TTM Stats
- Sent: 2/6/2018 | Received: 3/30/2018 | 54 Days
- ’16 Topps
- Address: Houston Astros Spring Training
The Story of the Autograph
AJ Hinch is a former catcher and the current manager of the World Series Champion Houston Astros. During his playing days he spent time in Oakland, Kansas City, Detroit and Philadelphia. After his playing days ended in 2004 he went on to manage the Arizona Diamondbacks for his first managing gig in 2009 through July of 2010. Then he worked as a the VP of scouting for the Padres before heading to Houston.
As a player AJ showed a lot of promise when he was younger. In 1992 he was the National Gatorade Player of the Year in baseball and was drafted in the second round of the MLB draft. But AJ decided to go to Stanford. He would be drafted again while in his junior year, but he stayed at Stanford. He ended up only playing 350 games over an eight-year career. He his .219 with 32 home runs and 112 RBI over that time.
He worked his way through the Arizona minor league operations system almost as soon as his playing days ended. When he started managing for the Diamondbacks he had never coached or managed a team at any level at that point and was only 34 years old. He was fired in the middle of the 2010 season after going 31-48 and having an 89-123 record overall. He moved on to the Padres organization and is now in Houston. He’s seems to be a pretty good manager now while with Astros, but I know a lot of that has had to do with some young talent finally taking root there.
The Score on AJ Hinch – 5.5
I really like AJ’s signature. My only problem with it is that it’s so small. I’m not sure if that is because of how he signs cards, or maybe even this card specifically or what. It comes out great and he uses a great marker. I just wish it was a little bigger. I don’t know how reliable AJ is for signing. I sent during the regular season last year and didn’t get anything back so maybe he only signs during Spring Training.
Thanks Mr. Hinch! I’m giving this one a 5.5.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.