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Todd's Autographed Card Collection
This card deserves a row all by itself. It is the coup de grace of my collection. One card with the autographs of three Hall of Famers. I got the autograph of Johnny Bench, my childhood hero, while he was at the 1987 Bing Crosby Celebrity Classic in Advance, N.C., which is next to my hometown of Clemmons. I also got Yaz's autograph there, too. I was working for The Cary News at the time and got a press pass to cover the event. My wife, Rita, actually got Yaz's signature for me. I got Gaylord's autograph a few years later when he made an appearance at a local department store. When I handed the card to Gaylord for his signature, he looked at it for a few seconds before signing his name. I asked him if either of those hitters had ever given him a lot of trouble, and he just smiled and said, "They gave everybody lots of trouble."
NBA Great Julius Erving. I got his autograph at the 1987 Crosby Celebrity Classic. This was before we knew about his illegitimate daughter. Glad I kept Rita away from him. NFL starter Larry Hand. He worked with my father for a few years, and my dad got him to sign this card and two others for me. Florida Gators coach Steve Spurrier. A Hall of Famer in his own mind, I got his autograph when he was the Duke coach and I covered the Blue Devils' weekly press conferences for the AP.
Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer. I got his autograph when he appeared at a local department store. I guess he was selling underwear back then. I think I was the only man in line. They were drawing from the people in attendance to get to eat lunch with Palmer. I have never received so many dirty looks from women. If they had called my name out as the winner, I would have been too afraid to claim the prize! Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry. I also got his autograph when he was making an appearance at a local department store. Funny, there weren't as many young women in line for the ol' spitballer. 1998 NL Cy Young Award winner John Smoltz. I got his autograph at a local card show after his rookie year. They were practically giving them away. Now I wish I had gotten him to sign a couple more cards for me.
Legendary AP Sportswriter Dave Droschak, a former UNC hurler who toiled in the Cards' minor league chain for a few seasons. I used to work with Dave at the AP. Major league skipper Jim Leyland. I got his autograph at a Raleigh Hot Stove League banquet many years ago. Former NCSU hurler Dan Plesac. My good friend Ed Williams landed me Plesac's autograph when he went to Baltimore to shoot an assignment for NCSU. Plesac was a student at State when I was there, and he's still pitching in the big leagues.
DT. The greatest college basketball player ever. I've had the good fortune to meet David several times, but I had to buy this insert card on EBay for about $10. Boston outfielder Trot Nixon. The latest addition to my collection, I got his autograph at the 2001 Hot Stove League Banquet in Raleigh.