Getting some ink....

Bergesen is supposed to be there!



Hall of Famer Jim Palmer and never a player Dave Trembley are supposed to be there!



Super Rookie Nolan Riemold and recent Gold Glover Adam Jones are supposed to be there!



Last but not least, Jim Johnson is supposed to be there. Did I mention gold glover Adam Jones?

Hopefully this will be the last time I post these cards without autographs. I plan on taking my nephew down to the Orioles new spring training home, Ed Smith Stadium, in Sarasota for FanFest this weekend. You can read about it here. So good bye plain unsigned cards, hello sharpie ink. I will be sure to post the results of the trip some time in the future.

The Card Addict

Orioles Autographs........

Do you want to get this 2009 All Stars autograph?


Maybe you would rather have this Rookie of the Year candidates auto?


Or a signed ball from this Rookie of the year candidate?


How about an auto from a Hall of Fame Pitcher?


According to this website, Spring Training Online, all of these guys and the O's manager will be at Ed Smith Stadium, in Sarasota on November 14th from 1:30-4:00 signing autos for free!!!

I am a short drive from this event, and seriously considering attending it. If there are any other bloggers out there that want to hook up and maybe have a beer and trade a few cards in person let me know.

The Card Addict

American League Rookie of the Year Race tightens......

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about Jeff Niemann possibly winning the AL rookie of the year award. I also put up a survey to see who everyone else thinks should be the AL ROY. Here is an update on that post along with some stats that show the race has tightened.

Matt Wieters C Baltimore

Games 79 Hits 78 Home Run 7 RBIs 35 BA .273

Wieters threw out Carl Crawford two times in last nights game! If this guy would have played the full year I believe he would have been the hands down winner of the ROY award.

Jeff Niemann Starting Pitcher Tampa Bay

Games 27 Wins 12 Losses 6 K's 112 ERA 3.80 WHIP 1.32

Niemann was my vote a few weeks ago, and has pitched pretty well, but I think my vote is starting to be swayed to the only closer on my this list. He had a real bad outing against Baltimore this week. Going a little over 4 innings giving up 6 earned runs and 11 hits.

Brett Anderson Starting Pitcher Oakland

Games 27 Wins 9 Losses 10 K's 129 ERA 4.37 WHIP 1.29

Andersons numbers are comparable to Niemann considering Oaklands team record, 67-78. If this award is going to a starting pitcher, Niemann is still the leader.

Elvis Andrus Shortstop Texas

Games 129 Hits 114 Home Run 6 RBIs 33 BA .273

Andrus has done a very good job all year at short for the Rangers however Wieters numbers are a little bit better and he has played 36 fewer games. Andrus has a bright future and it looks like the Rangers have a steady SS for years to come.



Andrew Bailey Relief Pitcher Oakland

Games 62 Wins 6 Losses 3 K's 82 ERA 1.98 WHIP .92 SAVES 24

Bailey is one of the league leaders in ERA, K's and WHIP for relievers. He also has 24 saves and 6 wins. If the ROY race were to end today, I would have to give the AL version of the award to this hard throwing A's closer. He has an electric fastball, good curve, and effective cutter. He seems to be able to throw all three pitches to righties and lefties for strikes.

Rickey Romero Starting Pitcher Toronto

Games 25 Wins 12 Losses 8 K's 119 ERA 4.22 WHIP 1.51

I think Romero has some very strong stats considering he is pitching in Toronto and playing against the AL East, but his numbers are not as strong as Niemann or Bailey in this bloggers opinion.

Rick Porcello Starting Pitcher Detroit

Games 27 Wins 13 Losses 8 K's 78 ERA 4.21 WHIP 1.33

Porcello also has good numbers for a rook, but again not quite up to the level of Bailey or Niemann. Most of these starting pitchers should get a couple more starts this season, so a lot could change, and any of them could be awarded ROY.

Gordon Beckham 3B Chicago White Sox

Games 88 Hits 88 Home Run 12 RBIs 54 BA .274

Beckham has been solid at third this year for the sox, but he is in the same situation as Wieters, just not enough games to put up the stats needed to win the award. Unless he has a great final month and can put up big numbers, I think this award is going to a pitcher.

Brad Bergesen Starting Pitcher Baltimore

Games 19 Wins 7 Losses 5 K's 65 ERA 3.43 WHIP 1.28

Bergesen is on the 60 day IR he has most likely pitched in his last game this year.

So after looking over the stats I think if the season were over tomorrow, I would give the award to ANDREW BAILEY. That is right I said Bailey. I am a huge Rays fan, and have really enjoyed watching Niemann pitch this year, but Bailey has been really good for the A's and is one of the AL's better closers right now. I still think Niemann has a really good shot at taking this award home with a couple more quality starts this year.

The Card Addict

Jeff Niemann Rookie of the Year?????

The Tampa Rays hoped beginning the season one of their starting pitchers would have a chance to win the A.L. Rookie of the Year award. What they did not know was that pitchers name would be Jeff Niemann. Most people believed David Price was a ROY candidate coming off his strong '08 post season performance. It only seemed logical that he would continue his success and have a shot at the AL ROY trophy. Poor control and high pitch counts have kept the "Price from being Right" most of his rookie campaign.

While Price struggled, Jeff Niemann is quietly putting together a very solid rookie year. He threw a gem of a game tonight against the Baltimore O's to push his record to 11-5. He went 7 1/3 innings tonight giving up only a solo shot to Brian Roberts before being pulled. He gave up seven hits and had 5 K's. He lowered his ERA to 3.71, and got his eleventh win, both tops on the Rays staff. Niemann has be arguably the best starter for the Rays this year.

His ERA and BAA are both in the top 20 of all AL pitchers, he has 2 complete game shutouts, and 81 Ks. He is now 6-1 since June 16th.

Niemann was the Rays first pick in the 2004 draft, fourth overall. He made his major league debut on April 13, 2008 against the Baltimore O's. Niemann was out of options starting spring training this year so the Rays were forced to give him a starting spot to keep him from being exposed to waivers. Sometimes having your hand forced can be a good thing, especially if you are the Rays!

There are some other great looking Rookies this year, Brett Anderson LHP of Oak, Elvis Andrus SS Texas, Brad Bergesen RHP Bal, Gordon Beckham 3B Chi, Matt Wieters C Bal, Andrew Bailey RHP Oak, Rick Porcello RHP Det, Ricky Romero LHP Toronto, but if by some miracle the Rays can catch Texas and Boston and win the AL Wild Card I look for Tampa to have their second American League Rookie of the Year!

Go over to the EBAY and pick up a couple of Niemann rookie cards while you can: