I had a chance to get Andres Galarraga during a private signing. It was not super cheap. But I heard he is a tough autograph in-person, so I considered it. I was able to get this card for less than half the cost of the signing, so that is where I landed. I think its a very nice looking autograph, especially because he signed it in the perfect spot.
I always think of Galarraga as more of a Rockie or Brave than Expo. But that is me. Either way, he was a great player who spent 19 seasons in the big leagues.
- First made the majors in 1985, but did not have his first full season in the majors until 1987. By then he was a finished product, hitting .305/.361/.459 with 13 HR.
- During his career, he would be selected to five All-Star games, win two Gold Gloves, and two Silver Sluggers.
- He would rate Top-10 MVP votes six times.
- Galarraga would average 29 HR a season, but the power came with lots of K’s. He led the league in strikeouts four times. And he did not walk much at all.
- Still, he had contact skills. Enough that he led the league in hits in 1988 with 184 and was the 1993 National League batting champ with a .370 AVG.
- He was the National League HR champ in 1996, with 47 dingers. He also led the league with 150 RBI.
- He would retire with a line of .288/.347/.499 with 399 HR and an OPS+ of 119.
While he is not quite a Hall of Fame players, he still had a very impressive career.