Steve Foucault

Sent: 11/19/11
Received: 11/26/11
Time: 7 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1975 SSPC, 1976 Topps, 1977 Topps, 1978 Topps
Item Received: 1975 SSPC, 1976 Topps, 1977 Topps, 1978 Topps, 2011 Choice Long Island Ducks.  All signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
The man behind this amazing mustache is Steve Foucault.  He was born in Duluth, Minnesota and spent the '70s as an outstanding power-reliever for the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers.  These days, he's a post-modern pitching philosopher for the independent league Long Island Ducks, and he still sports the best mustache in professional baseball.

David Murphy

Sent: 10/14/10
Received: 6/30/11
Time: 259 Days
Address: c/o Texas Rangers
Item Sent: 2010 Topps
Item Received: 2010 Topps, signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
The Texas Rangers absolutely fleeced the Boston Red Sox at the 2007 trade deadline.  Former NL Cy Young Award winner (albeit under the influence of PEDs) Eric Gagne was having a nice comeback year for the Rangers.  The Red Sox wanted him as an eighth inning man.  They dealt three prospects to the Rangers.  The highlight was Murphy, Boston's 2003 first round draft pick.  Gagne was a colossal disaster in Boston.  Murphy has done nothing but hit since arriving in Arlington.  He has played all over the outfield, hit for decent power, and stolen a few bases.  He is an ideal fourth outfielder, and has been supremely valuable in Texas, where superstars Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz are always prone to DL stints.

Mitch Moreland

Sent: 10/23/10
Received: 4/29/11
Time: 188 Days
Address: c/o Texas Rangers
Item Sent: 2010 Bowman Chrome
Item Received: 2009 Bowman Chrome, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
I like Mitch Moreland.  I'm always a champion of the underdog, and that's exactly what he has been in the Texas Rangers system.  Two years ago, Chris Davis was supposed to be the Rangers' first baseman of the future.  While he hit for decent power in Texas, all other aspects of his game were lacking.  Meanwhile, Moreland was hitting a cool .331 in the minors.  Last year, when Davis fell on his face again, former first-round pick Justin Smoak bypassed he and Moreland as the Rangers' first baseman of the future.  He struggled mightily in Texas, too, and was eventually the key piece in the Cliff Lee trade with Seattle.  Meanwhile, Moreland was hitting his ass off in the minors.  Given a call-up, Moreland posted an .833 OPS in 47 regular season games.  In the post-season (which is when I sent this request), he stepped up his game to the tune of a .900 overall OPS.  What's more, it improved in each round, peaking with a .462/.533/.769 slash line in the World Series.  Now firmly entrenched as the Rangers first baseman, he is still hitting his ass off.

C.J. Wilson

Sent: 10/23/10
Received: 4/23/11
Time: 182 Days
Address: c/o Texas Rangers
Item Sent: 2009 Topps Heritage
Item Received: 2009 Topps Heritage, signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Although he spent the better part of a couple seasons as the Rangers closer, C.J. Wilson was still probably better known before last season for his lifestyle than for his pitching.  He's a straight-edge, vegan, Taoist who openly supported Barack Obama in 2008 (from a Bush-land clubhouse that ranged from conservative to politically apathetic... C.J. certainly ruffled some feathers).  Last year he was converted into a starting pitcher.  Despite not starting a game since 2005, he logged 204 innings, going 15-8 with 170 strikeouts and a sparkling 3.35 ERA.  He is off to another fine start this season, and is surely one of the more unique personalities in today's game.

Ron Washington

Sent: 10/13/10
Received: 12/6/10
Time: 54 Days
Address: c/o Texas Rangers
Item Sent: 1982 Topps Traded, 1983 Topps, 1984 Donruss, 1986 Donruss
Item Received: 1982 Topps Traded, 1983 Topps, 1984 Donruss, 1986 Donruss.  All signed in blue Sharpie.

Notes:
The primary shortstop on the 1982 Twins, and the primary utility infielder on the team for the next four seasons, Washington is now, of course, the manager of the AL Champion Texas Rangers.  This was a good year for Ronnie.  As much as any of the players, he looked like he was having the time of his life during the 2010 playoffs.  It was glorious watching him oust the Yankees in the ALCS.  For me, it even numbed a little bit of the pain from the Yankees first round sweep of the Twins.

Steve Comer

Sent: 5/25/10
Received: 5/28/10
Time: 3 Days
Address: Home
Item Sent: 1981 Topps, 1983 Topps
Item Received: 1981 Topps, 1983 Topps.  Both signed in thin black Sharpie.

Notes:
If at first you don't succeed...  I initially sent a request to Mr. Comer via the common address provided on the SportsCollectors.net website.  It came back marked "return to sender - unable to forward" in four days.  After a very brief Google search, I found a new address.  Three days later, I have signatures!