TTM Stats
- Sent: 9/14/2019 | Received: 9/28/2019 | 14 Days
- ’81 Topps, ’84 Topps, ’85 Topps (2)
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum
The Story of the Autograph
Willie Aikens is a former major league first baseman. He played from 1977 though 1985 with the California Angels, Kansas City Royals, and Toronto Blue Jays.
Aikens was born and raised in South Carolina. He played baseball, football and basketball in high school and then went to South Carolina State on a baseball and football scholarship. However, after his freshman year the school dropped baseball as a sport. His coach helped him get on to a semi-pro summer league in Baltimore. While playing there a scout with the Angels saw him play. The Angels made him the second overall pick in the 1975 MLB Draft.
After playing well in the Angels system and showing some power, the Angels had him debut on May 17, 1977. He played 42 games that year but then it was back to the minors in 1978. He had a good showing in the majors in 1979 and after the season he was traded to the Royals along with Rance Mulliniks.
He immediately earned the first base job in Kansas City, that despite being a not being a good fielder. His bast was his strength and he was second on the team in RBI and Homers to only George Brett that first year. He helped the Royals finally win an ALCS after making it for their third time in four years. But the would end up losing to the Phillies in the World Series. But Aikens had a great series including two homers in Game 1.
He played well in 1982 and 1983 but then got into trouble and his career started going downhill. Aikens and his teammates were part of a federal cocaine probe and following the season he was sentenced to three months in prison after pleading guilty to attempting to purchase. He was traded to the Blue Jays and got back into the league after initially being suspended for a year. But he was released a month into the season and resigned to a minor league deal. Despite playing well, he never made it back to the majors and would play in the Mexican Pro League.
Aikens would be in prison for drugs and was released in 2008. He’s since been talking to schools and young players about his experience and even coached a little.
The Score on Willie Aikens – 6.5
Willie has a nice signature. It’s not necessarily small but it seems that way a little. Using his number makes it a little bigger. I really like the way he does his “A” in his last name. He seems to put his signature in a spot that isn’t great for showing it off as it’s over a lot of other text on a couple of the cards.
Thanks Mr. Aikens! I’m giving this a 6.5 overall.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.