Part 4 in this ongoing series is this card of the Rays starting second baseman Akinori Iwamura. This is another on-card beauty from 2009 Goodwins Champions. This one Aki signed in-person for my little brother this spring as a member of the Pirates. I have several Aki-graphs, but this is the most special.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5Xj31XlBNMqtJoC6YwHLeRzAKroqYa51BpU8iCoAzW397oUk1BF9-uKiZC9Pmcj17YW1KoILKksPSRP-onnPkMTVdXVIzkUCxX0ip5mjQjNyeWQTNsjb-g_1ZtL_ISQE6giou3AKOIzy/s320/scan0286.jpg)
The prior season Iwamura was the Rays starting third baseman, but moved to second to create an opening for Evan Longoria. Aki adapted instantly and he and Jason Bartlett formed a defensive force up the middle.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrdO4RPkmV8fUURVGy7DCeiHaD5S9l9nIo7nIYwZX6VODfLWTaGzux-_SCQiFHmF1dhcGjor6rJ8mi6MHz1welW9LuilM5FXb9BL-f-E65rUCmIzizn7BbDuD8jMGd_oGaPQdyAKnGCAA/s320/aki!!!.jpg)
Tampa Bay bid Aki farewell after last season.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaEnrXUCLAQ1ob9YJIF4LvtwQxtTH5vC89lp5FL_j6I-VwN8ksnKOShN-wfJRbwPJvH3jePOTS1QWmLk4hMDUDrd2D7V0CVBP4ej2Z4mKiodzzTk52lbQjtyyf3lq_flGZilfjY25sT64/s320/hello+aki.jpg)
Last night Pittsburgh bid farewell to the infielder as well.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXij5hM-quCM-EBJHf-PvvrmHwsI-Z-yPvY6h8H4m98GVGAYBJYPaCCEv0ZGjfoVjfKsH_i2zsc0V-R1nxe24KVV6yQZI8qFhla8Vs9JZfssiWrNU2omvxn62OmBwgyz5337KcOoM9ifAF/s320/domo+aki.jpg)
I expect to see Aki back on top very soon, I just hope it isn't in New York! Your still number 1 with me.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBt8htUxWEqPxcuantuRWEG8Nn5m7Q94zfzJ0WrgfwtZrjzV1M27hQTWYxr9KWDBq0cz-E2ewbv55KhR83HWqv1VsdNJJNcGPumtq8H3nGnaqJnl9Kt4oBclV550Vb-enlCwx52n_d430x/s320/DSC_0162.JPG)
Good luck! Go Rays! troll out.
Now would be the perfect time for the Rays to bring Aki back. The Pirates look like they'll practically give him away
ReplyDeleteTroll, I still need you to resend the photos for your card. The first email didn't have attachments. Yours is the last card I have to finish.
ReplyDeleteGreat sign Troll.
ReplyDelete