Topps just can't seem to make up it's mind on which Santana plays for the Los Angeles Angels. To make it worse, 2007 Topps Opening Day uses the Ervin Santana signature, while the regular 2007 Topps uses Johan.
According to this Orange County Register Article the less talented Johan Santana, decided to avoid any confusion, and changed his name.
"I just came up with Ervin," Santana said. "Ervin Santana, that sounds good."
The Calgary Vipers, a team in the independent Golden Baseball League, signed him to a contract, but he was not allowed to enter Canada because of a prior aggravated assault conviction, the team was forced to trade him, but were not interested in any of the players that the Laredo Broncos of the United League had to offer. They decided that Calgary could use some extra bats, and the trade was made.
Little did everyone know that 6 months after the trade, John Odom would be dead. Some who were close to him feel that the trade bothered him, and put him on a path of drugs and alcohol, which eventually contributed to the 26 year old's accidental overdose on Nov. 5, 2008.
The 10 bats are worth around $665, but ironically were were never used, and were eventually purchased by Ripley's Believe it or Not!
When you look closely at this card, the first thing you notice is that someone was actually able to get a picture of Mike Hampton while he was on the field. The second is the badge of courage on his left arm. The Tommy John calling card!
His first Topps Cards had his name as James Harden, and his signature as James Richard Harden. Then Topps decides to use two different signatures for Bowman and Bowman Chrome, and they look nothing alike!
Forget the fact that he was born "John Paul Bonser" Forget the fact that he legally changed his name to Boof after the 2001 season. Topps decided to spell his last name Bosner!
