Hobby Musings: Clayton Richard, Former MLB Pitcher – Recently, I had the chance to catch up with former major league pitcher Clayton Richard. Playing for multiple teams over his career, including the White Sox and Padres, the lefty has also had his share of experiences with autographs and memorabilia. Here’s what he had to say on a variety of topics, including the memorabilia he’s kept from his career.
KS: Fans love to get their autographs. When is the first time someone asked you to sign something?
CR: If I remember correctly, it was my freshman year of high school. I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to play varsity football that season and earned all-state honors. From that point forward, it was pretty normal to get autograph requests from younger children after games, especially during basketball season.
KS: What is the strangest thing anyone has asked you to sign?
CR: I wish I had a cool story for signing something unique. No Ricky Bobby stories here.
KS: On the flip side, what is the coolest thing anyone has asked you to sign?
CR: I love signing newspaper articles. I think partly due to nostalgia and the newspaper becoming more of a thing of the past. I grew up with my father always reading the morning paper at the kitchen table and sharing any articles with me that he found interesting or noteworthy. A good newspaper article with a picture carries so much value to me. A solid newspaper article is a piece of artwork. A story being told by the columnist to the picture taken by the photographer, I just think they are really awesome.
KS: Did you ever ask any fellow players or celebrities for autographs or memorabilia?
CR: I am not very outgoing. At times, I wish I would have, but that is not part of my personality. I have asked a few players for items that had sentimental value to them. I played with Jeff Suppan towards the end of his career, and he signed my bat from my first hit, which was off of him. Randal Grichuk and Edinson Volquez signed bobbleheads for me while we were close teammates. Aaron Harang had a boss Chevelle that I always drooled over, and on my birthday, he gave me a Hot Wheels version of it signed. When I was traded from the Chicago White Sox to San Diego, Mark Buerhle, John Danks and Gavin Floyd sent me a box of granola bars signed because we would go into the clubhouse for a midgame snack every night. Morgan Lucas and Shawn Langdon (NHRA drivers) signed a piston blown out of one of their cars. I don’t have a lot of signed memorabilia, but what I do have carries more value to me than the autograph. It carries a memory of a relationship that I made.
KS: What memorabilia, if any, did you keep from your career?
CR: I kept as much as I could. Fortunately, one of my children is left-handed so the gloves are being put to good use. I am hoping that one of my boys ends up with a size 14 to get these cleats back in action. I kept all my hats and as many of the jerseys that I wore as possible. It is a great gift for me to share with someone that has really helped me out, as everyone knows, nobody makes it by themselves.
KS: Is there anything from your career that you don’t have that you wish you did?
CR: Photos/videos from time with teammates away from the field. You can’t really find those anywhere, and I wish I would have made a point to take pictures and document the memorable moments with all the great people I was fortunate enough to spend time with through those seasons.
KS: You had several trading cards released during your career? What was it like seeing yourself on a card for the first time?
CR: Honestly, I never really took the time to admire them. I think this is the first year that I have actually looked at them in detail. They are a really special part of this game, and I hope they don’t go out of style any time soon.
KS: Do you collect any of your own cards and do you have a favorite one that was made?
CR: I have a stockpile of them that I like to sign and give to people that enjoy them. I think my favorite is from my time in SD, and it was more of a wide shot action formatted in landscape and had Nick Hundley (catching) and the umpire in the frame.
KS: The card industry has turned into such a large business. Has it surprised you at all just how much money is involved with it?
CR: At times it does, but it also is understandable when you take the time to look at the individual cards and take the time to listen to the story that all of them tell. Then, when you involve some of the best players on this planet and make one that is unique, you can sort of understand there being an outrageous demand to acquire it.
KS: If a fan wanted to ask you for an autograph now, what would be the best way to reach you?
CR: I am currently coaching QBs and am the head baseball coach at Lafayette Jefferson High School in Lafayette, IN. You can find me at every football or baseball game there, or send it to the school at
1801 S. 18th St.
Lafayette, IN 47905
Editor’s note: You can also follow Clayton Richard at @CRThrees on Twitter.
Hobby Musings: Clayton Richard, Former MLB Pitcher – Image Gallery
Hobby Musings: Clayton Richard, Former MLB Pitcher
Kelsey’s ability to bring hobby coverage to the mainstream sports fan has been a true asset. GTS is happy to feature his thoughts on collecting in Hobby Musings. The opinions expressed are his and do not necessarily reflect those of GTS Distribution.
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