1970. Mr Bates pitched in one game for the Seattle Pilots in April 1969 and gave up six base runners in under 2 innings. He was originally signed by the Kansas City Athletics in 1964 and pitched in the Washington Senators organization from 1964 to 1968 when he was selected by the Seattle Pilots in the 1968 Expansion Draft.

Wilbur Howard
was Mr Peters' teammate with the 1969 Clinton Co-Pilots and 1970 Portland Beavers. He was drafed in the 19th Round by the Seattle Pilots in 1969 Baseball Draft. He spent 1973 with the Brewers but spent the rest of his career with the Houston Astros. According to Mr Peters..."Hasn't change a lick. Exactly the same guy from 45 years.  Goin' fishin' every day.  Doesn't use the computer."

John Glass
and Mr Peters both pitched in Jacksonville in 1970 but were never teammates as Ray was gone by the time Mr Glass joined the team  He was originally signed by the New York Mets in 1966 and was a teammate of Nolan Ryans' in 1967 at Winter Haven in A ball. Mr Glass was selected by the Montreal Expos from the Mets in the Expansion Draft.

According to Ray, Mr Glass....

"Sold sporting goods and now is a fishing guide.  He used to bring it at 97+.  However, he had more than a few even stronger arms ahead of him with the Mets!?  Got buried in AAA.  Then rotator cuff surgery ended his career.  He did room with Nolan.  He said Yogi emphasized having control and throwing low and away except for him and Ryan.  He told those two: I don't know how you two skinny kids from Texas can do it, but just keep firing those BB's!  

September 20, 2014 Japanese Baseball Customs

Keith from NYC wanted some Japanese BB customs made....

August 22, 2014 Nate Colbert

Got my Nate Colbert's back in the mail today after a private signing that was held by Philip Rogich. Thanks.

Nate Colbert
was the San Diego Padres' first baseman from the beginning in 1969. He had one of the greatest batting days ever on August 1, 1972, when he hit 5 homers and drove in 13 runs in a doubleheader, breaking Stan Musial's record of 11 RBIs.

The custom 1971 Greatest Moments is the first one I've gotten back since I started making them.

Pat Locanto Phillies Minor Leaguer 1968-1973

Pat Locanto
never played in the major leagues but he played in the Phillies minor league system for 5 years and was also picked by the Kansas City Royals in the 1969 Rule 5 Draft. That spring, Topps even took some pictures of him in a Royals uniform which was the topic on http://www.baseball-birthdays.net

Click Here to Read Pat Locanto Post on Baseball-Birthdays.net

" This is Patrick Locanto who is the professional ball player (Philadelphia, Kansas City) you gentleman were trying to identify in the Topps Baseball Card from 1970. It has fascinated me because for all these years since those pictures were taken (KC Spring Training, 1970) I had never seen them until now!! FYI, I was in my dentist office when he googled my name a couple months ago that they popped up with the dialogue from Baseball-Birthday.net. I have to thank all of you for the consideration.

Amazin_69 had a pretty accurate recap of my career which is pretty impressive since I played so long ago. I was drafted out of Western Michigan University as a senior in 1968. Philadelphia 21st round. Played in the Minor A Northwest League shortened league that summer made the Allstar Team. Went to spring training the following year and made the AA Eastern League Team for Reading, Pa. again making the All Star Team. Two really exceptional years for a middle infielder. The winter in 1969 I was the number 1 draft choice for the KC Royals in the Rule 5 draft put on their big league roster. This is where my career trouble begins because of the Army Reserves (Vietnam) I didn't get out of the active duty requirement until three weeks into spring training with KC. Tried hard to impress people, hurt my arm and didn't tell anyone. Rule 5 works that you are required to remain on the big league roster for the whole year. If the team that drafts you sends you to the minor leagues then the original team can choose to repurchase you. KC purchased me for $25K and Philadelphia was able to repurchase me for half price or $12.5K. I was then returned to Philadelphia when spring training was completed and I had my leg broken on a player sliding into me braking up a double play in the 2nd game of the season at Reading, Pa. I like to say, very unfortunately, I went from the Big Leagues, Triple AAA, Double AA, and out of baseball in one month. Sad, but true, even though I continued to try to recover for the next couple years with healing, flexibility issues.

