Outfielder Brady Clark had a very interesting career. He was not drafted out of college, and instead joined the Cincinnati Reds as an undrafted free agent in 1996. Almost immediately after signing he injured himself and was released. Clark missed the 1996 season due to his injury, but when he recovered the Reds resigned him for the 1997 season. From 1997-1999 he did nothing but hit in the minors, and in 1999 he won the Southern League batting title and was crowned the league MVP.
Clark made the majors in 2000 and would spend the better part of the next nine seasons in the majors as a 4th outfielder. Only once, in 2005 with the Mets, did he get more than 500 at-bats in a season. It was a good season though, with 13 HR and a career-high 109 OPS+. All told, he would retire with a career 94 OPS+. While he did not have eye-popping numbers, he was a perfect 4th outfielder that any team would love to have.
Brady Clark was one of the first autographs I ever got when I got into collecting back in the early-2000s. Last month there was a private signing for him, and I was able to send two cards in. It was a nice chance to finally get his autograph on a nice item.