Feb. 18 Report: Chris DiMarco, Steve Walsh and Mike Smithson

Well, another first to report today. It only took 49 days of this project to get my first new baseball autograph in hand.

And it comes courtesy of former MLB pitcher Mike Smithson. Smithson played in the bigs from 1982-1989, competing for three different clubs during that span -- Texas Rangers (1982-1983), Minnesota Twins (1984-1987) and the Boston Red Sox (1988-1989).

Smithson, who compiled just a 76-86 record, may be best known for his role in the longest baseball game ever played. The game started on April 18, 1981 and ended on June 23, 1981 and was a minor-league contest between the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings.

There is a great account of it here.


Steve Walsh had a great college career at the University of Miami, where he went 23-1 in his two seasons as starting quarterback. He led the Hurricanes to a national title in 1987 and was selected by his former coach, Jimmy Johnson, with the No. 1 pick in the 1989 supplemental draft to play for the Cowboys.

The problem was Dallas also picked Troy Aikman in the 1989 regular draft and we all know how his career went. In all Walsh spent 11 seasons in the NFL playing for six different teams.

His career numbers were 7,875 yards and 40TDs.

And my favorite success of the day comes from Chris DiMarco. The former University of Florida golfer has had an excellent PGA Tour career thus far. He's won several events, was the star of the winning U.S. Presidents Cup team in 2005 and has played in the Ryder Cup as well.

If it weren't for a guy named Woods, DiMarco would also have a Masters and British Open title to his credit.

Very pleased to add another former UF golfer to my collection. Just a few more to go!!

Day of the Year: 49
Number of Autographs This Year: 86