TTM Stats
- Sent: 3/23/2022 | Received: 4/13/2022 | 20 Days
- ’87 Donruss, ’87 Topps, ’88 Topps
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Charlie Kerfeld was one of Major League Baseball’s most colorful and unconventional relief pitchers in the 1980s, best remembered for his time with the Houston Astros. His combination of talent, personality, and eccentricities made him a fan favorite and a memorable figure in baseball history.
Born on September 28, 1963, in Knob Noster, Missouri, Kerfeld grew up with a love for baseball. After being drafted in the 24th round in 1981 and not signing, then in the first round in 1982 and not signing, he was drafted by the Houston Astros in the first round (5th overall) of the 1982 MLB June Draft-Secondary Phase out of Yavapai College in Arizonal. At 6’6″ and 225 pounds, Kerfeld was an imposing presence on the mound. His size and fastball made him a promising prospect as he worked his way through the Astros’ minor league system.
Kerfeld made his MLB debut with the Astros on September 28, 1985, and quickly demonstrated his value as a relief pitcher. However, it was the 1986 season that marked his breakout year. As the Astros’ primary setup man, he appeared in 61 games, finishing with an impressive 11-2 record, a 2.59 ERA, and four saves.
He became a key part of the Astros’ bullpen, helping the team win the National League West division and advance to the postseason. During the 1986 National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the New York Mets, Kerfeld was one of the Astros’ go-to relievers. Although the Astros fell in a dramatic six-game series, Kerfeld’s performance on the field and his antics off it gained him significant attention.
Kerfeld was known for his unique personality, which included his love for wearing a Jetsons T-shirt under his uniform and his quirky sense of humor. One of the most famous stories about him involved his 1987 contract negotiations. Rather than asking for a standard raise, he requested $110,037.37 and 37 boxes of orange Jell-O—a nod to his jersey number, 37. This move endeared him even more to fans and added to his reputation as a fun-loving, carefree player.
His larger-than-life personality also showed in his interactions with teammates and fans. Whether it was cracking jokes in the clubhouse or entertaining fans with his antics, Kerfeld embraced his role as one of baseball’s true characters.
Unfortunately, Kerfeld’s career after 1986 did not live up to his breakout season. Injuries and inconsistency plagued him in the following years. In 1987, his ERA ballooned to 6.67 in just 21 appearances. After bouncing between the minors and majors, he was eventually traded to the Atlanta Braves in 1990, but his time in the majors was short-lived. Kerfeld pitched in 25 games for Atlanta before being released.
After his playing days ended, Kerfeld stayed involved in baseball, transitioning to managing in the minor leagues and later a front-office role. He worked as a scout and special assistant to the general manager for several teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies. His knowledge of the game and passion for baseball allowed him to remain a respected figure within the sport long after his time on the mound had ended.
This is my third successful return from him. To see the other succcessful returns, check out these posts:
The Score on Charlie Kerfeld – 6.5
Charlie has a good sized signature. I especially like it on that 1987 Topps card. There just a much better place to sign the card. In the other two he has that really dark warmup jacket on. The pictures just don’t show things they way they look in real life on cards like that.
Thanks Mr. Kerfeld! I’m giving this return a 6.5.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.