Buerhle's New Autograph Deal

Content Originally Posted by Sports Collectors Daily on July 28th, 2009.

Major League Alumni Marketing (MLAM) has landed an autograph contract with Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle, who tossed the 18th perfect game in Major League Baseball history last week.

Buehrle is the first exclusive athlete for Legends Memorabilia Collection (LMC), the memorabilia division of MLAM, the for-profit subsidiary of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA).

MLAM provides paid opportunities for alumni players through autograph signings, personal appearances, and group licensing opportunities. It also conducts numerous signings with current Major League players to help benefit former players. The difference between MLAM and other memorabilia companies is that all revenue generated from these autograph signings will go to benefit the former players.

"Mark is a tremendous athlete, and an even better individual, who has accomplished so much during his young career," said Dan Foster, Chief Executive Officer of MLAM and the MLBPAA. "MLAM is proud to make him our first exclusive athlete, as he fully embodies the mission of our organization."

The first signing session between both parties is scheduled for the second week of August. MLAM plans to release a limited number of items signed by Buehrle featuring the date of his perfect game.

On July 23 Buehrle became the 16th pitcher in the modern era, and 18th pitcher ever, to pitch a perfect game. It was the first since Randy Johnson accomplished the feat in 2004. Buehrle's perfect game followed his first no-hitter in April 2007.

In 9 1/2 seasons in MLB, Buehrle has a career 133-90 record and was a key member of the 2005 World Series Championship Chicago White Sox team. Currently, he leads the American League with 11 victories and only three losses. In his short career, the 30-year-old pitcher has been named to four All-Star teams (2002, 2005, 2006, 2009).