My Autographed Sports Illustrated Magazine Collection: October 2007

10/28/07 - Qadry Ismail

The Ismail brothers have the coolest nicknames around- the Rocket, the Missile, and the Bomb. The Missile signed these two cards. What's interest are the markings at the top right hand corner of the cards. It kind of looks like Arabic writing at first, but looking closer, it almost looks like some weird code writing which looks like it says Missile. He did grow up in a Muslim family, so maybe it is Arabic writing. Who knows.

10/15/07 - Jim Ryun

The first high schooler to break the 4:00 minute mile, Jim Ryun is also an ex-Congressman from Kansas. He is currently running for another seat in Congress.

His favorite verses come from John 3:3-8 which say, "In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

10/15/07 - Ryan Leaf

Although he had a reputation as a bust and malcontent in San Diego, Ryan Leaf is a good signer through the mail. I sent this courtesy of West Texas A&M University, where is currently the coach of the men's golf team.

10/15/07 - Joe Frazier

The signature is hard to see, but this is one of my favorite returns. Joe Frazier charges $100 a pop at shows, and through the mail he charges $30 (he included a price sheet with the return). But he signed this for only $10. Joe's been on the cover of Sports Illustrated many times, so I tried to pick the best action shot cover to send him. Too bad the background is dark.

10/12/07 - Gary Player

This one took 231 days to get returned. It was sent in care of his corporation. It came back with a letter stating that Gary Player only signs one item per person. Under his signature, he provided his own seal imprint. You can see it under his last name. Writing to him apparently places you on the mailing list of his Player magazine, because I ended up getting an issue of it later.