Hobby Musings: Catching up with Pirates prospect Mason Martin – One of the prospects receiving a trading card in the upcoming Onyx Platinum Elite release is Pittsburgh minor leaguer Mason Martin. The Gulf Coast League MVP last season, Martin signed autographs for the product along with his prospect counterparts. He was kind enough to take some time out of his schedule to talk about his cardboard experience. The following interview was conducted via email.
KS: Mason, what was your reaction when you found out you were getting a trading card?
MM: I was overjoyed. It’s always been a dream of mine to get my own card.
KS: For fans who may not know, what kind of process did you have to go through for your trading card agreement?
MM: I was offered a contract to sign memorabilia and cards, I couldn’t turn it down!
KS: I’ve sometimes seen stories of athletes practicing their signature. I have to ask, is that something you did in anticipation of having to use it?
MM: I’ve been practicing my signature since I’ve learned how to write cursive. It’s been a dream of mine to play pro ball since then so I’ve had a lot of practice!
KS: As far as your autograph cards for Onyx go, how did your hand feel after signing them all?
MM: I spaced the cards out day by day so it felt just fine.
KS: Did you ever collect any trading cards growing up?
MM: Loved trading cards, especially old school players like Babe Ruth and Bo Jackson. I was a millionaire until my mom threw all my baseball cards out.
KS: Do you think you’ll try to collect your own cards as you get more of them?
MM: I’ll give them to family and friends so they can collect!
KS: If you get the chance, which fellow player would you like to ask for an autograph?
MM: Definitely Joey Votto when he retires or Derek Jeter.
KS Going from high school into a professional system, what differences have you seen in people asking for photos and autographs between the different levels?
MM: Huge difference, didn’t sign much in high school, but pro all the time.
KS: When is the earliest you can remember someone asking you to sign an autograph?
MM: Junior year of high school.
KS: What is the strangest thing someone has asked you to sign so far?
MM: Nothing too crazy, just memorabilia!
KS: If a fan would like to request your autograph, what would be the best way to do so?
MM: Contact me through twitter, or you can get memorabilia on the Onyx website.
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