Mission accomplished- 14 year project finally completed!

[Lordstan]

Pictures? Show it to us.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[whitehse]

I am just curious as to the reactions of these seven former players when you told them what you are trying to accomplish. I know in years past when I have presented a gamer to a former player for an autograph they almost all, to a man, take the bat and hold it by the handle and get lost in some far off place as they contemplate the bat itself.

What was the reactions of these players or was there just a lack of caring on their parts?

[KenBoyerCollector]

Brilliant collection! Love it!

[ibuysportsephemera]

Very cool! Congrats.

Jeff

[JeremyW]

Great accomplishment. To get the bats alone is an achievement. To get them signed... wow! That's some dedication.

[BigJJ]

Originally Posted by JeremyW

Great accomplishment. To get the bats alone is an achievement. To get them signed... wow! That's some dedication.

Agreed - They look AWESOME

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by Lordstan

Pictures? Show it to us.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Hi Mark,
Here you go!

The 1st photo is of the Ryan 7 no-hit catcher game used bats on display. From left of photo, Jeff Torborg's bat (no-hitter # 1), Art Kusnyer (# 2), Tom Egan (# 3), Ellie Rodriguez (#4), Alan Ashby (# 5), John Russell (# 6), Mike Stanley (#7). The two remaining bats are gamers of Nolan Ryan circa 1986-1988 and Gino Petralli who was Ryan's 300 win catcher.

I also have included a look at my rack of game used signed and inscribed Nolan Ryan milestone strikeout victims and significant milestone catchers. From left of photo:
Sal Bando (Ryan's 1,000 K victim), Rich Reese (Ryan's single season ML record 383 K victim 1973), Ron Leflore (2,000 K), Cesar Geronimo (3,000 K), Tim Blackwell (Ryan K # 3,508- ties Walter Johnson for all-time K's), Brad Mills (Ryan K # 3,509- passes Walter Johnson for all-time K's), Danny Heep (4,000 K's), HOF Ricky Henderson (5,000 K's) Greg Myers (Ryan's 5,714th and final K), John Stephenson (Ryan's 1st K Catcher), Jerry Grote (Ryan's 1st win catcher), Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez (Ryan's final win and final K catcher).

It should be noted that I also have signed and inscribed game used bats of Ryan's 100th win, 200th win, 1000th K, 2000th K, 3000th K and 5000th K catchers (not shown here).

Note: I had a beautiful game used LS bat for Ryan's 4000th K catcher (corked!), but Mark Bailey, after agreeing to sign it TTM never returned it. This is the only time I've been burned on sending something TTM and not have a player return it, BTW. I've been very fortunate overall. I'm still looking for another to replace it. Anyone that can help me find one will have made a friend for life! I'd love to complete this theme as well.

[roarfrom34]

very cool collection indeed....have you ever thought collecting the bats of the players who made the last outs in each of these no-hitters?

congrats!

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

very cool collection indeed....have you ever thought collecting the bats of the players who made the last outs in each of these no-hitters?

congrats!

Thanks!

Interesting. I have not ever considered collecting the bats of the guys that were the last outs of each Ryan's no-hitters, but I do have signed, inscribed baseballs of several of these guys.

[Lordstan]

Scott,
Very nice collection there. I'm glad to see that there are others here who are as OCD as I am.
Here is another idea to add to roarfoam's. In my experience, every no hitter has at least one spectacular or controversial play. How about a signed glove of the player with the spectacular catch or incredible infield diving stop?
Sorry if I added to your neurosis.
Best,
Mark

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by Lordstan

Scott,
Very nice collection there. I'm glad to see that there are others here who are as OCD as I am.
Here is another idea to add to roarfoam's. In my experience, every no hitter has at least one spectacular or controversial play. How about a signed glove of the player with the spectacular catch or incredible infield diving stop?
Sorry if I added to your neurosis.
Best,
Mark

Me, OCD??