I didn't get released, I actually decided to retire from the Phillies in 1973 while having leg issues at Spartenburg, SC. I then commenced with the rest of my life since I had a college degree. I have been married for 45 year, two children, one grandchild. Being originally from Detroit and growing up in the auto industry I ended up in purchasing, sales, management, and a director for automotive manufacturing companies. Move to California in 1978 where I currently preside.

I would welcome the opportunity to get the Topps pictures but not sure how to go about it. If anyone reads this post maybe they can help me locate them or purchase them from someone.

Thanks for listening.

Patrick Locanto

Mr Locanto sent me his address and I made some cards for him and had him sign a few. Even though he never made the major leagues, my motto is "If they took your picture, you deserve a card"

August 15, 2014 Vito "Babe" Parilli

Got my customs back from a public signing with former Boston Patriots and NY Jets QB Babe Parilli. He was at Doug Keating's bb card show in Massachusetts last week.

The Mystery of the 1953 Topps Set

1953 Topps Missing Cards

The other day on his show, Keith Olbermann revealed the missing players from the 1953 Topps Baseball set that were not issued. The names were discovered by longtime collector and custom baseball card maker Bob Lemke. The players were Ken Wood, Joe Tipton, Harry Brecheen, Pete Castiglione, Billy Coc and Hoot Evers

 Here are my customs of the missing cards plus the backs I made for them

Harry Brecheen and Pete Castiglione

Billy Cox and Joe Tipton

Ken Wood and Hoot Evers

Since the Evers original artwork hasn't been found, I used the artwork for the 1952 Bowman card and changed him from a Detroit Tiger into a Boston Red Sox.

Here are other 1953s that there was artwork done but never issued

Richie Ashburn, Max Lanier and Jim Suchecki

July 19, 2014 Customs From Private and Public Signings

The following customs are from private signings or mail ins to show signings

Tom Sanders
was obtained through Doug Keating at Cardboard Promotions in MA. Doug is reliable and highly recommended.

Ben Oglivie, Gorman Thomas and Charlie Moore
were obtained through Mark Grunske of Waukesha Sports in WI.

All the following were obtained through Signatures4U in Florida...Thanks Lou


Choo Choo Coleman

Tracy Stallard

Joe Christopher

Chuck Goggin

Sammy Taylor

Bill Dailey

July 13, 2014 Trying 1971 Great Moments Style Cards

It's been a while since I posted anything.....I had an arthroscopy for a torn meniscus in the knee and have been home from work for a month now so I had some time to play around with ideas.

1971 Style Great Moments..

I used to have this set many years ago and was always a favorite. After all the celebration regarding Lou Gehrig's speech anniversary last week, I did a few other "Great Moments" in the 1971 Topps Style. The only problem I have is trying to get the slanted lettering correct.

For the Aaron 715 card, I decided to use a color image instead of the black and white.

June 11, 2014 Jerry Kramer, Billy Sims and Others

It has been a while since I posted anything new because I haven't had the time to scan and post but now here they are in one post.......a TTM basketball, two from signings and a "Friends of Ray Peters"

Jerry Kramer
played guard on all the great Lombardi Green Bay Packers teams of the 1960s. One of my favorite books growing up was authored by Mr Kramer and Dick Schaap, "Instant Replay" The signature was obtained for me by Mike from West Allis, WI. He is a big Jerry Kramer fan and I have been making some Kramer cards for him. He said Mr Kramer was coming to Wisconsin last week so I made a 1956 Style card using one of my favorite football images of Vince Lombardi and Jerry Kramer from the Super Bowl.

THANKS MIKE!!

Billy Sims
won the Heisman Trophy in 1978 at Oklahoma and then played for the Detroit Lions. He was a great runner until had a bad knee injury in 1984.

Dick Van Arsdale
played for the NY Knicks and then the expansion Phoenix Suns from 1965-1977

The Original Frank Thomas
Lou from Signatures4U got me the Frank Thomas customs signed. Frank was an Original 1962 Met and led them with 34 home runs after being a star in Pittsburgh with the Pirates in the 1950s.

and in another installment of the "Friends of Ray Peters"

Gene Ammann 
was a teammate of former Brewers pitcher Ray Peters with the Jacksonville Suns in 1970 and the Evansville Triplets in 1971.

