I got these from a private signing. It’s kind of exciting to finally knock out some nice Carlos Baerga autographs on sweet spot cards. Up until now, I have only ever been able to get one, and it was a rushed in-person autograph.
I remember very clearly when Baerga was traded away from the Indians in July 1996. At the time I was too young to really appreciate why the Indians did it–Baerga was clearly sliding down the backside of his career–so I was pretty upset. It did not help to have to deliver a hundred copies of the Cleveland News-Herald that morning, whose cover was images of Baerga hugging staff and saying goodbye to teammates.
I also have a…I guess this is pretty pathetic memory…of being really upset about it at school and wanting to talk to someone about it. Yet I didn’t actually have any friends to talk to. I remember finally asking my gym teacher about it, who told me that if Baerga spent more time worrying about baseball and less time getting fat maybe he would still be with that team. That made me feel better.
Anyway. There you go. Two Carlos Baerga autographs.