Signature Saturday - Mark Grace

I already own a couple of Mark Grace autographs. I have a few certified ones I've picked up and a couple years ago, I got a pair of customs cards signed, including my ATCRCS card. But when another opportunity came about, I couldn't pass on sending in some more things to get done.

With the ATCRCS out of the way, the next priority was the 1991 Topps Desert Shield card. I remember being frustrated I didn't own this card when that last opportunity presented itself so I purchased one shortly after.

Unfortunately, this one looks better in the scan than it does in person. Rather than sign it in the lighter area across his torso, the first part of his autograph runs along the brick in the background making it a little difficult to see. This card gets my signed team set 1/4 of the way completed with 8/32. You can see my progress in the tab at the top.

Next up on the list was Grace's 1989 Topps card, featuring the Topps All-Star Rookie Cup. Considering he was runner-up to Chris Sabo for Rookie of the Year honors in 1988, it seems a pretty obvious choice for Grace to be the Topps All-Star Rookie at first base.

Even in hindsight, this was a pretty solid choice. Take away my Cubs bias, I still put him in my Hall of Pretty Good. Not only second in ROY voting, but also a 3x All-Star, 4x Gold Glover and Gracie had more hits than anybody in the 1990's. Of course, he had to leave Chicago to get his World Series ring, but I digress...

I've added a new tab at the top to show this mini subcollection as it grows.

And last but not least is the Signa-Chip puzzle piece. This is a fairly large puzzle piece (basically baseball card size) that fit into a 250 piece, 15 1/2 x 18 inch puzzle. Like the Desert Shield card, I've been sitting on this puzzle piece since just after the last signing. With Ryne Sandberg and Grace out of the way, I'll be less than passively looking to finish off the set by getting Andre Dawson to sign his and then somehow framed up.