A creative collector took this envelope to Cooperstown and had it postmarked on August 7, 1978, four months to the dayafter Paul Molitor’s debut. The collector later had Molitor affix his signature to the envelope.

Also attached is The Ignitor’s rookie card featuring UL Washington, Mickey Klutts, and fellow Hall of Famer Alan Trammell signed by all four players. In 2004, he was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Molitor played 2,683 games. Defensively he had 792 appearances at third base, 400 at second, 197 at first and rest sprinkled in at shortstop and the outfield. With the majority of his games coming a a designated hitter – 1,174 contests – Molitor became the first Cooperstown inductee to play the majority of his career at DH.

A closer look of the card reveals a hatless Molitor in the four-panel card. The card also features UL Washington who is best remembered for sporting a toothpick while playing shortstop. Washington played his high school games with a blade of grass in his mouth and kept the habit in the minor leagues. Presented with a problem on the Royals’ artificial turf, Washington turned to the toothpick. Six-time All Star and four time Gold Glover Alan Trammel has signed his portion of the card as well.

Though he spent his first 15 years in Milwaukee as pictured on the card, many of Paul Molitor’s landmark accomplishments happened elsewhere. It was with Toronto that he captured his only championship ring as World Series MVP in 1993; he gained his 3,000th hit with Minnesota.