TTM Stats
- Sent: 6/15/2022 | Received: 6/28/2022 | 13 Days
- ’87 Fleer, 88 Fleer, ’88 Score (kept one card)
- Address: PO Box (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 12/28/2022 | Received: 1/9/2023 | 11 Days
- ’86 Donruss, ’90 Topps, ’92 Score (kept two cards)
- Address: PO Box (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 1/29/2024 | Received: 2/20/2024 | 21 Days
- ’84 Topps, ’86 Topps, ’90 Topps (kept one card)
- Address: PO Box (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 10/17/2024 | Received: 10/28/2024 | 11 Days
- ’87 Topps, ’88 Fleer, ’89 Topps (kept one card)
- Address: PO Box (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Jim Acker carved out a solid career as a dependable relief pitcher in Major League Baseball, primarily with the Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves. While he may not have been a household name, his versatility and reliability made him a valuable bullpen asset for over a decade.
Born on September 24, 1958, in Freer, Texas, Jim Acker developed his baseball skills at the University of Texas at Austin. His strong performances as a college pitcher led to him being selected by the Atlanta Braves in the first round (21st overall) of the 1980 MLB Draft.
But Acker made his major league debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1983. As a young pitcher on a team that was developing into a contender, he found his niche as a middle reliever and spot starter. By 1985, Acker was a key bullpen piece for a Blue Jays team that won its first-ever AL East title. That year, he posted a 3.23 ERA in 86.1 innings, helping Toronto reach the postseason for the first time in franchise history.
In 1986, Acker was traded to the Atlanta Braves, where he spent the next three seasons. While the Braves struggled, Acker remained a reliable bullpen presence, often being used in high-leverage situations. He returned to the Blue Jays in 1989, rejoining a team that was once again a playoff contender. Over the next few years, he continued to be a steady reliever, contributing to Toronto’s rise toward eventual World Series success (though he left the team before their championships in 1992 and 1993).
After a brief stint with the Seattle Mariners in 1992, Acker retired from baseball. Over his 10-year MLB career, he appeared in 467 games, compiling a 33-49 record, a 3.97 ERA, and 904.1 innings pitched. While he never had dominant numbers, he was a durable and respected arm in any bullpen he joined.
Following his retirement, Acker largely stepped away from the public baseball spotlight. He has remained involved in various community and business ventures while occasionally appearing at Blue Jays alumni events.
Jim Acker may not have been a superstar, but he played an essential role on competitive teams, particularly with the 1980s Blue Jays. His career is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the value of a reliable bullpen arm. Blue Jays fans of that era still remember him as a key contributor during the team’s first taste of success.
The Score on Jim Acker – 6.5
Jim has one of my favorite signature because I always thing it looks like Egyptian hieroglyphics or something like that. One thing to think about with Jim is that he seems to sign three cards each time regardless of what you send him. Of all these, one of my favorite is the 1992 Score card, and I’m not really a 1992 Score fan.
Thanks Mr. Acker! I’m giving this return a 6.5 overall.
These aren’t my first returns from him. To see the first three returns I received from him, check out these posts:
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.