Signing for a Cause: Chris Potter Sports to Hold Benefit Signing

Those familiar with Chris Potter Sports know the company is a great source for the more obscure baseball autographs, as Chris tours the country securing the signatures in person with former players.

However, his next big project involving signings is much more special.

On Nov. 26, Chris Potter Sports is conducting a special show that will help benefit The Braydon Fund, set up for Braydon Hutchison, 11, who was diagnosed with CML (Chronic Myelgenous Lukemia) and requires a bone marrow transplant. Braydon is Potter’s cousin.

“The insurance doesn’t cover the costs of the procedure on the donor for the bone marrow and they don’t cover the costs of the transplant procedure,” Potter said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to raise some good money for the fund.”

A dozen players are scheduled to attend the event, with more expected to be added, to be held at the Tacoma Elks Lodge No. 174, 1965 Union Ave., Tacoma, WA 98405, from 9-5 p.m. Edgar Martinez and Bret Boone head the list, which also includes Denny McLain, Julio Cruz, Dave Valle, Pete Ward, Joe Verbanic, Don Johnson, Eddie O’Brien, Johnny O’Brien, Bobby Gene Smith and Eric Wilkins.

Potter said Pete Ward’s nickname was “Pigpen.” Ward is a good friend of Potter, and he is one player a lot of former players talk about.

“Pete happens to be a very good friend of mine, but every player that I have seen in the past year who has played against or with Pete Ward seems to mention he always seems to be really dirty,” Potter said. “His nickname was ‘Pigpen.’ We’re hoping to have some people come out that have stories about Pete because he is a really good guy.”

Potter said Eric Wilkins is a great guest for set collectors because he is an elusive autograph.

Potter has been on the road a lot this year, meeting 350 former players and traveling more than 100,000 miles.

“This is our first public event, and we’re hoping a lot of people in the Northwest will come and see us,” Potter said. “I’m from Oregon and this happens to be a treat. We don’t see a lot of former baseball players doing card shows out there.”

The event will also feature a charity auction, raffle prizes of autographed memorabilia and a card show to complement the signings. Admission is $1.

For those who can’t attend the event, there is a mail-order option or you can donate directly to The Braydon Fund. Both options are available via
www.chrispottersports.com.

With Braydon scheduled for a transplant in early November, he won’t be attending the event, but Potter hopes to have a live Internet feed with Braydon via Skype during the show.

For more information on this event, call Chris Potter Sports at (443) 955-0071, e-mail baseball_superman@hotmail.com or visit www.chrispottersports.com.