TTM Stats
- Sent: 10/26/2018 | Received: 11/5/2018 | 9 Days
- ’89 Fleer, ’89 Topps, ’90 Donruss, ’90 Topps, ’91 Topps
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Les Lancaster was a right-handed pitcher in the major leagues from 1987 through 1993. While he started out as more of a starter and made starts throughout his career, he’s primarily known as a relief pitcher. He played with the Cubs for the majority of his time in the majors (1987-1991), but he also played for a year with the Tigers and Cardinals.
Lancaster was drafted by the Yankees in the 24th round of the 1981 draft but didn’t sign with them. It was the same in 1983 when the Rangers drafted him in the 39th round. But when the Cubs found him as an amateur free agent in 1985 he signed with them. He made his way through the Cubs system and first appeared on April 7th 1987. He appeared in 27 games that year and started 18 of them. In that rookie season he went 8-3 with a 4.90 ERA and got a few Rookie of the Year votes for it.
After an so-so year in 1988, the Cubs surprised in 1989 and made it to the postseason. Lancaster and Mitch Williams in the bullpen were part of that winning formula. Lancaster went 4-2 with a 1.36 ERA (career best) and 8 saves (career best). That was probably the best season of his career.
After the Cubs released him he moved on to Detroit and the Cardinals, each for a year. After baseball he’s worked as a coach and manager in the minor leagues.
The Score on Les Lancaster – 7.0
I like Les’ signature and that really big “L”. I always like guys who have the same initial for both names but Les takes a different approach to it. Instead of doubling up on that same first letter, he makes one big one and uses it for both. It’s almost as if its a logo. I don’t know what the little curl and dot are at the end of his signature. I’d be interested in finding out what he’s doing there but it doesn’t look like part of his name.
Thanks Mr. Lancaster! I’m giving this return a 7.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.
As a kid, I bought a VHS copy of the 1989 Cubs documentary, “The Boys of Zimmer.” I watched it so much that I’m pretty sure the tape gave out. Thus, despite being only a few months old through the duration of that season, I have a special affinity for that group and the alliterative Lester Lancaster was one of my favorites. What a cool TTM success!
Thanks! Great story! I love how he uses that L for both names.
I love how people get into things like that. I had something similar for the ’86 Giants season. It was a book I read over and over and I swear the hard cover/binding fell apart.