While pitching at Florida State, Mr Ammann had an outrageous 1970 season with a 15-0 record, an ERA of 0.66, and eight shutouts. He was also named the 1970 College World Series Most Outstanding Player. He was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers after being drafted in the third round of the 1970 draft but never made the Major Leagues.He played in Japan for the Hankyu Braves in 1974.

June 3, 2014 My Bill Greason Custom Makes it to TNT

I made a custom card of the Reverend Bill Greason for collector Mark House, that was featured on TNT with Shaq, Barkley and Kenny Smith. Mark is trying to get Mr Greason inducted into the Oklahoma Hall Of Fame.

May 30, 2014 Jerry Bell

In another installment of "The Friends of Ray Peters" ( teammates and friends of the former Brewers' pitcher) we have.....

Jerry Bell
Mr Bell was originally drafted by the Seattle Pilots in the second round of the 1969 Amateur Draft. He made his debut in 1971 and had a 2-1 record. In 1972 he was a relief pitcher appearing in 25 games and finishing with a 5-1 record. In 1973 Jerry was a starting pitcher in 25 games and finished at 9-9.

Jerry mentioned to Ray that he had 3 cards but he shared his rookie card with 2 other players and his 1973 and 74 cards used the same picture so I made up 8 new cards using images I had plus ones supplied by Keith Olbermann.

May 24, 2014 Steve Cox

Got one return today and it came about in a round about way.....

Steve Cox
was a first baseman who played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays from 1999 to 2002. Usually I prefer making cards and mailing to older players from the 1950s, 60s and 70s but I made some cards of Mr Cox after the wife of a "Friends of Ray Peters" teammate said their daughter was "married to a pro ballplayer" and the player turned out to be Steve Cox. She agreed to get the cards signed for me...Thanks Julie.

May 4, 2014 Mike Swain and Buzz Stephen

And in another installment of "The Friends of Ray Peters"........

Buzz Stephen
was a teammate of  Ray's with the Jacksonville Suns and the Portland Beavers in 1970 as they were both in the Seattle Pilots organization. Mr Stephen pitched in two games in the majors with the Minnesota Twins in 1967 with a 1-1 record. He was then selected by the Seattle Pilots in the 1968 Expansion Draft.

Mike Swain
was a teammate of Ray's in 1969 with the Pilots' Instructional League team and in Clinton in the Midwest League.  He went to Ohio State and was a pitcher on the 1966 NCAA Championship team and was also a member of the basketball team that went to the 1968 Final Four before losing to North Carolina.

May 3, 2014 Pro Football HOFer John Hannah

Got my Patriots HOF customs back from a public signing by HOFer John Hannah who was at Doug Keating's Manfield, MA show last weekend.

John Hannah
played guard for the New England Patriots from 1973 to 1985 after playing for Bear Bryant at Alabama. He made the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991

April 19, 2014 Larry Wallin "Friend of Ray Peters"

Another return from a former teammate of Ray Peters, 1970 Brewers pitcher.....

Larry Wallin
was a teammate of Ray's with the Portland Beavers in 1970. He was a catcher who signed with the New York Mets in 1965 and caught Nolan Ryan as a rookie with the Marion Mets. Though he never made the major leagues, he came close....

This is an excerpt from a newspaper article from 2011 in the Star Tribune about senior baseball

"Larry Wallin grew up in Spring Lake Park. A big, strong catcher, he signed with the Mets in 1965, went to the organization's rookie team and found himself catching a guy named Nolan Ryan.
"I've never seen a guy throw like that," he said. "He scared the hell out of me in the bullpen."
       Wallin came one injury away from a shot at a cup of big-league coffee. It was 1971 and he was in the Cleveland organization, playing at Class AAA Wichita. Indians catcher Ray Fosse got hurt, but Wallin wasn't available.
      "Two days before Fosse got hurt, I got a foul tip in Iowa," Wallin said. "Tore the tip of my finger off. I was out for the year. Right place, right time, but I was hurt."

April 15, 2014 Fred Reahm..."Friends of Ray Peters"

Another return from a former teammate of 1970 Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Ray Peters.

Fred Reahm
was a pitcher and teammate of Mr Peters in 1970 when Mr Reahm was in camp with the Milwaukee Brewers. He started in the Mets organization in 1965 and stayed with them until 1972. In Sept 1970, his contract  was purchased by the Cardinals from the Mets and then in Feb 1971 he was traded to the Brewers for Bob Burda.